The story, so far, of a second generation macrobiotic!
by Madeline Waxman

I am 22 years old and have been macrobiotic my whole life. Currently I live on my own, work and go to school full time, but I still manage to make time to cook my brown rice, veggies and miso soup.

This is because I think that it is very important to eat a healthy balanced diet. I am very fortunate to have been raised by a mother who emphasized the importance of healthy eating and found the time to prepare delicious home cooked meals every day for my sisters and me. (How I miss and wish I had not taken for granted all of those free amazing meals now that I have to do it on my own!) My family is very close and we have always had an open door policy where we can talk about anything and everything.

My mother has always encouraged free thinking, for all of us to learn important life lessons on our own and to form our own decisions about life and diet. She let us know that sugar, dairy and meat are not ideal foods for optimum health, and we never had those foods in our house, but we were allowed ice cream or maybe pizza on special occasions.

I think that obsession or excess of any kind can very dangerous, whether it is with something everyone knows is harmful to
the body like alcohol, or obsessing about healthy eating which can be very damaging mentally.

Eating disorders are rampant these days, especially among young girls and women. Believe me, I see it all the time. I think that
when you instil into a child's head to always watch what they are eating, and to feel guilt if they have a craving or want to try
different foods then you are setting them up for some problems later in life with regards to food.

Don't get me wrong I am the strongest advocate for nutritious healthy meals, and I am constantly cooking for my friends out here and encouraging them to go for grains and veggies instead of cheeseburgers and soda; however, I also think that it is very important not to be too strict
and let it become an obsession.

I think that my mother taught the best approach. She kept the food that she thought we should eat in the house and let us know
about health and nutrition, but she also encouraged us to be our own people and form our own ideas.

I am not going to lie and say that I have never eaten junk food, because I have, and still do occasionally. But there was never the rebellious element in it for me or for my sisters. She must have done something right since the three of us who no longer live at home still practice macrobiotics rather successfully if I may say so.

Madeline Waxman

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