My Dream/ Macrobiotic Summer Conference 2014

The way of Macrobiotics is to harmonize with the nature and  live healthy with balanced  food.

I was introduced to Macrobiotics around 30 years ago when we brought up our 2 children in the countryside of Japan.I just wanted to give them  good food as a mother, so I ordered organic food  like vegetables , brown rice , seasonal fruits, tofu , eggs and dairy product  once a week. From  a flier  I got to know the name of Macrobiotics which  is basically a dietary regimen which involves eating more whole grains, beans and fresh vegetables and avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods and most animal products, fermented food such as Miso and Salted Sour Plums are strongly recommended.

Actually we were not strict Macrobiotics practitioners at that time  but when cooking  I always tried to reduce any meat , take more vegetables and beans , avoid white rice ,sugar and salt. I made Salted Sour  Plums (Ume-Boshi) by myself every year and some times Miso,too.I think cooking vegetable nicely and making our family satisfied with a little meat or fish might be  a  first step for the beginners .
*(Ume-Boshi)http://macromacrobiyoko.blogspot.jp/2012/02/ume-boshi-pickled-plums.html

Our children became more healthy , my husband also,  who had been hard working in Japanese company for 35 years,  did not take any medical leave except an  operation  for cataract during his work both in Japan and Singapore.

The founder of  Macrobiotics is  Japanese , Mr Tomoyuki  Sakurazawa, known as George Osawa  who  had dieted himself on vegetables and brown rice  advocating  it  in Japan before WW2 .

He sent  his pupil , Mr Michio Kushi(88) to organise and  familiaze the concept  in the USA. Luckily I leant Macrobiotics  from him in Japan!

This diet saved victims at the hospital in Nagasaki  within  1.4km where the  atmic bomb was dropped  .One doctor did know  the Macrobiotics way so the staff and the patients  only ate vegetables, brown rice ,seaweed and Miso soup everyday.They did not suffer from the illness caused by the radiation.

Macrobiotics is based on Yin Yan theory and points out 2 ways.

1. Eat where you live

2. Eat whole grain,whole food

When I first joined the Macrobiotics cooking class around 20 years ago  I was  shocked  as the teacher cooked the roots of the green onions, too !Actually I had confidence in my cooking skills and the knowlwdge  but I never ever heard that the roots gave us strength!It did expand my view of the cooking and thought I would like to learn the way some day!

The chance came to me in 2009 as my husband was transfered to Tokyo from Singapore and I could go to the cooking school .It  took 2 years to be an instructor, then my next aim was making Macrobiotic friends  all over the world. I said to myself that living in a multinational country like Singapore trained me for 5 years , so I can do it!!

Finally I got the big chance during  our long holiday from London where our daughter's family now live. I participated in the  Macrobiotic  International Summer Conference in Holland for one week  with my husband from Aug 9th to 14th,2014.

It was a fantastic and amazing  experience for me  as we met 120 participants of  over 40 nationalities aged zero (fetus) to 80 years old! I was so impressed that the cooking teachers who came from many countries were willing to use Japanese traditional seasoning and ingredients even when they taught their own cooking.......I was inspired by wonderful teachers' lectures  and could polish my cooking skills

It was surprising  to know the fact that they know the benefit of Japanese food  more than us . On the other hand ,  it made me sad as nowardays some young Japanese do not  know how to use the particular Japanese ingredients like Umezu , Amazake , Kuzu, and so on.

During the conferance we had enjoying  talks  and exchanged  our own culture . It was really fun!

I just started to teach Macrobiotics at  the Japanese association in Singapore  but I am determined to teach this healthy way to  Singaporeans  to contribute to this diverse country as it  gave me a  big oppotunity to be a  global person !

My next aim is to prepare  'Rhubarb & Apple Crumbles 'which is British traditional dessert, for a Londoner, my son- in- law on his birthday . He is very good at cooking and always kindly teaches  me  about  European cooking .Actually I just learnt this recipe  in this conference but it  might be  very big challenge for me as I will not use any eggs,sugar , butter and moreover he is a gourmet!!

 The teacher came from the Netherlands

 

Spain/Japan

 

                                                 He is teaching Japanese cooking.

U.S.A 

Belgium

Switzerland/ Laos

He is making Natto!! 

United Kingdom

Poland/Netherlands 

Israel/Belgium 

The Netherlands

 

T'aichi 's trainer :France/USA 

 

Shiatsu(Japanese Massage) class

Chatting !

                                                                     Dancing!
                                                                          

I taught "Agedashi Tofu' and 'Tofu Mayonnaise to an Australian

on Aug 16th in London.

 

Guest Lecture at NUS

Last month, my husband and I attended  a guest lecture at National University of Singapore .
The topic was about both Singapore and Japan .He gave a presentation about his previous job  here in Singapore and  also about  Japanese company in which he had worked for 35 years.I too shared  about my  multi-colored  experiences in Singapore which  had definitely  broadened  beyond boundaries

When I was in  Japan I had no chance to talk  to the foreign people in my daily life. At that time, I could understand the English language but  could not make sentences  instantly . So I hesitated to speak and  could not help the foreign tourists .With just 3 months of experiences in Singapore,  changed my mindset . I was more than willing to help a foreigner  who  could  not read the instructions in the Japanese  language at the Kansai Airport .It was actually my very  first trip for a holiday to our homeland  after our move to Singapore . I knew that I was just doing the same thing that many local people did to help me around.

In Japan almost all of them are Japanese so they  have less oppotunity  to know about different culture and customs..Multi-national  Singapore has given  me the awakening  that people of various  races and religions  can live  in harmony even though everyone does differ where their natural characters are concerned .I think that Japanese way of living does not bring out their personality.It is my observation that  most of the Japanese people do not know  how inconvenient their lives are  as they have not left their nests  compared  to people living elsewhere..Compared to the citizens of Singapore  I do think  the Japanese people do not  have basic human rights till now  and not only during the WW2, well, they are much patient and obedient.
     

 I also have come to comprehend  that English is essential to communicate with  many  people all over the world. I met  good Korean and Chinese classmates at the  English school in Singapore  where 2 British male teachers  were teacing .In time I found out the differences of their emotions   though all of us look the same.I also  got to know how mature the British teachers were...I attended  the school 3 times a week and had never failed to complete  my home-work. Most of the students there  were house-wives , but the teachers  taught us about  how to debate on controversial matters.The important thing is to exchage and discuss different kinds of views to deepen our understanding with  each other...I am sure Japanese people need to learn this debate not to look into O's face.

Thankfully ,our neighbours who are still our good friends, have been  very kind and  helpfull . They always  tried to comprehend  what I wanted to convey. . I heard  from  my Singapore friend that the 1st and former Prime Minister , Mr Lee Kuan Yew had encouraged  Singaporeans to take care of  foreigners like  their relatives..So,  many of us  are very comfortable with both of  our  work and life here..I believe that  Japan should  follow the Singaporean  way in accepting  more immigrants.
The Japanese government  must  make efforts in making  their  people happy first .Encouraging evacuation  from the radiation contaminated places,  arranging proper jobs for the youth and also in saving the needy families with children as they will have many problems to handle.These should be the  priority before selling weapons which might sow the negative seeds of karma.

 Cooking and eating are  my favorites .My local friends and I  share and exchange  our respective cultures through our lovely delicacies! It  really is fun !
Since  my husband was sent back to Tokyo in 2009 , I started to learn  Macrobiotics ,which is the vegetarian method of cooking  based on the Yin and Yang theory.
I think that  Macrbiotics is essential in Singapore as there is an increase of  senior citizens just like  Japan. Currently  I am teaching Macrobiotics  at the Japanese Association  here.I very much wish to teach  Singaporeans it  for a  healthy lifestyle. Hence ,
I am enrolling myself  as an instructor at the  local community clubs.

From  the view of Macrobiotics I've found out  the elements of Singapore and Japan are literally the opposite just like the Yin and Yang. Singapore is still considered to be a young country but Japan has a long history when traced back.The nation of Singapore has the enegy of expanding but Japan has centripetal enegy.From my point of view ,Singaporeans are out going ,simple and positive but my fellow people ,the Japanese are shy,sensitive and negative. Singapore has variety , Japan is monotonous...

I sincerely hope to see these 2 countries in  uniting together as I am sure that they 'll be able to create a perfect universe.After all, as human beeings, we are a part of each other.

I believe that well-balanced diet consisting of  the Yin and Yang spirit  may make our body healthy without any side effects.  Not only does this act as nutritional  food but it can be  medicine too...
Thus, we would like to be a bridge between the Singaporeans and the Japanese to contribute  to both the countries to show our gratitude.

 

                                          9  April  ,2014

   　　　　↑　Pro.Tang Leng Leng

 

My big worry about Japan

 

More than 3 months have already passed since I last updated my English blog with my latest script.
I feel touched knowing that there are still 400-500 number of access per month . I have had  readers from more than 50 countries for  about 2 years. Thank you very much for the viewing.
To be honest,I am not having enough energy to write for my English blog.
After moving to Singapore,I have started to worry about our homeland,Japan;as you know that it is facing many serious problems.
In Singapore,normally we read the English newspaper for us to know about our current affairs but,since the journalism in Japan is not doing a proper job,people there have either given up or are not taking things seriously.
In my Japanese blog,I have always encouraged the youth to go abroad to have the awakening about the outside world.Actually,I've updated much more after our migration to Singapore.
Last August,in the Sunday Times,former Prime Minister,Mr.Lee Kwan Yew,had given us some precious advice about the Japan's insular attitude and the population woes.He also added that if was a Japanese and could speak good English,he would definitely choose to go abroad.
I totally agree with his opinion.My husband was impressed with that article and translated the whole thing for me.I too wrote 3 series about it in my Japanese blog.Thankfully,I got a huge access for it!
I wish Japan would change dramatically!

http://ameblo.jp/yokoabiko0502/entry-11742623872.html
(Mr Lee Kwan Yew 's suggestion 1)
http://ameblo.jp/yokoabiko0502/entry-11744222691.html
(Mr Lee Kwan Yew's suggestion 2)
http://ameblo.jp/yokoabiko0502/entry-11746932747.html
(Mr Lee Kwan Yew's suggestion 3)


Sometimes,I do wonder why aren't the youth getting unhappy about these serious and hopeless  situation.Or are they hesitating to bring it up.
I think that most of my fellow Japanese people do value the judgement about the impression from others.This is being  materially oriented .In God's view,spiritually oriented is essential.
To make matters worse,Japan has had many natural disasters from the very past and the Japanese have to yield to Mother Nature and gradually make it a part of their own character.
In wrote that the Japanese people must think by themselves,also give their own opinions  and voice it out too.
The old Kamikaze pilot,whom I had interviewed have warned the youth that they need to be careful about the government otherwise,it'll be too late;even though everyone in Japan is anxious for a warless world.
http://macromacrobiyoko.blogspot.sg/2013/03/last-kamikaze-pilot-now-sings-songs-for.html
 [The last Kamikaze Pilot now sings songs for peace]

There is a famous Japanese poem saying that 'Hometown should be thought by the people far away  from their homes.'

                                                 May 6 , 2014   The  Japanese Association Singapore
                                    http://macromacrobiyoko.blogspot.sg/2013_05_01_archive.html
                                    [Celebration of Children's Day!]
 

The Japanese home-cooking leads to the healthy life !

 I believe that Mr.Yoshimitsu Tamego (78) is 1 of the greatest and famous cooking teachers in Japan just like Jamie Oliver in England. Most of the Japanese housewives  above  middle age know him well through the television.
He has taught the authentic Japanese cooking as the same way as how his teacher Mr Isao Tsuji who was the founder of the 1st Japanese cooking school for the chefs  and also later for the young womenfolk all over Japan 60 years ago.
 Nearly  40 years ago I just enrolled  myself in the Tsuji Cooking School in Osaka .
At that time I was working at the General Traiding Company and I attended the classes after my work once a week for about 5 years.The school taught 3 kinds of cooking, Japanese, Chinese and Western respectively . There as he had classes as a supervisor , I was inspired by him.  He also appeared on television for more than  40 years teaching the cooking of home-cooked food. Amazingly,he did prepare Japanese food for the NHK soap  opera  like the Oshin which was shown  in 1983 ...During the shooting for  every episode of the dramas,  his food was appreciated  by all of the actors  and the staff for 30 years.

At school he taught  us that the home cooking must be both simple and fast. 'You should bake the cookies for your children  before buying  them.'.I still remember his words of wisdom.After getting married ,I brought up 3 children, following  his guidance, I really enjoyed  cooking at home and  my family loved the variety of  food. All of us  are very healthy and very seldom went to the clinic. Especially my husband, who has been  very hardworking  for the past 33years after our marriage  has  never visited the clinic or the hospital except for his cataract operation  in Singapore.
 I am so proud  that my food has saved my family..

After I moved to Singapore in 2004 following to his transfer, my local friends of various races enjoyed my home cooked food.. Only then did I realize my cooking  which I've learnt in Japan could make them happy .

Last November, Yoshimitsu  told me that , after his teacher Isao had won the Grand Prix in Switzerland in 1954 ,he invited foreign chefs  from 10 countries like China, Taiwan, Italy, Germany ,France,Austria, Switzerland ... and took care of them for 10 years. He also employed an interpreter for  each 1 of them. They had  taught their own  cooking skills  at the school  and had also exchanged  their cultures with the other Japanese chefs . Yoshimitsu  was indeed very much   affected by this precious  experience .

I'm pretty  sure that they've  contributed a lot to the Japanese cooking culture .
In Japan we believe that good housewives can cook 3 types of  food at home..
In Singapore I 've  met many women  who are very good at cooking but normally ,
they can only  cook their own food.Their exposure on other kinds of food is not much.
That was when I got awaken to our unique  food culture ..We are  interested in the foreign cooking and we could  also alter  it according  our Japanese Curry ,Stew,  Cutlet , Gratin,Pasta, Pizza , Hashed Beef Rice, Hamburger Steak, croquette ,many kinds of cakes and bread, fried dumpling (Gyoza), chinese buns .....and the famous  Ramen!

We've been  opened towards the foreign food but why we can't  open our minds to foreign people?
I am teaching the Japanese cooking in Singapore,multinational country, so
Yoshimitsu  is now very happy and  encouraged me too.


My 2nd great teacher,Mr.Michio Kushi ,who is the founder of Kushi Macrobiotics Academy in Boston, has been spreading all over the world about his diet and the Yin Yang theory,which was taught to him by his teacher . Mr George Osawa (his real name is Yukikazu Sakurazawa)  had written the great book of  the 'Zen Macrobiotics.' and  pointed out that,'you can be your own doctor.' Michio was sent by him  to the USA in 1949 and there he  taught Macrobiotics diet which is the Japanese style of vegetarian cooking. In 1993 the world's largest Smithsonian Museum started to show Michio's  accomplishment for  American people's health.

In 2009,after moving back to Japan,I started learning about the Macrobiotics ,in Tokyo ,Yamanashi prefecture  and Yokohama for 4 years till just before I left Japan for Singapore in June 2013.
There , I managed to learn more ways of healthy cooking based on the theory and at the same time,brushed up my cooking skills  even after I became an instructor of  Macrobiotics.

I strongly believe that food can act as medicine without any side effects as it is producing our blood cells , above all it's delightful in our life.
I would very much like to contribute to the Singaporeans' health to lead a  long life by the Japanese home-cooking  and Macrobiotics diet which  I've  learnt in Japan..

                                             Yoshimitsu Tamego   2013 Nov.10, Osaka

 

Basic Cooking  

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my Brazilian friends did love  this menu↑ 'Meat stuffed Cabbage' .When she got married with the Japanese man 30 years ago , her mother- in -law who had already passed away cooked this meal for her.She  still  appreciated it and ordered it at  one Japanese reataurant in Tokyo  when we met just before  they had left Japan for Brazil on April ,2011.

 

 

  

 

                                            Basic  Cooking  for the New Year's meal

 

 

  

 

 

 

↑　Mr.Michio Kushi

 

Macrobiotic's Menue ↓

Macrobiotics diet doesn't use any sugar,egg and dairy product.

 

http://www.kushiinstitute.org/about-the-kushi-institute/

http://www.macrobiotics.nl/

(About Kushi Institute)

 

* http://macromacrobiyoko.blogspot.sg/2012_01_01_archive.html

(French Macrobiotic Class in Yokohama) 

Mayumi is Madonna's private  chef working for 8 years.

I attended her class and tasted her food  in Tokyo in 2012.

http://macromacrobiyoko.blogspot.sg/2012_07_01_archive.html

(Madonna's Japanese private chef of Macrobiotics)

 

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