Thanks to our literary agent and friend Danny Astin of March Brown for his passionate support, creativity, and encouragement to do this book.
This book would not be possible without Janie Armfield, who introduced us to her son Claiborne, our publisher.
To Mona Schwartz, our friend and mentor, who encouraged us to develop macrobiotics in a more broad, embracing, and spiritual direction.
We deeply appreciate the support and acknowledgment from T. Colin Campbell and Neal Barnard. These men are inspirations and giants in Science and Medicine and are dedicated to true and lasting health.
To all of our macrobiotic friends and teaching associates, who are too numerous to mention by name.
To many of the people who have been part of our school, Strengthening Health Institute (SHI), including Phillip Abraham, Deborah Albanese, Elizabeth & Misha Balabayev, Bill Bergman, Lear Blitzstein, Robert & Katherine Burdick, Gina Compello, Sheri Demaris, Lori Eckstein, Lee & Irv Fischer, Doug FitzSimons, Susan Harris, Jeremy & Susan Higa, Ralph Jenkins, Warren Kramer, Carlotta Lala, Hyang-Mi Lee, Faina Markov, Don & Mary Marti, Mary McCabe, Michelle Nemer, Natasha Novoselova, Mike & Marlene Pendley, Stephen Prudente, Patrick Riley, Carole & Jack Schultz, Therese Schultz, Tom Spring, Anna Steinberg, Carol Tamburino, and Richard Epstein & Luanne Thomas.
For this book we are indebted to our assistant at SHI Teron Meyers.
—Denny and Susan Waxman
This book is an account of my journey toward and discovery of the process of creating and maintaining lasting health, vitality, and longevity. In a deep sense everyone I have encountered in my life is part of this journey.
The journey begins with my parents Anna and Herman Waxman and brother Howard. It continues with our children and their spouses Nathan and Lindsay, Joe, Nora, Naomi and James, Alisa, Madeline and Ivan, Amy and Ben, Zoe, Andrew and Kelly, Natasha and Sam.
To our grandchildren who are bright shining lights.
To Jared, Barbara, Julie, and Lauren, who have become an important part of my life and family.
I am also indebted to my many teachers and mentors, too numerous to mention fully, who guided and helped mold me on this journey. I especially thank Rod and Peggy House, George and Lima Ohsawa, Shizuko Yamamoto and Michelle Matsuda, and my spiritual parents Michio and Aveline Kushi and Takashi Yoshikawa.
To my wife Susan, who I have shared my life and this book with. Susan cooks like an angel and I am happy you will be able to experience some of her mastery and amazing food through the recipes and insights she shared in this book.
A special thanks to longtime friends Bill Hebden, who guided and nudged me toward the title of this book, and to Sam De Phillippo for his encouragement and guidance.
The many people whose support, guidance, and editing helped create my earlier books, especially Ruth Ann Dubb and Ellen Brodkey.
To my writing assistants Stephanie Bartusis and especially to Jinsey Cox, whose patience, hard work, and endless juggling and reorganizing of many details made this book possible.
—Denny Waxman
I would like to thank my parents Barbara and Jared Schwalm for giving me life, love, and nurturance to help me grow into the woman I am today. You raised me well, taught me the importance of respect and kindness for others, the value of family, and to always try my best.
To all my family, Julie and Loren, Howard and Janet you are the greatest. Thank you to all our children, their spouses, partners, and our grandchildren. I feel grateful and blessed to have you all in our life.
To our kitties Ichi and Cleo for your purrs and affection. You light up our life and lovingly pest us each day.
To my husband, my partner, and a great teacher Denny, for sharing your life and our common dream. I am glad we met and glad we are together.
We make a great team!
To all my teachers, past, present, and future, thank you for your wisdom, guidance, encouragement, and mostly for believing in me.
A special thank you to Michio Kushi and Takashi Yoshikawa, whose encouragement and fatherly advice reminded me that my life had special meaning. Thank you to Ralph for taking me to my first lecture on macrobiotics and for always being there for me. Thank you to my dear friends and mentors Ellen Brodkey and Mona Schwartz, who have helped me to develop as a teacher and grow as a woman.
To my writing assistant Kirin McElwain and Kateri Likourdis for her beautiful photography.
Thank you to all my friends. I appreciate all the good times together, the laughter and tears, and most of all the dream of a happy, healthy world. A special thanks to those of you who tested my recipes on your families.
—Susan Waxman