Ric credits a Mediterranean diet with helping him get back to full health after a near-fatal motorcycle accident. He discovered a passion for Asian food and cooking when he met and fell in love with Trudy, who had been introduced to authentic Asian cooking by her Chinese-Malaysian sister-in-law.

They started MediterrAsian.com in their spare time to share authentic Mediterranean and Asian recipes and also to inform others about the many health-giving benefits of traditional Mediterranean and Asian eating and lifestyle practices.

Ric and Trudy's cookbook, The MediterrAsian Way was published by Wiley in 2007 and received a recommendation from the Library Journal, and was named as one of the best cookbooks of the year by the Santa Barbara News-Press.

Q & A with Trudy

Have you always considered yourself to be a good cook? When did you start cooking?

As a kid I made the usual cookies, cakes, and cupcakes, although my contribution to family evening meals was little more than podding peas, peeling potatoes and setting the dinner table. But when I was a teenager my Chinese-Malaysian sister-in-law introduced me to authentic Asian food. I fell in love with her cooking, and she shared traditional recipes and showed me the best Asian products to buy—which in those days were only available from Asian grocers. Thanks to her guidance I discovered that with very little fuss I could create delicious and healthful meals that tasted wonderfully different from the rather bland Western foods I'd grown up on. This is what really started my passion for cooking.

How did you become interested in Mediterranean food?

I've always loved pasta, but hadn't been very adventurous with Mediterranean cooking until I met Ric. He was a big fan of the Mediterranean diet—not just because the food tasted so good, but because it had also helped him regain his health after a very serious motorcycle accident.

So, Ric introduced me to Mediterranean cooking, and I introduced him to Asian cooking. Thankfully we ended up bonding over pad Thai and paella!

When did you become conscious of your health?

I've been conscious of my health most of my life, which has a lot to do with the fact that my parents are both physicians. From a young age I was taught that looking after my health and eating a good diet were very important. But I'd always thought that eating a healthy diet meant making sacrifices. That was until I was introduced to traditional Asian and Mediterranean cooking and discovered that food that tastes good and food that's good for you don't have to be mutually exclusive.

What aspects of the Mediterranean and Asian diets make them healthy?

There are so many! First and foremost, traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets are rich in plant-foods such as vegetables, fruits, grains, beans and nuts. These foods are packed with essential vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium and folate. They also contain other powerful health-giving compounds such as antioxidants, phytochemicals and dietary fiber. These compounds have all shown remarkable potential for reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease, slowing the aging process, boosting immune function, and improving overall wellbeing. High plant-food intake has also been shown to lower potentially harmful LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.

Fish and seafood are also a staple part of traditional Mediterranean and Asian diets. Fish is a great source of protein and is very low in saturated fat. And varieties such as salmon, anchovies, tuna, mackerel and sardines contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. This special type of fat has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and also the risk of stroke. Omega-3s have even shown a great deal of potential for helping those affected by brain and immune system related illnesses such as arthritis, asthma and Alzheimer's disease.

The plant oils that are regularly used in Mediterranean and Asian cooking, such as olive oil and peanut oil, are very heart-healthy and also reduce the risk of stoke and high blood pressure.

And moderate alcohol consumption, which is a common trait in most Mediterranean and Asian cultures, increases levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol in the blood, which helps reduce the risk of heart disease.

Why did you start MediterrAsian.com?

Eating and living the MediterrAsian way has immeasurably improved our health and wellbeing, and it's also introduced us to a world of wonderful new tastes and experiences. We felt it was really important to share our knowledge and experience with others—especially with all the mixed messages out there about food and nutrition.

How do you come up with so many recipes?

Over the years we've learned a lot about Mediterranean and Asian ingredients and cooking techniques. So, some of the recipes are our versions of classic Mediterranean and Asian dishes like paella and sushi. But we also love to spend time in the kitchen experimenting and developing new recipes using traditional Mediterranean and Asian ingredients.

What's your favorite food to cook and to eat?

That depends on the season. During the colder months I crave hot and hearty comfort food like curries, risottos and stews. In spring and summer I could happily survive on stir-fries, fresh salads, sushi and grilled seafood from sunrise to sunset.

MediterrAsian.com in the media

"An elegant and joyous site."

– USA Today

"Two great tastes that taste great together."

– Yahoo!

"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

"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

"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

"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