MACROVegan Nutrition Course

Part of the confusion that dominates modern trends in nutrition is a result of limited thinking. We have accepted the idea that nutrition has to do exclusively with the chemical analysis of food. We believe that reductionist thinking can reveal the secrets of the healthiest way of eating – we are mistaken.

Human nutrition can only be understood if issues such as our biological history, the impact of our diet on the environment, the social implication of our food choices and the cultural influences on our eating are taken into account. The specific nutrients that comprise our diet are only significant if all these other factors are understood. This inclusive view of nutrition is the essential feature of the Human Ecology Diet. 

I have been an advocate of a plant based diet and health activist for over 50 years. During that time, I have been involved with the pioneering activities of the emerging natural foods industry in America and the UK and established macrobiotic education centers in Chicago, Los Angeles and London, UK. In London I established the Community Health Foundation and together with Michio and Aveline Kushi was a co-founder of the Kushi Institute.

I have served as the Director of Natural Therapies in one of Europe’s premier Wellness Clinics, engaged in private health practice and been invited to 26 countries to deliver seminars on Macrobiotic Nutrition, Environmental Health, Oriental Diagnosis.

This course reflects my study, teaching experience, observation and personal experience over these decades. It is not simply a review of nutrient needs, it speaks to a broader and deeper understanding of health and the human condition.

About the course

The course is divided into 15 modules with print course material comprised of over 300 pages with full reference notes, and 15 video presentations.

Upon entry into the program students will have access to a dedicated Facebook page where questions can be submitted for myself and Marlene as well as providing a discussion board for students to share experiences.

You will also have two one hour sessions via zoom with Bill and Marlene during the course at a mutually agreed date and time.

If students wish a MACROVegan nutrition certificate, testing will be offered on request.

Module One – Course Notes and Video: Who’s In The Kitchen? A review of the changing attitudes about food since the 1930’s, the development of the modern food industry and the creation of the American Diet.

Module Two – Course Notes and Video: Trust Me, I’m A Scientist. How food science, food flavorists and big business manipulates our desire for poor quality food.

Module Three – Course Notes and Video: Bad Medicine. The role of the medical profession in creating public ideas about disease and the ability to prevent illness through lifestyle and diet.

Module Four – Course Notes and Video: Questioning Authority.  Social challenges to the power of medicine and healing from the 1800’s to the present. A review of leaders in nutritional and social thought and their effect on emerging ideas of health.

Module Five –   Course Notes and Video: The Healing Kitchen. The relationship of food to inflammation and disease development and the possibility of diet as a healing modality.

Module Six –     Course Notes and Video: Food for Thought. How what we eat affects sensitivity and our mental and emotional functions.

Module Seven – Course Notes and Video: Ancient Wisdom.  The ancient methods of classification of food and their relationship with climate and environment. Interpreting the morphology of plant form and growth.

Module Eight – Course Notes and Video: Diet and Human Ecology. An exploration of the ways that the principles of ecology can be used to better predict the nutritional effect of foods.

Module Nine – Course Notes and Video: The Living Earth. Soil quality is a prime factor in the nutritional values of foods. This module examines the direct effect of farming methods and agribusiness on food quality and security.

Module Ten –   Course Notes and Video: Collateral Damage. Food is grown, caught, raised or killed by people who exist behind the veil of corporate labels. The requirement for food slaves is a fundamental part of the modern industry with many implications for social and even individual health.

Module Eleven – Course Notes and Video: Bad Karma. The use of animals as a food source has increasingly been shown as a major factor in human disease and yet we continue to operate on outdated nutritional theories about their need. This module looks at the arguments that drive the conversation.

Module Twelve – Course Notes and Video: Creating A Food Ethic. In today’s world we need solid principles to guide science and social action. Nutrition requires a strong ethic in the face of diminished food security, world hunger and the rise of preventable disease among the young.

Module Thirteen – Course Notes and Video: What We Need. Nutritional science has identified the basic elements to meet the requirements of human health. This module focuses on the primary nutrients essential for health.

Module Fourteen – Course Notes and Video:  Where We Get It. This module shows the best sources for gaining nutritional needs using the Human Ecology Diet.

Module Fifteen – Course Notes and Video: Recipes for Healthy Living. In this module Marlene Watson-Tara will share 60 recipes that reflect the principles of the course including Desserts, Soups, Sauces, Main Courses and Side Dishes.

Your Teachers –

Since 1967 Bill Tara has been an active advocate for natural heath care.  He was the Vice President of Erewhon Trading Company, one of America’s first national distributors of organic foods, and was a co-founder of Sunwheel Natural Foods in London, England.

In 1969 Michio Kushi encouraged him to begin teaching and slowly this became the focus of his work. He has been a health counselor, teacher, author, entrepreneur and creator of health education centers in Europe and North America.  His innovative and creative teaching of traditional approaches to health, healing and personal development have taken him to over twenty countries as a seminar leader.  He has appeared on a variety of radio and television shows in England, America and Australia speaking on Macrobiotics, Dietary policy and the environment.

In 1975 he founded the Community Health Foundation in London England, a Charitable Trust that was the largest natural health education center in the world.  Together with Michio and Aveline Kushi, he created the Kushi Institute and served as Executive Director of the institute programs in London, England and then the International KI in Boston, USA.  Bill has served as a senior faculty member for the Kiental Institute in Switzerland and the Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. He was Chairman of the European Macrobiotic Assembly for four years and served as Chairman of the North American Macrobiotic Congress for two years.

In 1975 he edited and published, Your Face Never Lies, based on the teachings of Michio Kushi, which continues to be one of the most popular books on Oriental Diagnosis. In 1985 he published Macrobiotics and Human Behavior, the first book by a Westerner on the Chinese theory of the Body/Mind connection. His last book, Natural Body / Natural Mind is available on Amazon as is his first published novel Portal of Dreams. His latest book How To Eat Right & Save The Planet will be launched January 2020.

Marlene Watson-Tara

A highly profiled and sought after health counsellor and teacher. As a lover of animals, nature and life and a passionate vegan for decades Marlene has worked with thousands of clients in many countries seeking to revitalize their lives through the philosophy of a wholefoods plant based diet and exercise.   Her mission and vision is to grow the vegan message worldwide with her dynamic and unique style of teaching. 

She is a graduate of T. Colin Campbell Plant Based Nutrition. In addition to her work as a Health Educator, Macrobiotic Counsellor and Vegan Chef & Cooking Teacher, Marlene has designed various successful programmes ‘The Natural Woman’ and ‘Weight Loss Nature’s Way’. Marlene has been teaching her ‘Living with the Seasons’ workshops in various parts of Europe, America and Australia over the last three decades. She has a list of clients ranging from the movies and arts to members of royal families.  In the last 10 years she has been teaching chef’s the art and skill of macrobiotic vegan cooking.  

Her dietary advice draws from the fields of macrobiotic nutrition, her studies in Traditional Chinese Medicine and her certification in Plant Based Nutrition and of course, all doused with a healthy dose of common sense. Marlene writes seasonal articles for Yoga & Health Magazine, Yoga Magazine and is a regular writer for many other health magazines and vegan websites around the world.  Her favourite saying – “If you don’t look after your body, then where are you going to live”  

Marlene and Bill are hugely passionate about inspiring and empowering others to become teachers and to share their work around the globe.  That is why they created their hugely successful ‘’Macrobiotic Vegan Health Coach Programme’’. Students have come from 27 countries around the world to study with them.  They also facilitate and run seminars and health retreats in various parts of Europe and America for private corporations. Marlene’s books ‘Macrobiotics for all Seasons’ and Go Vegan are available worldwide.