My Beautiful Life: How Macrobiotics Brought Me from Cancer to Radiant Health

Along the way, Mina passed from cancer victim to cancer survivor, from patient to healer, from student to teacher. Born and having lived in former Yugoslavia for over 40 years, today she is one of the leading macrobiotic cooks and counselors on the West Coast of the USA, inspiring many others with her wisdom, love and compassion.

Thanks to the Dobics and many other families around the world, macrobiotics is beginning to enter the mainstream and influence the course of modern society.

Despite notable strides by the medical research community introducing newly developed therapies and medications, every 15 seconds someone is diagnosed with heart disease or cancer. At the turn of the century cancer affected one out of twenty-seven people. By 1950, the rate had leaped to one in eight; and by 1985, official estimates were that one out of three people would develop the disease.

If cancer continues increasing at this rate, by the year 2000, every other person could ultimately develop it. By the year 2020, cancer could strike four out of five people and, soon thereafter, virtually everyone!

This book tells how to recover from cancer and, better yet, how to prevent it through diet and a simple lifestyle. It explains the philosophy of living in balance with nature. It reminds us how we humans, with our emphasis on fixing things and arrogance of improving on nature, have brought ourselves and other species to the verge of extinction.

This book is about something which is missing in this present world. It is about love, about the real purpose of life which is to nurture and celebrate ourselves, other creatures, the earth, and the Universe which gave us life. It gives us hope for humankind and for the world.

For Mina, these pressures accumulated to the point that in 1987 she was diagnosed with fourth stage (terminal) ovarian cancer metastasized throughout her body. But this courageous woman was not about to surrender her life to outside influences.

Her spirit rebelled against doctors judging she had "two months to live". How could anyone else know the strength of her heart? Of her soul? How could they know the depth of her passion for life and desire to care for her family?

With the help of a doctor friend knowledgeable about the importance of a balanced and nourishing diet, Mina took matters into her own hands. Undergirded by the loving support of family and friends, she faithfully followed the instructions of Michio Kushi, a leading macrobiotic healer. In six months she was pronounced cancer-free!

I liked this book because it testifies to the miraculous healing powers of our human bodies and the Universe which created us. Her story assures us that cancer need not be a sentence of premature death. I found very helpful the details of her daily routine and recipes that restored her health. Reading it can help prevent cancer. It is a beautiful gift for anyone struggling to overcome this life-threatening disease.


Wonderful Story About a Courageous Woman!   April 6, 2000
Sue Layel (Tallahassee, FL)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful

It is a heartwarming story of a courageous woman and her fight with ovarian cancer. She was given 2 months to live-she has survived 12 years. She was introduced to Michio Kushi's and his macrobiotic diet. She simplified her lifestyle and adopted Kushi's macrobiotic diet. Mina has become cancer free and her healing advice has helped many others. This book gives us an insightful way to look upon any health challenge!


Life Changing...   March 20, 2006
Marcia E. Ward (St. Paris, Ohio)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

Mina Dobic's book, My Beautiful Life, inspired me to visit the Kushi Institue in Becket, Massachusetts, and pursue an IMA degree in Complementary Health Education at Antioch McGregor University in Yellow Springs, Ohio. A high school Human Anatomy and Physiology teacher and currently director of a charter conversion school in Ohio, I believe this book has changed not only my life...but lives of hundreds of my students, friends, and professional peers.
I first read a brief description of the book in a catalog. Intrigued, I ordered it and could not stop reading...underlining..highlighting! Knowing full well that the homeostatis of the body is dependent on the health of each and every cell, Mrs. Dobic's description of her cancer, her fight, her flight to Brookline, Massachusets to consult with Michio Kushi, and her eventual victory over disease made excellent sense. I was overwhelmed with the hope...and the power one must claim to take control of their own health.
I am currently teaching a macrobioitc class and have suggested to all of my students that they must read this inspiring, hope-filled story of a brave, strong Yugoslavian woman who did more than beat the odds...she created an entirely new lifestyle for herself and her family. I would be honored to someday meet Mrs. Dobic...and sample one of her macro pies!
Her inspiring story has caused many of my students to take a long, hard look at what they are feeding their cells...and believe me,they are often just plain shocked! Healthy, wholesome eating is a choice...select whole, organic grains,vegetables, temperate fruits (if you live in Ohio), and drink your organic tea! Slow your life down...sing a song daily...walk barefoot in the grass...stop chasing the dream...and begin living it. Read My Beautiful Life and you will feel empowered to do so! Marcia Balmut Ward, Director - Graham Digital Academy, Graham Local Schools, St. Paris, Ohio



Fabulous book   April 10, 2007
Michelle Woods (LA, CA)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful

My beautiful life is a fabulous book. Very powerful, inspirational, and motivating. Mina Dobic is a very powerful healer and has has helped numerous people transition to a macrobiotic lifestyle.


Ridiculous, unverifiable claims   February 18, 2007
Janine Grady (New York, NY, USA)
2 out of 6 found this review helpful

None of these methods are scientifically proven or even tested. All we have to go on are the dubious testimonies of people claiming that they cured stage 4 cancer with some seaweed.
I urge anyone who is in a dire health situation to reconsider the advice of charlatans.