from the bookstack

The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics--A Philosophy for Achieving a Radiant Mind and Fabulous Body
by Jessica Porter

This...This is the book that started it all--my transformation from junk food addict with a sick body, to healthy living enthusiast. I picked this book up at the local bookstore when I was at the end of my rope, and felt like I had run out of options when it came to my health. My thought was that nothing could hurt at that point, and there was just something about this book that called to me. That might sound a bit "woo-woo", but I have always believed in the validity of that sort of energy.

I read this book--first with curiosity, which quickly morphed into fascination, and then settled into hope and excitement that perhaps there was a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Add on to that the fact that Jessica Porter is a very funny lady, who can make even the complex ideas of yin and yang appealing in a way that most philosophy books can't quite manage, (at least I haven't come across this yet) not to mention a wonderful recipe creator, and this results in a book that is certainly the most enjoyable book on health that I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Macrobiotics is deep. It isn't merely a way of eating, but it rests upon the aforementioned philosophy of yin and yang, incorporating it into everything from food preparation to lifestyle. I can't begin to cover this vast subject matter, but I can say that the idea of there being an in and an out breath, an expansion and contraction, and other opposite but complimentary forces in the universe makes sense. We see these forces at play frequently in life. When I began to incorporate these idea into my own life, the difference was palpable. It could be as simple as making sure to eat root vegetables, as well as leafy greens within one meal. It could mean deciding to relax and go the gentle route during menstruation, nourishing myself with more "expansive" or yin foods. After following the ideas laid out in this book, I was healed of all illnesses, major and small within six months. But that's a story for another day.

What I can say is that this book was the catalyst in my health journey. It launched me into the most profound period of my life, helping to shape me into the person I would become. I laughed and I cried as in all great adventures, and I put the book down deeply changed. If you are looking for a starting point to change your health, or at least break free from a paradigm of health that doesn't serve you well, please give this book a read. I refer back to this book when I lose my footing, want a dose of laughter and hope, or just plain want to make a delicious dinner that serves my body well. It is quite the amazing read.

I'd love any book recommendations you have. If there are any books that you adore, please do let me know!