Re: food combining

July 14, 2006

I don't do anything with it. It's the first time I had some in some

time. I just sprinkle it on popcorn usually making a cheese like

topping. We had the discussion here b4 where it was said that it's

not really nutritional.

Ah well I imagine there are worse things I could eat.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > we were just talking about this recently, so i

> > thought

> > > i'd post

> > > > >>> > > this

> > > > >>>>> > >> > article from

> > > http://www.yogajournal.com/health/934_1.cfm?

> > > > > ctsrc=nldn

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > The Right Combination

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Mixing too many foods at one time can trigger

poor

> >

> > > digestion.

> > > > >>> > > Here's

> > > > >>>>> > >> > a practical guide to combining foods

> > appropriately.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > By Hale Sofia Schatz

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > If you've ever tried to practice yoga right

after

> > a

> > > meal, then

> > > > > you

> > > > >>>>> > >> > know how uncomfortable your Downward-Facing

Dogs

> > and

> > > spinal

> > > > > twists

> > > > >>>>> > >> > can feel with a full or bloated belly. Even if

> > you've

> > > finished

> > > > >>> > > eating

> > > > >>>>> > >> > several hours before stepping onto the mat,

your

> > body

> > > may

> > > > > still be

> > > > >>>>> > >> > working to digest your last meal, which means

less

> >

> > > available

> > > > >>> > > energy

> > > > >>>>> > >> > for your practice. To keep your body feeling

light

> >

> > and

> > > vibrant,

> > > > >>> > > look

> > > > >>>>> > >> > within—to your digestive tract.

> > > > >>>>> > >> > The main reason we eat is to provide our bodies

> > with

> > > the fuel

> > > > > we

> > > > >>> > > need

> > > > >>>>> > >> > to live—fuel for walking, thinking,, making

art,

> > > working,

> > > > > playing

> > > > >>>>> > >> > with our children, and doing yoga. But the very

> > act

> > of

> > > > > digestion

> > > > >>> > > also

> > > > >>>>> > >> > takes energy. You can assist your body's

digestion

> >

> > > before you

> > > > > even

> > > > >>>>> > >> > take the first bite of food. If you think of

the

> > > stomach as a

> > > > >>> > > blender

> > > > >>>>> > >> > that purees food into a molecular soup, then

what

> > you

> > > eat

> > > > > together

> > > > >>> > > at

> > > > >>>>> > >> > one time doesn't matter because it all gets

mixed

> > up

> > > anyway,

> > > > >>> > > right?

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Wrong.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Different foods have different digestion times

and

> >

> > > require

> > > > >>> > > different

> > > > >>>>> > >> > digestive enzymes. Therefore, eating too many

> > kinds

> > of

> > > foods at

> > > > >>> > > one

> > > > >>>>> > >> > time—such as proteins with grains, fats, and

> > sugars, a

> > > la the

> > > > >>> > > common

> > > > >>>>> > >> > peanut butter and jelly sandwich—can result in

> > > difficult

> > > > >>> > > digestion.

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Eating the appropriate food combinations not

only

> > > helps improve

> > > > >>>>> > >> > digestion, it can also increase energy,

regulate

> > > elimination,

> > > > > and

> > > > >>>>> > >> > help relieve depression, anxiety, and mood

swings.

> >

> > And

> > > > > increased

> > > > >>>>> > >> > physical energy means more vitality, clarity,

and

> > > focus in all

> > > > >>> > > areas

> > > > >>>>> > >> > of life. Although food combining isn't a

panacea,

> > it

> > > can ease

> > > > >>>>> > >> > digestion so that energy flows through the body

> > > unimpeded.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > We do yoga not just for the sake of physical

> > results,

> > > but so

> > > > > those

> > > > >>>>> > >> > results—a strong, supple, and receptive body—-

give

> >

> > us

> > > greater

> > > > >>> > > access

> > > > >>>>> > >> > to our spirit. Why should feeding ourselves be

any

> >

> > > different?

> > > > >>> > > Think

> > > > >>>>> > >> > of food combining as food yoga. By keeping the

> > core

> > of

> > > our

> > > > > bodies

> > > > >>>>> > >> > functioning with ease, we can access our inner

> > selves

> > > more

> > > > > deeply

> > > > >>>>> > >> > because less of our attention is diverted to

the

> > > physical.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > A Process of Elimination

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > How often do you actually think about the food

> > that's

> > > being

> > > > >>> > > digested

> > > > >>>>> > >> > by your body? Most of us think about digestion

> > only

> > > when we

> > > > > suffer

> > > > >>>>> > >> > indigestion—bloating, gas, heartburn,

> > constipation,

> > > diarrhea,

> > > > > and

> > > > >>> > > all

> > > > >>>>> > >> > the other unpleasant symptoms that quickly

direct

> > our

> > > > > attention to

> > > > >>>>> > >> > our bellies. Yet the digestive tract is the

center

> >

> > of

> > > the body—

> > > > > the

> > > > >>>>> > >> > alchemical furnace in which what we eat is

> > transmuted

> > > from

> > > > >>> > > separate

> > > > >>>>> > >> > foods into the fuel our bodies and minds need.

The

> >

> > > next time

> > > > > you

> > > > >>> > > eat

> > > > >>>>> > >> > something, think about when your food actually

> > becomes

> > > you.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > The digestive tract has three basic functions:

The

> >

> > > stomach

> > > > >>> > > separates

> > > > >>>>> > >> > the food into smaller parts, the small

intestine

> > > completes the

> > > > >>>>> > >> > breakdown and assimilates nutrients to supply

to

> > the

> > > rest of

> > > > > the

> > > > >>>>> > >> > body, and the large intestine eventually

> > eliminates

> > any

> > > > > remaining

> > > > >>>>> > >> > waste. Keeping this system in good working order

> > is

> > > essential

> > > > > to

> > > > >>>>> > >> > overall health and vitality.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Digestive problems can arise as we age, undergo

> > > stress, eat too

> > > > >>>>> > >> > quickly or on the run, or eat diets composed of

> > > refined and

> > > > > rich

> > > > >>>>> > >> > foods, too much food, or foods eaten in

> > complicated

> > > > > combinations.

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Eventually, the proper flow of digestive juices

> > slows

> > > down,

> > > > >>>>> > >> > compromising the breakdown of foods in the

stomach

> >

> > and

> > > small

> > > > >>>>> > >> > intestine. Like any plumbing system, the

digestive

> >

> > > tract can

> > > > > erode

> > > > >>> > > or

> > > > >>>>> > >> > get backed up, resulting in chronic diarrhea

> > and/or

> > > > > constipation.

> > > > >>> > > If

> > > > >>>>> > >> > elimination doesn't happen properly, we don't

> > receive

> > > the

> > > > >>> > > nutrients

> > > > >>>>> > >> > we need and toxic waste matter can remain in

the

> > > system. This

> > > > >>> > > causes

> > > > >>>>> > >> > us to feel uncomfortable and lethargic; the flow

> > of

> > > life

> > > > > energy is

> > > > >>>>> > >> > blocked.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > The word digestion comes from the Latin

> > for " separate "

> > > > >>> > > or " arrange. "

> > > > >>>>> > >> > In fact, this is exactly what happens in the

> > digestive

> > > tract:

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Nutrients, in the form of molecules, are

separated

> >

> > > from food

> > > > > and

> > > > >>>>> > >> > arranged through assimilation to provide energy

> > for

> > > all the

> > > > > body's

> > > > >>>>> > >> > internal organs. With food combining, you

assist

> > > digestion by

> > > > >>>>> > >> > separating and prearranging your food before it

> > even

> > > lands in

> > > > > your

> > > > >>>>> > >> > stomach.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Although medical research hasn't yet been done

on

> > the

> > > specific

> > > > >>>>> > >> > benefits of food combining, this system, which

has

> >

> > > been around

> > > > > in

> > > > >>>>> > >> > various forms since the 1930s, is based on the

> > > understanding

> > > > > that

> > > > >>>>> > >> > eating foods in combinations that have

compatible

> > > enzymes and

> > > > >>>>> > >> > digestive times makes for easier and more

complete

> >

> > > digestion.

> > > > > High-

> > > > >>>>> > >> > protein foods require the acidic medium of the

> > stomach

> > > to be

> > > > >>> > > broken

> > > > >>>>> > >> > down, whereas carbohydrates require the alkaline

> > or

> > > neutral

> > > > > medium

> > > > >>> > > of

> > > > >>>>> > >> > the small intestine. When high-protein and high-

> > > carbohydrate

> > > > > foods

> > > > >>>>> > >> > are eaten together, digestion becomes more

> > > complicated, since

> > > > > the

> > > > >>>>> > >> > transit time for carbohydrates is slowed by the

> > > breakdown of

> > > > >>> > > protein

> > > > >>>>> > >> > in the stomach. If the breakdown is impeded,

then

> > the

> > > > > absorption

> > > > >>> > > of

> > > > >>>>> > >> > nutrients and elimination also may become more

> > > difficult, with

> > > > >>>>> > >> > undigested food particles remaining in the

system.

> >

> > > These

> > > > >>> > > undigested

> > > > >>>>> > >> > particles can create allergens, bacterial

> > imbalances,

> > > and other

> > > > >>>>> > >> > disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > A Simple Approach

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > In many aspects of life, with simplification

comes

> >

> > > less excess.

> > > > >>> > > The

> > > > >>>>> > >> > same is true for the body. In a world obsessed

> > with

> > > abundance

> > > > > and

> > > > >>> > > the

> > > > >>>>> > >> > availability of every imaginable foodstuff 365

> > days

> > a

> > > year,

> > > > > food

> > > > >>>>> > >> > combining helps us simplify our food choices.

The

> > > basic rule of

> > > > >>> > > thumb

> > > > >>>>> > >> > is: The simpler the meal, the easier digestion

> > will

> > > be. Simple

> > > > >>> > > meals,

> > > > >>>>> > >> > moderate portions, and chewing food slowly and

> > with

> > an

> > > > > attitude of

> > > > >>>>> > >> > reverence all help maintain easy digestion and

> > free-

> > > flowing

> > > > > energy

> > > > >>> > > in

> > > > >>>>> > >> > the body. It doesn't take long to get the hang

of

> > food

> > > > > combining

> > > > >>> > > with

> > > > >>>>> > >> > these simple guidelines:

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Fruits are the easiest and fastest foods to

> > digest,

> > > and for

> > > > > that

> > > > >>>>> > >> > reason should always be eaten separately from

> > > proteins, grains,

> > > > >>> > > and

> > > > >>>>> > >> > vegetables. They are further classified into

acid,

> >

> > > subacid,

> > > > > sweet,

> > > > >>>>> > >> > and melons—based on their levels of acid and

> > sugar—

> > and

> > > have

> > > > > their

> > > > >>> > > own

> > > > >>>>> > >> > set of guidelines for combinations. Digestion

> > time:

> > 20

> > > minutes

> > > > > to

> > > > >>> > > one

> > > > >>>>> > >> > hour.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > All vegetables can be combined with one another

as

> >

> > > well as with

> > > > >>>>> > >> > proteins. For optimal digestive ease, it's best

to

> >

> > > combine only

> > > > >>>>> > >> > nonstarchy and low-starch vegetables with

grains.

> > > Digestion

> > > > > time:

> > > > >>> > > 30

> > > > >>>>> > >> > minutes to two hours.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Grains can be eaten alone or combined with

> > nonstarchy

> > > and low-

> > > > >>> > > starch

> > > > >>>>> > >> > vegetables. Do not combine grains with protein

or

> > with

> > > starchy

> > > > >>>>> > >> > vegetables. It's best to have only one type of

> > grain

> > > at a

> > > > > meal, so

> > > > >>>>> > >> > decide if you really want that hunk of bread or

if

> >

> > > it's worth

> > > > >>> > > waiting

> > > > >>>>> > >> > for the rice. Digestion time: two to three

hours.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > Proteins can be eaten alone or combined with

> > > nonstarchy, low-

> > > > >>> > > starch,

> > > > >>>>> > >> > and starchy vegetables. It's best to have only

one

> >

> > > type of

> > > > > protein

> > > > >>> > > at

> > > > >>>>> > >> > a meal. Digestion time: two to four hours.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>>>> > >> > When selecting what to eat, consider not only

the

> > > culinary

> > > > > appeal

> > > > >>> > > of

> > > > >>>>> > >> > your choices but how your body will interpret

the

> > > foods you are

> > > > >>> > > about

> > > > >>>>> > >> > to ingest. Ask yourself: Will these foods fuel

my

> > body

> > > so it

> > > > > can

> > > > >>> > > be a

> > > > >>>>> > >> > strong vehicle for my spirit, or will they slow

me

> >

> > > down?

> > > > > Feeding

> > > > >>>>> > >> > yourself purposefully is like doing yoga off

the

> > mat:

> > > Each

> > > > > choice

> > > > >>> > > of

> > > > >>>>> > >> > what and how to feed yourself is an opportunity

to

> >

> > > practice

> > > > >>>>> > >> > awareness, compassion, and self-love.

> > > > >>>>> > >> >

> > > > >>> > >

> > > > >> >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> > > ---------------------------------

> > > Sneak preview the all-new Yahoo.com. It's not radically

> > different. Just radically better.

> > >

> >

>

> __________________________________________________

>

August 15, 2006

Hello Simon,

Again, your posts have so much depth I struggle not to give just a

quickie answer.

But on rethinking I realize that is definitely ME - I like to grab a

thought and it's enough for me - so knowing you will understand, I

will only give my quick response:

In an ideal world, every human being would be on this wonderful self-

reflective plane, playing the game of life in a thoughtful manner as

you so purpose.

But in this real world, we have been " fed " since babies, and food is

so tied up with so many things, comfort, habits, pleasures,

socializing - each and every one of them difficult challenges to

change. I don't think alot of people give up on mb because of the

rules per se, but rather because change is not easy, nor is it

quick - and well, you know, in this instant society.....

You have the privilege of many years of hindsight - so I think you

are looking at things from your wiser perspective. Newbies just

ask, what can I eat???? I think Porter did an excellent job

of incorporating both basic " rules " and philosophy explaining - but

I'd be ever so curious if new people to mb understand it all. Or

does the understanding come later, with more practice and much much

more thinking about it all.

I realize I am a rule person - that is, it's easier for me if

someone says things in black and white - I can follow it - and then

after following for a while, I can then become more flexible. I

can't throw myself in the pool of just think for myself - figure it

all out for myself - I like that I don't have to reinvent the wheel,

just learn to ride the bike (too many mixed metaphors???).

I agree the idea of a big mb god figure with a strap if you do wrong

is not appealing at all - I agree that flexibilty does have to come

to play in being appealing - but personally, if you give me too many

choices, I am the kind that would give up!!!!! I think the

intuition has to be with the teacher, if they can intuit what the

student is ready for - or patience has to be with the teacher, and

realize that alot is not yet sinking in, but will with time.

I also totally agree with you about honesty in the teacher - but

then you have the problem of do as I say, not what I do. Again it's

confusing here - on one hand, I would love if my teacher were an

example of what he's teaching, on the other hand, does that mean I

am looking for perfection??? which isn't possible. So on one hand I

want to have an ideal to be my goal - on the other hand, I also want

an honest person, who doesn't pretend he/she is eating perfectly.

But now I am flying solo - not presently with other mb people and

it's much harder to be inspired - books and computer don't work as

well for me as a real person - but maybe, just maybe, I'll start

using all those books more, which I've been wanting to do forever.

It's been a pleasure reading and re-reading your posts. Very thought

promoting. You wrote: For me it fun to explore the macrobiotic

> > principles but to be able to do it freely, without attachment, I

need to keep

> > myself grounded in the present and reality

Now how do you determine what is grounded and what is reality? How

do you get there? Didn't it come from many years of first exploring

and perhaps accepting and then discounting many theories??

Klara

>

> >

> > Hello ,

> >

> > I enjoyed reading your email.

> >

> > Basically I think humans have a tendency to take a theory like

yin and yang

> > and then if they believe it treat it as though it is real. The

reality is that

> > there is no man made concept that works accurately all the time

in every

> > situation.

August 16, 2006

Hi Klara,

Good to hear from you. I am writing this from a friends house in France overlooking the Mediterranean sea.

I certainly agree that at the beginning we all need to have simple guidelines to follow and each individual will need these for varying lengths of time. As you say some people might find it easier to stay with the food list approach for ever. That is fine and it is healthy for all of us if macrobiotics is broad enough to accommodate everybody.

One of the issues I have is if macrobiotics becomes defined by those foods lists is that with so much to say regarding health, ecology and natural foods that it seems a shame when the conversation is taken up with whether we eat something like tomatoes or not.

In the biggest sense, in my opinion macrobiotics has been bogged down by endless discussions with the outside world about what is on and off our lists. This is typical if you read articles about macrobiotics and rather than get our message out we seem to spend more time defending our foods lists. On a more philosophical level I still find hard not to see it all a part of a process and experiencing macrobiotics in the way I have not thinking of what we say today in terms of any rules as just be a snap shot of one moment in time and only applicable to a particular set of people. I wonder if people who do not see it this way get frustrated when the rules suddenly change or are challenged.

Although you are right that it is much easier to tell someone what to do than to help them make a philosophy their own I still think it is worth striving for. I would hate to think anyone has become enslaved to something I once wrote or said. The risk is that living out someone else’s ideas on food you may simply switch to another person’s food philosophy later on. Again there is nothing wrong with this but to me it would be better to slowly work towards making macrobiotics something that is biologically and emotionally you and that you feel empowered to play with it, perhaps make mistakes and learn. This is much easier if you are part of an open minded community of people eating macrobiotically and I can understand your concerns practicing macrobiotics on your own.

In the Zen Buddhist approach we all should exercise and develop our intuition. It does not have to be with food but if you can develop your intuition in one area of your life you may be able to later have the confidence to apply it too your foods.

It is very hard to put my approach into a book. When I wrote Modern Day Macrobiotic I wanted to make it as informative as possible without being prescriptive. I tried to express the idea that there are many forms of macrobiotics and gave example of different diets the reader could follow as well as how a reader could take a more intuitive approach to macrobiotics. I am not sure how successful I have been although I have thankfully received many encouraging emails.

Perhaps it would be best to follow the rules for now but keep your mind open to the idea that when you are ready you can dispense with any rigid food lists.

All the best,

Simon

PS We drove from London through France, Germany and italy to get to Monte Carlo. We stayed in a simple French farm house in the Champagne area. I just let them know we did not eat meat. A part me enjoys throwing myself into a situation where I will be eating someone else’s cooking for diner and breakfast. I loved the fresh farm food and felt good on it the next day. Perhaps after a few days I would have felt a bit heavy with all the cheese and yoghurt. In Italy we stayed in the village of Barolo (where the red wine comes from) and in addition to the wine we had a truly amazing diner. Again there was no menu or choice but somehow everything worked out perfectly. The risotto was so creamy it had the texture of a rice pudding, the ravioli consisted of one piece about the size of a saucer with a raw egg yoke and parsley sauce in it. I don’t think I could find the words to describe the deserts! Although I could not eat like this for long I love the idea that macrobiotics is broad enough to travel and be open to other people’s and culture’s foods.

August 16, 2006