Hi, I’m Marcea
Practising Life Coach (Psychotherapist) and an integrative Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Nutrition and Lifestyle Practitioner
I’m a Professional Chef, Cooking Teacher, Nutritionist, Life Coach, and Psychotherapist with a lifelong passion for health and wholistic living.
For more than thirty years, I’ve taught in the United States, London, and Australia, guiding people to cook, eat, and share food in alignment with the seasons.
My approach brings together seasonal organic wholefoods, fermentation, pickling, a holistic, balanced way of eating, and the latest evidence-based nutritional science.
The result is a cooking philosophy that’s simple, nourishing, and delicious — designed to support gut health, balance, wellness, and vitality. Because when the gut is thriving, the whole body follows: improved digestion, stronger immunity, steadier energy, and even clearer mental health. A healthy gut supports the gut–brain connection, helping to reduce stress and anxiety while promoting emotional balance and overall wellbeing.
My Books and Philosophy
The author of eight books, Marcea has also contributed to leading publications such as having her own column in The Sydney Morning Herald, Wellbeing Magazine, and Nature & Health Magazine, and has shared her expertise on SBS and ABC TV and Radio.
“I’ve authored eight books published across the U.S., England, Japan, and Australia, each exploring the connection between food and wellbeing. My early works, The Sweet Life and Naturally Sweet and Sugar-Free, were among the first cookbooks to eliminate refined sugar and processed ingredients — proving healthy desserts can still taste delicious”
Books like The Australian Book of Wholemeals and Wholemeals celebrate global plant-based cuisines and showcase how alternative proteins can create balanced, satisfying meals at every stage of life. Meanwhile, Macrobiotics and Beyond draws from my love of Japanese plant-based cuisine and the macrobiotic philosophy, encouraging people to live in harmony with nature through seasonal eating.
“My most recent titles, Natural Health and Healing for Children and The Encyclopedia of Natural Health and Healing, explore the importance of nutrition and natural medicine during the first thousand days of a child’s life — a critical time for brain development and lifelong vitality”.
My vision as a teacher is to empower people to create healthy habits through their food choices.
In my classes and workshops, students learn how to use spices, herbs, grains, beans, ferments, and plant-based proteins to craft meals that are both nourishing and full of flavour. Whether you’re short on time, looking to add more plant-based meals to your diet, or wanting to reconnect with food’s natural rhythm, my courses offer practical inspiration for every kitchen.
My passion for wholistic living began from personal experience. As a child, I struggled with recurring illness and later faced fertility challenges for over 15 years. Turning away from conventional medicine, I sought alternative paths — working with a Chinese herbalist, embracing organic plant-based foods, fermentation, yoga, and meditation. These lifestyle changes transformed my health — and ultimately led to two natural births at the ages of 41 and 46.
Today, I continue to share these lessons through my books, classes, and coaching — helping others discover that food is not just nourishment, but a powerful tool for healing, balance, and joy.
Testimonials:
I really enjoyed the small group and interactions throughout the course. It had the right amount of hands-on cooking, plus tutoring from Marcea. I enjoyed the canapes and fermented drinks that we all enjoyed. (Sydney Community College)
Festive Ferments Course
I really enjoy my fermenting class with Marcea! She is so knowledgable and has years of experience and understands the fine detail involved.
Fermenting & Pickling for the Seasons Course
Great tutor – she was very clear. also was great to have it at home – we were able to sign up when we never would have committed to an in-person class. please keep a range of online classes available. Sydney Community College – online
How to Make Vegetarian Dumplings
Marcea was a great teacher, very generous with her time and expertise in teaching us about fermenting foods.
The ingredients provided were fresh and had great variety to cater for different tastes.
Fermenting & Pickling for the Seasons Course