Now, imagine if eating and living this way could help you stay lean and healthy, substantially reduce your risk of contracting heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, many types of cancer (including breast, prostate and colon), and increase your chances of living longer.

This way of living might sound like the impossible dream, but in reality people from Mediterranean and Asian cultures have been living like this, and reaping the rewards, for more than 5000 years.

The Benefits of Traditional Mediterranean and Asian Eating and Lifestyle Practices

There's actually no such thing as a uniform Mediterranean or Asian diet and lifestyle. The Mediterranean region, for example, encompasses such diverse countries as Greece, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Spain and Tunisia (See map). Not only do these countries share different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds, the dishes traditionally eaten in these countries are equally diverse and use a wide range of different cooking techniques as well as different herbs, spices and other seasonings.

The cultural and culinary diversity seen throughout the Mediterranean is equally apparent in Asia, which includes such countries as Japan, China, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Korea (See map).

Yet, despite the differences, research over the last 50 years has shown that there are also many distinct similarities between the traditional eating and lifestyle practices of Mediterranean and Asian cultures:

	Their diets include abundant amounts of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes (beans, peas and lentils) and nuts
	They consume only small amounts of red meat
	They consume fish regularly
	Most of the fat they consume comes from plant and fish oils
	They consume alcohol regularly in moderation (usually with meals)
	They are physically active as part of their everyday lives
	They tend to have an optimistic view of life, family ties are strong and special time is usually set aside each day to relax the body and mind

According to a large body of scientific research it's these similar eating and lifestyle practices that help explain why Mediterranean and Asian peoples also share the same good health, low rates of chronic disease and long life expectancy.

How to Incorporate Traditional Mediterranean and Asian Eating and Lifestyle Practices into Your Own Life

So, how can a Westerner living in this fast-paced, high-stress modern world possibly adopt traditional Mediterranean and Asian eating and lifestyle practices? If it sounds difficult, let us assure you, it's not! We both lead busy Western lives, and we've done it. In fact, for well over a decade we've been incorporating traditional Mediterranean and Asian eating and lifestyle practices into our lives. Over that time we've not only had lots of fun and discovered a world of wonderful tastes, we've also experienced a remarkable improvement in our physical health and emotional wellbeing. And through this website we'd like to show you how to easily follow a "MediterrAsian" way of living too.

To find out more about us (Ric and Trudy), and why we created this site click here. And don't forget to check out our FAQ page.

Praise for MediterrAsian.com

"An elegant and joyous site."

– USA Today

"The creators of this site hope to promote longevity and good health by highlighting some of the best food practices from other cultures around the world. And they do it with terrific recipes and beautiful photos. From paella to pad Thai, you'll find inspiration with an international essence."

– Tufts University Nutrition Navigator

"Run by an Australian and a New Zealander who are fans of Mediterranean and Asian cooking, this unique site is about the melding of two traditionally healthy cuisines. The site features recipes, scientific information about the diet and a seven-day sample diet."

– Parade magazine

"Two great tastes that taste great together."

– Yahoo!

"Dust off your spices and live healthier with terrific recipes from two corners of the globe. These time-tested dishes have been proven to lead to lower rates of heart disease and other health issues. Get recipes, diet plans, and a total approach to fitness featuring food that's both flavorful and filling."

– Earthlink's eLink Newsletter

"The MediterrAsian diet takes the best aspects of the Mediterranean and Asian diets and combines them to create optimal lifestyle conditions to improve and extend your life. That's no small feat, but the evidence supports it! Furthermore, this whole food lifestyle cuts out the junk that contributes to obesity. As long as you practice reasonable portion control, and increase activity, weight loss on this plan will be natural, and very enjoyable."

– 3FatChicks.com

"Whether it's a recipe for a Japanese-style noodle salad with smoked salmon and avocado or instructions for a "Pan Bagnat" with tuna, hardboiled egg, black olives, green peppers and other delicious veggies, MediterrAsian.com gives you the tools to make flavorful, filling and healthy food. Getting started is simple, with lists of the gadgets you should stock in your kitchen and the staples you'll want to keep in your pantry. You can also browse an archive that conveniently lists recipes by type of dish or by country of origin. And if you're curious about the science behind the cuisine, the site also has a section dedicated to studies and research about the health benefits of Mediterranean and Asian cuisine and lifestyle."

– Philadelphia City Paper

"Research has proven that people from Mediterranean (like Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Algeria) and Asian (like Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Korea) cultures share good health and long life expectancy. Although there’s no ‘uniform’ Mediterranean or Asian diet, there are many similarities: consumption of abundant amounts of grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts, and fish; consumption of only small amounts of red meat; and moderate consumption of alcohol. This site shows you how to incorporate these dietary practices into your life with Italian, Spanish, Thai, Provencal, Indonesian, Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese and Greek recipes — from pasta and pizzas, stir-fries and curries, to rice and noodle dishes, salads, spreads, soups, appetizers and desserts."

– Harmony magazine

"This site promotes a healthy lifestyle by following the dietary and lifestyle practices of Mediterranean and Asian cultures. There are delicious recipes, as well as makeovers of traditional Western favorites that drastically reduce their fat and sugar content for healthier eating. There is also a featured Cuisine of the Month, and a sample seven-day menu including a list of suggestions for exercise and relaxation activities for each day."

– NetGuide magazine, Australia

"Mediterranean and Asian diet and lifestyle practices come together at this site, which is more than just a site for recipes. You'll find an explanation of the many health-giving benefits of the Mediterranean and Asian diets which can be easily incorporated into your everyday meal plans."

– News8 News Channel, Austin, Texas

"Providing a wealth of information on healthy Mediterranean and Asian diets and lifestyle practices, this site includes an abundance of delicious recipes and a recipe makeover section detailing 'how to convert typically unhealthy western style foods…into healthier, lower calorie versions—without sacrificing the taste.'"

– HelpGuide.org

"This site really helped me understand why Asian and Mediterranean folk enjoy exceptional health and long lives."

– AskMen.com

"Looking for a healthier way to eat? There's something about the Mediterranean and Asian diets that help them to live healthier and longer lives, so maybe we should take some diet advice from them? Try www.MediterrAsian.com! This website will help you learn to cook healthy, balanced meals and how to shop for healthier foods."

– NewLife 91.9 Morning Show

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