Monday, May 29, 2006

Quinoa, cranberry, and pecan pilaf

I LOVE quinoa. How did life get so far along without knowing about this? I tried it for the first time about 3 years ago. It's becoming more popular these days, and I often read about this being a good grain for people who want to lose weight because it's so high in protein so it's satisying and gives you energy. One of my students told me that her 70ish uncle fathered two children in his sunset years, and the US made him take a paternity test to enter the US. They thought he was lying, but he told them, "What do you think I eat? I'm not like Americans eating hamburgers. I'm CHILEAN. I eat QUINOA."

Grain pilafs with tart fruit, pungent green onions, crunchy nuts and veges, and a lemon dressing really turn me on!

Tempeh curry


Tempeh curry
Originally uploaded by macro808.
I've been looking for macro things to make for non-macro people and this was one of the yummy ones. It's great with brown rice.

Delcious dinner


One dinner
Originally uploaded by macro808.
Let's see, what did we have...? It was lentil loaf, millet mashed potatoes and gravy, arame with apple juice, brown rice, and steamed carrots and squash. Yum!

Azuki Bean Face Lift

If you read Macrobiotics Today, then you might have seen Ilanit Tof's recipe for the Azuki Bean Scrub. Well, I want to tell you that if you haven't tried it yet, you SHOULD. It's really amazing. I went out to buy a coffee grinder especially for this, and it was worth it. Your face feels super soft and even after doing it just once, it seems to improve you complexion. You can purchase Ilanit's entire full colour kitchen friendly book of great vegan macrobiotic healing recipes here:

https://littletree.securehost3.com/seasonal_variation.htm or at cybermacro.com
if you live in the USA

I purchased her book, and am excited to try the recipes :-)

Here's the azuki bean recipe:

Oriental Skin Polishing Pore Refresher

Ingredients


✓ ¼ - ½ cup raw adzuki beans
✓ 1 clean strong coffee bean grinder


Procedure

❦ Grind 1- 2 tablespoons of raw adzuki beans at a time
❦ If the grinder has a pulse mechanism you may like to use this
❦ Wait 20 - 30 seconds before opening lid to allow to settle and prevent a face-full of adzuki bean powder dust
❦ Place powder in an airtight glass jar
❦ Transfer several tablespoons into a small plastic container with a good seal for use in the bathroom/shower


Variations

• use chickpeas for a more moistening mix


Usage Suggestions

• mix with water to a paste after cleansing face
• use as a scrub and rinse off immediately (good for daily – 3 times a week use)
• or allow to remain on face until it dries and rinse off in the shower (use once a week and follow with a few drops of pure jojoba or rosehip oil on damp skin or leave skin bare overnight to rejuvenate and cleanse)
• can be used as a whole body scrub

All About Adzuki Beans

✱ Revered as an indispensable beauty aid both internally and externally in the Orient
✱ Powerfully rejuvenate the kidneys and heart when eaten or made into a kidney tonifying tea
✱ The bean’s astringent action is heightened in the raw state which is utilised in this pore refining treatment that will beat expensive lotions and potions hands down!

Ms Ilanit Tof
B.A. (Psychophysiology/Psychology)
Advanced Diploma Healing with Wholefoods
PhD Holistic Nutrition (candidate)

Little Tree Oriental Healing Arts
Helping you grow to new heights of wellbeing
with Oriental Traditions and Modern Nutrition

ilanit@littletree.com.au
www.littletree.com.au

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Emotions in and out of balance

Healthy conditions of the liver and gallbladder are connected with patience and endurance, while unhealthy conditions produce short temper and anger

Healthy conditions of the heart and small intestine are connected with gentleness,
tranquility, intuitive comprehension, spiritual oneness, and merry, humorous expression, while unhealthy conditions produce separateness excitement, and excessive laughter

Healthy conditions of the spleen, pancreas, and stomach, are connected with sympathy
wisdom, consideration, and understanding, while unhealthy conditions produce irritability skepticism, criticism, and worry

Healthy conditions of the lungs and large intestine are connected with a feeling of happiness, security, and wholeness, while unhealthy conditions produce sadness, depression, and melancholy

Healthy conditions of the kidneys and bladder are connected with confidence, courage
and inspiration while their unhealthy conditions produce fear, lack of self- esteem, and hopelessness