If I've learned one thing in over 30 years since I began to try and eat in a macrobiotically balanced way it is this: KEEP IT SIMPLE.Paradoxically this has been the most difficult thing to do.
ALL you need in your cupboard is a nice big bag of organic short grain brown rice, then all you need to make a meal is some vegetables.
It is recommended that these are locally grown and seasonal to your area.
That some are fermented as in naturally fermented pickles for B complex vitamins (easy to make your own or buy)
and that at least every other day you have a more concentrated form of protein by eating dried legumes - lentils, beans, tofu
If desired, some organic white meat or wild fish twice per week
Every thing else is optional. I understand there are issues relating to making a transition from a typical or semi-typical western diet, and around social eating and I will pass on my knowledge from experience about what has worked well for me.
I will share the information on the natural condiments and beverages that make this way of eating an exciting adventure that expands your food experience infinitely, but it is important to understand that simplicity is very much the key - and cut out sugar and additives or you won't be able to taste the food.
Starter list for Store Cupboard - Essential Ingredients
Minimum basic staple ingredients you can keep in your store cupboard. This way, there is always the ingredients handy for a few meals. I have chosen some of the following ingredients for their availibility and relative inexpensiveness. Build up over time by ordering/ buying a little more than you need each week. I buy my stuff from goodness direct (google it) every couple of months as there is free delivery on orders over £35
I highly recommend that you use organic ingredients
Short grain brown rice
Quinoa
Buckwheat
Rolled porridge oats
Aduki beans
Chick peas
Red split lentils - for quick soups
Mung beans
Herb teas
Naturally fermented pickles and condiments
Natural dill pickles (cloudy water, no vinegar - morrison's do them).
Olives in brine
Sauerkraut - ingredients salt and cabbage only
Miso - simmer vegetables in water and add to taste to make miso soup
Naturally brewed soya sauce - crucial to read the label - must be 'brewed and aged'
Umeboshi sauce or paste
Cold pressed (unrefined or virgin)- preferably organic oil. Sunflower seems the cheapest organic oil and is a good all purpose oil, olive oil is the most readily available
Snacks
Peanut butter and other nut butters
Rice cakes
Oat cakes
Sunflower seeds - roast in the oven or by stirring continuously in a heavy pan. Add soya sauce for a savoury snack.
Pure fruit Jams
Dove farm organic naturally sweetened bars
Pudding
Raisins and honey or maple syrup or preferably rice syrup
add to left over brown rice with soya milk and simmer for minimum 20 - 30 mins (or bake) for yummy rice pudding. Nice with natural vanilla essence
Fresh a basic minimum - these all store very well
Apples
Onions
Carrots
Celery
Spring Onions
Butternut Squash
All vegs are great except potatoes and tomatoes - eliminate these - see Cravings Explained tab
Garnishes (for vitamin C)
Finely chopped spring onions or chives or parsley or rocket or water cress . . .
Finely grated carrots or red radishes
Convenience foods - A few tins of organic beans. Long life organic pumpernickle or any organic bread that contains no additives.
Healthy fast food
Red lentils for 20 min lentil soup
Organic whole grain noodles and pasta
cook with mushrooms, spring onions and add soya sauce or miso - for 10 min soup
Tofu for whole wheat pitta bread sandwiches or wraps with rocket, cucumber, mayo, dill pickle etc
Concentrated Apple Juice - convenient
Unsweetened soya milk or rice milk - alternative to cow's milk
Feeling adventurous?
Kombu and Shitake mushrooms to make tasty nutritious stock - from chinese supermarkets
Agar Agar for amazing deserts
Wakame seaweed - soak 10 mins and chop, add to vegs and water and simmer all for 15 - 30 mins depending how thinly sliced the veg. (Taste test) for traditional miso soup. Nice garnished with green
Nori - to wrap sushi
Arame
Tahini to make Hummus and other goodies
Tofu - slice, season and dip in flour or corn meal - (non GMO) then shallow fry - High in Protein
Chopsticks - a great way to get kids to eat this food, allow them to try chop sticks!
