The Rice House Home Page

Community Description

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 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.

Summary and Impressions of the 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 counseling and cooking classes.

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.

Professional Services

Resident Counselors

Linda Theders, Karla Walter  

Resident Cooking Teachers

Linda Theders, Karla Walter  

Visiting Counselors and Cooking Teachers

John Kozinski  

Professional Cooks or Caterers

Linda Theders, Carol Banner  

Support System

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.

Work Study Program

None

Publications, Books, Cassettes

At local health food stores.

Web Sites

http://www.drjaystone.com/

http://www.macrobiotics.com.au

Natural Food Sources

Macrobiotic Restaurants

Amitabul, Blind Faith Café (2 locations), The Mother Earth Café & Organic Juice Bar, Natures Cupboard offers macro lunches 5 days a week; another 28 restaurants offer vegan options exist besides Whole Foods and Wild Oats supermarkets.  

Natural Food Chain Stores

Whole Foods, Fruitful Yield, Wild Oats  

Independent Natural Food Stores

Hygea, Golden Harvest, Sunrise Farm, Sherwyn's Health Foods, Bonne Sante, Southtown Health Foods, Nature's Cupboard  

Natural Food Coops

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.

Cottage Industries

None