Wabi sabi is very hard to translate. I have asked many Japanese people to translate the words for me and there are lots of slightly different interpretations. The version I like is, transient beauty seen through humble eyes. Transient beauty is the beauty of things the change with time.

Many times, we buy things as a way to feel more secure, especially in this world of constant change. However, do material goods really bring us that security? Could having less actually make us feel more secure by having more in terms of joy, inspiration, happiness, and fulfilment? A less-or-more list is a gentle way to help create change.

Macrobiotics has had an amazing influence on my life. Yet, I sometimes wonder if it became too complicated, attempting to be all things to all people, to have an answer for everything. Just for fun, I imagined that I was clutter clearing macrobiotics, in the same way I might clutter clear a house.

The days are long gone when our ancestors walked the land, drank from the streams and slept on moss under hedgerows, wrapped only in their cloaks. Nowadays we are more likely to drive to our air b-n-b with en-suit and snuggle down in a comfy king-sized bed. BUT what we have gained in comfort, we have lost in our direct contact with nature!!

To have good energy for exercise it helps to be sure we have good sleep and rest, enjoy regular periods of deep breathing through the day to oxygenate the blood, and eat a diet that includes whole grains. Once we have more energy, we need to use it in the form of exercise to help the develop the ability to create and use energy.

Spring is a wonderful time for new beginnings and creating change within the home and ourselves. Our home is like a sanctuary, away from the bustle and daily stresses of life. We can discover a beautiful world of freedom and fresh breath when we clear out those things we no longer need. There is no better time than now to start.

It saddened me greatly to hear that Denny Waxman had passed away. If a pioneer is willing to explore new territory and move on facing the unknown, then Denny qualified. Denny’s contributions were many and he was always studying and steadfast in his commitment to the principles of macrobiotics. He will be much missed by me and all who knew him.

When you get introduced to the macrobiotic life, you discover multiple ways of practicing it. You can eat organic, seasonal and local, with animal products or without. But by now you must surely know that there is more. We now need to find ways to live that support the environment and that at the same time work for us within our own means and economies.

The movement of the autumn, sunset, metal chi is inward. It is the energy of the farmers collecting the harvest, seeds and nuts being pushed into the earth and the bears eating for the winter. It is essential taking in energy and building up for the cold weather ahead. For this reason is can also be associated with acquiring wealth.

We live in a time when our immunity is greatly challenged. We need to become more immune savvy and wise in how we move through life. It is important to be aware of our toxic world but also just as important to learn to live in it, to celebrate and live life with joy.

Simon Brown talks about the practice of combining YinYang with the 5 Elements that is found in Chinese divination, astrology, medicine, feng shui and an understanding of nature. According to author Joseph Needham, the two are inseparable and need to be studied and understood together.

Sleep is vital for good energy. Activity in the parts of our brain that control decision making, emotions and social interactions are greatly reduced during our deep sleep, suggesting deep sleep helps us enjoy optimal emotional and social functioning the next day.