Let thy food be thy medicine... (Part 1)

Once I hit the proverbial rock-bottom after almost destroying my health with years of bad choices, unhealthy foods, drugs and alcohol to numb emotional pain to the point of becoming suicidal, I looked for ways to turn my health around. I read many books on the subject, and by a series of coincidences was introduced to macrobiotics. I taught myself how to cook from books published by the Kushi Institute, and one day decided to go and learn from them directly.

I spent almost 2 years living in Massachusetts to further heal myself and to learn macrobiotic medicine and holistic health practices.

• Macrobiotic Leadership Program Level 1: Oct-Dec 1988

• Macrobiotic Leadership Program Level 2: Jan-Apr 1989

• Full-Time Work/Study Program: Jan to Nov 1990 - I performed various duties, including macrobiotic cook, which entailed cooking for the staff and guests.

• Macrobiotic Leadership Program Completion Level 3: Sep to Nov 1991

For more about my healing journey see Part 2 coming in your inbox soon!

People from all over the world came to stay at the Kushi Institute for their "Way of Life" 1-week program. The program tailors to sick participants seeking to reverse their illness by adopting a medicinal macrobiotic diet of whole foods, and positive living practices. The daily routine included: 7 am exercise Do-In classes, daily macrobiotic cooking classes, learning about natural food processing and biodynamic gardening, as well as free time for walks in nature on their 600+ acres property in the Berkshire Mountains.

I remember this one guest in particular. A retired couple drove up in their silver Mercedes, and in the trunk was a folding wheel chair that the husband carefully helped his wife into. He pushed her from the parking lot into the main office to check in for their week-long stay. The first two days, I saw him pushing her around the grounds where is was safe for a wheel chair. We found out that she had undergone a double-mastectomy, and after months of chemo and radiation their doctors said the cancer had spread and there was "nothing more we could do for you." and to "go home and get your affairs in order."

This was their last hope.

After eating the powerfully healing medicinal foods prepared by the cooking team, including yours truly, as well as eating what was prepared in the macrobiotic cooking classes each day, this woman made incredible progress! By the third day, she was no longer in the wheel chair. I was walking along the winding mile-long forest-lined road leading from my dorm up to the institute. On the last stretch of the road, they were walking from the institute, holding hands down the hill toward me. I could not believe my eyes! She was steady and smooth in her gait, and smiling.

Later in the week Michio Kushi, and two other macrobiotic counselors, John Kosinski and the program director who had studied under Michio for decades, put on a class for the staff and guests. This lady was the subject of the class. They explained her health history, and all the misery she had been through with the treatments, and invasive life-altering surgery. John turned to the lady with respect and sensitivity, and asked if she'd be comfortable showing her scars to the group. She did not hesitate, understanding that this was a great learning opportunity for all of us who had chosen to attend their class. As the class progressed, Michio and his counselors explained the daily diet and regimen that she was to follow, with the hopes of a full remission.

This lady, and many others came from all corners of the globe, week after week to transform their health. We even had a Princess from France come to stay for several months. We saw natural healing miracles on a regular basis.

The goal of the program was to teach participants how to cook medicinally for themselves. That our illnesses are not by chance or by bad luck; they are a reflection of our lifestyle choices. They explained that we can take our health into their own hands. Physical movement, a positive attitude, mindfulness practices, and clean whole foods can not only sustain our health, but can actually reverse illness.

Dr. Dean Ornish's ground-breaking study proved in the 1980's - for the first time - that heart disease is reversible with a plant-based diet, and other healthy lifestyle choices. Prior to this, doctors all assumed that once your arteries were clogged there was nothing more to do for you other than surgery and drugs. However, to this day, very few doctors will actually tell their heart patients that changing their way of eating will reverse their heart disease. The same goes for diabetes, and cancer.

You might counter that it's our genes that determine our health, or its hereditary. Yes, that's true. But.

It has been determined that hereditary factors are primarily created by: what our parents and ancestors ate. As well as their environment, and lifestyle. And, its our diet and lifestyle that turns on, or turns off specific genes.

Michio Kushi was guided by the historic quote:

Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food” ~ Hippocrates

A plant-based whole foods diet has been scientifically proven to optimize your health, and may also play an important supporting role in preventing and reversing a variety of illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions?

Eating plant-based foods is also making a powerful and positive impact on our environment and our planet's future! 

Join us and learn to cook delicious dishes that are immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, naturally detoxifying and cleansing, while providing an abundance of energy and clarity.

Macrobiotic Cooking for a Healthy Heart, Mind & Body

Saturday February 28th at 2:00 pm.

Registration Deadline: Mon Feb 23rd. 

Learn to make a complete balanced meal to boost your immunity, detox your blood and organs, and nourish your heart and soul! 

Gingered Vegetable Miso Soup with Wakame & Tofu, Brown Rice, Adzuki Beans & Buttercup Squash, Arame Sea Vegetables with Carrots & Onions, Oriental Cabbage Quick Pickles, Steamed Broccoli with Tahini Lemon Miso Dressing.

Click here for more info>>

What's the difference between a macrobiotic diet, and a regular whole foods diet? See Part 2 coming in your inbox soon!