Ever wonder where your food comes from? Wonder how much fuel is being used to get your food to the store? I know I did. Even if you don't, do you enjoy an informative, good read? Check out the Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan.
I'm not going to lie, there were parts that were a bit hard to handle. I had a feeling that would be the case so I purposefully read the version meant for children. But, there is an adult version that I plan on reading soon.
If I still ate meat then this book would probably change that. Honestly though, this changes the way look at both your meat and your veggies.
Are your organics hurting the environment more that they are helping? Is that cage free chicken REALLY roaming free? How much corn is actually in your diet? {hint: it's probably a lot more than you think.}
Do you know why sushi is served with wasabi?
Answer: Because wasabi kills the bacteria that is potentially living on the fish.
I love sitting outside reading in the fall. The weather in October is perfect for curling up on the porch swing and working your way through a good book. This is a perfect sit outside read.
Next book on the Kindle is Vegan Before 6 by Mark Bittman.
Time for another book review.
This time it's My Beef With Meat by Rip Esselstyn.
The thing I love about Rip's books (his first one was The Engine 2 Diet) is that he doesn't really go into the ETHICAL reasons behind veganism. Heck, he doesn't even call it veganism. He uses the term "plant-strong." We all know the ethical reasons behind veganism. And I will not refuse to go into them here. But, alot of people do not understand the health risks, diseases, and complications associated with eating meat.
The first half of the book is all about nutrition. He has chapters dedicated to things like, protein, B12, and iron. He also talks about vegan athletes, vegan kids, weight loss, poop and *gasp* sex.
The second half is the recipes. 140 total. They all follow these guidelines:
- They are plant-strong! One hundred percent plant based, they contain no animal products or by-products.
- They contain no added extracted oils.
- They used little to no salt.
- They use minimally processed sweeteners (predominately pure maple syrup or dates)
- They are simple and easy to prepare.
Since I cannot have fat and I am prediabetic (which means I have cut out 99% of my sugar) these recipes are perfect for me.
They recipes are broken up into the normal subcategories, breakfast, sides and appetizers, pizza & flatbreads, sandwiches, etc. But he also dedicates whole chapters to hummus, salads and tacos! Most chapters have around 10 recipes.
I seriously can't wait to test out some of the recipes. Keep watching the blog for them! And if you can't wait for me then you can click the links below to either buy the book from Amazon or, check out the Engine 2 Diet webpage. They have some great recipes on there.
I have another book loaded on my Kindle just waiting to be reviewed for you!!
Amazon.com
Engine 2 Diet
As I've mentioned before, I enjoy reading diet and weight-loss books. While on vacation I finished Slim For Life by Jillian Michaels.
This book is set up in a (in my opinion) unique way. Each tip is assigned a point value, either 3, 2, or 1. 3 pointers are the most important, the ones you should definitely do. 1 pointers are important but not really imperative to your weightloss.
At the end of each chapter you add up your points then, when you add up all your chapter totals at the end of the book she ytells you what your score means.
Here are a few tips from the book that I thought were interesting.
- People who eat appetizers with hot sauce eat 200 fewer calories tyhen people who don't.
- Laughing reduces cortisol and epinephrine levels (fattening hormones) and increases endorphins and neurotransmitters (stress-busting hormones)
- Sex burns approximately 200 calories per 30 minutes
- Standing burns 1.5x more calories than sitting
- A person who fidgets burns 250 more calories a day
- Bloat busting foods: Coconut water, bananas, papaya, yogurt, lima beans, cataloupe, and beets
I would highly reccommend this book. Even if you don't need to lose weight there's some helpful hints for keeping the weight off.
So you can either order this book from Amazon (the link is listed below) or check it out from your local library.
Buy it on Amazon: Slim for Life by Jillian Michaels
I love reading diet books. Even though I don't need to lose weight I still read them from cover to cover. Why? For a number of reasons.
1) It's a subject that interests me
It's the same reason my dad reads war novels or my sister reads science fiction
2) Validation that I'm doing things right.
Don't you like it when the doctor tells you your health is good or the dentist says you have no cavities?
3) New ideas.
I read cookbooks for new recipes. Some people read style magazines to find a new look. I read health and fitness books to get some new ideas to keep my weight off.
I finished the book, The Skinny Rules by Bob Harper (of The Biggest Loser) last nite. This book is really great for someone who is just starting out. It was also good for someone like me because it gives you a few new tips and tells you WHY you're doing some of the things you do (or should be doing.)
Bob lays it out in 20 simple, straightforward rules. These are are meant to help you be successful on your health journey. They range from "Don't drink your calories" (number 2) to "Go to bed hungry" (number 18). [That one sounds alot worse then it really is] Number 18 is actually about what time you eat in relation to the time you go to bed.
I would definitely recommend checking this book out of your local library if you don't want to buy it.
Skinny Rules on Amazon
Bob Harper's Official Page
I mean seriously, if Bob Harper, a man who has helped 100's of people lose 1000's of pounds doesn't have a set of "rules" that work then there's not chance in Hell for anyone else. Next on my list of books? Unlimited and Master Your Metabolism both by Jillian Michaels.
