Guest guest Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Hi Tamara, Where are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe with more info we can help you with strategies? Also, those foods are recommended to be avoided but are not prohibited. You're free to choose what you eat and the future that you create. It's all a journey of self discovery. While some people may be able to tolerate nightshades, for example, others may not be able to for various reasons. I think the amount you're willing to give/adjust/change depends on your goals and you current health condition too. Expect to go through lots of changes at first! Your body is adjusting to a new way and the old cells/old habits are dying and fighting for survival too. You'll go up and down and then settle on what's right for you. > > Guys, > I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not giving up, but when looking at the list of all the foods I can't have, it's overwhelming. Also, I don't know if I don't have the patience or what, but chewing so many times is not fun either. I admit I'm not patient. > I agree with so many of the foods that must be avoided and why, and I read from a post to add foods 1st, rather than take away at 1st. Is this the best way? I guess I'm saying that I feel like I'm not doing it " right " if I don't do it perfectly, even though it takes time, I'm not sure if I can do it perfectly. > > Anyway, I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel yet, but am just mainly venting. And I know I need to get a book to learn background, etc., but our library only has one and it's about curing cancer. Also, I work at an animal sanctuary, so don't make a ton of $$$, in fact have 2 jobs to make it--that is a worry, too, on buying the foods I need as they are not here locally. > > So, just wanting some advice on how to make it less stressful on myself, while actually making the changes. I do feel it is a healthy way to eat, so want to give it a true try. > > > > > Tamara > > " You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection. " > -- Buddha > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels > in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Hi Tamara, Where are you feeling overwhelmed? Maybe with more info we can help you with strategies? Also, those foods are recommended to be avoided but are not prohibited. You're free to choose what you eat and the future that you create. It's all a journey of self discovery. While some people may be able to tolerate nightshades, for example, others may not be able to for various reasons. I think the amount you're willing to give/adjust/change depends on your goals and you current health condition too. Expect to go through lots of changes at first! Your body is adjusting to a new way and the old cells/old habits are dying and fighting for survival too. You'll go up and down and then settle on what's right for you. > > Guys, > I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not giving up, but when looking at the list of all the foods I can't have, it's overwhelming. Also, I don't know if I don't have the patience or what, but chewing so many times is not fun either. I admit I'm not patient. > I agree with so many of the foods that must be avoided and why, and I read from a post to add foods 1st, rather than take away at 1st. Is this the best way? I guess I'm saying that I feel like I'm not doing it " right " if I don't do it perfectly, even though it takes time, I'm not sure if I can do it perfectly. > > Anyway, I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel yet, but am just mainly venting. And I know I need to get a book to learn background, etc., but our library only has one and it's about curing cancer. Also, I work at an animal sanctuary, so don't make a ton of $$$, in fact have 2 jobs to make it--that is a worry, too, on buying the foods I need as they are not here locally. > > So, just wanting some advice on how to make it less stressful on myself, while actually making the changes. I do feel it is a healthy way to eat, so want to give it a true try. > > > > > Tamara > > " You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection. " > -- Buddha > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels > in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hello Tamara, The good news with macrobiotics is that you do not have to give up anything! You can simply start adding macrobiotic foods to your daily diet and see how you feel. I would start by trying a miso soup once a day, then bring in lots of different vegetable dishes. See if you can enjoy enough vegetable based recipes so that about half your daily food is made up of vegetables. Next you can introduce some whole unprocessed grains like brown rice, barley, millet, oats, wheat, spelt, quinoa, corn on cob and rye. These need to be soaked for about five hours before cooking and are easiest to start with by cooking into soups. By the time you get to this stage you will find you have naturally cut back on some of your other foods and in some case may have lost the taste for them. Once you feel comfortable with these foods go on to explore more macrobiotic recipes and bring in more dried beans, tofu, sea vegetables, pickles and some of the more unusual macrobiotic ingredients. With very little effort you will find you are now predominantly eating a macrobiotic style diet. All the best, Simon Simon G. Brown 22 Belsize Square London NW3 4HT +44 (0) 20 7431 9897 simon@... http://www.chienergy.co.uk/ Guys, I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not giving up, but when looking at the list of all the foods I can't have, it's overwhelming. Also, I don't know if I don't have the patience or what, but chewing so many times is not fun either. I admit I'm not patient. I agree with so many of the foods that must be avoided and why, and I read from a post to add foods 1st, rather than take away at 1st. Is this the best way? I guess I'm saying that I feel like I'm not doing it " right " if I don't do it perfectly, even though it takes time, I'm not sure if I can do it perfectly. Anyway, I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel yet, but am just mainly venting. And I know I need to get a book to learn background, etc., but our library only has one and it's about curing cancer. Also, I work at an animal sanctuary, so don't make a ton of $$$, in fact have 2 jobs to make it--t! hat is a worry, too, on buying the foods I need as they are not here locally. So, just wanting some advice on how to make it less stressful on myself, while actually making the changes. I do feel it is a healthy way to eat, so want to give it a true try. Tamara " You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection. " -- Buddha Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel <http://travel.yahoo.com/hotelsearchpage;_ylc=X3oDMTFtaTIzNXVjBF9TAzk3NDA3NTg5BF9zAzI3MTk0ODEEcG9zAzIEc2VjA21haWx0YWdsaW5lBHNsawNxMS0wNw--> to find your fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi Tamara There has been lots of great advice given already so I am only going to add a few things. Changing your diet is big thing and often brings up lots of resistance and emotions. However, even if you are using more vegs than before or starting to include some whole grains and organic produce into your diet, then you are making huge strides towards improving your health. Health is a direction and not a static point we can ever reach. We cannot say 'at last I am healthy' and that is it. Health flows and the key is the direction. You can move towards health or away from it. I think you need to be kinder to yourself and give yourself a pat on the back for wanting to change in the first place. The most important aspect of your diet is whole grains and vegetables so try to have these on a daily basis. Blanched vegetables or those steamed are probably the easiest to try. You can make a pot of brown rice and then use it to make fried rice or steamed rice with vegs over the next few days. You can sprinkle toasted seeds on top too. These are quite easy to prepare and you can still have your other food too. Try drinking bancha twig tea and begin to purchase better quality ingredients. Here are some ideas on my web site - http://celebrate4health.com/healthystart.html There really isn't a right or wrong way to make changes to your diet and lifestyle - I think we often put pressure on ourselves to 'do it right'. Try to see cooking as a new hobby and like all new interests, you need to practice and making mistakes are part of the process because they help you to understand what works and what doesn't. Hope this helps blessings Overwhelmed! > >Guys, > I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not giving up, but when looking at the list of all the foods I can't have, it's overwhelming. Also, I don't know if I don't have the patience or what, but chewing so many times is not fun either. I admit I'm not patient. > I agree with so many of the foods that must be avoided and why, and I read from a post to add foods 1st, rather than take away at 1st. Is this the best way? I guess I'm saying that I feel like I'm not doing it " right " if I don't do it perfectly, even though it takes time, I'm not sure if I can do it perfectly. > > Anyway, I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel yet, but am just mainly venting. And I know I need to get a book to learn background, etc., but our library only has one and it's about curing cancer. Also, I work at an animal sanctuary, so don't make a ton of $$$, in fact have 2 jobs to make it--that is a worry, too, on buying the foods I need as they are not here locally. > > So, just wanting some advice on how to make it less stressful on myself, while actually making the changes. I do feel it is a healthy way to eat, so want to give it a true try. > > > > >Tamara > > " You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection. " >-- Buddha > > > > > > > > > >--------------------------------- >Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels >in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. Brown Waxman www.celebrate4health.com www.bebabywise.com info@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Hi Tamara There has been lots of great advice given already so I am only going to add a few things. Changing your diet is big thing and often brings up lots of resistance and emotions. However, even if you are using more vegs than before or starting to include some whole grains and organic produce into your diet, then you are making huge strides towards improving your health. Health is a direction and not a static point we can ever reach. We cannot say 'at last I am healthy' and that is it. Health flows and the key is the direction. You can move towards health or away from it. I think you need to be kinder to yourself and give yourself a pat on the back for wanting to change in the first place. The most important aspect of your diet is whole grains and vegetables so try to have these on a daily basis. Blanched vegetables or those steamed are probably the easiest to try. You can make a pot of brown rice and then use it to make fried rice or steamed rice with vegs over the next few days. You can sprinkle toasted seeds on top too. These are quite easy to prepare and you can still have your other food too. Try drinking bancha twig tea and begin to purchase better quality ingredients. Here are some ideas on my web site - http://celebrate4health.com/healthystart.html There really isn't a right or wrong way to make changes to your diet and lifestyle - I think we often put pressure on ourselves to 'do it right'. Try to see cooking as a new hobby and like all new interests, you need to practice and making mistakes are part of the process because they help you to understand what works and what doesn't. Hope this helps blessings Overwhelmed! > >Guys, > I'm not sure I can do this. I'm not giving up, but when looking at the list of all the foods I can't have, it's overwhelming. Also, I don't know if I don't have the patience or what, but chewing so many times is not fun either. I admit I'm not patient. > I agree with so many of the foods that must be avoided and why, and I read from a post to add foods 1st, rather than take away at 1st. Is this the best way? I guess I'm saying that I feel like I'm not doing it " right " if I don't do it perfectly, even though it takes time, I'm not sure if I can do it perfectly. > > Anyway, I'm certainly not ready to throw in the towel yet, but am just mainly venting. And I know I need to get a book to learn background, etc., but our library only has one and it's about curing cancer. Also, I work at an animal sanctuary, so don't make a ton of $$$, in fact have 2 jobs to make it--that is a worry, too, on buying the foods I need as they are not here locally. > > So, just wanting some advice on how to make it less stressful on myself, while actually making the changes. I do feel it is a healthy way to eat, so want to give it a true try. > > > > >Tamara > > " You, yourself, as much as anybody in the universe, deserve your love and affection. " >-- Buddha > > > > > > > > > >--------------------------------- >Now that's room service! Choose from over 150,000 hotels >in 45,000 destinations on Yahoo! Travel to find your fit. Brown Waxman www.celebrate4health.com www.bebabywise.com info@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Wow--what great support and ideas you guys sent me!! Thanks so much!! I guess I was just being my anal, hard-on-myself self when starting something new, plus trying to read and absorb lots of info. I will try and relax and I've already posted on my local vegan email community to see if there's anyone out there interested in macrobiotics. It's great to get all this support and tales of experiences; you're right that I need to stop thinking of this as a diet, but a lifestyle, and that obviously takes time and patience to change. Though I have to say I'm not nearly ready to move yet--I just love my job way too much to consider that right now. Living here is a whole life experience in itself--I've seen several bald eagles since moving here and Tuesday night driving home from work a mountain lion crossed the road in front of me. What an awe-inspiring sight. Thanks again, Tamara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Wow--what great support and ideas you guys sent me!! Thanks so much!! I guess I was just being my anal, hard-on-myself self when starting something new, plus trying to read and absorb lots of info. I will try and relax and I've already posted on my local vegan email community to see if there's anyone out there interested in macrobiotics. It's great to get all this support and tales of experiences; you're right that I need to stop thinking of this as a diet, but a lifestyle, and that obviously takes time and patience to change. Though I have to say I'm not nearly ready to move yet--I just love my job way too much to consider that right now. Living here is a whole life experience in itself--I've seen several bald eagles since moving here and Tuesday night driving home from work a mountain lion crossed the road in front of me. What an awe-inspiring sight. Thanks again, Tamara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 18, 2007 Report Share Posted January 18, 2007 Wow--what great support and ideas you guys sent me!! Thanks so much!! I guess I was just being my anal, hard-on-myself self when starting something new, plus trying to read and absorb lots of info. I will try and relax and I've already posted on my local vegan email community to see if there's anyone out there interested in macrobiotics. It's great to get all this support and tales of experiences; you're right that I need to stop thinking of this as a diet, but a lifestyle, and that obviously takes time and patience to change. Though I have to say I'm not nearly ready to move yet--I just love my job way too much to consider that right now. Living here is a whole life experience in itself--I've seen several bald eagles since moving here and Tuesday night driving home from work a mountain lion crossed the road in front of me. What an awe-inspiring sight. Thanks again, Tamara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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