Showing posts with label Books/Media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books/Media. Show all posts
MASTER CLEANSE ME
A cleanse is not something that should be done on a whim and I learned that there is A LOT of physical and mental planning that goes into the process. Besides making sure that you buy top notch, organic ingredients, it is recommended that you wean yourself off caffeine, chocolate, medications, and meat a week before you start. In addition, you must mentally prepare for the “withdrawal-like” symptoms that you will probably endure during the ten days of cleansing. The more toxic your body is before you start, the more likely you will have a rough experience. And by rough, I mean there is a strong chance you might just quit. Some possible cleansing symptoms are headaches, hunger, nausea, acne, aches, body odor, bad breath, and cold sores. Sounds like fun, right?
You are probably wondering why on earth anyone would ever want to subject themselves to such a painful process. Well, despite the outwardly awful side effects there is actually a lot of lure surrounding the benefits of the good ole Master Cleanse. The cleanse promises to “increase energy, balance your body’s pH, reduce swelling, alleviate allergies, flush the colon, improve skin and hair, rid the body of parasites" and of course help you lose weight. In the book there are tons of testimonials that go as far as people ridding their bodies of life-threatening diseases.
You might also be wondering if subsisting on a lemonade beverage for ten days is safe. According to the book and the endless testimonials in it, it is safe. The lemonade drink consists of fresh squeezed lemon juice, grade-B maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and good water. The maple syrup will be supplying the bulk of vitamins and minerals, as well as the energy you need to make it through the day. The lemon juice and cayenne (which also contain vitamins) will be acting to purify and detoxify your body and organs. The two together stimulate a natural cleansing process, ridding the body of toxins and excess mucus. It’s gross, but it’s true.
It is recommended that you stay on the program no less than 10 days to ensure a proper cleaning of your body. If you were to end halfway through the process it would be incomplete and all benefits would likely be negated. Some people stay on the plan even longer. I read about some people remaining on the diet for more than 30 days! When the full 10 days are over, there is a 3-day re-introductory phase to food, which involves drinking orange juice and vegetable broth. Also sounds like fun, but I bet these foods taste absolutely heavenly after 10 days of the cayenne pepper lemonade.
In the time that I have been reading this book, I have managed to recruit a partner in crime. Jimmy will be joining me on the cleanse, which we plan to start on January 25th. He is training for the Boston Marathon, and he hopes that the cleanse will jump start his body into full on marathon mode. There is a lot of prep work that we need to do, for instance, we do not have a juicer! I was thinking a manual lemonade juicing utensil might do the trick, but I need to do more research. I also need to make sure the pH of my Brita-filtered water is appropriate, and stock up on organic lemons, maple syrup, cayenne pepper and herbal laxatives. Yup, the diet calls for herbal laxatives. It will be one interesting experience! I promise to keep you posted on our progress starting January 25th!
The Holy Grail of Eating Guides
The dieting season has arrived and whether you are ready or not, prepare to be bombarded with infomercials, print ads, and book displays pushing new food fads and meal plans in your face. Afterall, there is no better time than the beginning of the year to start a fresh. A new year, a new you, right? Well, it certainly is the best time of year for the diet industry and author's alike to reap the benefits of the "new year, new you" philosophy.
I was in BORDER'S this morning and I was absolutely horrified by the sea of brightly colored books flashing the same message in various fonts and titles. I instantly felt sad for the average American looking for a new year's diet plan. Are we just viewed as a bunch of suckers in need of a new diet book to set us straight on the road to health? It is true that as Americans we have lost our way with food, and now we must be told what to eat in order to lose weight and be healthy. And it is sad to say that just looking at the busy BORDER'S book display only contributes to the confusion around food and eating.
So luckily, after perusing the display after several minutes, my eyes fell upon a small and simple book, a copy of Michael Pollan's latest writing Food Rules: An Eater's Manual. Michael Pollan's name was enough for me to reach for the final copy. I knew before reading the back of the book or flipping through the pages that I would buy it. Let's get serious...Michael Pollan books are like the holy grail of eating. After reading In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma, I know what to expect -- books that are not flashy, but simple in design and writing that is intelligent, direct and witty.
Food Rules highlights 64 rules around eating and along the way brings us back to the basics, simplifying what has become a complex world of food. Pollan doesn't tell you what to eat or how to eat, but he makes suggestions that you will want to follow rather than feel forced to follow. For instance, rule #36 says, "Don't eat breakfast cereals that change the color of the milk," and #51 says, "Spend as much time enjoying the meal as it took to prepare it."
I genuinely believe that Food Rules will help alleviate any anxiety surrounding a new year's eating resolution. It will remind you of what you should already know about food. So as we enter 2010, if it is just a little guidance that you are looking for this book will set you straight, feeding you full of priceless advice that will last a lifetime.
FAT! SO? -- Questions, Concerns, Comments Anyone??
Happy Monday everyone! I read an article in the Sunday Times yesterday that struck a chord of concern within me. The short article was about a new book out on the shelves by Marilyn Wann called "Fat! So? " The headline under the title states "because you don't have to apologize for your size." True, you do not have to apologize for you size...big or small. Obesity and health are subjects that should not be dismissed and the title of the book Fat! So? does just that. Wouldn't it be just as acceptable to write a book and title it Anorexic! So? Since I have not read the book I will stop typing now. I am liable to say something very stupid about a potentially wonderful and inspiring tale on how to be healthy and happy regardless of size -- something that I fully support. I think the book's cover design is awesome by the way!
Check out the website: www.fatso.com
FRESH FOOD and CLEAN PLATES
On Tuesday night I went to a screening of the new documentary film FRESH at Lincoln Center. This short flick is all about the sustainability of our food system and what we can do to become part of the movement. The film was directed by Ana Sofia Joanes and had onscreen interviews with the one and only Michael Pollan (The Omnivores Dilemma, In Defense of Food) and the feisty sustainable farmer Joel Salatin, whose southern perkiness brings in some welcomed humor. FRESH is to the point, educational and enlightening. I have seen and read some horrifying descriptions of the food industry, which thankfully FRESH spares from our eyes. This movie exposes us to the negative impact the over-productive food industry has on our environment and its future, while allowing us to see the possibility of change. I highly recommend this film for anyone, especially those that are interested in eating foods that better support our bodies and the environment. Sadly, I had to opt out of the wine and cheese reception afterward to make my train. But on my way out I was able to grab a copy of the book Clean Plates N.Y.C!!
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