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Hello Stephanie, Kathy and everyone, For the benefit of your friends and any other people with whom you want to share the following information, I will quote Denny Waxman's Ten Steps to Strengthening Health. I got them from his school's promotional materials, so my quoting them here should not violate the copy right. While not sickness specific, Ten Steps emphasize common sense and gradual inclusion of health promoting principles into one's lifestyle. Thus, this way is more positive and easier to manage for Westerners than exclusion of certain foods as often recommended in macrobiotic counseling. Once these guidelines are adopted one by one, one's health will begin to improve on its own, even if the person is still eating the SAD. The macrobiotic format will eventually lead to the macrobiotic content, quality and understanding. The down to earth wisdom of Denny's approach has led me to revisit the basics of my practice, certain things were revelations. I strongly recommend it to everyone. The book "Ten Steps to Strenthening Health" can be purchased through www.barnesandnoble.com It explains each of the below points in a simple yet original manner, it also goes in depth to elucidate each step. 1. Sit down to regular meals every day. * Sitting down prepares you physically and mentally to receive nourishment. Your digestive system relaxes and is able to digest foods and absorb nutrients better. * Sitting down makes you more conscious about what you eat. You will appreciate and enjoy food more. * Eat 2 to 3 meals every day at regular times. * Eating at the same times everyday helps to regulate your physical, emotional and mental cycles. * You will feel, think, work and sleep better. 2. Eat slowly and chew your food well. * This will help you digest your food well and prevent overeating. * Thorough chewing also makes you feel more satisfied and improves the flavor and enjoyment of your food. 3. Stop eating 3 hours before bedtime. * Your body cleans and repairs itself while you sleep. These processes are most efficient when your stomach is empty. * This will give your digestive system, liver and kidneys a rest when you sleep. * It also helps you sleep more deeply and for a shorter time. 4. Eat grains and vegetables with every meal. * Plan your meals around grains instead of animal and dairy products. * Grains and grain products like brown rice, barley, oats, polenta, good quality pasta and sourdough breads, etc., are the centerpiece of every meal. * Grains provide the basis for balanced nutrition and help regulate your appetite and improve digestion and elimination. * Eat at least 1 vegetable dish with every meal, including breakfast. * Vegetable dishes complete cereal grains nutritionally and help you feel satisfied. * Green leafy vegetables, broccoli and cabbage supply calcium and vitamin C. * Use a variety of cooking styles such as blanching, steaming, sauteing, etc. and vary the combinations of vegetables often. 5. Regularly incorporate a variety of natural, healthy foods into your diet. * Choose from beans, soy products, white fish, fruits, nuts, seeds, snacks and sweets. * Vary your meals every day. 6. Have 1 or 2 bowls of vegetable soup every day. * Use a variety of vegetables and change the combinations often. * Add grains, beans, noodles, bread or fish to soup occasionally. * Season your soup mildly with sea salt, shoyu (natural soy sauce) or miso (soybean paste). 7. Give yourself a daily Body Rub. * Rub your body with a hot, damp cloth 1 to 2 times everyday. * Fold a cotton wash cloth over twice, dip in hot water, ring out and rub gently in a back and forth motion. * Do it before or after a bath or shower, or by itself. * It takes about 10 to 15 minutes. * The Body Rub deeply cleans your skin and activates circulation and energy. It will improve all aspects of your physical, emotional and mental health. 8. Walk for 30 minutes every day. * Walking is the ideal exercise for everyone. It improves flexibility, digestion, energy, cardiovascular health, strengthens bones and helps clear your mind. * They can be two 15 minute walks. 9. Wear pure cotton clothing next to your skin. * Pure cotton carries a more neutral electrical charge that helps to neutralize and harmonize imbalances in your body. * It also helps to protect against the harmful effects of electromagnetic fields in the environment. * Synthetics carry a static electric charge that increases imbalances in your body. They can worsen your health more quickly. 10. Surround yourself with green plants. * Green plants are the most effective and efficient air filtration systems known. * Your bedroom, kitchen and bathroom are most important. * They help reduce air, electromagnetic and noise pollution more effectively than any mechanical system. * Green plants also help you feel more bright, positive and energetic. Hope you find this information as refreshing and helpful as I did. Misha |