2008 Woodie Awards
Recipes not recommended for real 'hip chicks'
By: Stephanie Covington
Issue date: 12/1/05 Section: LifeStyle
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"The Hip Chick's Guide to Macrobiotics" by Jessica Porter is an exploration of food as a "biological, biopsychological and biospiritual foundation." Porter points out in the preface that both Madonna and Gwyneth Paltrow are happy devotees to the ways and freedoms of the macrobiotic lifestyle which, she says, is the practice of choosing to eat a healthy and balanced diet.
Porter stresses the importance of eating whole and healthy foods, saying that by understanding the yin and yang a person can "learn to cook in order to support your health physically, emotionally and spiritually."
The first four chapters of the book are littered with heavily fluffy language and general advertisements for the macrobiotic way of life. The chapters number what Porter calls laws one through 12. The chapter further illuminates the greatness of learning the ways of yin and yang, accepting life and its many changes as well as several tangents into Porter's personal life.
One particular entry, "Rice Break," is the author's exploration into rice fasting. By the end of the short entry, Porter seems to be losing her mind a bit, allowing the starch to clog her thinking processes. Porter makes it three days on her rice fast and says she feels as if she had meditated for three years.
The book doesn't get interesting until Porter introduces the family of whole grains in chapter five. The recipes overall seem intriguing, but not always simple. One must have a pretty good grasp of culinary art to pull off the Quinoa salad. However, I wouldn't suggest trying the Good Morning Oat Porridge unless your taste buds are out of commission.
Since Porter says red meat is heavy on the body and digestive system, she devotes the entire chapter six to meatless concoctions. One recipe suggests using tempeh (partially cooked, fermented soybeans), sesame oil, brown rice, vinegar, tofu sour cream, whole-wheat tortillas and soy cheese to create tempeh burritos.
Porter denounces tofu dogs and veggie burgers, telling readers not to eat anything with ingredients they cannot pronounce easily. These products, she says, are often full of added ingredients in the form of added vitamins and minerals. She said she never keeps pre-packaged health foods around the house.
Porter stresses the importance of eating whole and healthy foods, saying that by understanding the yin and yang a person can "learn to cook in order to support your health physically, emotionally and spiritually."
The first four chapters of the book are littered with heavily fluffy language and general advertisements for the macrobiotic way of life. The chapters number what Porter calls laws one through 12. The chapter further illuminates the greatness of learning the ways of yin and yang, accepting life and its many changes as well as several tangents into Porter's personal life.
One particular entry, "Rice Break," is the author's exploration into rice fasting. By the end of the short entry, Porter seems to be losing her mind a bit, allowing the starch to clog her thinking processes. Porter makes it three days on her rice fast and says she feels as if she had meditated for three years.
The book doesn't get interesting until Porter introduces the family of whole grains in chapter five. The recipes overall seem intriguing, but not always simple. One must have a pretty good grasp of culinary art to pull off the Quinoa salad. However, I wouldn't suggest trying the Good Morning Oat Porridge unless your taste buds are out of commission.
Since Porter says red meat is heavy on the body and digestive system, she devotes the entire chapter six to meatless concoctions. One recipe suggests using tempeh (partially cooked, fermented soybeans), sesame oil, brown rice, vinegar, tofu sour cream, whole-wheat tortillas and soy cheese to create tempeh burritos.
Porter denounces tofu dogs and veggie burgers, telling readers not to eat anything with ingredients they cannot pronounce easily. These products, she says, are often full of added ingredients in the form of added vitamins and minerals. She said she never keeps pre-packaged health foods around the house.