Food

Macrobiotic cooking a unique lifestyle
By Bethany McClain

When she cooks, it’s not just because she’s hungry.

Brenda Emerick, Montoursville, is a certified macrobiotic cook. This type of cooking is a unique lifestyle that takes into the consideration the big picture, in this instance, the earth and all that’s in it.

"All my decisions I make in my life, I try to make them for the good of the earth and all that’s in it," Emerick said. "So when it comes to food, buying organic food, it’s not only good for me, but it’s better for the earth and everything in it."

As an example, she doesn’t buy foods that have been dosed with pesticides because the poison kills worms and other bugs, which are a part of nature.

"If we kill them with pesticides, it’s not doing anything any good," she said.

But macrobiotics isn’t just about food and its preparation. It’s a lifestyle in which one’s life is run, keeping in mind the big picture and how one decision can effect the environment around us. Food is just a part of macrobiotics.

Macro means large and biotics means life. It is, from Emerick’s perspective, a lifestyle in which one makes decisions in all aspects of life based on the principle of, "is this a decision that is living in harmony with the earth and all on it?"

With Thanksgiving coming up, Emerick has big plans to spread the word of this lifestyle. She is inviting the public to share a Thanksgiving feast with her Nov. 15 at the Gateway to the Endless Mountains Restaurant along Rt. 87 in Loyalsockville. Beginning at 5 p.m., Emerick has planned a special evening designed to acquaint visitors with a unique lifestyle that may enhance one’s health. More than just a diet, macrobiotics is a way of life and Emerick will share a meal of whole natural foods, as well as some basic principles for living a truly happy and healthy life.

"I’m doing this feast because I would like to become aware of the people who are food conscious in this area so that perhaps we can become a community," she said.

Emerick, who has been studying and practicing macrobiotics for seven years, encourages the public to join her for an evening of healthful food, socializing and learning about the healing and prevention of serious illnesses through food.

Some of the items on the menu will include candied yams, acorn squash ringlets, homemade cranberry sauce, herbed biscuits with almond carrot butter and seitan cutlets. Dessert will be pumpkin pie, ginger carrot cake and sweet potato cups.

"I just think that the food makes me feel so good," she said. "When I eat it I feel good, I have energy. I never took literally the statement ‘You are what you eat’ until I began studying macrobiotics. I just want people to eat better."

All of the food will be of organic macrobiotic quality. Some of the food will be from a standard macrobiotic diet and some will be from a healing diet perspective. Emerick also will share with visitors which foods are what and the differences that make them so.

The event will be a casual affair. More information is available by calling Emerick at 435-3471.

Cost of the event is $25 per person or two for $40. Checks may be made payable to Emerick at 1018 Butternut Grove Rd., Montoursville, 17754.

Also a yoga instructor, Emerick offers macrobiotic, vegan and vegetarian catering and even invites the public into her kitchen to learn how to cook in these styles.

Publisher
James Webb
JAWEBBSR@aol.com

President
Mark Lundberg
lundberg@epix.net

Editor
Beth Ann Scruggs
webbnews@epix.net

Web Editor/
Copy Editor
Robin Van Auken
webbnews@epix.net

Production
Manager
Adam Millheim
webbads@epix.net

Graphic
Designers
Denzil Schultz
Denise Rhodes
Tony Sinatra

Advertising
Department
webbads@epix.net