What if there were a land where people lived longer than anywhere else on earth, the obesity rate was the lowest in the developed world, and women ...
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Jan 26, 2008
chynna
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I've covered half the book. So far i've reestablished that americans are fat. Not entirely caused by fast food as an american staple, but because we dont do that recommended 10,000 steps...Especially in california, our asses drive everywhere. Need to go to the post office? drive there. Need to buy groceries? Drive there. Need to go to your neighbors house? I know your ass is going to drive there if its hot outside. In Japan, people walk or ride a bicycle; even if they have three bags of grocerie
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Nov 12, 2011
Sophia Sun
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Found it at a garage sale, thank baby Jesus since I would have kicked myself in my none-but-I-wish-it-was-JLo behind. We know North Americans are fat, and fast food is available and abundant. We also know that Asians are of a smaller build, and may/may not have held a better diet.
What's funny is that the most chronic of all, disgustingly obsessed with being smaller then anyone else (anywhere!) are my Asian friends/relatives. They get a rice bowl, they cut it in half, they do drink mi More...
What's funny is that the most chronic of all, disgustingly obsessed with being smaller then anyone else (anywhere!) are my Asian friends/relatives. They get a rice bowl, they cut it in half, they do drink mi More...
Feb 10, 2010
Emily
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What an interesting book. I don't know if I'm extra hungry lately or what, but I have been more and more interested in books involving recipes. Especially from cuisine I'm less familiar with. This was a good book, and not nearly as ....diet-oriented as the title may suggest. It touts the traditional Japanese diet as a solution to weight gain and live longer, citing many studies. She is rather even-handed in mentioning criticisms that have been made of elements of the diet: soy, white rice and su
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Jan 09, 2009
Amanda
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This book was a huge inspiration to me, inspiring a new passion for food and changing the way I eat dramatically. This was not as some people labeled it, a dangerous diet fad endorced by Victoria Beckham that would turn its followers into celery-obcessed stick insects afraid of going out in a strong wind. Moriyama presents a food culture common to Japan's older generation that is fast becoming as alien to Japan's youth as it is to the west. Delving into her childhood, Moriyama takes us back t
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Aug 03, 2011
A fan of Japanese Soba (from Secret Recipe), I took to the title and picked up the book from the shelf the first time I laid eyes on it. First, I flipped through the pages to have a look at the recipes cos if all the recipes looked like their French counterparts (French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating For Pleasure) I was so not going to buy it. But the recipes look soooo easy and simple; with very accessible ingredients that this book will definitely it if i ever uproot somewhere and h
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Dec 10, 2008
Janet
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This book was charming and delightful and I loved the stories about Naomi's mother Chizuko. I now understand my own mom's obsession with food, freshness and umami. The typical Japanese child is well-fed and develops a very discriminating palate. Growing up, my mom never served rolls or bread with meals, but there was always a variety of vegetables -- no heavy sauces or gravy masking the fresh taste of the food. Sweets for dessert were unheard of and yet I never missed it. We always had fresh fru
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Apr 28, 2009
Ames
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Absolutely lovely. A study of the healthful Japanese diet and a guide to creating your own Tokyo kitchen, as well as anecdotal stories from the author's life, liberally sprinkled with some delicious-sounding and simple, approachable recipes. A fun and enlightening read, and definitely hunger-inducing!
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Apr 16, 2007
Lucia
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The food descriptions in this book made me want to go out and start cooking more Japanese food. So I did! The recipes in this book are easy to prepare, and you can learn a lot about Japanese home cooked food -- not restaurant food, that`s definitely not healthy! (Shocking I know.)
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May 11, 2011
Aurelija
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The tips are very a la French Women Don't Get Fat, like awareness and enjoyment as well as portion control, but the food is of course different. It is a very comprehensive guide to specifically home cooking - not restaurant food!
However, the book has major structure problems for it to be used efficiently as a reference. Yes, there are sections on "rice", "vegetables" or specific Japanese ingredients - but they reoccur all over the book, so I found myself looking all thr More...
However, the book has major structure problems for it to be used efficiently as a reference. Yes, there are sections on "rice", "vegetables" or specific Japanese ingredients - but they reoccur all over the book, so I found myself looking all thr More...
Mar 23, 2011
Gail
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I liked copying the recipes and vocabulary down. I don't know when these might come in handy.
Good to know the different varieties of green tea, and how to properly brew and serve them. And also the different types of tofu, and how to handle them. The strength of this book is in the little details in how to serve, how to handle or how to choose ingredients.
I wished there were pictures to go along with the recipes, though.
Good to know the different varieties of green tea, and how to properly brew and serve them. And also the different types of tofu, and how to handle them. The strength of this book is in the little details in how to serve, how to handle or how to choose ingredients.
I wished there were pictures to go along with the recipes, though.
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Jan 03, 2008
Melynna
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I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I probably would never have picked it up if a friend hadn't read it first, but it was engrossing. I've always believed that a good diet of well balanced foods and a little exercise every day could do a lot for a person's health, but this makes it sound not only easy, but delicious and fun, too.
Some of the writing was a little hokey, but for the most part I enjoyed the stories and information about the foods. I often found More...
Some of the writing was a little hokey, but for the most part I enjoyed the stories and information about the foods. I often found More...
Sep 28, 2010
Celeste
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I like eating, so I liked this book. She made me rethink what food I like. I've never loved fish, and I only make the same 3 vegetable sides over and over. She made me want to branch out. I want some onigiri and lots of sauteed veggies! I'm not going fully Japanese style any time soon, but I'm excited to try a few of those recipes. She's no Barbara Kingsolver, but I enjoyed the new info.
Aug 13, 2010
Tianna
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This book is really informative and well written. I love the recipes. The only thing I didn't like was the sense of elitism the author exudes as though only Asian women or Japanese women/men are thin and the rest of the world is obese and as though their way is the best way. That just annoyed me and I am a big fan of Asian culture.
Aug 23, 2007
Angelar
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This book is a combination of American-kitchen-friendly adaptations of simple, seasonal Japanese recipes and loosely-thrown-around statistics implying that Japan's population is the healthiest in the world and that the United States' is well on its way to eating itself to death (which may well be true). I do enjoy how it extols people to eat more fresh-cooked and seasonal ingredients and smaller portions (because, really, who wouldn't benefit from that?), but despite the marketing director auth
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Jan 20, 2009
Chana
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I totally like this book. It is easy and fun to read and left me with a craving for Japanese food and a new will to EAT RIGHT!! and not be a fat American. Consumer that I am I already ran out late last night and bought a rice cooker (brown rice for strength!) and a flat bottomed cast iron wok. Bring on the food!
Dec 20, 2010
Effie
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This is what happens when you're posted to a place with a small library. You read stuff you wouldn't otherwise pick up. I've never had Japanese food but it sounds pretty good. The premise of the book is interesting, but I don't think I'll ever have a chance to try it out on a regular basis.
Jun 01, 2008
Mackenzie
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Some great recipes and tips- eat small portions, truly do eat your fruits and vegetables, make fruit your dessert, use a wok to cook veggies at a high heat which will let them keep their color ect.
I disagree with her on some points- just like her I gained 20 lbs- but it was moving to Japan from America- it is not the country that is the problem but what you choose to eat in that country. If you eat nothing but pizza and treats you will get fat. If you are not used to eating mountains More...
I disagree with her on some points- just like her I gained 20 lbs- but it was moving to Japan from America- it is not the country that is the problem but what you choose to eat in that country. If you eat nothing but pizza and treats you will get fat. If you are not used to eating mountains More...
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Jan 03, 2011
Yoonmee
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While the recipes sound delicious, I had trouble getting past Moriyama's poor writing and, most of all, her condescending attitude and Japanese nationalism. Another reviewer summed it up well when she said (reviewer "Peg") Moriyama is "full of herself but not charming." Couldn't have said it better.
Dec 26, 2008
Marcia
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This was an informative book on Japanese cooking and style of eating. I may try a few recipes, she makes them seem do-able and gives nice lists of must-have ingredients, equipment and substitutions. A fun book if you are at all interested in modern Japanese culture.
Nov 26, 2011
Brenda
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My favourite tidbit from this book is the tradition in Japan that if you try some new food and it brings you pleasure, you will get 75 more days of life :-). Overall, this book just makes you hungry - delicious foods described (and recipes included).
Feb 17, 2010
Jamie
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I love it! This book put me back in the kitchen after being sick and not wanting to cook for a while. The recipes in here are great and the tips Moriyama suggests aren't too difficult to follow. Been cooking out of this book since I got it.
Feb 02, 2011
Mark
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This book really inspired and motivated me. I wish she would write more. I visited my local grocery and bought ingredients and enjoyed miso soup made from scratch all winter after I read this
Jul 29, 2011
An enjoyable introduction to Japanese cuisine with easy to follow and understand recipes. It sparked my passion to learn more and removed my intimidation.
Nov 02, 2011
My (Japanese) mom's reaction to this book when she saw it on the shelf at Kinokuniya: "That's not true! Look at me!"
After skimming through it, though, I'm excited to check it out at the library, not for "secrets" on how to stay youthful and thin, but because it's full of basic Japanese recipes I really wish I'd asked my mom to teach me while I still lived at home.
After skimming through it, though, I'm excited to check it out at the library, not for "secrets" on how to stay youthful and thin, but because it's full of basic Japanese recipes I really wish I'd asked my mom to teach me while I still lived at home.
Dec 15, 2011
Nidya
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Buku ini cocok bagi kamu yang suka masak dan berniat untuk menjalani pola hidup sehat, Just like me :)
Mar 31, 2009
Emiko
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Since the library is free I had to check this out. Dumb,blarney, and poor writing to boot.
Apr 10, 2009
Carolyn
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I've added quite a few of these recipes to my repetoire. Enjoyed the author's point of view.
Sep 15, 2009
i love reading about the japanese, and okinawans in particular, they have much to teach us in the west of eastern practices, this looks like it may be more lighthearted but hopefully insightful as well...
Jul 30, 2009
Peg
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Full of herself, but not charming. Recipes were good.
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