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[Leslie1]

Good day. In my quest for a more healthy mind and body, I began researching macrobiotics to compliment my interest in Eastern philosophy. I have tons of thoughts and questions, so I will just ramble a bit, and hope that people respond to different parts...

I was not a vegetarian or a vegan, and I had never really dedicated myself to whole and/or organic foods. I was (until about 3 weeks ago) your average McDonalds-grabbing, high-carb/fat/sugar-feasting, ice cream-binging, soda-swilling, American snack food junkie. I am in terrible health. Fat, tired, moody, with indigestion, sleep problems, back problems, high cholesterol, and a general disgust with myself. I have always tried to use food to control my body, but I now realize (thanks in part to lots and lots of reading) that I shouldn't eat for control, I should eat for freedom. Freedom to wear smaller clothes, to be healthy enough to care for my future children, to live as long as I can, to inspire my fat, lazy family. It's freedom I am seeking, not control. It's amazing to me that a diet that is seemingly strict can provide so much versatility. I eat when I am hungry, and stop when I'm not, which is what every person dreams of doing, but they just don't know what to put in their mouths. I am so glad I know now. I have lost a couple of pounds, which I thought would bring me the most happiness, but really what is the best is that right now, after what seemed like a big lunch, I am comfortable, feeling light, satisfied, focused, alert, happy, and refreshed. I used to come back to work after what seemed like a small lunch and feel greasy, bloated, sleepy, distracted, gassy, and gross, and then wanted to eat 2 hours later!! I sleep better, my muscles are eager to be worked, my hair is shinier, and my skin with no makeup is brilliant. And all of this is from a not-so-strict personal adaptation of macrobiotics. I still drink fruit juice in the morning, occasionally have chocolate. I eat nightshades because so far they don't adversely effect me. I eat a lot more fruit than the diet calls for, but I live in Florida where it's hot, so it just seems to work for me here. I think maybe in my case, eating for the season is definitely best, and because I just started, I need a bit of a transition. The easiest part for me was the dairy. I have been preaching the negatives of milk for about 2 years now, as I am lactose intollerant, and had eliminated all but cheese about 3 years ago. Now, no cheese. I don't even miss it!! (Oh yea, that chronic sinusitis that my Dr. wanted to surgically fix....GONE!) My kids will never drink milk, and that's all there is to it. I can sure talk a lot, but here's some things I don't know. Half of the stuff on the diet, I can't find. (Daytona Beach isn't exactly a cultural, health-conscious hub.) It's mostly the sea veggies part that I am having trouble with. I can order some things that are non-parishable, but is there anything dry-land veggie wise that can substitute? Also, I need recipes that don't take 2 days, a grocery trip to Asia, and 14 pieces of equipment to make. I'd like to find a book that specifically talks about what each food item is, the different forms in comes in (i.e. miso), how to cook it, when to use it, how long it lasts, etc. Macrobiotics is not limited, but I have sort of limited it for myself. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, I feel guilty when I goof up. There are just a few foods from my "former life" that I love, and miss, and have eaten. Will I go to macrobiotic hell? Can I stil say "I'm macrobiotic" or am I a hipocrite?