I wanted to bring you this interview with Ella Zibitsker, a relative of mine who, when diagnosed with terminal cancer 11 years ago, used macrobiotics to restore her health. She has been an inspiration to us and I hope Ella’s story will provide some insight into macrobiotics and the power of alternative medicine. Jolanta Sonkin
Can you tell us a little about your terminal cancer diagnosis?
On August 6th, 1998 I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. At that time I didn’t even know that there was such a thing as cancer of the immune system. My family was stunned when 10 days later after a battery of tests the doctors concluded that my cancer had progressed to 4th stage and behaved aggressively. I was not offered any treatments and was told that I don’t have a chance; a pretty frightful prognosis…
Why did you choose macrobiotics over other alternative therapies?
I knew very little about alternative medicine, but I had a few of Andrew Weil’s books and tapes. In one of his books, Spontaneous Healing on page 54, there was a story about Al who had recovered from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma through macrobiotics. I thought I should learn more about it, so I immediately bought Michio Kushi’s book The Macrobiotic Way. I felt like I had discovered a new world, a world with logic and common sense. I began practicing macrobiotics and my health started coming back. It was incredible to experience the power of food and see how the disease changes into health. I realized that simple things such as a healthy appetite, regular body functions, and a good night's sleep actually are the major signs of health.
All of our new gluten free cookies are now available. We have six flavors, wild blueberry/lemon, granola/chocolate, cranberries/walnuts, cashew/vanilla, peanut butter/banana and almond/vanilla. High in fiber and flax and sweetened with organic agave nectar they are absolutely macrolicious This morning we made cashew/vanilla and granola/chocolate, two of our favorites. 
I recently read that people who eat soup on a daily basis live longer than those who don't. To me it is a reasonable assumption. I grew up in a family where soup was always the first course at dinner year round. In the summer we had cold fruit soups and in the winter lots of beans, grains and vegetables. Eating soup means that you are getting those extra servings of vegetables and nutrients that are so important for all of us. 