Mayumi's Kitchen: Macrobiotic Cooking for Body and Soul

by Mayumi Nishimura, Madonna (Foreword)

[INSIDE-FLAP COPY]
"Not only are you the best chef in the world...your amazing food helped me to be a happier, healthier person, balanced in body and mind."
--Madonna (from the Preface)

[BACKCOVER COPY]
"Mayumi makes beautiful, energizing food, which I have been lucky enough to enjoy many times over the years. I am thrilled that now everyone can have a chance to experience the effects of her meals, which are as healing and healthy as one can get!"
--Gwyneth Paltrow

"When people think of macrobiotics, they think of healing and recovery, but they rarely think of gorgeous, yummy food. Mayumi's Kitchen changes all that."
--Christina Pirello, Emmy Award-winning host of Christina Cooks on national public television and best-selling cookbook author

"Mayumi has long been one of my favorite chefs in the world-her cooking is infused with love, joy, and the spirit of a true artist. So it's no surprise to me that this wonderful book is as inviting as her food-gorgeous, friendly, and welcoming."
--Jessica Porter, author, The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics

"In this book and its recipes, Mayumi captures the beauty and spirit of macrobiotics and natural foods cuisine. She has inspired many toward a healthful lifestyle, and will continue to do so with this wonderful book."
--Dr. Lawrence Haruo Kushi, nutritional epidemiologist

"With years of innovative experience, Mayumi Nishimura brings food to life with a balanced sense of taste, color, and good nutrition. The recipes and artistic photography in Mayumi's Kitchen are sure to make your mouth water and your lips quiver! This is whole food kitchen inspiration at its best."
--Verne Varona, author, Macrobiotics for Dummies

Genres: Food, Cookbooks

160 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2010

About the author

Madonna's private chef for seven years.

Reviews

[Syrena · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out at the library and loved it so much I will most likely be buying this one. Macrobiotics is a lifestyle and does require quite an investment of time not only buying the basics and prepping food but eventually becomes easier. The recipes are fairly simple, easy to understand and I loved that she simplifies some of the basics (with photos) so you know exactly where to go at the market to find items. You learn about the benefits of individual foods, then marry them together in these amazingly delicious, nutritious meals. Mayumi talks about what foods to eat to improve your skin... and I totally noticed a difference! I recommend this book to anyone interested in taking their health to an optimum level or healing from disease.

[Akemi Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

not sure why, but I didn't expect this to be primarily a recipe book. While it does provide an interesting overview of what a macrobiotic diet is through the author's biography, I expected to get more information about the diet itself and the author's take on it. I guess I was just looking for a more introductory book. The references at the end of the book look promising. This book did help me see that the macrobiotic diet is probably not a good fit for my family's lifestyle. it would probably be a good book for someone already on, or contemplating being on, a macrobiotic diet but looking for more variety because she talks about expanding beyond the traditional diet by incorporating different cuisines and foods. She calls her variation petit macro.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don't read cookbooks from cover to cover, but I am interested in learning more about macrobiotics. What I like about this book is its aesthetic, which is clean and clear and makes the concept seem simple and doable. I also like the practicality of the book, in particular, the ten-day cleanse/detox plan. I plan to implement this new eating plan next week, although, by looking at my grocery list, this may set me back four hundred bucks at the the Japanese market, despite the pounds of (cheap) carrots and cabbage. Anyway, this book has reawakened an interest in macrobiotics and I plan to check out some of the classics by pioneers that Mayumi mentions in her book.

[Susan Howson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mayumi's style of macro cooking is easy to follow, inspiring, and (thank god) interesting. Plus, she doesn't mention either the mumbo or the jumbo that other books spend way too much time with. Instead, she focuses on what to eat to make you feel your best. And I absolutely feel better than I knew I could feel whenever I'm in a macro phase.

Best macro book I've gotten so far, but I'll update when I've read more.

[Monica Albright · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read...will I try any recipes???
I don't know. I don't have a pressure cooker...and I'm not sure that I can find all of the ingredients easily...and I know NOT cheaply. And there's a lot of prep involved. Would I like to try it, yes...but I'd have to have a live in chef like Mayumi to cook for me. :)

[Laura Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently ordered and read three macrobiotic cookbooks from Amazon. Of the three, this is my least favorite, despite Madonna's endorsement. Heavy on lovely photos and lighter on information and recipes that actually make some sense in an everyday kitchen. I'll keep the book because there are some good elements and some practical advice, but I was ultimately disappointed.

[marmix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the recipes, but SHEESH! Too much work! I spent nearly 4 hours prepping Monday night for a meal I won't eat unitl Wednesday.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful cookbook with some great recipes. I think the sample daily menus are way too work intensive, but making one of the meals a day is great.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very accessible cookbook, and the recipes are easy and turn out very well.

[Monika · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far the Brownies recipe is the best I ever tasted.