macrobiotics doesn't have to be so word-centric

Ok, so slowly working my way through the book, I am a slacker...whenever I have assigned reading it is inevitable that I will put it on the back burner, regardless if I like it or not.

The biggest thing that I am focusing on, and relates directly to a macrobiotic lifesytle, is the fact that all this pre-packaged crap has to go. Eradication nation.

Today I made an even more focused effort to make this happen. I already cook all. the. time., but want to focus even more on being true to my food. Today, I made hummus, salad dressing and cheesecake. The dressing was from all fresh ingredients and it was amazing. The hummus was from all fresh ingredients minus the chickpeas, those were canned. The cheesecake, admittedly was from ALL prepackaged food but at least I used free-range eggs and natural butter. Hummus? The next installment will require non-canned chickpeas.
I went to the westside market today to get a ton of supplies for all my foodstuffs . Queso and fresh mozzarella from The Cheese Shop. Fresh Bison from the bison stand (I can't remember the name) and homemade fajita seasoning and dried black beans from Urban Herbs. Talking to the woman at Urban Herbs, she reiterated what I already inherently knew, once I cooked and ate these beans, I "would never go back." A quick tip about cooking and some words of encouragement and I was on my way. I rinsed my beans, and soaked them...for a bit. Since I did not soak them overnight, I meant having to bring them to a boil and then simmer for about two hours. Three bay leaves, some crushed black pepper and my go to, Adobo, and after a looong simmer (a.k.a forgetting about them for roughly two hours total) my beans were done and SO good. Ms. Urban Herbs representative was right, I will never go back to a canned bean.
Granted, I am already what my friends would call a urban, modern hippie but damn, as I move more and more to my local, sustainable and non-packed, non-preservative laden food, I am a believer. Not only is it easy but it tastes so. much. better. Yes, it takes a little more time (emphasis on the little) but it is worth it. I challenge everyone to change one food product that you would normally just buy (beans, dressing, salad, pita chips) and try making it on your own. You'll be amazed and a believer.

Creepy is seeing various people at the gas station filling up three, and more, large gas cans. Conspiracy theorists? Hoarders?

Get your life right

Every day it's all about getting my life right. Cleaning out processed and packaged food, eating locally produced food as much as possible, going back to simple grains. Additionally, it is always about actions, not intentions. Being a better person inside and out.

a diet on macrobiotics

So it turns out the diet won't drastically change from what I eat now...as far as I can tell, HOWEVER, I will need to incorporate a lot more grains and seaweed...I live in Cleveland. Is there anywhere I can get this stuff? Who sells fresh and dried seaweed, etc?

My guide to marcobiotics

I randomly bought a book while in Albuquerque. I always went to Whole Foods while there to stock up on supplies so as not to be forced to eat the fast, horrendous food while on business trips. One random day I perused the books at Borders next to the glorious entity that is Whole Foods and found the book, 'The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics'. I had no idea, and still kind of don't, as to what macrobiotics entails, but had heard a few musings here and there and decided to purchase the book. This was well over a year ago and today, I am just seriously picking it up.

There is a lot going on in this book. 289 pages full of information, advise and recipes. Overwhelming? Maybe. Doable? Totally. I am a reader, books don't scare me! Until now. Until it pertains to an actual goal. I am a slacker, I said it, a slacker. How am I going to do this? Well, I started my masters degree and haven't dropped out yet, a month trial on a macrobiotics diet shouldn't be too tough.

OK, preface, intro, ahhh, the meat and potatoes (or lack thereof since this is macrobiotics). The first thing it tells me is to not beat myself up. Don't be hard on myself... okaaaay, change entire outlook on life...check. It says I don't have to deprive, just don't act like a maniac...hmmmm. Slowly change eating habits...OK, I can do that, have been doing that for a while now...this can't be too bad.

There are twelve laws. As I read this book I will outline what I learn. Before I can even start the diet portion (page 71) I need to get through the laws and what to expect. Thus far, from the intro, I have learned that this isn't a life changing endeavor and there are skeptics, but it is not too hard and I will feel better physically, emotionally and sexually as this adventure unfolds...who can argue with that? Well you can, but I am going to keep my skepticism at bay.

Is it New Years already?!?

So, like many, I am going to use the new year to try some new things, including but not limited to the following:

1. testing out a macrobiotics diet for a month
2. going out to eat less
3. starting my own compost (for my garden)
4. starting recycling at my campus
5. focusing on others rather than myself.

Some of these are ambiguous but doable. The first endeavor is the macrobiotic diet...