Macrobiotics cooking
it has been said You are what you eat. This is a really unique way of cooking with natural ingredients, making delicious and nutritionally balanced meals. Choosing from a variety of grains, beans or bean products and assorted seasonal vegetables from land and sea are some of the key ingredients that will compose our diet. Different types of cooking methods will create certain dishes that are basic necessities to healthy cooking. Organic foods are the best to be using, but if organic produce is unavailable you can choose from the regular produce for variety in your diet
Basic Macrobiotic Dietary Concepts
The following are basic concepts of the Macrobiotic Way of
Eating:
1
.Consume organically and locally-grown foods in season as they become available, or foods that will store without
artificial preservation or refrigeration. Alternatively, eat
foods grown in the same latitude.
2
.Consume cooked whole grains primarily, and recipes made
from whole grains ; secondarily in quantity, cooked
vegetables,adjusting proportions and preparation methods
according to activity, climate and seasonal fluctuations of
temperature and humidity.
3
.Use solar-evaporated sea water salts in preparation of
foods , as well as traditionally - aged miso and shoyu,
umeboshi and seaweeds. Drink undyed, 3-year old roasted
twig tea (kukicha) as preferred beverage.
4
.Use unrefined, cold-pressed seed oils sparingly, made from
organically - grown seeds , like sesame , corn, safflower,
sunflower, flaxseed, etc.
5
.Use roasted seeds and nuts , fruit , salads and fish
occasionally as desired, in smaller quantities, as provided in
season.
6
.Use beans and bean products frequently , as primary
sources of protein, along with whole grain and vegetable
dishes.
7
.Avoid all foods and beverages containing refined
sweeteners , chemical dyes , synthetic flavorings or
seasonings, refined oils, chemical preservatives, or made
from foods grown with chemical insecticides, herbicides,
fungicides , chemical fertilizers , or produced by bio-
engineering or grown under hot-house conditions.
8
.Avoid foods grown in, and shipped from, warmer latitudes.
9
.Avoid "soft" (carbonated, sweetened) beverages, canned
goods , alcoholic beverages , artificial sweeteners or
products containing these ingredients.
10
Chew each mouthful thoroughly before swallowing.
Yin Foods, Yang Foods
There are four factors that determine whether a food is yin or yang:
How the food grows (including speed and direction).
Where the food was grown (in northern or southern
climates).
The sodium-potassium content.
And the effect the food has on the body (hot or cold
effects).
In terms of mineral elements, Yin represents foods rich in potassium,
while Yang foods are high in sodium.
In general, yin foods are considered "cool," larger, have less salt, have potassium, and/or grow above soil. Yang foods are "warm" or "hot," smaller, have more sodium, and/or grow below the soil. In addition to eating yin or yang foods, to maintain balance followers of the philosophy believe you must also eat "cool" foods when it is hot, and "hot" foods when it is cold.
