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Rating: 
Summary: This book is not what you think!
Review: As a Crohn's disease patient, I must tell others that the information in this book is very different from what you will read elsewhere. The "Natural Way" diet/lifestyle is Macrobiotic. I suggest you research what that is before you purchase this book. I was very dissapointed in the content of this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A real solution for those with Crohn's Disease
Review: This book is a dramatic story of a young woman who moves from Chile as a teen and very soon suffers symptoms of
an unknown health problem. Through years of ups and downs and an eventual diagnosis of Crohn's Disease,
Virginia Haper must then suffer the side effects of prednisone. After much weight gain and a great deal of suffering, Virginia then finds hope. Her father discovers
a health counselor who guides Virginia on the path to
total recovery .... The latter half of the book
gives the natural healing recipes that Virginia used.
A powerful story of human triumph. But the best news of all
is that this program of natural healing and food can be used
by anyone willing to learn and apply the knowledge.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling personal story and dietary action plan
Review: This is a compelling personal story of the author's battle with Crohn's disease, near-death experiences, and her triumph in finding a solution in macrobiotic food and lifestyle. While most of the painful and embarrassing experiences Harper shares are common to people suffering from IBD, I think it takes a lot to share this kind of personal information with unknown readers, and she deserves credit. Harper finds health and happiness in a macrobiotic diet and a lifestyle that is less stressful. Most traditional doctors and specialists will say that 'diet has nothing to do with Crohn's'. I agree with Harper's point that "most people who suffer from some form of IBD know in their heart [gut!] that food is a trigger and a likely cause of their illness". I also agree that beyond simply taking prescribed pills, the patient needs to take a greater role in one's own healing. Harper points out the power of positive visualization, and the joy she felt when the healthy image she envisioned years earlier was actually achieved. Beyond the macrobiotic diet she espouses, other key points include: the importance of chewing your food completely to aid in digestion, eating smaller meals (but more often), and the importance of a caring support structure. To anyone critical of the time commitment involved in any sort of natural self healing: it is an investment of time to feel well versus time spent seeing doctors and feeling poorly. My disappointments with the book stem from the broad title and where the book leaves off. The title suggests the possibility of the discussion or comparison of more than one natural solution to dealing with IBD. For example, I follow the SCDiet, and would consider that to be natural as well (albeit quite different from the macrobiotic diet). Also, I was left wondering if Harper would be able to sustain her diet and lifestyle changes, as she deviated off the regimen, which resulted in a few flares.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling personal story and dietary action plan
Review: This is a must read for anyone with Crohn's disease. Virginia Haper tells her personal story of living with Crohn's Disease for most of her life. Her experiences will be familiar to anyone who has dealth with this illness. Through her story the reader will find out how she was able to overcome the disease and live virtually symptom free for over twenty years. Her story proves a change in eating and living habits can help this disease. Her story and triumph are truly inspirational and bring hope to all those who suffer with Crohn's Disease.
Rating:
Summary: Informative and inspirational
Review: This is a must read for anyone with Crohn's disease. Virginia Haper tells her personal story of living with Crohn's Disease for most of her life. Her experiences will be familiar to anyone who has dealth with this illness. Through her story the reader will find out how she was able to overcome the disease and live virtually symptom free for over twenty years. Her story proves a change in eating and living habits can help this disease. Her story and triumph are truly inspirational and bring hope to all those who suffer with Crohn's Disease.
Rating:
Summary: Better Quality of Life
Review: This is probably the most forthright and helpful book about Crohn's that has ever been on the market. Personally, I know many individuals (myself included)who have changed their entire health condition around, due to the macrobiotic lifestyle that is advocated in this book by Virginia Harper. If you really want to get well, and eventually off of your medications, read this book and get in touch with Ms. Harper- the real expert on digestive disorders. Sure, many doctors don't agree with the ideas presented in this book, most likely because they can't make any money off of you when you are well and in control of your health! Eating this way does mean you have to cook- a major lifestyle change for many. Would you rather cook and live a better quality of life, or be on meds and continuously have operations for the rest of your life, and never get the chance to live the life you were meant for? That's the decision only you can make for your self.
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