Did a little more research on the macrobiotic diet and found out some more interesting info on this “back to the basics” diet. The modern concept of eating the macrobiotic way was the conception of a Japanese scientist, but the term actually can be found going back to the days of Hippocrates. The term itself has the literal meaning of “Great Life” Macro= great, Biotics = life.

The whole concept of macrobiotics is one of moderation and keeping food simple, as life should be, to enable the body to focus its energies on healing itself, not on constantly digesting new and foreign foods which were often high in fat and hard for the belly to digest.

Some of the principles of the macrobiotic diet are shown below:

Whole grains are encourages including brown rice, barley, oats, and whole wheat and are believed to be the most balanced foods between sweet and salty, and should comprise 50–60% of a person’s daily food intake.

Fresh veggies should make up about 35% of your daily intake. Vegetables may be lightly steamed with a small amount of unrefined cooking oil.

In addition, anything that is processed is strictly forbidden, and produce should be organically and locally grown ideally.

OK, so here is an extremely simple, cheap and effective home remedy for indigestion. Apple Cider Vinegar. Yep, ACV, or Apple Cider Vinegar acts as an excellent indigestion agent when taken about a half hour before meals -especially those large meals that you know you’re going to have problems with breaking down effectively in your stomach and digestive tract.

What ACV does is it actually mixes with the acids in your stomach, kind of prepping them for an enhanced predigestion before they move on to the small and large intestine and colon. I’ve tried this remedy many times and it does improve the incidence and severity of indigestion quite well.

I ONLY use organic apple cider vinegar though – it’s the only way to go. If you don’t use organic, some experts say you actually may be doing more harm than good. My apple cider vinegar of choice is Patricia Braggs – Braggs Organic Apple Cider Vinegar – it works really well as a natural remedy for me! Thought I’d pass it on..

I know this may be a little off topic, but I think it is fascinating nonetheless. I was talking to a friend at work the other day, and we got on the subject of dieting.

She mentioned that her mother knows a woman who is now in her late eighties who was diagnosed about 20-30 years ago ( I can’t remember exactly how long ago) with cancer and was given no more than two weeks to live, as the cancer had spread through her whole body.

Instead of seeking medical treatment, this women immediately went on a strict macrobiotic diet. She went into complete remission and remains cancer free today.

And that’s not just something you read about online where you wonder if it’s true. That was an actual person who lives somewhere in my vicinity, who beat cancer simply by altering the foods she put in her body. It struck me that the cliche phrase “you are what you eat” is SO very true.

What we put in our bodies truly does affect how we feel, how we look and our mood many times. Not only that, the power of the mind is incredibly strong and the mind/body connection is a powerful and often underestimated one. More on this next time.

Ok, so there was another article on a high profile and reputable online news source today about how the recent bad publicity on herbal remedies and various other natural alternative medicines has not changed most people’s outlook on their personal natural and herbal remedies, nor is there any forecast in a slow down of interest or sales in natural alternatives and cures.

Most people feel that even if they take something that is not actually biochemically doing something to them, even if they think it’s doing something, it’s still worth it. This is called the placebo effect. The mind/body connection which allows us to control what happens in our physical selves or our bodies by thinking it so. Interesting theory, and one that has actually been scientifically tested and proven to some degrees.

Actually and interesting area of study, placebo effect still baffles many scientists due to its somewhat immeasurable effects on the body and the human brain. How exactly do you measure whether someone’s thinking actually produces chemical reactions in their body? It’s darn near impossible.