Japanese Foods That Heal: Using Traditional Japanese Ingredients to Promote Health, Longevity, & Well-Being (with 125 recipes)

This is a superb gem of a book, extremely valuable for the rare nutritional "food is medicine" information it provides concerning 18 different, "traditionally"-made, Japanese ingredients - I know of no other book, including Japanese cookbooks, which provides this unique nutritional information.The appearance of a book containing this unique information is long overdue.The authors are highly qualified to write this unique book, John being a research biologist with extensive (25 years) laboratory experience in medical research at two U.S. universities. Both John and Jan spent over a year in Japan living with a Japanese family and learning how to make miso in the "traditional" way.Japanese medicinal foods produced by "traditional" methods include UNREFINED, FERMENTED, UNPASTEURIZED or MALTED foods, which means that one has to read the product labels or vendor websites VERY CAREFULLY, e.g., on Shoyru, Tamari, toasted sesame oil, brown rice MALT syrup, miso and tofu. Included at the end of the book (p. 221) is an indispensable "Shopping Resources" guide, in which vendor websites are listed. Unfortunately, South River Miso company is not listed: [...] - this company's traditionally-made and unpasteurized miso and tamari are rare and excellent, but this company DOES NOT SHIP ITS PERISHABLE PRODUCTS DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS!Regular Japanese food stores in the U.S. DO NOT carry the "traditionally" made Japanese medicinal foods discussed in this book, but only carry products produced in Japan by modern, INDUSTRIALIZED methods.Each chapter in the book uniformly and consistently follows a standardized analytical format. This book's contents must be read very carefully, particularly the information under each chapter's "Shopping For . . . " entry.This book is not a traditional cookbook. However, some representative recipes are included. The few recipes provided in each chapter are very good ones.These "traditionally"-made Japanese foods have nearly become extinct in post-WW II Japan. However, because of their unique "food is medicine" qualities, these rare foods deserve to make a major popular comeback. Oddly, this comeback is happening in U.S. health-food stores - which are a major export market for these rare Japanese-made foods - rather than in Japan (at least so far).

This book was wrapped and packaged very well. However, it did not appear "new" as advertised. In very good condition, almost like new would have been more accurate.

First, I want to say that I'm friends with the authors of Japanese Foods That Heal. I have the good fortune of enjoying their cooking talents personally....and can say that they are fabulous cooks! Jan and John Belleme were two of the greatest inspirations for me to improve my way of eating and including many of the "power" foods of Japan ~ especially marvelous miso. Miso is a food that everyone would benefit from in their daily meals. Jan and John were founding partners in the first miso company here in the USA, the American Miso Company. John is an awesome "Miso Master." What I like about Japanese Foods That Heal is the wealth of information about many of the healthiest and tastiest specialty foods from Japan ~ from miso and shiitake mushrooms to umeboshi and Japanese teas. I like to learn everything I can about the food that I choose to eat including its history, health and healing benefits and about the people behind the company producing the products I buy. Japanese Foods That Heal is packed with this valuable and inspiring information along with tasty recipes to inspire you into the kitchen to begin enjoying some of the healthiest foods of Japan.

Easy to use .. healthy way to eat.

This book is full of essential information for health and healing. I refer to it regularly. I love how the authors introduce the food, give a detailed description of where it comes from and how to use it, and where one might purchase the item. There is a wonderful resource guide included with a list of retailers and their contact information. I have used it to purchase the items I needed. I have purchased an additional book to give to a family member who also wants a healthier lifestyle. I highly recommend this book.

I ordered two of these books, one to share. The information provided is amazing, so helpful. I feel everyone should read this wonderful book and use at least some of the information,at least on or two recipes for healthy living. Every page astonishes me with precious details, insights and recipes.The sources for pure ingredients is provided at the end of thethe text.How can anyone live without this exceptional publication? I am making it the main source and base for my daily cooking recipes.This book has reshaped my daily life.

Good information that I can apply to my diet and get rewards for my health and well being, thank you for doing the research.

Very informative book. I love Japanese foods. I have tried the macrobiotic diet and love it also. The explanations pertaining to the various foods are fantastic. The recipes are very good.

I'm so glad I came across this book while reading a review of the Miso Book by the same authors. It is really well written, very informative and with recipes that inspire me to want to try cooking them. It doesn't have any colour illustrations, although there are some very nice drawings within. Although I'd normally like those colour pictures, the layout of the book is so user friendly that I'm quite happy without. I can't wait to get started.

Anybody who studies or is interested in Japanese foods will appreciate this book. I study Macrobiotic and personally, I do not regret obtaining it.

Just as promised, excellent service.

A really lovely book if your interested in japan and Japanese cooking and healthy living

Very comprehensible, easy to understand why each ingredient of the Japanese foods is good for the health. Unfortunately, I have found an error. Chapter 6 - The Chinese character for kuzu shoud have been 葛, not 甘酒 which belongs to the previous chapter.