Customer Reviews

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I very much like "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen". This is a very smart book that truly does provide Westerners with some great healthful recipes for both Chinese medicine practitioners and laypersons.

It appears to be a response to the gaping holes in the marketplace for a decent book on Chinese medicine dietetics. While their stated purpose (articulated in their cover letter that accompanied the review copy) is to provide practitioners with a book to suggest to their patients, I also believe that it is a great book for Chinese medicine practitioners as well.

Henry Lu's Chinese Natural Cures: Traditional Methods for Remedies and Prevention and Paul Pitchford's Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition have pretty much owned the marketplace since I've been following such things, but this book promises to rise to the top of the list. It certainly has in my mind. The Lu and Pitchford books are good at listing various herbs that are edible and various foods that have medicinal properties.

However, Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen is more of a cookbook than a list of food/herbs (though it includes both). They're simple, though they do not appear to skimp on taste or presentation. There are also copious variations that you can explore as well as little sidebars that provide additional insight as to the cultural backstory regarding various ingredients.

This book is great for laypersons in that it describes the benefits of a particular recipe in common terms, but it also includes the same information using TCM terms practitioner. Many (but not all) require that one has access to an Asian market.

The main portion of this book, the recipes, are organized by main dishes, soups, desserts, etc. There are also chapters that explain some of the basics of Chinese medicine. What the authors present is the tried-and-true Chinese medicine that is most commonly taught in American schools. I consider this a good thing. There is plenty of good information out there, but it isn't all translated into English. As such, some authors have to fill in the gaps with their own musings. This doesn't seem to be the case with this book. What you read here will not be confusing when comparing the content to other books on Chinese medicine.

I look forward to trying out some of these recipes because of their health benefits, but also because they're so well written.

-Al Stone, L.Ac., DAOM
April 22, 2010

I just picked this up and have to say that I am very impressed.
It is filled with simple yet healthful recipes. The majority of the recipes are traditional recipes from China, Japan, and Korea and will require a trip to your local or online Asian market. For each recipe they discuss the health conditions the dish is beneficial for from both Eastern and Western medical perspectives. Whenever appropriate, the authors share snippets of insight. It also includes a section discussing 100 "super foods."
This book is perfect for both the layperson and for those experienced with Chinese Medicine.

The book, "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen" is a jewel. I am learning so much as I read through it. The authors present information about Eastern tradition, health and cooking in ways that are as accessible as they are illuminating. The recipes are wonderful, and I am enjoying the anecdotal observations, personal accounts, and dashes of humor sprinkled throughout. This is a beautiful, comprehensive, thoughtfully-laid out piece of work that edifies the mind and spirit, as well as the stomach. Well-done!

I usually don't write reviews for books, however I have owned this book for several months and I am still in love with it. I am currently living in Japan and I can get most of the ingredients very easily, which is why I bought the book.

I am especially in love with how the authors explain the health benefits of different components of food and give the reader the basics in Chinese remedies and medicine. It is a good building block to further explore East Asian cooking and the purpose behind it.

Also, the recipes are very easy to read and understand. I enjoy that most of the recipes don't require that much prep time, which is always a bonus.

I can't praise this book enough and I am trying to convince my friends that live in Japan to buy it too. One of the best books on the market about East Asian cooking and its easy to use without too much extra explanation that usually results in confusion on the readers part.

I also like that it is paper bound and it light so it is is easy to transport.

The use of foods and herbs to prevent and cure human ailments has a more than three thousand year history in Eastern healing arts. "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life" is the collaborative work of Yuan Wang (Pacific College of Oriental Medicine); Warren Sheir (licensed acupuncturist and herbalist); and writer/editor Mika Ono. This 352-page compendium of basic information on the use of 'superfoods' such as goji berries, also includes an overview of traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, and food therapy; details on one hundred specifically Asian ingredients; and healing recipes for everything from fatigue and menopause, to high cholesterol and diabetes. Of special note is the section of colored photographs of Asian plants. With thoroughly 'user friendly' recipes ranging from Black Sesame Asparagus; Steadying Spinach Egg Drop Soup; Silver-Wrapped Fish with Tangerine Sauce; and Five-Spice Lamb Skewers; to Healing Lily Bulb Congee; Ginger Black Tea; Shiitake-Astragalus Vegetable Stock; and Creamy Umeboshi Dressing, "Ancient Wisdom, Modern Kitchen: Recipes from the East for Health, Healing, and Long Life" is a highly recommended and core reference addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Cookbook and Alternative Medicine collections.

This is a great book full of useful information on health. Also, one of the authors (Yuan Wang) is a DR of acupuncture and I highly recommend her if you are in the San Diego area. She treated my son and did an outstanding job.

This cookbook is the best. Everything is organized so well, the recipes are simple and easy to follow. My favorite portions of the books are the list of health concerns with accompanying recipes in the back, as well as a list of important Chinese ingredients and herbs with color photos and the names of each in English, Japanese and Chinese (makes these ingredients SO much easier to find in your local Asian market!). This is a must buy. Not only are you learning how to cook delicious Asian meals, but they are healthy and beneficial as well!

Love this book...!!! It is my companion in my kitchen. This is a great book and I use it as a reference, especially the second part of the book with the 100 Chinese ingredients. It is a great start to eating healthy. I used to refer to the recipes in this books but after sometime in not finding some ofthe ingredients in our Asian supermarket half an hour away, I refer to the ingredients of the book part as my base. For many nights now I have made serious changes to our diet and in just a few days, I can feel better. My husband loves my cooking too...

I got this cookbook because one of the authors has treated me with acupuncture, and I listen to her when she tells me I should add X,Y or Z to my diet. Now I have recipes I can follow with confidence to include those important components in my daily intake.

I have had this book about 3 weeks now and I decided to write a review to encourage people to take a leap and buy it! The recipes are delicious! What I like best are the mineral-rich broths, and that they use the soaking liquids in the recipes. For lunch today, I had Cool-as-a-Cucumber Salad, Terrific Tofu and Mushrooms, Seaweed-Sweet Potato Simmer, and brown rice. I could not get anything that good at any Chinese restaurant I know of. I have also made and recommend: Vitality Fish Soup, Flu Season Soup, Mushroom Brown Rice, Move-the-Qi Daikon Salad (great with added mung sprouts), Outstanding Oatmeal, Meditative Mint, Ginger, and Tangerine Tisane, Immunity Building chicken stock, and the Togarichi Topping. If you like Oriental food, this is a somewhat different approach with great results! Thanks to the authors for their thorough work.