Nutrition Books

This book really helped to change my life. Dino offers such wonderful advice and encouragement on how to loose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is not about a diet or eliminating a food group. It is about a lifestyle change. SO much of what I learned when reading this more than a year ago, I use on a weekly basis. This book teaches that we don't have to be a slave to diets or fads and we can have the foods that we want when we factor them into balanced eating.

The book was very informative and insightful.

I like the book and it came in a very timely manner. I'm a very satisfied customer.

I found this book so appealing and refreshing, candid and inspiring. Mr. Nowak tells the truth that diet pill companies do not. He also hits on how the spiritual connects with the physical and how to balance them out in proper perspective. A great book for anyone wanting to have true weight loss at any age along with so many exercises you can do at home. Definitely a must read for anyone out there who has tried everything else and it hasn't worked. Let this book take you step by step on a 40 day journey to true weight loss while teaching you to love yourself at the same time. Definitely a keeper!

Clear explaination. Kind encouragement. At 62 and very overweight and under exercised and after many attempts to loose and get fit, I happended to hear an interview with the author and believed that he was genuine and that he had a real plan that might work. The book did not disappoint. It is not just for "beautiful" people or the young. Mind, body, and spirit are all addressed. I'm daring to hope again.

Finally a book on health and fitness that makes sense has been published. As a person who has struggled with overweight since childhood, I am rejoicing in a resource that not only makes sense but one that deals with the issue right where I live. At 54 years of age, I have probably lost and gained hundreds of pounds in my lifetime. As a fat teen and young adult I followed every diet that came along ... fad and legitimate ... always to the ultimate end of failure and discouragement. After years of one new diet or exercise regiem after another, I finally reconciled myself to the idea that I was pretty much going to be overweight for life.

Finding THE FINAL MAKEOVER by Dino Nowak, changed all of that for me. For the first time in my life I am following a program that a real person can follow and actually see results. Dino makes no claims in his book that cannot be proven out by simply following them and applying. There are no "silver bullets" in this program. It is simply one of commitment to discipline and hard work. Following the program outlined in FINAL MAKEOVER probably won't turn me into a magazine cover model. After following Dino's program for two months now I can say that I feel healthier and more energized than I have ever felt in my life. I am rarely if ever hungry. Following his simple instructions I simply eat when I am hungry, and do so in quantities that are appropriate to my fitness goals. My blood pressure has lowered sufficiently so that my physician has reduced my HBP meds for the first time in 10 years.

I have lost 20 pounds and have lost two pants sizes. I am seeing fat being replaced by solid muscle mass. In short, every day is bringing changes that encourage and inspire me to look toward a better day of fitness tomorrow.

Finally as a Christian, I am thrilled to have found someone who makes fitness a process through which the God I love is proclaimed and glorified.
It's not ALL about me, but the better I am for me, the greater I can function for Him! Fortunately God has blessed me with better health than I deserve, and certainly better than I have earned. Finding a Christian fitness professional who FIRST gives God all the glory and then shows me honestly how I can make my physical body the tool that God designed it to be, thrills my heart and motivates me to be my best. If in the process I can feel and look better than I ever have in my life, SO MUCH THE BETTER!!!!!
And as I joked with by best friend, "Maybe I'll never have a six-pack. BUT, maybe I will! Wouldn't that be a hoot!"

Kudos and thanks eternally to Dino for what he has done!

A good book for beginners to the world of food allergies. Otherwise too basic with little new information.

Finally a book that gives me all the answers and then some. I checked this book out of the library, but will purchase my own to keep. The information is invaluable!

This book was easy to understand, practical and informative. I've read several books about food allergies at this point, and food allergies for dummies is the one I found to be most helpful. If you or a family member have just been diagnosed and you've looking for information. I'd definitely recommend it.

Just started reading but love this book already. Must read for those with food allergies or parents of kids with food allergies. Well worth the money.

As a grandmother of an almost 3 year old grandson, with a severe peanut/tree nut allergy, I found this book great...but sadly, not complete. What is missing? Information about products, other than food, that can cause an alergic reaction. Products, for instance, like bean bag chairs stuffed with peanut shells; certain craft items, like paint or Moon Sand, made with peanut/tree nut oils. All are dangerous and can cause a reaction by contact. To keep him as safe as possible, I DON'T BUY ANYTHING UNLESS IT HAS A CUSTOMER CARE PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THE LABEL. Everything he eats or comes in contact with must be checked and double checked!! Hope this helps others with the same difficulty.

Gail Sangregorio

Food is such an integral dynamic of our lives that we should all at least consider its impact on our bodies. In a modern age of fast food, uninhibited consumption and the cosmetic manipulation of basic commodities we truly need to reflect and refresh our blitzed minds with regard to what is truly good and that which is actually causing us considerable harm.

Ann Marie Colbin does this with methodical and systematic gusto. From the basics of living systems, the inherent energy fields and forces in foods, balance, quality and quantity, and to modern diets, wholeness, food preparation, diets, and food as medicine. Importantly, she concludes that we can employ our natural wisdom of foods to bring a valuable balance between our mind, body and spirit.

Food and healing is a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between good health and the quality of our consumption. This book is one amongst many in a new wave of scientific and natural dietetics that correctly identifies the source of many modern illnesses with the food that we eat. Colbin is objective and knowledgeable in her approach and advice, and I cannot recommend this book enough. Much of the information she offers is of a practical nature, and her seven criteria for food selection is a good example to follow; buy food that is 1)whole, 2)fresh, natural, real, organic, 3)seasonal, harmonic, 4)locally grown, 5)traditional, native, 6)balanced, nutritious, 7)delicious.

Bon appetit!

This book is incredible. I liked it so much I bought a copy for my mom and a friend. So much information, yet still easy to comprehend. Understanding why we crave certain things, learning to listen to your body, and learning how to eat in a way that is enjoyable AND health supportive. Great book, I highly recomend it.

When I first borrowed this book from my acupuncturist/naturopath, I didn't think I'd ever actually get through it. But what I found was that I ended up reading it like a novel -- fascinated to learn about foods the way she presented it.

For example -- it really helped me to undertand the effects of sugar in a new way. Sugar in small amounts creates individuation and sugar in large amounts creates alientation. Also, Americans eat about 20 times more sugar than we did 100 years ago, and the average juvenile delinquent does 40 times more. And when the juvenile delinquents had sugar removed from their diet and replaced with fruits and vegges, they violence reduced and they began falling into the range of normal.

I used to keep it in my cube at work, and refer to it to offer suggestions to handling ailments. One time a guy at work cancelled an appointment because of a migraine. So when he made it in a few days later, we went through the book to see the cause an found some foods he had eaten a day or so before the migraine. He came to me 9 months later and said he had not had a migraine since.

This book provides a great model for understanding how diet can be used to help balance us from a physical, mental and emotional perspective.

Thanks Dr. Colbin!

I just borrowed this book from a friend, and Colbin covers everything--there were several pages I xeroxed before returning it. It doesn't propose any specific philosophy, rather it evaluates the effects of different foods on the body. She incorporates Chinese and ayurvedic philosophy also and details macrobiotics. I am vegan, and I especially recommend it for vegetarians since it explains how to balance your diet, making sure you get enough calcium and the essential B12. Colbin emphasizes all-natural foods and listening to your body. I'm gonna buy a copy when I get back to the states. Enjoy!

This remains one of my favorite books on eating for health. Annemarie offers sensible, and do-able guidelines, not rules, and a lot of information to mull over.
I go back to this book over, and over again.
I also recommend her cookbooks. Healthy, delicious, easy to make dishes, with
simple ingredients.

I couldn`t imagine a book on the subject of food combining being more comprehensive and at the same time a quick, easy read! I love this little book-my whole family has read it and is now doing food combining! I`ve lost a few pounds although that was not my mail motivation; I totally recommend this to anyone interested in the subject!! M Murphy

Now that I have read this book I know how to properly order a cheeseburger so that I don't upset the balance of my stomache. I feel confident in knowing what I can eat, with what and when. This was alot easier to understand than any of the Suzanne Sommers books.The book wasn't filled with recipes for the rich and famous.I enjoyed this book and will pass it along to other friends who are still eating those Cheeseburgers loaded with everything and supersized fries.

This book is very helpful in redefining the Food Combining rules that Marilu Henner talks about in her books. After reading all of Henner's books, I still had some additional questions about how to properly food combine. This book was a tremendous help. Plus, it is short, sweet, and to the point. Excellent book.

Every book I have ever bought that refered to food combining contained hundreds of pages of small print. Not very inviting and difficult to read and understand. This book clarifies and explains the simple rationals and concepts. I'm trying to give this way of eating a good try, but I do not want to pull out a book that looks like War and Peace every time I eat something. This is so easy to refer to and transport around with me, until I know what I am doing.

Who knew beer was a starch? Not me! Like many of the other reviewers, I came into food combining through the Marilu Henner, Total Health Makeover plan. Marilu's books are great but they don't provide enough detail about classifying produce. For instance, I wanted to eat a sweet potato with a protein and checked Marilu's book to make sure that sweet potatoes were veggies. Sweet potatoes? Not listed. I originally ordered Kathryn Marsden's book to fill in the gaps for the missing food items but wound up learning more than just how to classify produce. In addition to including and classifying every fruit or veggie known to man, it's also small enough that I can carry it in my purse for quick reference in restaurants. Now, I know not to drink beer with fish.

...and in case you're wondering, sweet potatoes are starches!

Written by a cardiologist and dietician couple. This is not a cookbook as some would guess by the title, but a guide to living a heart-healthy lifestyle. This is well written and very easy reading. It covers all aspects from a potitive attitude, sense of humor, fat Vs.carb issues, omega 3's, etc. I particularly liked how this is a common-sense approach to healthy living, and not another fad-diet that we're all so sick of hearing about. Thanks to Cardio Consultants in KC-Mo for turning me on to this book!

The Forever Young Diet and Lifestyle is easy to read and has a lot of logical advice on how to stay fit. It covers a lot of different aspects to life and diet. It was recommended to me by my doctor. Using the advice, I lowered my cholesterol by 10% and increase the good to bad cholesterol ratio. It also helped me shed fat while building muscle mass.

A must read for anyone wanting to maintain a healthy (but easy-to-do) lifestyle and maintain heart-health.

Read this book. Change your life. The content is NOT a lose weight fast plan. It's not really a "diet" book. It will change how you look at what you (and those you care about) eat. I've met the authors. They have the credentials and no agenda other than to share their knowledge of how a healthy lifestyle is easily achievable. Based on the knowledge gained from reading this book I've changed how and what I eat, lowered my cholesterol, increased my energy, lost the 25 pounds I needed to lose and have kept it off for over a year.

My husband is a diabetic. He had a recent doctor's appt., and his doctor had talked about how he lost 35 pounds and it wasn't that hard . . . just basically a change of diet (healthy), along with advice via this book. Well, my husband was about 20 lbs. overweight, and complained that he was getting flabby, so he asked me to order this book. I did, and he would read a chapter or two at a time. He would ask me, "Did you know how good green tea is for you?" I would say "yes." Did you know that nuts from a tree are very good for you?? I would say, "yes." "Did you know that for every 100 calories in grains (cereals and breads,etc.), that you need to have 3 grams of fiber?" Yes. I have read Prevention magazine for years, and was always interested in health and medical topics, so those little tidbits of info were not new to me. ANyway, for a guy who NEVER reads anything except HUNTING magazines, I was amazed that he actually read this book. To keep his attention, it has to be written in an easy-to-read-and-understand style, or he would be tossing it out the door! He says it is very good, and he HAS INDEED changed his eating habits. He is definitely more knowledgeable!!! I would recommend it!

From the Orange County Register
July 7, 2006

by Judy Bart Kancigor, author of Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family

When I was growing up I lived for the movies. I devoured Photoplay magazine from cover to cover and daydreamed I would meet my idols like Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter. Well, Rock is long gone, but who knew that decades later I'd be eye to eye with Tab still gorgeous after all these years.

I attended the LA Times Festival of Books at UCLA in April mainly for the food demonstrations at the cooking stage, but it's a huge venue, and just about everyone hawking a new book was there, including Tab, signing his memoir for adoring fans.

Back at the cooking stage, Akasha Richmond, private chef and caterer to the stars, was dishing some Hollywood trivia herself as she demonstrated recipes from her new cookbook, "Hollywood Dish," a collection of 150 health-filled recipes interspersed with fascinating tidbits and Hollywood gossip.

Richmond's client list includes such A-list luminaries as Michael Jackson, Carrie Fisher, Al Pacino, Pierce Brosnan and Richard Gere. When Billy Bob Thornton wanted a wheat-free, dairy-free Thanksgiving dinner, he called Richmond, who began her career in the late seventies as chef of the Golden Temple, one of LA's first vegetarian restaurants. When celebrities started clamoring for her healthy menus, she began catering Hollywood parties and became personal chef to Barbra Streisand among others, later moving on to cook for the MTV awards shows, Sundance Film Festival and the Grammies.

Richmond is passionate about using healthy and organic ingredients to produce such tempting dishes as Thai Chicken and Daikon Curry, Almond Eggplant Balls, even her spectacular Sundance Chocolate Torte, her "wheat-free, soy-enhanced version" of Alice Medrich's Chocolate Walnut Torte. "I'm allergic to dairy, so I use soy milk in everything," she revealed. "The only thing I can't do with it is flan." The book does, however, offer a Honey-Goat's Milk Flan from famed spa, Rancho La Puerta, which began, she reports, as a $17.50-per-week retreat where guests brought their own tents and helped with the cooking, going on to become the exclusive getaway it is today.

"Hollywood Dish" is so much more than a collection of recipes. Richmond chronicles the history of healthful eating in America, interweaving stories of old Hollywood and the food preferences of stars from Gloria Swanson (she carried avocadoes in her handbag) to Woody Harrelson (a raw-food proponent) to Rudy Vallee, whose penchant for frozen strawberry daiquiris helped put the Waring blender on the map.

Hollywood embraced healthy eating, and the nation soon followed, Richmond noted. "At the turn of the century Germans from the communes, who were into eating healthy foods, came to California for the cheap land, abundant fruit and sunshine," she said. "They started teaching here and opened juice bars in the movie studios. The movie business came to Hollywood at the same time the health food business did."

One of Richmond's favorite appetizers is adapted from the pimento cheese sandwiches Billy Bob Thornton whipped up one year for the kitchen crew when Richmond was catering his Christmas party. She likes to cut them in quarters and serve them with a cream of tomato dip. "I made these for Frank Zapper's wedding," she said. "Everywhere I go I make these sandwiches. They're the friendliest little sandwiches I've ever seen."

PIMENTO CHEESE BITES
From "Hollywood Dish" (Avery) by Akasha Richmond

1 cup grated soy cheddar cheese or cheese of your choice
2 tablespoons vegan or light mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1/4 cup diced pimentos, drained
1 tablespoon chopped green olives
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
6 slices spelt, whole wheat or sourdough bread
Canola cooking spray
1 tablespoon nonhydrogenated soy spread or olive oil

Mix cheese, mayonnaise, green onion, pimento, olives, salt, pepper and red pepper sauce in a small bowl. Divide equally among 3 slices bread and top with remaining bread slices. Heat 10- or 12-inch nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray. Add soy spread. Brown on both sides, adding more spray or soy spread as you go along. Cut into quarters and serve.

I was very pleased with how this book flowed. There are great stories of old and new hollywood and the recipes are easy to follow, and there is not one that I have not enjoyed. If I had to pick which recipe I loved the most it would have to be the CINNAMON-RAISIN BREAD, it is just outstanding and no one in your family would be the wiser that they actually are eating healthy. A must buy for anyone!!!

Years ago Akasha Richmond won my heart with The Art Of Tofu. This time she has taken me to a whole new level. Hollywood Dish is a gem. The recipes are inventive yet easy and fun to make. The Vegan Carrot Cake tastes better than the real thing, the Kombucha Squash soup, warm and soothing and the historical stories and anecdotes are so much fun. This is the perfect gift for any foodie or novice alike.
Hats off to Akasha. Hollywood Dish is the real thing.

I loved this book! You don't even need to cook to enjoy it -- the stories and sidebars are a delightful read just by themselves. And if you do cook -- WOW! the recipes are different without being strange, with interesting twists on some standards, and some great new ideas, and all of them are healthy and yet sound utterly delicious. I've already done a dozen or so recipes, and every one was a huge hit. I have a lot of cookbooks, but this one instantly became one of my favorites. DOn't miss it!

Delicious, for the most part, but healthy? How does a book that purports to be healthy provide zero nutritional information (i.e., actual nutrient counts)? We're given none at all, so we're simply supposed to trust Ms. Richmond, but I would have far preferred nutritional information to the endless(!) celebrity name dropping.

This is an excellent book. This can be considered a companion to Watchman Nee's "The Spiritual Man", but it can be read without having read the former. The pictures in the book are EXTREMELY helpful for understanding the concepts taught. The pictures alone are worth the price of the book.

This book will help you explore many Scriptural truths that you may not have thought about before. The main purpose is to walk by the Spirit to fulfill God's purpose in the universe. We do this as individual Christians and corporately as the church.

As noted above, this is a sequel of sorts to "The Spiritual Man". Watchman Nee wrote "The Spiritual Man" early in his life, and--though it is an excellent book--it falls short in its view on spiritual warfare, basically teaching that spiritual warfare is an individual matter. Mr. Nee gained a deeper understanding later in his life to see that spiritual warfare is a matter of the Body, the church. Witness Lee worked closely with Watchman Nee and gained from his matured insight, so in many ways "The Economy of God" is better and more Biblical than "The Spiritual Man". ("The Economy of God" was written almost 40 years after "The Spiritual Man".)

The only shortcoming of the book is that it often tends to take it for granted that the reader will already agree with the author, and Mr. Lee does not always take the time to adequately explain his position. He gives very general Scriptural support for what he says about the spirit, soul, and body. And he barely explains what he means by the word "economy". (These omissions are forgivable if the reader will keep in mind that this book is a transcription of spoken messages given to people who were likely familiar with Watchman Nee's writings.)

[...]

And if you have difficulty understanding what Mr. Lee is saying about the spirit, soul, and body, you might want to read the first half of Watchman Nee's "The Spiritual Man", which goes much further into the Scriptural basis for the teachings on the tripartite man. Reading these two books together should give you a very comprehensive look at the way God created man and the way He works within the believer.

It may take a little work to fully grasp the depths of this book, but it is definitely worth it. The benefits to your relationship with God will be tremendous. And your usefulness to God in accomplishing His purpose on earth will increase sevenfold!

The Economy of God will give you the answers you seek about your purpose in life from God's perspective based on the Bible. If you are seeking the plan of God for your life, you have found it! Seek no more.

The book touches the highest administration in the whole universe - the administration of the triune God! Not like human administration that is politics-oriented, God's administration is life-oriented, which is to give God's divine life to those who need Him and want Him, through Jesus Christ. Witness Lee used 'economy' of God in stead of 'administration' of God just because the Greek word `economy' most characterizes God's life-driven administration.

Because of human's falling, the salvation has to be involved in God's administration. The very God had to become a man to die for man. Praise the Lord, His administration did not stop by His death. His resurrection and resurrection power have made this life-driven administration continue and even consummate in the New Jerusalem!

Now God's administration is exercised in the Church: "I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Mat 16:18) God needs His believers to participate in His divine economy on this earth, and to destroy Satan's kingdom and build up God's kingdom, which is the domain of His authority, His administration, and His divine life. "But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Mat 12:28)

I have never read any book like Economy of God that unveils God's heart's desire in such a deep and thorough way. The book is a must for those who have a pure heart to love and seek Christ, and want to participate in God's divine economy today on this earth.

The Economy of God will give you the answers you seek about your purpose in life from God's perspective based on the Bible. If you are seeking the plan of God for your life, you have found it! Seek no more.

This book does a wonderful job of expressing in simple terms - the heart of God. No other writer have I found who so intimately understands our Lord and presents his view in such a way that we come away encouraged and refreshed.

I bought this book for my overweight wife, after about a month the pounds are loosing the battle. She only questions the Doctors experience on this book, like how is the long term side effects.

Of the many diet/food/cookbooks I've read, this one gets my highest kudos!! It was easy to understand, easy to implement, and completely within reach of sustaining. The "magic foods" are not difficult to locate and can be found in your neighborhood supermarket. The book even allows for baby-steps into healthy eating. The principles explained within are sound not gimicky. Excellent Book!! Recommend it for everyone!!!

This book was hard to put down. It's written in very understand language and I have gotten a lot out of it. Very good explanation of the glycemic factor, and the food GL's numbers. This book is not for the real scientic minded person, this book is for the person that is looking for help in controlly blood sugars and possibly preventing diabetes in simple language. Diabetes is a very important subject, and I don't need techical data, I need help. If you like tech data, this book does give you directions of where to look if you want. I would highly recommend this book as a good stepping off point in the right direction

This was a helpful book about controlling ones sugar and I gave it a four only because it was after all a cook book. But it is a good one if you're looking to save yourself from going onto diabetic drugs, buy this book.

This book is divided into three distinct sections. The first provides a basic introduction to nutrition and healthy eating, with lots of practical tips and advice. The second describes some of the most commonly available "superfoods"--foods that have exceptional health value and are easy to incorporate into your diet. Fruits, vegetables, meats, grains, and fats are all represented, and there is a particular emphasis on foods that regular blood sugar (so it is especially helpful for those wanting to lose weight and/or treat or prevent diabetes). The third section offers easy recipes that feature these foods as starring ingredients, as well as some meal plan ideas to get you started.

PROS:
--The book is written and designed primarily for people who are "beginners" at healthy eating, so it is easy to read and practical.
--Many of the recipes are "remakes" of standard American fare, so this is a great book for you if you want to eat more healthily while still eating familiar, comfortable food.
-- With many vivid photographs and a colorful, dynamic layout, this book has immediate eye-appeal and is fun to flip through.
--The book is appropriate for everyone, but if you're trying to lose weight and/or control diabetes, it will be especially useful.

CAVEATS:
--If you already know a lot about nutrition, you may find the book a bit too simplistic. (Consider George Mateljan's "The World's Healthiest Foods" instead.)
--If you are interested in the recipes only, and not the nutritional info, then this book may not be worth the money. The recipes are good, but similar recipes can be found in most standard "healthy" cookbooks.

OVERALL: A well-designed and useful book, especially for those making a real lifestyle change to healthy eating for the first time. Fun to browse.

I like this book a lot. While the first half of the book may not be for everyone, I found that the background info there along with the refresher material on the type of fats, etc was good for me. I also liked the fact that the authors bolster what they say by scientific studies, all of which is documented should anyone want to investigate it further. The recipes (pgs 143-298) are straight forward. My only real criticism is I would have liked to have seen each recipe include caloric content with a breakdown of fats, cholesterol, sodium, protein, etc. The only other niggly I have is I was surprised to see recipes for soy hot dogs and burgers in a Mediterranean and Asian cookbook. I think these could have been safely omitted. Don't let these details sway you though. It is still a good book to have on the subject.

From: www.BasilAndSpice.com

Book Review: The Mediterrasian Way: A Cookbook and Guide to Health, Weight Loss, and Longevity, Combining the Best Features of Mediterranean and Asian Diets and Lifestyles

Authors Ric Watson and Trudy Thelander (Wiley '07)


Why is it that members of some specific cultures live long healthy lives? Seeking to answer this question, from Down Under comes a phenomenal first book by New Zealanders Ric Watson and Trudy Thelander--The Mediterrasian Way. It is a model of how to live healthily in the modern world using the time-tested cuisines and lifestyles of the Mediterraneans and Asians.

The Mediterrasian Way incorporates the most recent studies regarding nutrition, diet, exercise, and relaxation. Over 150 delicious recipes and beautiful photos of prepared dishes are included. A 14-day meal plan and the MediterrAsian.com website tie-in are also lifestyle change boosters.

Writing from his own experience, author Ric Watson explains how his tragic motorcycle accident altered his physical well being. The road to recovery was long and difficult, but by changing his diet from the standard meat and potatoes to traditional Mediterranean meals, he began to regain his health when doctors believed it was impossible.

The daughter of physicians, Trudy Thelander recalls her family relationship with her sister-in-law, a Chinese-Malaysian, who taught the author her own Asian cooking. Finding similarities between the two cultures, Ric and Trudy researched the basic elements of these 5,000 year old lifestyles. Both cultures include daily physical activity, a base diet of whole grain carbohydrates, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, olive or vegetable oils, and vegetables. Both consume daily water, tea, and wine in moderation.

Further cutting-edge scientific research cited in their groundbreaking book includes The Seven Countries Study, The China Study, The Lyon Diet Heart Study, among others. The authors developed The MediterrAsian Balanced Meal System (MBMS) based on this background, showing how the Mediterranean or Asian meals are easily prepared, and allow for a greater volume of food with less caloric intake. More importantly, they demonstrate how the MBMS enhances the body's functioning with its use of vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, and lean protein (poultry, seafood, soy products).

A best example is p. 95 of the book:

Western Style Meal: 1 quarter-pound burger with cheese, 1 large fry, 1 large soda, 1 ice cream sundae (1,679 calories)

Mediterranean Style Meal: Sicilian salmon and pasta with roasted red pepper, zucchini, basil, and pine nuts, 1 slice crusty whole grain bread drizzled with ½ T extra virgin olive oil, large salad with tomatoes, olives, romaine, and red onion, served with olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, 1 glass red wine, bowl of mixed berries served with a scoop of sorbet (860 calories)

Asian Style Meal: Bowl of fragrant broccoli and mushroom soup, rice paper roll stuffed with chicken breast, snow pea sprouts, and peppers and served with a soy-sesame dipping sauce, Cantonese shrimp, cashew nut, and mixed vegetable stir-fry served over steamed long-grain rice, 1 glass cold beer, fresh fruit salad with mango, lychees, and pineapple (810 calories)

Each meal is generous portions, includes a drink and even dessert. Amazingly, calorie counts for the Mediterranean and Asian meals are about half that of the Western meal.

Living and eating the Mediterrasian Way can help prevent alzheimer's, stroke, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. It can lead to weight loss, increased energy levels, and a strong immune system; in essence The Mediterrasian Way is the secret to a longer and more enjoyable life.

The reader of The Mediterrasian Way will not just be able to try new recipes, but will understand why it is important to eat these foods. This book is not a diet book, it is a way of life, and should be in every American home for reading, tasting, and experiencing.

Mediterrasian cooking is something I've been searching for for a long time. Like Ric says in his author's bio, I was confused about what to eat. With all the news stories, articles and studies touting what is "good for you" and contradicting every other thing that you once thought was "good for you," I was deeply confused and ended up eating out a lot
-- fast and unhealthy food. I just felt off and knew there was another way. I also didn't want to cook for myself if all the recipes I ever found for "healthy cooking" were predominantly Western meals of baked chicken (boring), etc... and nothing with flare like the Asian food I love. Well, I'm writing this review now because I think this book and the www.mediterrasian.com website deserve all the praise in the world. It might not work for everyone (I don't think any ONE thing is the solution for EVERYONE), but I think for most people, the concepts about eating and the recipes will leave you feeling great, as it's done for me and my family.

I was putting off writing a review until I tried the plan and recipes for a while and it's been about a month now and the results have been great. I'm not a great cook, but the recipes are fun and easy to make and has made me want to become a better cook altogether. Most of the recipes are really delicious and they feel healthy. I especially like the Greek Salad Pitas, Shrimp and Asparagus pasta, Shrimp Fried Rice and Minestrone soup. I never thought I could make Minestrone soup and have it taste sooo good! There have been a few misses, like the Tuna and Brocolli Pasta with Red Sauce. I think I'll have to try that one again, it might've been my fault it didn't turn out great because almost everything I've made from the site and book has been really tasty. I've also definitely lost weight (clothes feel looser) and the best thing is that I FEEL better. Physically, there is a difference in how I feel now eating the Mediterrasian way (feeling full and satisfied most of the day and physically healthy) and the way I felt right before when I was eating out a lot (bloated, unsatisfied and like something was missing).

I really truly want to thank Ric and Trudy for dedicating themselves to spreading the word about eating this way and for creating recipes that taste so good. They really seem like dedicated and good people; you can see this in how detailed their website, book, and blog are. Thank you for trying to help people eat and live better!

I used to visit their website, and all the recipes I tried were just fantastic: healthy, but packed in flavour!. Therefore, I wanted to buy one for my Mom. A few months later, I bought another one for my sister-in-law, and now I just bought one more for my daughter!.

If you are looking for a cookbook that you will want to use all the time, this is the one!.

The book is beautiful from the very cover and is not just a collection of recipes. The first part explains the Mediterrasian philosophy, backed up with medical facts and history, and an actual plan to follow a Mediterrasian way of life for 14 days. (As someone currently living in Italy, I can say living like this for far more than 14 days is anything but a pain!) The second part is a catalog of delicious recipes showcased with beautiful pictures that, by a historical coincidence, happen to be great for your health.

GREAT CONSOLIDATION OF CUTTING EDGE INFORMATION FOR PROFESSIONALS AND LAY PEOPLE WITH SELF HELP ADVICE.

This book is easy to read and understand even if you have very little knowledge of mental illness. Armed with the information I studied here I have started my son on a regime of fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. It's too soon to say what will happen but in just a few weeks his eye contact, memory and social skills have begun to improve. I believe every sufferer of schizophrenia should be taking nutritional supplements. Unfortunately, in the UK the protocol is to get them on drugs in order to make them well enough to be safe and that's it. I wonder what my son's life would have been like if I'd had this information seventeen years ago. If you have a mental illness or you care about someone who has this condition then find out everything you can about nutrition for the brain.

I spent the last twenty years trying to sort out my emotional roller coaster of a life and trying to figure out why I have extreme levels of many heavy metals. This book led me -- finally! -- to the answer. Seems I have a genetic zinc deficiency that causes me to retain heavy metals in my body, and a histamine disorder. And thankfully, there is a simple (not easy, simple) nutritional cure for it all. BUT PLEASE NOTE: The book did not diagnose me but led me to the Pfeiffer Clinic in Illinois. THEY diagnosed me and I am now on their program and heading toward the light at the end of a very long tunnel. If you have or know of anyone with bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, this is a must have book. The wealth of information is unsurpassed. I would know -- my bookshelves and computer are FILLED with other books who give this piece or that piece of the puzzle. This book puts all the possible scenarios in one place AND gives information I'd not seen in other sources on these topics. Nicely organized, well written. I can only thank the author from the bottom of my heart.

This book is very in depth, but if (like me) you are a lay-person looking for a cure, I would first recommend reading "Nutrition and Mental Health" by Carl C. Pfieffer. I found this was the key to finding out I was "histadelic". This book by Eva Eldman is like an encyclopedia of nutritional information for mental illness (don't be put off by the term "schizophrenia", this book is for people with mild depression, bipolar etc.). The only real thing I picked up from this book that I didn't get from Pfieffer's was that Vitamin B5 exacerbates histadelia. I'm curious why that is. The problem with this book for a person starting out on the natural healing pathway is there is way too much information in this book and it is possible you could miss your answer by going off on a tangent. It took me two years to finally stick to the simple regieme of calcium, methionine, B6 and zinc that is the key to beating histadelia. It was a catch 22 for me because I had to cure myself far enouth to be stable enough to stick to the answer I found in the beginning and stop obsessively latching on to everything else that possibly could have been the answer. I find the whole low-protein diet hard though.
Don't give up hope if you can't find a doctor! I thought there weren't any doctors in New Zealand that believe in this stuff but I was wrong! There are a few medical GP's that are pfieffer trained even down here in the remotest parts of the earth, so there's gotta be someone where you are (maybe 2-3 hours drive away) that can help!

This is an incredibly dense book. [...]. But I can not see how it could be written any more clearly. It is well written with good topical divisions and many side bars and jammed packed with information. I think of it as a "Bible" or encyclopedia on natural treatment of schizophrenia and similar disorders. I found it particularly helpful to understand the history of schizophrenia, seeing the illness as a disruption of cognitive and perceptual/sense functions. It does a great job of discussing the nutritional, toxic, and allergic/gut fungal overgrowth issues and bringing up some of the rarer issues. The knowlege I found here has already helped several people.