"My whole life I have believed that green tea is good for my health. When I drink it, I feel refreshed. It calms the spirit and eases the mind," writes Toshimi Kayaki, who lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and has published 22 books on cross-cultural and women's issues. In this delightful paperback with illustrations by Miyuki Matsuo, you will find a treasure trove of ideas about simplicity, thrift, homemade remedies, and Japanese wisdom. Kayaki has adopted what she calls "green tea living" — which includes low-calorie foods, regular exercise (walk or bike instead of driving), and meditation. She also offers advice and tips on regularly eating miso soup, using reflexology, trying olive oil on dry skin, facial message with a spoon, and suggestions for living a more frugal life.

Not only does green tea have cardiovascular benefits such as lowering blood pressure, it can also be used on the skin as an anti-aging cosmetic, as a means of preventing cavities and taking away bad breath, as a cleaning tool, as a fertilizer for gardening, and as a weight loss tactic (drink a cup before your dinner). Green Tea Living by Toshimi Kayaki is a handy and creative guide to an eco-friendly life.