rabbit food; because after a workout, a meal laden with fat is just not appetising, and because everyone does not have the luxury of a two-hour lunch, Seasons in the Sun is a welcome addition to Bermuda dining.

Based on the principles of macrobiotic cooking, the gourmet eatery's menu consists of natural and organically-grown foods which are not only pleasing to the palate, but good for you, according to co-owner Wendy Kyle.

A convert to macrobiotics while fighting cancer, Mrs. Kyle today attributes it to her "second chance'' at life.

"The macrobiotic diet is not only a preventive one, aimed at maintaining good health and decreasing the incidence of sickness,'' she explained, "but is also used therapeutically for those who are already ill and wish to use a natural means of healing. It's really a common sense approach to eating, which provides a (healthy) alternative to our over-processed and devitalised foods.'' Under extremely stressful conditions, the body's immune system is weakened and has trouble oping. This gives cancer cells, which we all have from time to time, a chance to colonise instead of being flushed out of the body as would normally happen. Mrs. Kyle, a busy wife and mother of three young children, believes this is what happened when she was stricken with cancer a few years ago.

During the course of her extensive treatment she recalled hearing about macrobiotic eating and its benefit to cancer patients. She decided to research the subject and after consultation, decided to follow its principles.

While not specifically defined, the macrobiotic diet excludes foods which contain chemicals, additives, preservatives, and other trappings of modern food technology. It also excludes meat, fowl and their derivatives; dairy products, animal fats and refined carbohydrates such as sugar and flour.

" After five months my check-up showed no further spread of cancer and no growth at all in the `pre-macrobiotic' tumours in the liver. Nine months later, when I had surgery, there was still no spread and no growth. But the most amazing thing was my swift recovery compared to `pre-macrobiotic' surgeries.

"After several weeks of very strict eating, to my delight I found myself not only very much slimmer but with boundless energy. Having only just finished two months of chemo- Dietary needs are met therapy and radiation, everyone, including my PALS nurse, found this quite amazing...And my check-up in Boston showed no trace of cancer and my surgeon pronounced me fit and well. In fact each time I `cheated' (the odd ice-cream or chocolate), I felt so lethargic and depressed I started to feel sorry for all those folks who feel like that everyday but don't realise it is the refined sugars and baked goods causing it.'' The restaurant food contains no refined products and is almost all dairy free.

Fish is fresh from local waters and vegetables are locally grown or organic.

All chicken is free range, naturally fed and free of hormones and antibiotics. And the beverages have been selected of their natural qualities. Mrs. Kyle noted the restaurant also offers wheat free and macrobiotic quality dishes and meals can be prepared specially for individuals with specific dietary needs.

A good macrobiotic cook controls the health of eaters by varying the cooking styles and gas, not electricity or the microwave, is the compatible heat source.

"More cooking, the use of pressure, salt, heat, and time makes the energy of food more concentrated.'' Not every cancer patient will respond as successfully as she did, warned Mrs.

Kyle and the diet is not a magic cure-all.

"You don't drop conventional medicine, but you will cope much better if you follow a natural foods diet.

Natural gourmet foods from Seasons in the Sun HEALTH HTH