[Nancy]

Following are some simple tips to create peace and balance in life:

If living at home, going to college, and feeling on a treadmill of confusion...consider moving out with a compatible roommate. If macrobiotic, someone respectful of your lifestyle, possibly vegan or vegetarian people. As with treedragon, rather than resenting your mother everyday, move out and begin your own adult life. Rents can be minimal in a house with other people...lots more personal freedom than living at home. You seemed to have found a peaceful solution in going to live with your grandmother. If the house is clutter-filled, most individuals of your age usually have their own room, and that can be your place of order and peace in the midst of chaos.

If needing to find a personal peace and balance with food...first learn to cook your basic grains in just the right, fresh, way for you. If healing...grains alone will be from 70-100% of your food. If on a standard macrobiotic diet...grains will be 60% of your food. The most high energy food is organic, fresh from the store (or garden), and cooked to a minimum length of time.

Anyone needing to lose weight...eat minimal portions of the most high quality food. Fixing -a cup- of miso soup is not time consuming. Same with small amounts of vegetables, grains, and greens. If feeling confused...simplify. Simplify everything. No need to cook very fancy dishes.

If feeling harried and confused...invite solitude as a friend...turn off TV, computer, cell phone, MP3...all noise...find a place to just be...and be quiet. Stop doing...it won't kill you...in fact it will enhance your life...and teach you the joy of really living. Spend time with your nose in a flower...contemplating the construction of pistils. It will be your most joyous moment of the day.

Simplifying -- with small amounts of simply prepared, yet highly nutritious food, clearing clutter from your own personal space, shutting off -TV-computer-phone-MP3- especially when retiring for a good night's sleep, spending time alone in nature, inviting JOY into your life, surrounding yourself with joyful, peaceful people...reducing (or stopping) contact with joy killers...this will all lead to the kind of balance that will enhance your mind and forward direction...and create good grades too!

Nancy