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Food and A Macrobiotic Dictionary, Part 4

Carl Ferré

e are most pleased to Alkaline-forming minerals: The announce that the new primary minerals that have an alka- Wonline macrobiotic dic- line-forming effect are sodium, po- tionary is available at Macrobiotic- tassium, calcium, magnesium, and Dictionary.com. This issue contains . entries related to food and dietary concepts. Sandy Rothman continues Appetite, good: The desire and abil- to point out entries that need greater ity to eat the simplest food with joy, clarity. As always, we look forward pleasure, and deep gratitude. Good to your comments and suggestions. appetite is one of the seven condi- tions of health. Acid-alkaline theory: The supposi- tion that eating slightly more alka- Balanced eating: Consuming foods line-forming foods than acid-forming that have a near equal amount of yin foods each day is best for optimal qualities and yang qualities and thus health. This theory is based on the have a centering effect. In the larg- fact that blood pH needs to be main- est sense, this means a diet based on tained at 7.35 to 7.45 (slightly alka- Carl Ferré whole grains and fresh line). rather than meat and sugar.

Acid-forming foods: Foods that Acidic condition: A preponderance Binge: Excessive indulgence, usu- when digested cause the bodily flu- of acid byproducts in the internal flu- ally for a short period of time, by ids to become more acidic. Examples ids, especially when in the blood. eating extreme yin foods or drinking include animal foods, grains, beans, alcoholic beverages as a result of re- nuts, sugar, alcohol, most chemicals, Alkaline-forming foods: Foods that stricting food choices too much, try- and drugs. when digested cause the bodily fluids ing to yangize too quickly, or using to become more alkaline. Examples too much salt. Acid-forming minerals: The prima- include sea salt and salt products, ry minerals that have an acid-forming vegetables, most , , non- Biological Transmutation: A theo- effect are sulphur, phosphorus, chlo- chemicalized teas, and coffee (black, ry that claims that one element can ride, fluoride, and iodine. without cream or sugar). change to another within the healthy body as long as internal heat from https://OhsawaMacrobiotics.com Macrobiotics Today • SPRING 2019 5 restrict water in any way; each person Fats (saturated and unsaturated): Gordon Kobayashi should make certain to drink an ad- A macrobiotic approach to diet con- Independent Dealer equate amount of water each day at tains about 13 percent unsaturated all times. Note also that Diet Number fat and about 2 percent saturated Seven is not intended for long-term fats. Fat sources include good-quality use. oils, beans (including soy products), whole grains, nuts, seeds, LongLifeLubricants Dietary Goals, U. S.: Goals pro- and fish. 7671 Gabor Street Valley Springs, CA 95252 duced by a Senate Select Committee 209-786-3690 ● 209-273-7286 headed by George McGovern in 1977 Feeding table, kokkoh, for infants: [email protected] that affirmed that Americans need to A table for feeding kokkoh (grain LongLifeLubricants.myamsoil.com consume more grains and vegetables milk) to infants for the first weeks and less meat and sugar. and months of life. Kokkoh is used in movement or exercise is available. cases where mother’s milk is unavail- “The process of transmutation goes Dietary guidelines / proportions: able for some reason, or as a supple- on whenever there is life, no matter Any of several lists of percentages of ment. what sort of diet we follow. By un- various food groups that are consid- derstanding how it works, we can ered to be healthy. These percentages Five-Element Theory: An exten- truly be the creators of ourselves and from George Ohsawa, Michio Kushi, sion of yin-yang based on seasonal our existence.” (Essential Ohsawa, Herman Aihara, and others are ad- changes for further classification and 30) justed for season, climate, location, refinement in making daily choices. activity, and one’s purpose. The five elements are wood (spring), Breastfed babies: Breastfeeding is fire (summer), earth (late summer), preferred in all cases unless there Ecology: One of the principles used metal/air (autumn), and water (win- is some problem preventing it. If to select foods by which perishable ter). breastfeeding is not possible, the foods that grow nearest to one’s lo- macrobiotic view is to use kokkoh cal environment are preferred. The Five flavors (tastes): The flavors (grain milk) or another substitute overriding principle is found in the corresponding to the five elements of other than cow’s milk. Japanese Buddhist expression: “Shin the five-element theory: sour (wood), do fu ji” (the body and soil are not bitter (fire), sweet (earth), pungent Chewing: The basic macrobiotic rec- separate). (metal/air), and salty (water). ommendation is to chew each mouth- ful of quickly at least Economy: One of the principles used Food Selection: One’s physical, fifty times and up to one hundred and to select foods by which whole foods mental, and emotional life depends fifty times and vegetables until they and using an entire food (no waste) on the nourishment of food since are liquid. Whole grains become tast- are preferred. In addition, foods such foods determine the condition of ier the more they are chewed. as organic ones that are grown with- the vital organs including the brain. out insecticides or other chemical ad- Principles used are selecting local, Diet Number Seven: One of George ditives are favored. in-season, indigenous, and organic Ohsawa’s dietary plans in which foods and choosing as wide a variety one eats one hundred percent whole Energy, dietary source of: The as possible. grains along with a minor amount of macrobiotic view is that the best and specific condiments for a brief period cleanest source of energy is complex Fruitarian diet: A diet based on eat- of time (three to ten days) in order carbohydrates. Thus, whole grains ing only or primarily fruits. Some to cleanse the body of excess toxins. combined with whole beans to make fruitarians include nuts and seeds and This temporary healing diet also in- a more complete forms the some . The macrobiotic view cludes the instruction to drink as few basis of a macrobiotic dietary ap- is that such a diet might be useful for beverages (other than water) as pos- proach. a brief period of time to remove tox- sible. Note: Current practice is not to ins from excess animal food but that

6 Macrobiotics Today • SPRING 2019 https://OhsawaMacrobiotics.com it is not balanced and not practical for long-term use. The Miso Happy Show Grain diet: A diet based on eating only or primarily whole grains. The A Live Online macrobiotic view is that such a diet might be useful for a brief period of Webinar with time as a type of fast to remove toxins Bettina Zumdick from the body but that it is too restric- tive for long-term use. & Alex Jack Featuring Special Presenters, Grains, refined: Grains that are Chefs & Live Musicians milled, stripping out both the bran and germ to give them a finer texture and “You make miso happy when skies are grey . . .” longer shelf life. The refining process removes many nutrients, including 7-8 pm ET on the 1st of Every Month fiber. Refined grains include white flour, white , and pastas. Refined May 1, Dr. Jane Teas on “Healing with Seaweed” grains are used in macrobiotics as June 1 and July 1, TBA August 1, Bill Tara and Marlene Tara-Watson supplemental foods and less often than whole grains. Audience Q&A’s • Recorded for Later Viewing $14.95/month or $45/4 months Grains, whole: Grains in which the bran, germ, and endosperm are still Register at misohappyshow.com present in the same proportions as or call 413-429-5610 when they were growing in the fields. The bran contains B , fiber, and important antioxidants. The germ to control its internal conditions and drink “as little as possible.” Current contains many as well as keep them relatively constant and in recommendations are for people to some protein, minerals, and healthy equilibrium between interdependent limit beverages but not to limit fresh fats. The endosperm contains starchy systems of the human body. Exam- water. Dehydration can lead to many carbohydrates, proteins, and small ples include the amount of oxygen, problems and drinking water when amounts of vitamins and minerals. amount of glucose, body tempera- needed is important for maximum ture, and acidity or alkalinity. health. Grains, yin and yang of: Most whole grains such as , mil- Infants, macrobiotic food for: Gen- Locally-grown foods: The first prin- let, , whole , buckwheat, eral suggestions are breastfeeding ciple of macrobiotic food selection , amaranth, and products made for at least nine months (one year is that the best fresh foods for an in- from whole grains like white rice, preferred), the introduction of soft dividual are those that grow in one’s buckwheat noodles, and naturally- whole grains at about six months local environment and that are in sea- leavened bread made from 100 per- old, and soft vegetables at about one son. cent whole grain flour are more yang. year old. Kokkoh is recommended if Partially processed grains such as breastfeeding is not possible. Macrobiotic dietary approach: The udon noodles, ramen, (buck- use of specific techniques for opti- wheat) noodles, bulghur, cornmeal, Liquid intake: The appropriate mal food choices, preparation, and and rolled (oats, , wheat, amount of water is vital to one’s consumption based on combining etc.) are slightly yin. health. Much of the macrobiotic liter- healthy traditional foods, including ature advises drinking less or control- whole grains and their products, fresh Homeostasis: The ability of the body ling liquid intake. One chart stated to vegetables, beans, , nuts, seeds, https://OhsawaMacrobiotics.com Macrobiotics Today • SPRING 2019 7 pickles, fermented foods, herbs, sea- of Ohsawa’s main teachings in the This is one of the best sonings, sea vegetables, and teas. dietary realm is that whole grains introductory books on Each person discovers the best foods should be the principal or main food macrobiotic philosophy for her or him based on macrobiotic of one’s diet. The return to a diet and diet uniting the three principles. Thus, the term “the based on natural whole grains as major expressions of macrobiotic diet” is inaccurate; there one’s principal food is the secret of macrobiotic teachings: are as many different diets as there improving one’s natural immunity or George Ohsawa, Herman are people. Many people thrive being healing power. “Only whole grains Aihara, and Michio Kushi. vegan and other people choose to in- are meant to be used as principal clude some animal food. foods...they form the foundation of a macrobiotic way of eating because Getting Natural foods: Foods that don’t con- they are a combination of both tain additives or preservatives and and fruit, are abundant on the Earth, that have undergone minimal (if any) and are a most economical, ecologi- Started processing. cal, and nutritious food.” (Essential Ohsawa, 19) Old age: Beginning at age seventy, dietary suggestions include reducing : Shorthand (but inaccurate) salt intake, using a small amount of name given to a macrobiotic dietary good quality vegetable oil daily, and approach because whole grain brown making certain foods are as simple rice is the principal food. Also, a and natural as possible. Lifestyle rec- shorthand name for diet number sev- ommendations include living more in en. nature and giving happiness to others. Salt, intake of: The amount of salt Overeating: Consuming more than consumed is of vital importance for is good for oneself due to unbal- optimal health. Too little salt can lead anced eating such as using too much to fatigue and dulled mental aware- salt (yang) and thus being attracted ness and greater disorders if contin- to sweets (yin). Another example is ued for a long period of time because $14.95 plus $2.50 shipping eating only carbohydrates or only salt is an alkalizing factor. Too much = $17.45 protein or only fat at a , which salt can lead to an attraction to sweets results in overeating to feel satisfied. or other yin foods and to heart prob- Essential Guide to lems and high blood pressure if con- Macrobiotics is filled with with at least one source from useful and practical informa- all three yields a more satisfying tinued for a long time. tion. A revised and expanded meal and thus no need to overeat. version of Pocket Guide to Secondary foods: Secondary foods Macrobiotics. Pleasure foods: All foods not in- to principal foods (whole grains and cluded as principal foods (whole their products) include fresh veg- grains and their products) or second- etables, beans, sea vegetables, fruit, A Must Buy! ary foods (fresh vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, fermented foods, fish, sea vegetables, fish, fruit, nuts, seeds, and teas. George Ohsawa fermented foods, and teas) except Macrobiotic Foundation for refined sugar, which is avoided Standard Macrobiotic Diet: Di- if at all possible. Examples include etary guidelines from Michio Kushi PO Box 3998 animal foods (other than fish), dairy that provide lists of foods he believed Chico, CA 95927 products, and honey. were acceptable and those foods he 530-566-9765 maintained should be avoided. Ide- OhsawaMacrobiotics.com Principal Food (staple foods): One ally, these preliminary guidelines are

8 Macrobiotics Today • SPRING 2019 https://OhsawaMacrobiotics.com used for a brief time until one learns macrobiotic principles and can decide the best foods for him- or herself.

Strict macrobiotic diet: Name given to restricting macrobiotic foods to mostly brown rice, some vegetables, and very little else. People often use this approach thinking it can remedy a disorder; however, using a restrict- ed diet over an extended period of time can lead to additional problems.

Ten Ways to Health and Happi- ness: In Zen Macrobiotics, Ohsawa published a list of ten dietary percent- ages of various foods that comprise healthy ways to eat in his view. These diets were numbered from minus 3 to seven, from which the diet num- ber seven gets its name. Five of these diets are vegan and five include up to 30 percent animal foods.

Vegetal mother: The realization that all foods have a vegetal origin because only vegetables can absorb inorganic elements and convert them into organic foods. Without the veg- cheese, etc. are part of milk), sugar body cells.” (Macrobiotics: An Invi- etal world no animals, including hu- products, etc. are not whole foods. tation to Health and Happiness, 40- mans, can exist. All whole grains are whole foods. 41) Small fish can be whole if you eat the Vegetarians/Vegans: Vegans are head and tail. Eat vegetables, leaves, persons who eat only vegetal foods. and roots. Whole foods contain all the Carl Ferré is editor of Macrobiotics Vegetarians eat primarily vegetables and minerals needed. (Of Today and Essential Ohsawa but some include small amounts course, some elements are contained and author of Essential Guide to of animal foods such as fish, eggs, in less quantity in certain foods than Macrobiotics and Acid Alkaline cheese, or other dairy products. Many in others.) By eating whole foods, we Companion. He conducted the macrobiotic practitioners are either will be able to maintain homeostasis French Meadows Summer Camps vegetarian or vegan and the number and a good balance of nutrition in our for 38 years. Carl continues his work is growing given the decreasing qual- blood, body fluid, and cells. By eat- on the new online macrobiotic dic- ity of animal foods. ing whole foods, we will be able to tionary and various book projects. manufacture our own vitamins and Email: [email protected]. Whole foods: “What are whole enzymes. Therefore, by eating whole foods? Those that are not refined, ex- foods, we will be able to develop the tracted, or made by synthetic chemi- ability of transmutation. When we cals. Therefore, refined flour, white acquire this ability, we will be able to bread, sugar, meat (this is only part live on grains and vegetables, trans- of a cow), milk products (cream, muting these to animal protein and https://OhsawaMacrobiotics.com Macrobiotics Today • SPRING 2019 9