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THE WIKI PAGE
OF GW-360

Glossary of the most commonly used green terms

Macrobiotics
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Macrobiotics

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The term macrobiotics derives from the combination of the words of Greek origin "macro + biotikòs" which translated mean "great + life". Hence the concept of a long and prosperous life of the human being lived in well-being.

Macrobiotic philosophy is based on this concept, which was introduced in the West by the writer and philosopher George Ohsawa (Western pseudonym with which Yukikazu Sakurazawa was known) who was involved in unifying ancient Eastern (Chinese and Japanese) and Western philosophies.

Macrobiotic philosophy is based on the idea that human happiness, seen as a long life led in the absence of disease, can be achieved thanks to the constant maintenance of a balance between Yin and Yang, two universal forces that are both antagonistic and complementary to each other.

Macrobiotica simbolo Yin e Yang

The Yin (black color) is a centrifugal force of expansion that starts from the inside and goes outwards and upwards.

It represents the feminine, the night, the dark, the cold, the water, the earth etc ... and it is associated with all the activities aimed at rigor and discipline such as, for example, getting up early in the morning, doing activities physically outdoors with constancy, focus attention and commitment on work, spend time in places with a colder climate.

The Yang (white color) is a centripetal force of contraction that goes from the outside inwards and downwards.

It represents the masculine, the day, the light, the heat, the fire, the sky etc ... and it is associated with all the activities aimed at a relaxation of the body such as, for example, taking a hot bath, doing yoga, take walks, rest, meditate, be quiet and spend time in places with a warmer climate.

The symbol of the balance between these two forces is a circle in which Yin and Yang are separated by a wavy line. Each force has within it a point of the color of the other to indicate their complementarity. This symbol is a powerful talisman that brings well-being and balance.

Man can achieve harmony between the two energies through his own conduct and the decisions he makes by modifying himself and his body, thus obtaining benefits from a mental, physical and spiritual point of view.

Macrobiotic cuisine

Following the macrobiotic philosophy means following a real lifestyle that aims to achieve well-being also through nutrition by choosing what to eat according to very specific rules.

Cucina Macrobiotica

Generally:

  • Macrobiotic foods must be natural, preferably organic and wholemeal. Therefore, all industrial foods treated with pesticides, GMO foods and refined foods are absolutely excluded;
  • Macrobiotic foods must be absolutely fresh and never frozen;
  • Furthermore, attention must be paid to the seasonality of fruit and vegetables (preferring local products at Km 0) according to the rhythms of nature.

    During the winter, when the climate is cold (Yin), nature produces foods with a strong Yang component such as seeds, bulbs and roots with a warming power. On the contrary, during the summer when the weather is hot (Yang), nature provides balance by producing foods with a more Yin connotation such as juicier fruits and vegetables with a refreshing power.
     
  • The salt must be strictly integral and added at the end of cooking;
  • The vegetables should not be peeled and it is preferable to cut them thinly;
  • As for animal proteins, fish is generally preferred to the detriment of meat, especially red meat.

 

Macrobiotic cooking involves certain methods for cooking food so as not to alter its properties in any way: cooking by boiling or steaming is preferred using stainless steel or terracotta pots and pans with the aid of strictly wooden ladles or bamboo.

Drinks should not be swallowed quickly and food should be chewed slowly and enough to facilitate digestion.

Macrobiotic foods

In macrobiotic philosophy, like Zen Buddhist philosophies and traditional Chinese medicine, foods are considered as real medicines and all qualitative aspects of each food are evaluated such as shape, color, smell, taste and sound.

Alimenti Macrobiotici

Furthermore, each macrobiotic food has a specific energy, that is, it already has the Yin and Yang forces in it, present in different percentages, depending on their nature and the place where it is produced (earth or sky).

Foods that possess a balanced energy between Yin and Yang are those that grow at ground level, receiving energy from both the sky and the earth; they are characterized by their basically rounded shape.

Yin foods are foods that grow above ground level and receive more energy from the earth (those that grow on trees off the ground are even more Yin); they are characterized by a chromatic variation ranging from green to blue to purple and white and are essentially acidic, cold, fatty and sweet foods.

Yang foods are compact foods that grow below ground level and receive more energy from the sky; they are characterized by a chromatic variation from red to orange to yellow and are basically alkaline, hot and salty foods.

EHere is a list of foods from the most acidic (Yin) to the most alkaline (Yang):

  • Medicines and other chemicals
  • Dyes, preservatives, sweeteners and industrial drinks
  • Alcohol
  • Ice-cream
  • Refined sugars
  • Vegetable milk and fruit juices
  • Spices
  • Tea and coffee
  • Tropical fruit (banana, mango, pineapple, etc ...)
  • Milk and yogurt
  • Vegetable oils
  • Warm climate fruit (orange, mandarin, lemon, etc ...)
  • Temperate climate fruit (peaches, blueberries, raspberries, etc ...)
  • Fresh unsalted cheeses
  • Tofu
  • Oil seeds
  • Solanaceae (tomatoes, aubergines, peppers, potatoes, etc ...)
  • Green leafy vegetables (salads, spinach, ribs, turnip greens, etc ...)
  • Round vegetables (cabbage, pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli, onion, shitake mushroom, etc ...)
  • Root vegetables (carrots, turnips, radishes, daikon, burdock, parsnips, salsify, etc ...)
  • Healthy drinks (water and bancha)
  • Refined cereals and flours
  • Algae
  • Legumes
  • Corn
  • Oats
  • Barley
  • Grain
  • Brown rice (MORE BALANCED FOOD)
  • Mile
  • Buckwheat
  • Clams
  • White meat fish
  • Red meat fish
  • Crustaceans
  • Bakery products
  • White meats (chicken, turkey, rabbit etc ...)
  • Aged cheeses
  • Red meat
  • Cured meat
  • Eggs
  • salt

 

The macrobiotic diet

The macrobiotic diet follows a series of precise rules on the correct and balanced intake of foods, defining the right mix for achieving energy balance.

Meals usually begin with miso soup and it is also important to drink slowly only after the meal and not during.

Each meal must consist of:

  • 50% whole grains;
  • 25% seasonal (raw or cooked) organic and locally produced fruit and vegetables;
  • 15% vegetable proteins (legumes and algae);
  • 10% animal protein (fish).


Generally, the following are used:

  • Whole grains: rice, barley, oats, rye and whole wheat;
  • Seasonal vegetables: seaweed, radish, lettuce, beets, mushrooms, carrots, leeks, cabbage, pumpkins, turnips, beets and broccoli. More acidic foods such as tomatoes, potatoes and peppers are not recommended;
  • Seasonal fruit: All types of fruit for a maximum of 2-3 times a week;
  • Seasonings: Sugar is avoided; it is replaced by natural sweeteners such as barley malt. Sea salt, soy sauce and miso are also used;
  • Drinks: Especially tea and herbal teas.