Summary and
Impressions
of the Macrobiotic Community:Chicago's macrobiotic history dates back
to 1968, when Bill Tara opened a macrobiotic center. Ron Kotsch replaced
Bill Tara and opened a study house. Food
for Life health food store opened in 1970.Many experienced counselors and
teachers frequently visited the center including Michio and Aveline Kushi,
Herman and Cornelia Aihara, Patrick and Meredith McCarty and Michel Abehsera.In 1986, Dr Jay Stone
became the president of the Macrobiotic Association
of Chicago. Tom Swan was the community
leader and the Aiharas,
McCartys, Lino Stanchich, Bonnie Breidenback, and Murray Snyder were the
primary teachers. Between 30-40
people regularly came to macro dinners, dances, parties and lectures.
After the center became incorporated, Dr Stone disassociated himself from the city's macro activities. Since
the late 1980's, community activity has waned. Currently, a macrobiotic
presence is maintained by Linda Theder, owner of Nature's Cupboard, an
independent health food
store.John Kozinski
visits monthly to teach
and counsel, and Linda Theder provides local counseling and teaching.
Recently Karla Walter moved to Chicago from Australia (http://www.macrobiotics.com.au).
She offers couseling and cooking classes.
Paid
or Potluck Dinners:No dinners or pot
lucks.
Education
Centers:None.
Seminars:Food, Health and Healing
monthly seminars by John Kozinski.
Newsletter:None.
Support
Groups:Linda Theders runs a group.
Visiting
Counselors and Cooking Teachers:John Kozinski
Resident
Counselors:Linda Theders,
Karla Walter
Resident
Cooking Teachers:Linda Theders,
Karla Walter
Professional
Cooks or Caterers:Linda Theders, Carol Banner
Work
Study Programs:None.
Other
Counselor Interests:Linda owns and operates
Nature's Cupboard, an independent health food store
Promotional
Activities:None.
Publications,
Books, Cassettes: At local health food stores.
Independent
Natural Food Stores:Hygea,
Golden Harvest, Sunrise Farm, Sherwyn's Health Foods, Bonne Sante,
Southtown Health Foods, Nature's Cupboard
Natural
Food Co-Ops:Duck Soup Co-Op, South
Suburban Food Co-Op, Hyde Park Co-Op, Co-Op Markets: Mr G, Co-Op Markets:
Whole Health.
Mail
Order Buying Clubs:None needed.
Macrobiotic
Community Assessment: Healthy Services:2
resident counselors & 2 cooking teachers; monthly visiting
counselor; daily macro meals at Nature’s Cupboard.Moderate Activities: Monthly seminars and whole day classes called
Food, Health and Healing; Chicago rich in macro center history from 1968,
but not much left.
Area Description:Chicago
is a huge city in northeastern Illinois that stretches along the southwest
shore of Lake Michigan.It is the third largest city in the United States; only New
York and Los Angeles have more people.It also ranks among the world's leading industrial and
transportation centers.It
manufactures more fabricated metals and food products than any other
American urban center.Its
metropolitan area population is 7,410,900.
Municipalities with Macrobiotic Services or Community Activities:Arlington Heights, Berwyn, Buffalo Grove, Chicago, Clarendon Hills,
Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, Hinsdale,
Matteson, Pallatine, River Forest, Villa Park, Wheaton, Willowbrook.
This
work was supported by Grant/Cooperative Agreement Number U48/CCU409664-09
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are
solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent
the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Macrobiotics
Research Project:
A
2-year grant sponsored by Centers of Disease Control; October 2000 to September
2002
University
of South Carolina, Prevention Research Center-Special Interest Project, School
of Public Health