I had the privilege of experiencing the beginning of fall on the other side of the world.
Nara, Japan, was my home for 16 days, as I experienced life in East Asia.
To describe it as an experience doesn’t do it justice. I was immersed in a culture embraced by a humble and peaceful race of people. I was in a town where hospitality and respect were part of everyday life. From the bowing to the friendly smiles, my nervous system began to relax and trust my surroundings. Nara was drama-free, no honking of cars, no argumentative loud talk, no unruly children running around, and no rudeness.
One day, I was walking to class, and it began to sprinkle. I had my raincoat with me, but not on yet, when an older woman stopped me to signal that I was getting wet. I signaled back that I was fine and pointed to my raincoat. She told me to wait, ran a few houses down to her house to get me an umbrella, and then signaled for me to keep it. That is just one of the many acts of kindness I experienced.
Rich in history, Nara has two historical significances that I learned about. One, it was the original ancient capital of Japan. Two, Nara was an intellectual and cultural center, where monks developed and refined brewing techniques that became the basis for the modern sake industry. As I was there to study fermentation, of course, I had to partake of the ancient tradition of local sake.
I was there at the Macrobiotic Global Institute to learn and have a deeper understanding of seasonal eating and the healing properties of fermented foods. The lectures and cooking all emphasized the energetic balance that one should strive for at each meal. This takes into consideration the foods chosen, as well as how they are cooked.
During the fall, the organ systems that are most nurtured are the lungs and large intestines, which are considered the gateway to health due to the importance of their job. One brings oxygen in, and the other digests food. Two important jobs that keep us alive.
The teachings of orderly eating with respect to the season, to keep one’s immune system strong, are ancient wisdom that holds true even more today.
In America, where 24/7 fast food is available, people often don’t slow down to take lunch breaks, eat on the run, and their food choices are processed and convenient, lacking in nutrition. We should learn a thing or two from a culture that ranks among the world’s healthiest populations. Japan often appears at or near the top in global health and healthcare rankings, due to high life expectancy, low obesity rates, and a robust healthcare system.
Three culturally instilled customs that positively impact health in any culture.
1. “Itadakimasu” to express gratitude for the meal. The phrase literally means “I humbly receive” and shows appreciation for the food and the people who prepared it.
2.”Hara hachi bu” – The Okinawan 2500-year-old Confucian mantra said before meals, gives a reminder to stop eating when your stomach is about 80% full
3. The unspoken rule in Japan is to avoid walking while eating and drinking.
Join me Saturday, October 25th at 9.30 A.M., for this month’s cooking class.
The focus will be on the lungs and large intestines, as we nurture these two organ systems during the fall season. I will share tips on transitioning to colder-weather cooking and the best ways to avoid symptoms of inflammatory bowel flare-ups, as well as colds and flus. I will be preparing a fall meal that includes a daikon dish to help melt belly fat! And, I will share more stories from my recent macrobiotic classes.
