Blue Zones: areas of the world where the residents have a long, healthy old age. Okinawa is one of them, and the recipe here for sweet potatoes is one I'm familiar with. In fact, I spent time in Japan, found I lost weight without trying (something normally difficult for me) running my legs off up and down stairs and eating nearly no sugar for the time I was there. The lack of sugar was startling in the Japanese diet, in particular.

The one hundred recipes in "Blue Zone Kitchens" are not outlandish and though there are a few unusual ingredients, they are obtainable by mail order if you live in a more remote area; for example goji berries are found in health food stores and Asian groceries but you can mail order them. These are used in a breakfast oatmeal dish and they add a lot of important anti-oxidants.

Most of the recipes, however are things you can find anywhere and are not unusual. You can find more recipes such as Pumpkin pancakes. Breakfast burritos with black beans by signing up for the Blue Zone website and newsletter.

So not only eating but lifestyle is important; having friends and family in a tight network (a friend who lived in a Thai village said it was UNTHINKABLE to be alone) and plenty of gentle but daily constant exercise and movement. And the Okinawan idea of eating 80 percent full known as "hara hachi bu".

I was amused to see Hearts of Palm ceviche (raw "fish" marinated) as I love hearts of palm but here they are only found canned. Still, they are really delicious and you can make a meal out of a salad if you cut them up and put them in. Better than artichokes. The Costa Rican recipes in particular are light and flavorful. Though I love Japanese food, I actually loved the Costa Rica chapter the best.

And the ancient foods of Sardinia; you haven't lived until you've tried Fregula, their primitive, rolled pasta, a relative of cous cous. It's really good. There is one recipe for fregula with asparagus but it's versatile and very light. You get pasta, but you don't feel heavy after eating it. There is also a recipe for the Sardinian flatbread, their ancient bread originally made on the floor of woodfired ovens. You can see this being made in one of the episodes of Anthony Bourdain.

Lots of delicious recipes. Will you live longer? Not sure this book alone will do it, but good recipes high in fiber and low in saturated fats and full of flavor.

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I am a big fan of the Blue Zones recipes, and general research and theory. I so wanted to like this book. However, it has two major flaws from a user standpoint. One is it features ingredients from Blue Zones that are impossible to access in my neck of the woods and does not offer substitutes. So no wild fennel growing by you? You'll miss the chance to make about 15 of the 100 recipes.
And the book has no INDEX. How the hell can you look up a recipe? The recipes are organized by country. Suppose you have sweet potatoes on hand and are looking for a healthy way to prepare them? You are out of luck, unless you read through the titles of 100 recipes and find one that matches your criteria. Suppose you want to make a soup? Look through each of the five Blue Zones and see if they make soup there. Ridiculous to print a cookbook with no index. If you have it on Kindle, maybe, but in print - dereliction of editorial duty!

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This plant-based cookbook contains recipes from some of the healthiest regions of the world, the Blue Zones. Be aware, however, that many recipes include white flour, refined sugar, oils, or may be fried. These recipes will not fit in with Dr. Esselstyn's heart disease prevention diet, Forks over Knives, The Alzheimer's Solution, or other currently popular diet programs for specific health concerns that also take inspiration from the Blue Zones. However, the recipes are still miles ahead of the Standard American Diet which most people follow. Therefore, many of us will benefit from this approach. And the recipes should appeal to everyone, no matter what diet or lifestyle you choose.

The recipes are organized by region, not category. Beyond the actual recipes in this cookbook is a section which details the healthiest ingredients from each region featured in the book, as well as explanations why each ingredient is important. Almost all of these ingredients are easy to find at most supermarkets, or perhaps an occasional trip to an Asian market. Occasional substitutions are listed, such as using sweet potatoes instead of yuca in the Yuca Cakes recipe.

The recipes are pretty much what you might expect for regional selections. Stuffed grape leaves from Greece. Toasted fregula from Sardinia. Okinawan Sweet Bread. And smoothies and smoothie bowls from Loma Linda. Throughout the book, though, you'll find a wide range of flavors, seasonings, and cooking techniques that bring extra flavor and variety to each meal.

I was drawn to this cookbook not only because of the proven studies showing longer, healthier, and happier lives in the Blue Zones, but also because my mother has Alzheimer's and I worry about my own future. The Blue Zones are also regions where Alzheimer's rates are some of the lowest in the world. Loma Linda, California, boasts the lowest rates in our country.

I'm already familiar with some of the recipes in this cookbook and look forward to trying more. Highly recommended.

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love the book it is more than a cookbook, it has lovely health information, travel stories and beautiful pictures.
Trying not to buy too many books, but I couldn't resist this one. I love all the Blue Zone books

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From the first page this book lived up to everything that I hoped it would be. Within a few days I started making the recipes and they are delicious. I am most excited about the health benefits that this book appears will give both my husband (92 yrs) and me (82 yrs), I have already sent another copy of the book to my son. I look forward to making many more of the dishes.

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I love this book, it is very helpful and as I read it I think of my grandmother because so many of the recipes are very familiar. It's a great way to eat and stay healthy.
Kudos to the author for all his work.

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GOOD INFO. THANK YOU.

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This book is amaaaaaazing!!!
Great recipes, easy to make!

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I love all the different recipes, and all healthy and tasty.