Calling All Vegans
October 8th, 2008I spent this past weekend in Austin,Texas, at a Center called Casa de Luz. It’s a macro joint, although it doesn’t sling that word around too much–which I understand; the more I practice/teach MB, the more “macrobiotics” sounds heavy, scientific, oppressive. Considering what MB does for you, it should be called “GREAT SEX!!!”
Anyway, fun was had by all. I gave a talk called “Macrobiotics for Vegans” because veganism is JUST SO COOL these days and there is about a 95% overlap between the two practices–at least potentially. If you’re vegan and eating only white pasta, tropical fruit, diet soda and sugary desserts, you’re not macro. BUT, if you’re practicing macrobiotics without eating fish (which is only a tiny part of the diet), you’re vegan. And if you’re in the former category, it’s easy to be vegan and end up sick. Ironic that a person makes a lifestyle decision to end the suffering of others and ends up suffering herself. That’s neither good nor necessary.
You see, macrobiotics is not organized around a “no suffering” stance; instead, the macrobiotic diet is geared at helping the individual harmonize (on a cellular level) with nature, which reduces or ends unnecessary suffering on many levels. Many macros eat fish occasionally, but the diet can be followed without it as well. So, considering so many people are choosing to go animal-product free these days, I figured it would make sense to help them learn how to stay in balance while they do it.
So here’s a summary of the lecture (without the jokes):
If you’re practicing a vegan lifestyle: “YYAAAAAAYYYYYYYY!!!” You are doing an enormous thing; helping your body, helping animals and helping the planet. You are reducing your carbon footprint SUBSTANTIALLY. Being vegan is good for your soul.
However, by cutting out meat, you are taking a lot of the yang out of your diet. Remember, meat, salty cheese, baked flour and salt are all really yang. That leaves you messing around on the yin sides of things: sugar, fruit, white flour, soy “milks” and “ice creams”, chocolate, and if you’re a partier, alcohol and drugs. Without the yang, and with too much yin, vegans can get weak, anemic, depressed and isolated. Not everyone, but some.
So, it’s important to keep some good quality yang-izing foods in the diet. They are:
Whole grains. Nice and tight and compact, whole grains deliver a very stabilizing and centering energy.
Sea vegetables. Yes, seaweed. Soooooooo rich in minerals. They keep your blood strong and alkaline.
Miso: Try making your own miso soup a couple of times a week. UNBELIEVABLY FREAKIN’ GOOD FOR YOU! (p.s. Japanese restaurant soup is not)
On the yin side of things, try to use rice syrup and maple syrup instead of white sugar or cane juice. Try whole grain breads and pastas. Eat fruits that are grown locally. This will help you to stay more centered.
If you have no clue what I’m talking about with the yins and the yangs, time to read THE HIP CHICK’S GUIDE TO MACROBIOTICS!!!
Cool-looking trees. I love how they mingle with each other:
October 10th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Hey Jess,
I LOVE this post! Yesterday I was explaining this exactly to someone in my household. You said it best.
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
So true—I know so many vegans who survive off of smoothies and cigarettes. Non-animal doesn’t always mean healthy—that takes some intentionality and an understanding of balance. Thanks for a great post.
-Jake
http://agrainaday.jakekulju.com
December 13th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Great post, thanks for remidinding me of things I should always have on mind. I’m 37 and a colorectal cancer survivor. With the help of my ex, I went veggie first, then mostly vegan with a respect and balance of macrobiotic. I really appreciate the philosophy behind both diets, though I do eat fish and occasional raw dairy. One of my biggest challenges is that I have had part of my colon taken out, then lived with an ilestomy for a year before they reconnected the colon 9 months ago. Suffice to say I am still in recovery and it’s always a mystery and test to see what my body will digest, what will irritate it etc. Also to be watched is the balance of iron (I became anemic at one point and needed IV iron supplements, now taking daily supplements), vitimins, fiber, acidity, and yin/yang balance. It’s daunting to me to keep this all in balance all the time. You also touched on an issue I hit a lot which is energy level. Anyway, just thought I would share a perspective and say thanks for helping me keep to that path. I’ll probably see you at your cooking class next month here in Santa monica at eric and sunaes