Life In Balance Macrobiotics

Just back from Bali

Danny — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 14:16:28 +0000

traveling is so interesting on so many different levels I’m not sure where to begin. But since this blog is about balance, I’ll begin there. Traveling in our modern age is the most unnatural thing I can think of. The airplane, the sudden change of climate, time, food, etc is a complete shock on the system, and it’s a wonder any of us choose to do it at all. Still we’re curious and adventurous, and that compels us more than the negative aspects, and so we go.

I’ve wanted to visit Bali ever since I was in college, and first heard Gamelon music. It’s so haunting and beautiful, and I just love it. And of course there’s much more to Bali than music. We visited temples, and beaches, and museums.

But it was my first time seeing rice fields. They seem to be everywhere terraced throughout the hills. And since they have three crops a year, I was able to see the rice in all stages of production. I saw soaked paddys with fresh new sprouts coming up.

I saw the rice more fully matured, but still green and standing straight up. And I was able to see the browning rice bending over and getting ready for harvest. ( becoming more yang)

Then the farmers harvest it by hand in the traditional way by grabbing a handful and using a hand scythe cutting off the stock a handful at a time.

Next it’s whacked on a box to release the rice from the stock, and then laid out to dry in the sun for two or three days.

And as we drove throughout the countryside we saw large plastic sheets on the side of the road with beautiful rice spread on it to dry.

Now that’s what I call local, seasonal, and organic.

We didn’t just stay in the island of Bali, but we went to other parts of Indonesia too. We went to Nusa Lemongan for the beaches and discovered that one of the local industries is sea weed farming. It looked like wakami, and it’s farmed in the shallow parts of the ocean.

thanks

The first ever Los Angeles Macrobiotics Conference

Danny — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 22:07:21 +0000

…went off without a hitch. In fact it was a pretty big success. No we didn’t have 200, or even 100 attendee, but those that were there were very happy, and that’s all that matters.

I arrived at the church at 7AM, and at 8 or 8:30 when all then vendors and helpers began showing up, I must admit, I was a little overwhelmed. It was hard to imagine that my idea was coming to fruition. Well all you need is right minded people, and intention, and I guess anything can happen. Don’t forget to vote.

As the day progressed, I bounced from class to class, watching and listening, and everyone seemed engaged in the process. Lunch and dinner were fabulous (Thank you Eric and Sanae) and as the day wore on, there seemed a nice vibe throughout.

I loved meeting people I had only spoken to on the phone, and that’s what community is all about really.

I also must admit, by afternoon I did get tired, but was able to take a little quiet time for myself in the garden, and that helped. Then dinner fortified me, and then Jessica Porter blew us all away with her lecture, and after a few minutes of putting chairs and tables away it was time to go home and collapse. (figuratively, not literally)

But thanks to macrobiotics, I was up the next morning with energy and enthusiasm to begin planning

NEXT YEAR!!

Danny — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:59:24 +0000

Well I’m please to write the first ever Los Angeles Macrobiotics Conference came off with out a hitch.

We had thirty enthusiastic attendees, some great ambassadors,vendors, and wonderful speakers.

The food was catered by Seed Kitchen (Thank you Eric and Sanae) and of course it was delicious.

Personally I was thrilled that I could manifest from such a simple idea such a real event. Of course I got tons of help from Jeanne and others.

More photos and info later.

Is it really two weeks until the conference?

Danny — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:49:38 +0000

I can’t believe how time flies. It seems only yesterday that I sent out the preliminary emails to see who was interested. And now, people are signing up, menus are getting set, travel plans are firm, and everyone is ready to learn, and have a great time.

More news as we get closer.

Sex and squash

Danny — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:45:21 +0000

Well now that my squash have grown into teenagers, all they can think about is sex sex sex! I’ve learned a great deal about how to help them through this difficult time. Firstly, squash are very special in this regard. They don’t self pollinate. They produce male and female flowers, and hope that some of the pollen from the male finds it’s way to the females. Of course that’s where the bees, and other pollinators come in handy. And since my garden is full of bees, I’m in pretty good shape. But wanting to be part of the fun, every morning I take a Q tip, rub it on the male blossoms and some of the pollen comes off. Then I rub the q tip on the female blossom, hopefulyl transferring some of the pollen. Soft music and a glass of wine helps too.

Then I announce to the bees, who are currently very interested in my pepper tree that seems to be producing some yummy flower, “hey bees, when you get a chance there are some bright beautiful squash blossoms that could use some of your magic.” and then I go to work.

What a life.