In this conversation, Mayumi Nishimura, a macrobiotic Health Coach and private chef, shares her thoughts on macrobiotics, fashion, and the philosophy behind her way of life.
NNY: What does macrobiotics mean to you?
MN: People often describe macrobiotics as a way to live a long life, but for me, it’s a way of living in harmony with the greater energy of the universe. It’s not simply about living longer. It’s about having the health to fully pursue what you truly want to do by being healthy both physically and spiritually, so you can realize your full potential.
I see macrobiotics as an Eastern philosophy and a way of life. Through food, it offers a path toward living in balance with ourselves and the natural world.
NNY: What do you value most when choosing what to wear?
MN: One of the biggest influences on my view of fashion was a 1970s book called Cheap Chic. What resonated with me most was that it wasn’t just about fashion, it was about a way of living. The idea that you don’t need expensive clothes to look good really stayed with me. If you have a healthy body, you can wear almost anything well.
The book celebrated secondhand clothing, military surplus, and other functional garments. It showed that value doesn’t come from price, but from functionality and clothes that are made to last.
That way of thinking has stayed with me ever since. I’m naturally drawn to things that have real value beyond trends.
NNY: What values connect the way you eat and the way you dress?
MN: I believe the same values apply to both. Simplicity is best. Just as good ingredients create good food, good materials create good clothing.
I’m drawn to timeless pieces that I can wear every day because they feel comfortable and still look good.
I believe in taking care of the body through exercise and meditation, and I look for those same qualities in the clothes I wear.
NNY: If someone is completely new to macrobiotics, where would you recommend they start?
MN: For Japanese people, I would suggest starting with the basics: make a good bowl of miso soup using high-quality miso, and make high-quality brown rice a part of your daily meals to support the people behind it.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be brown rice, though. For people in the U.S., for example, I’d recommend starting with whole foods and whole grains that are readily available.
NNY: Finally, what kind of lifestyle or way of living would you like to continue embracing in the future?
MN: Macrobiotics is, above all, a way of life. My goal hasn’t changed, I want to continue living this way while sharing its principles in ways that resonate with each generation and the times we live in.
For me, it’s not about changing the philosophy itself, it’s about finding new ways to communicate it. I’ll simply continue doing what I’ve always done, while adapting how I share it so it remains relevant and meaningful today.
Mayumi Nishimura
Macrobiotic Health Coach & Private Chef
In 1982, Mayumi moved to the United States on her own to study under Michio Kushi, the world’s leading authority on macrobiotics. She later participated in the founding of the Kushi Institute in Becket, Massachusetts, where she served as Head Chef and Culinary Instructor while also providing cooking guidance for cancer patients.
Beginning in 2001, Mayumi became the personal chef to Madonna, working primarily in London, Los Angeles, New York, and Tokyo. Over the years, she has prepared macrobiotic meals for numerous internationally renowned figures, including former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, Sting, Brad Pitt, and Guy Ritchie.
Dedicated to making macrobiotics more accessible, Mayumi developed the concept of “Petit Macro” a simple and practical approach that anyone can incorporate into everyday life. Alongside her culinary work, she is also an accomplished author. She has published her autobiographical book, A Big Universe in a Small Kitchen, as well as numerous cook books. Her macrobiotic cooking book, MAYUMI’S KITCHEN, has gained a wide international audience across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
www.mayuminishimura.com
@greenshiso
Mayumi wears:
Everyday Dress Ivory 50’s Broadcloth by TACTI
Prepared Dress Navy/Natural Cotton Seersucker by TACTI
Runaway Dress Ivory 50’s Broadcloth by TACTI
Story by @aki.maesato