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Good morning Naomi...in terms of yin and yang, the stronger the smell, the more yin and thus more expansive it is. Therefore garlic is extremely yin, expansive, and volatile. The extremes are what we're trying to stay away from in the healing stages of macrobiotics as we need to bring things we eat and do back towards the middle of the yin/yang spectrum so our bodies can do their job efficiently. While living in a sub-tropical climate is hotter and therefore a more yang environment and one would eat more yin compared to, for example, a northern temperate climate, this yin needs to be moderate at the most. You're attracted to garlic because of whatever yang extremes are present in you. And remember, yin and yang at their extremes change into their opposites. To avoid all of this activity it's best to stay away from things like garlic until you're healthier, and then use them occasionally. You can get the same medicinal effects from onions, leeks, and scallions. And as you eat and cook more macrobiotically your taste buds will become more sensitive to the subtleties of the natural flavor of these wonderful foods. Flavor is one of the properties that the body uses to in the digestive process. Same thing goes for the fruit. Want to get away from simple sugars and again, too much expansion. I would avoid this stuff if possible for a couple of years. Maybe on rare occasions, the more yang fruit cooked with a little salt. This way of eating doesn't last forever. As you heal, you must widen your diet. Otherwise you become stuck in another extreme which is just as unhealthy as the previous one. But it's generally going to be at least three years to get enough change and understanding where you are able to test new waters and have the ability to make the needed adjustments through intuition, feeling, and self reflection. Again, moderation is the key. Bill |