Macrobiotics
A lifestyle philosophy that incorporates the understanding and practice of energy balance using yin and yang (expanding and contracting), applied to body, mind and spirit. A person in balance has health; a person out of balance creates illness. The concept originated in Japan, and a practical course study of the principles was created by George Ohsawa (1893 – 1966). Macrobiotics continues to evolve through dedicated teachers such as Michio Kushi, Herman Aihara (deceased), and many others who continue to study, experiment, and discover.
Standard Macrobiotic Diet
Consists of organic whole grains, beans, land vegetables, sea vegetables, and traditional fermented foods. It also includes wild-caught fish, temparate-climate fruit, and grain-based sweeteners (these three inclusions are not always used daily). Foods are eaten in an orchestrated balance depending on an individual person’s health. Particular cooking styles and eating seasonally available foods are part of the practice. Many food are avoided: sugar, dairy, meat, poultry, processed foods, chemicals and preservatives. Other foods are avoided or eaten rarely: tropical fruits and nuts, honey and molasses, nightshade vegetables, alcoholic beverages. The following concept is paramount: food is not only sustenance, it is also medicine.
Vegetarian Diet
Any foods that don’t include meat or poultry. Most vegetarians will eat dairy and eggs.
Vegan Diet
Foods that have no animal origin, period. Vegans also won’t eat honey (comes from bees) or gelatin (comes from horse hooves).
The Wholesome Kitchen has a more expanded view than any of the above. Our training and experience is based on macrobiotic principles. The standard macrobiotic diet is recommended for anyone suffering from illness that has consulted with a certified macrobiotic counselor; your counselor will recommend very specific foods to balance your condition. Some of those recommendations may even fall outside of the “standard”. From our experience, many vegetarians and vegans eat just as many processed, unhealthy foods as most who eat meat. Whatever foods you as an individual decide to eat is your call; however The Wholesome Kitchen recommends you choose organic, unrefined, unprocessed, whole-form foods whenever possible. If eating animal foods, eat what has been raised using organic and humane practices. While we don’t coach on cooking animal foods, we advocate eating whatever foods create balance and health for you.
