The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics: A Philosophy for Achieving a Radiant Mind and a Fabulous Body

Rating:
Summary: Buy this book
Review: Jessica Porter makes macrobiotic eating friendly, allows for fallibility, accepts that all this focus on uber-healthy living can be exhausting and absurd, lets you stray from the 'path,' but always coaxes you back with her humor and fabulous recipes. Even if you don't want to go 'whole hog' into the world of macrobiotics, read it. It's better than Bridget Jones Enlightened But Not Self-Righteous with some ace kitchen/lifestyle tips thrown in.

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Summary: Hip Chicks Unite
Review: A wonderful approach to eating brown rice, learning about exotic green stuff aka sea vegetables and the universe. Not only does Ms. Porter make her argument for eating mindfully humorous, the recipes are great and the advice about relationships are excellent. Geez, she can write about naked candybars and the universality of love making and gender differences in a way that makes me give broccoli in the produce section a doubletake. 'Hey, did that vegetable just wink at me?' Hilarious and soulful, it feels as though Ms. Porter is sitting next to you holding your hand and explaining it all. A special book that is beyond self-help and recipes. She helps you to think bigger and laugh.

Rating:
Summary: The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics
Review: Guys -- Don't let the title fool you. I got a lot out of reading this book. You can learn both about being conscious of the food you eat, and also get a life lesson into how women think. Ultra-enjoyable book -- for all genders.

Rating:
Summary: the perfect companion
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I have been interested in macrobiotics for over a year and this was the first book I read that made me laugh and excited to try out this way of life. Jessica is a lovely author and makes you feel like you are talking to a friend instead of reading about health via the boring route. I strongly recommend this book to anyone wanting to learn more or continuing on the microbiotic path.
Cheers to all of our health!

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Summary: This book convinced me to take the macro plunge
Review: I had been considering trying macrobiotics for a few years before it became trendy and this book was released. The first books I consulted were by Kushi and incredibly dry; they made it seem too challenging; focusing on foods I could not find and appliances that needed to be bought in order to start. Then I read Jessica Porter's book and it convinced me to take the plunge.

Her writing is accesiible and she includes entertaning anecdotes from her experience with discovering macrobiotic philosophy. Hte personal conversation stlye makes the information easier to remember and apply than other texts. She makes macrobiotics seem posisble for any one, any where they live. I do not live near a thriving organic community, but she supplies a wide range of resources, online stores, helpful web sites and other useful books to help in the transition. Though she was trained at the Kushi Institute, she gives readers knowledge of the full range of approaches that exist.

Did you know that there is a macrobiotic equivalent to Reese's peanut butter cups? She gives the recipes for these, as well as other deserts for special occasions, in addition to the staple dishes that constitute a macrobiotic eating system. I do wish tht the book had more recipes, and found the book "Cook Your Way to the Life You Want" and Cooking Whole Foods" by Christina Pirello excellent complements. They are not necessary additions, but Porter made me eager to read much more about macrobiotics.

Macrobiotics is learning how to balance food to meet your body's nutritional needs, which will vary depending on your daily activities and stress. It tkaes a life time to master, but Porter provides excellent ropes to help you start immediately, if you so wish. She also provides a gradual (her recommended) approach. An excess of sweets, for example, is not recommended as healthy on average, but she give recipes for safer alternatives to combat cravings caused by mass marketing campaigns of the food industry, as you being your journey into macrobiotics.

There were times when I thought the book indulged a little too much into "feel the power of the universe" rhetoric, but the truth of the matter is that what you eat affects not only your health, but also your moods, and an improved diet helps increase your powers of perception, by making you less vitim to illenss and mood fluctuations.

There are some macro books that I have purchased and had to read again and again, because they were so complicated. This one I reread because I enjoy and am inspired by the writing.


Rating:
Summary: Finally - a book that explains it clearly
Review: I have read many books on macrobiotics, only to toss them to the side in frustration. Macrobiotics always seemed so difficult, so time consuming and restrictive. I could never grasp the meaning of 'yin and yang' regarding food - until now.

Jessica Porter has written a book that is accessible, easy to understand and very witty! I have a much better understanding of the effects that food has on my body - and this gives me the power to make better choices. I am not a full fledged macrobiotic junkie (and may never be) - but at least now I can lean in that direction with confidence, not confusion! Thanks Jessica, for the best intro to macrobiotics that I have ever read!

Rating:
Summary: Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics
Review: In the film "Supersize Me", McDonald's fast food is implicated in causing a serious decline in the health of the main character who eats McDonalds three times a day. He is under the care of three physicians who monitor the serious deterioration of his health, which occurs in a matter of weeks. Imagine how one could turn around their health in the opposite direction i.e. becoming healthier by eating the macrobiotic diet as espoused by author Jessica Porter. One would lose weight, have lower cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure, good liver function, etc., etc., etc. It would be great if the author could write a script for a film called MacMe (Macrobiotize Me) to show the healthful benefits of eating this way. We would all be better off if we ate MacRobiotics instead of Big Macs.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Book!
Review: This book is FANTASTIC!! Jessica Porter's book is my new best friend! I found the author's wit and knowledge just the right combination for such a drab subject. I laughed out loud so many times! This is definately the book to buy for anyone looking to start macrobiotics. It puts reality into a sometimes difficult way of life with that twist of humor that tickles your funny bone. The way Porter describes her own travels down the road of seaweed and brown rice is hilarious as well as extremely informing.

Her explainations made sense and gave me an easier understanding of the whole picture. This is a great book. It will leave you feeling infinately smarter, more whole and centered and lighthearted. Jessica Porter is a genius!

Rating:
Summary: great intro to macrobiotics!
Review: This book makes macrobiotics easy to understand and follow, and it is really is funny at times too!

I think it's great someone wrote a current, real-life application of macrobiotics, because I know some other books can make it seem difficult to do and follow. This takes the pressure off and is a fun read. Recommended for anyone interested in this life and eating philosophy!