DEAR HARRIETTE: Two of my friends came up to me with a weird proposition – they want me to baby-sit them while they are on drugs. I don’t do drugs, which is probably why they asked me, and I just have no idea where to go from here. They told me it is normal to have a baby sitter when taking hallucinogenic drugs so that nothing bad happens to those under the influence. I’m the only person they asked, and I feel like this is too much of a responsibility. What if someone gets hurt? I feel like I would end up being held accountable because I was not under the influence. Even if we were found by law enforcement, I feel like being associated with drugs would make me a suspect. Should I find my friends a new baby sitter, or should I just bite the bullet and help them out? They told me I’d be driving them around to get food and making sure they didn’t run away. – Too Trippy, Philadelphia

DEAR TOO TRIPPY: This can be an easy no. Tell them you do not know the first thing about drugs and do not want to get involved. You would not know how to

protect them, and frankly, you do not want to find out. Tell them that you while you do not judge them, you also have no interest in being a part of drug life.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I live in a house with my family of four siblings and two parents. It’s hard trying to do your own thing when your family isn’t on board. After noticing a change in my weight and health, I decided that I wanted to change my lifestyle. We eat so much at home, almost every night is a new meal. The meals we eat aren’t as healthy as they could be. Trying to eat a salad while everyone else has fried chicken, lobster mac and cheese and thick, buttery dinner rolls is extremely hard. Ever since I started eating healthier, I’ve noticed a change in my attitude, my thinking and my body. I don’t feel as tired or as depressed about everything. The change in something as simple as food resulted in such positive results. I love that I’m more upbeat and ready to do things. How do I get my family to see that eating their way isn’t healthy for the heart or the

mind? I completely understand the love and appreciation for good food. I want them to be as upbeat and happy as I am. Their food choices aren’t allowing that to happen. I want them to change their unhealthy habits, but I don’t know where to start. – Unhealthy and Confused, Raleigh, North Carolina

DEAR UNHEALTHY AND CONFUSED: Instead of trying to proselytize them, which is likely to fail, lead by example. Continue to eat in your new style and, when appropriate, share how much energy you have. On occasion, offer to cook for them. Be sure to make bridgeable dishes so that they will consider your new style of eating. Without judgment, continue to be the person you want to be and illustrate how you have chosen to live. Over time, you may be able to inspire a few to eat more conscientiously.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.