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Fatigue Relief

February 23, 2010 in Personal Health, Recipes by bursty | No comments

umeboshi

Lately we’ve been kind of draaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagging along.  I think it has something to do with February — and the feeling that I just cannot believe that winter is THIS LONG!  When will it ever stop!?  Then I have to stop and think my current mantra:  spring is coming, spring is coming, spring is coming… [while still trying very much to enjoy the present moment, of course, of course.]

So what’s a macro to do with this ongoing feeling of fatigue and low energy?  I found a great article with some good ideas!  These ideas involve the lovely umeboshi (and here).  They are used in macrobiotics to treat a lot of different ailments including stomach aches and other digestive problems and migraines.  You see — they contain citric acid, which neutralizes lactic acid in the body and creates a more alkaline environment.  They also improve circulation!  [Check out how to pickle your own, here!]  Ginger is also known to relieve fatigue because it stimulates the circulatory system and thereby gives us fresh energy.

Try these recipes when feeling sluggish:

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Cold Moon

January 6, 2010 in Seasonal Eating by bursty | 3 comments

seitan-stirfry

January is the month of the Cold Moon, according to many Native American tribes.  The full moon will be on Saturday, the 30th.  This month of the Cold Moon lends itself to long-cooking dishes that are hot and cozy in your mouth and tummy.  Take time to honor this by making some stews, lazy crock pot soups, curries, and baked grains.  Jake made his fabulous homemade seitan feast (homemade garlic ginger seitan with steamed veggies and brown rice, picture above) last night for friends at our house, and it reminded me of how much I need dishes like this during these very very cold days (it’s been getting down to 30 degrees below zero at night here in Minnesota!). 

Eating this also makes me glad that macrobiotics has redefined my sense of comfort food.  I no longer crave cheesy, creamy stuff when my bones need a good warming.  Instead I crave ginger, garlic, brown rice, lentil soup, etc.  And I feel sooooo much better the next day than I would if I had eaten what used to be my definition of comfort. 

So — I encourage you to do some slow cooking during this month of the Cold Moon.  Pick up your knitting needles and knit something cozy.  Be introspective, joyful, and warm.

Gingered Black Beans

December 9, 2008 in Recipes by cooljuice | 4 comments

This might not look like a dynamite dollop of intensely delicious black bean bombast at first glance, but your taste buds are in for a serious surprise. These gingered black beans combine the hearty texture of black beans with the sharp intensity of ginger to deliver a serious flavor sensation. Kerstin was actually eating it straight form the bowl yesterday, ha ha ha.

Here’s the recipe:

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I Made Seitan, So Can You!

December 3, 2008 in Recipes by cooljuice | 2 comments

I’ve been curious about seitan ever since we started eating it about a month ago. I’ve been watching youtube videos about how to make it yourself, and reading about its high protein content. So yesterday I decided to wing it and make my own. And…it worked! I was stunned, and very happy. I tossed it into our favorite garlic ginger sauce and served over rice with cauliflower. It was delicious and WAY CHEAPER than buying it at the store. I figure this seitan cost me about 19¢, instead of the nearly $5.00 price tag at the co-op.

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Weekend Chef: Ginger-Garlic Seitan

October 23, 2008 in Recipes by cooljuice | 6 comments

The Weekend Chef gives you great recipes a few days ahead of time, so you can prepare for a delicious macrobiotic weekend.

With winter just around the corner, finding foods that fill you up and keep you warm is essential. Ginger is a powerful ingredient that many people claim creates warmth from within your body. It also decreases joint pain from arthritis, settles the stomach, relieves nausea, prevents diarreah and may have blood thinning and cholesterol lowering properties that may make it useful for treating heart disease.

All that from a little ginger root!

Without further ado, here is a sensational ginger-based recipe that incorporates high-protein seitan for a double wammy awesome delicous dinner.

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