How to Cook Your Life
A New Zealand cookbook grounded in Buddhist philosophy
The recipe…
In a mixing bowl, combine one award-winning writer, Buddhist philosopher, environmentalist, traveller and cook with one fabulous foodie photographer…
Blend stories and delectable recipes from a community of cooks with passion and generosity.
Toss in fresh herbs, wild plants and medicinal plant knowledge.
Stir. Taste. Season.
Slow cook the recipes. Laugh often.
Garnish with a literary book designer.
Select your drinks and invite your whānau.
Give thanks. Whakawhetai.
Eat.
Features nearly 100 healthy, tasty recipes. Many are being shared for the first time! Focusing on plant-based and vegetarian recipes with easily found ingredients but also a flexitarian section of fish and chicken mains. Make your own sauces, spices, wines and even face cream. Learn the meal gratitude prayers. Re-read the stories. Eat with your eyes…
Produced By 100% human creativity - no AI content
How to Cook Your Life: stories and recipes to heal a lonely planet visually showcases the best of who we are – connected communities, generous, creative, compassionate and caring for people and environment, a great sense of humour.
It celebrates ‘we’, not I. Not the celebrity chef but people who cook for others from the heart and share kai. Delectable images by Jean-Patrick Vinay.
Supporting Fair Food’s mission to feed people, not landfill.
FEATURING
Frozen Raspberry Bountiful Bars, a new creation from the passionate Pien Wise, west Auckland café entrepreneur.
Jay’s Salmon Curry – never before shared and the frequent winner of The Curry Club award.
Jade Reidy and Pien Wise at Sozo Café, Glen Eden.
Stories and insights from Jade’s decade with the Westie Wine Group.
Te reo contents and kai Māori.
Cambodia’s national dish, Amok Trei and Auckland’s Cambodian community.
Where to Buy
From these retail stores:
Local markets including Titirangi Christmas Market - Sunday 7 & 14 December, RSA, 502 S Titirangi Rd.
Or text: 021 046 4039 to order directly, RRP + postage.
RRP: $40
THE AUTHOR
Jade Reidy is descended from three generations of knowledge seekers about food as medicine. She has a qualification from the University of Canterbury in Food, Nutrition and Wellbeing.
Jade has been a highly awarded professional non-fiction writer for 40 years and held an Oxford University writers fellowship. During a decade in London, she baked bread in an organic bakery, worked for a natural remedies and organic herb company, and cooked for large numbers in a French Zen temple until becoming ordained as a nun.
Her ancestral iwi is Whakatōhea and her whare (home) for the past 25 years has been in Huia in the Waitākere Ranges, where she also started up a winemaking group. Alongside running Jade Reidy Communications, she volunteers as a cook at Auckland’s Fair Food. This is her first cookbook.
FREE live theatre event and book launch
7pm Thursday, 4 December 2025
Titirangi Theatre, Lopdell House, 418 Titirangi Rd
A world-first theatre production of a cookbook. How to Cook Your Life features a cast of 12 local actors telling their global food stories through song, poetry and cooking demos - to a backdrop of images and music.
Kai created by fairfood.org.nz. Licensed bar and preserves on sale from Shiloh Creative Life Trust.
Bookings essential. Book online now or pickup free tickets at Titirangi Pharmacy.
This Community event is sponsored by:
