Neal Barnard wrote a great article for The Huffington Post this past summer. He clarifies the social and environmental benefits of eating a grain and bean based diet. It is becoming increasingly clear that the time is now to start eating grains, beans and other plant based foods directly, rather than using these foods to raise animals in factory farms.
The strengthening health approach to macrobiotics is a perfect solution to this problem, as it encourages adding, rather than taking away. I have observed that as people make the choice to incorporate grains, beans and vegetables into their diet, the attraction to less healthy foods diminishes naturally. Health craves health. In my own life, brown rice was my first step towards a healthier diet. After eating brown rice, the vegetables I had shunned for years became delicious and attractive, and after that I started to seek out more and more healthier foods. Eating my last Philly cheesesteak at 19 years old left me with a sense of joy and adventure, rather than loss.
Jim Lyons with Blue Moon Acres Farm is growing rice in New Jersey.
We can no longer separate personal, social, and environmental health. The macrobiotic approach is wonderful because it gives us the guidelines to make these vitally important choices everyday and know that we are doing our part to nurture the health of our planet. I hope you use these principles to move yourself and loved ones towards a healthier lifestyle.
I am a recent convert to the macrobiotic lifestyle. I was upset to learn of the arsenic contamination of brown rice and am questioning my choice. Can you comment?
I do not think there is a concern especially if you are eating California brown rice. Brown rice on a dial basis has helped countless numbers of my clients maintain health and recover from serious illness. Please go to my blog and search for “arsenic”. You will find three blog entries on the subject. I hope this helps.