Hello and happy Tuesday! Thanks for the responses to my French press exposé. I still haven’t decided which machine to get but in the meantime I’m filtering my French pressed coffee. Not the most elegant solution (I’m using paper towels), but it works. No more gunk at the bottom of my mug; I’m hoping that means some of that cafestol is staying out of my mug too.
Onto the topic of today’s post – macrobiotics. Long-time readers may know that I am a huge macrobiotics fan. Give me a plate of simple, traditional Japanese food and I am a happy girl. One of my favorite meals is a simple macro plate (a perfectly balanced mix of macrobiotic foods).
(One of my favorite macro plates, from Ozu on the upper west side)
What is macrobiotics exactly? Macrobiotics is not just a diet – it’s a lifestyle. The etymology of the word, from etymonline, is:
macrobiotic (adj.)
also macro-biotic, “inclined to prolong life,” 1797, from Greek makrobiotikos “long-lived,” from makros “long” (see macro-) + bios “life” (see bio-). The specific reference to a Zen Buddhist dietary system dates from 1936.
I don’t want to get into too much detail *yet*, because it’s not March yet, and March is going to be a month of macrobiotic-inspired posts and macrobiotic-inspired living. But I wanted to alert you guys that I am going to focus on macrobiotics next month, and if you have any questions about the lifestyle or diet or whatever, please leave them in the comments!
I came across macrobiotics for the first time about three years ago through Meg Wolff, a (two time!) cancer survivor who has by now written several books on macrobiotics. I am certainly not strictly macrobiotic but I love the food and I love the idea of the lifestyle. I would love to be more macrobiotic. 🙂
Anyway, I am going to try to focus on ADDING macrobiotic principles to my life in March. I’m not trying to change or remove anything I currently do, but I’m going to add good things.
(OK I lied – I AM going to try to remove diet soda – I slip up and have it at least 1-2 times a week. It’s totally NOT macrobiotic. Blah!)
So –
What are your macrobiotics questions?
What do you know about macrobiotics? What are the stereotypes you’ve heard?
Have you ever tried a macrobiotic diet or lifestyle?
Care to join me in Macrobiotic March?
If you want to join me, I’ll make a Macrobiotic March tab and put a list of participants. Just let me know! Contribute anything you want.
I first learned about macrobiotics through your blog years ago! Since then, I’ve also learned more through my studies at IIN. It’s a very interesting way of life, and there are so many positive things about it. Can’t wait to read more about it from you in the upcoming weeks!
Yes, yes, count me in!
Well you know i’m in for sure!!!
🙂
Maggie, I am truly looking forward to your posts about macrobiotics – I know next to nothing about it! Based on that plate I am guessing its obviously minimally processed food, but other than that, I have no clue.
You were BORN the year I graduated high school, and you were six when my daughter was born! No wonder you never heard that Wham song before! 😀 Hugs!
The plate of macrobiotic foods looks wonderful! I love how the veggies are cut into large chunks. 🙂
I couldn’t eat completely macrobiotic, but my tummy very much appreciates well-cooked foods and simplicity with meals, so I’ve been intrigued since I stumbled across it two or so years ago. I’m very much looking forward to your March posts! 🙂
this sounds like it’s going to be an interesting month of posts. I’m always a bit confused about macrobiotics!
I have always been intrigued by the sound of a macrobiotic diet – even though I don’t really know what it is – I look forward to learning a lot more!
im LOVING macro march maggie! so much interesting stuff, so thanks for sharing. sometimes the meals can be a bit bland, but the general concept is very much my style. i love clean eats with simple grains and veg.