Peace from every cell inside

Jessica Porter

Isn’t it great to feel peace, from every cell inside, just by eating the right way? Jessica Porter (48) has been practicing Macrobiotics since 1990. She wrote the Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics, The MILF Diet, and collaborated with Alicia Silverstone on The Kind Diet. She lives in Los Angeles but grew up in Canada.

What made you live by the rules of Macrobiotics?

I have been practicing macrobiotics since 1990… although it has been a very imperfect practice. I was strongly attracted to macrobiotics at a young age, which came as a big surprise to me. I had had problems with food—overeating, sugar addiction—but I never thought I would be attracted to such healthy food! After my first macrobiotic class, I just kept going, almost in spite of myself.

I feel peaceful inside, at least when I’m not drinking coffee!

How is your way of life different now than how it used to be?

I feel peaceful inside, at least when I’m not drinking coffee! I have calm, clear energy, and enough to do whatever I want to do. Truly, I’ve been eating macrobiotic food for such a long time that it’s hard to remember what my life was like before! I guess I would repeat the concept: peace. I know peace, from every cell inside. And from that peace, I live my authentic life.

George Ohsawa, the grandfather of macrobiotics. I really resonate with his passion, and his love of life. When I read his essays and books, I feel totally charged and invigorated, and invited to take more responsibility for my own life.

What part of Macrobiotics do you find the hardest?

This is a great question. I often feel burnt out when it comes to cooking. Because I live in Los Angeles, there are a lot of good vegan, and even macrobiotic, places to eat, so I can really be lazy. I wish I liked cooking more than I do, considering how powerful it is.

Good food

Who was your inspiration?

George Ohsawa, the grandfather of macrobiotics. I really resonate with his passion, and his love of life. When I read his essays and books, I feel totally charged and invigorated, and invited to take more responsibility for my own life.

Jessica’s burger

How has Macrobiotics changed you physically and mentally?

I am 48 years old and I don’t even own a bottle of aspirin. I’m not an athlete, or in the greatest shape in the world, but I am healthy, deep inside. I rarely get colds, I rise to my challenges and I am even and peaceful under most circumstances. And when I’m not, I know it’s because I’ve been eating strange things. I know how to bring my health back to center.

I think that, after I began to think through the lenses of yin and yang, EVERYTHING I learned went through a macrobiotic filter.

Macrobiotics had quite a hippie image for a while. Do you think that’s still the case?

I think there are so many different types of food “movements” these days—including vegan, local, and organic—that macrobiotics is quite hidden among them. And, those movements are sort of groovy, so they are taking the bulk of the hippy labeling. I’ve never really thought the word “macrobiotic” captured the essence of the diet/lifestyle, and I think all the current diet fads don’t make it any easier to understand what macrobiotics really is. There is a lot of noise out there, a lot of loud voices. It’s hard to get heard.

Are there less enjoyable side effects to Macrobiotics?

I don’t like cooking so much. I wish the cooking were less time-consuming…

I wrote The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics in 2004 and The MILF Diet in 2013. They are both designed to make macrobiotics fun and accessible.

Have you done courses in Macrobiotics?

I studied at the Kushi Institute, and at Gulliver’s (started by Joshua Rosenthal, before his Institute of Integrative Nutrition). I’ve also taken classes with many other teachers around the U.S.

Are you (still) studying Macrobiotics?

This is a great question, too. I think that, after I began to think through the lenses of yin and yang, EVERYTHING I learned went through a macrobiotic filter. I attend the classes of other teachers when I go to conferences, which is great, but really I think my education comes from the world itself. Life itself.

Is there a sport you practise? Have you done Pilates?

I take dance classes. Hip hop. I LOVE THEM. No, I’ve never done Pilates. I should try it!

What is the difference between the two books your wrote?

I wrote The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics in 2004 and The MILF Diet in 2013. They are both designed to make macrobiotics fun and accessible. The first book dealt with George Ohsawa’s 12 Laws of Change and The MILF Diet was the result of a bunch of interviews I did with about 15 women. Between them, they had 37 children and had practiced macrobiotics for 400 years!!!