| Summary and
Impressions
of the Macrobiotic Community: Macrobiotic activity in
Portland started sometime in the 1980's by a woman called Peggy who used
to prepare dinners. Lisa
Silverman has been active in the community since the early 1990's giving
cooking lessons, and promoting macrobiotics by hosting Warren Kramer four
times a year. Jessica Porter
and Howard Wallen were very active doing cooking lessons and consultations
together. Jessica continues on her own and is now doing
hypnotherapy and acting, and is providing macrobiotic services.
Although Portland does not have a
resident macrobiotic counselor, there are two cooking teachers, and many
residents practicing the macrobiotic way of life. Warren Kramer consults
and lectures quarterly in Portland, and monthly pot lucks are
enthusiastically supported. Several
other people active in macrobiotics (Meg Wolf and Pauline Jordan)
provide support to community activities. There are three independent whole foods supermarkets that provide
the needs of residents, including macrobiotic foods, publications, books and services.
|
| Paid
or Potluck Dinners:
No. There is a monthly potluck dinner that also serves as a support
group. From 10 to 15 people
usually attend.
|
| Education
Centers:
None
|
| Seminars:
Warren Kramer, a senior macrobiotic teacher comes to Portland four
times a year. He does a
seminar with lectures and cooking classes.
About 20-25 people attend. A
dinner is arranged while he is in Portland.
He also gives personal counseling.
|
| Newsletter:
None.
|
|
Support Groups:
Part of the monthly
potluck dinner.
|
| Visiting
Counselors and Cooking Teachers:
Warren Kramer; 4 times a
year.
|
| Resident
Counselors:
None. Lisa Silverman gives coaching; assistance for someone following
their consultation. |
| Resident
Cooking Teachers:
Lisa Silverman in
Portland; Ernest and Jane Quintal in Otisfield.
Rosemary Whitaker used to give lessons but stopped some time ago.
|
| Professional
Cooks or Caterers:
None.
|
| Work
Study Programs:
None. |
| Other
Counselor Interests:
Lisa works for a
marketing company in addition to her macro activities.
She teaches nutrition classes at the Cancer community center and
many other institutions. She also does shiatsu massage.
|
| Promotional
Activities:
None. |
| Publications,
Books, Cassettes:
At health food stores.
|
| Web
Sites:
http://www.seaveg.com/ |
| Cottage
Industries:
None.
|
| Macrobiotic
Restaurants:
There are no
macrobiotic restaurants in the Portland area, and only five restaurants
with vegan options.
|
| Natural
Food Chain Stores:
No macrobiotic
restaurants. Wild Oats
stopped construction of a new store recently, and don't seem to be in a
hurry to finish it.
|
| Independent
Natural Food Stores:
Whole Grocer, Lois Natural
Marketplace, Royal River Natural Foods. |
| Natural
Food Co-Ops:
Fare Share Co-Op
|
| Mail
Order Buying Clubs:
No collective organized mail
order buying. |
| Macrobiotic
Community Assessment: Healthy Services: No resident counselor, 2 cooking teachers, Regular visiting
counselor. Macro services
started in the early 1980’s. Moderate
Activities: Monthly potluck. Used
to have more activities.
|
| Area Description:
Portland has one of the finest harbors on the Atlantic
Coast. It is the largest city
in Maine, and a leading industrial and commercial center. Its metropolitan area population is 221,100.
|
|
Municipalities with Macrobiotic services or community activities:
Bar Mills, Billeford, Brunswick, Cape
Elizabeth, Freeport, Kennebunk, Otisfield, Portland, Scarborough.
|
| Link
to Macrobiotic Practitioners who were
interviewed in Portland, ME for this project who also earn money by providing
Macrobiotic
services |