[Nancy]

Hi Hev,

Unfortunately, many people already have an "over interest" in food when they come into macrobiotics. This is one of the symptoms macrobiotics can actually eradicate. Those with the over interest or compulsions with food are using food to manage emotions, and have gotten themselves into deep trouble, probably causing overweight, obesity, Diabetes Type II, or other diseases like the beginning stages of cancer. Food will bite you, if you over indulge. Everything that has a front has a back. Yes, it is delicious and satisfying -- too much of it and you get fat, have to lug around all the fat, stress your heart and every other organ -- and start hiding socially because you just don't look good anymore, all the while looking in the mirror and saying, "This just isn't me."

Hev, you many be young and can down all the cheeseburgers and Advil, etc. This catches up with people in their 40s and 50s, if they're even lucky enough to make it to 60. Americans are known around the world as quite beautiful people until the age of 40, and then things go squat. If a person isn't ill attempting to reverse a disease condition, then there is no reason not to have the freedom to eat with your friends, while still knowing the macrobiotic basics of good nutrition, and, yin and yang.

If attempting to conquer a disease condition and on a truly healing macrobiotic diet, the body becomes very, very sensitive to each morsel that goes in, and one can immediately feel whether it's good or bad for the condition in the body's weak areas. While eating all kinds of junk, indiscriminately, this super-sensitivity is blunted. That is a mis-statement of the truth, in my opinion, that a fully macrobiotic person cannot eliminate toxins -- it is exactly just the opposite.

As we speak, I know someone so addicted to his doctors taking care of him, instead of self healing, that he is on 17 prescription drugs, addicted to some, and falling into worse health every day. Anyone who is watching network television...I hope...is aware of the brain washing going on in commercials...for every prescription drug under the sun...for every ailment. How about -- Do Not Take Nexium (the little purple pill) for acid reflux -- Just Stop eating acid foods!

For you Hev...you have no need for macrobiotics at this time in your life...and perhaps you won't later, either. Some people are perfectly healthy, needing no correction of anything physical or mental. That is complete freedom...and yes, then you can eat anything you want to...without worry and with pleasure.

Nancy