Dieting Books

The author of this book provides extensive information about how to balance your diet from a combined Western/Asian perspective, however, the book would be more useful if she had provided comprehensive summaries of the information. She does give short summaries of specific sections, but since a lot of the information applies to several aspects of a person, a quick reference summary of types of people and their corresponding needs/solutions would be helpful. You are going to have to compile this for yourself, and it will be time consuming. I do think she gives useful information here though, so I would recommend this book.

About four years ago I was very ill. I had sinus infections, colds, and bronchitis just about every month for about a year and a half. I was stressed out at work and in my personal life, put on 30 pounds, and developed GI problems doctors were unable to explain. Tired of traditional western medicine prescribing costly drugs which made no difference and constantly being sick, tired, and unable to focus, I decided to consult a holistic healthcare practitioner. Unable to pay the cost to have a formal in person consultation (since my healthcare did not cover it), she referred me to this book.

I felt like Linda Prout was reading my mind. Although the food choices she recommended were not at all what I was used to eating, I decided to give it a try. Within the first week I noticed a difference in how I felt. I lost 20 pounds in the first three months (without exercising) and have maintained a healthy weight since, with regular exercising and meditation. I eliminated stressors in my life as well. This book in so many ways saved my life. I have not been sick at all for the past three years. The acute asthma I developed at that time is nearly nonexistent. I enjoy the foods Linda suggests for my body type and have minimized the others which are not so good. I love it and swear by it!

I have never written a review before, but I feel compelled to comment on this book. I read the reviews of Live in the Balance but was still hesitant to buy. I have a strong background in nutrition, eating for health, alternative medicine, etc...and was unconvinced Prout would have anything new to say. I am so thankful I made the purchase anyway. Highly readable, incredibly well researched with all studies and facts documented, this book is changing my life and the life of my family. Plagued with terrible allergies, eczema, and low energy, I feel better after following some of Prout's suggestion, IN ONE WEEK. I feel like a new person. Some of the information is also helping alleviate a family member's struggle with worsening depression. I am introducing some of the principle to make food choices for my two small children and already it seems to be helping boost their immune systems--an ongoing battle in our house. I have learned so much from this book. It is much more readable and well formatted than Food and Healing by Ammemarie Colbin (another excellent and informative book on food and healing). Buy this book.

I published a long review of the book on my web site, but to put it simply, this book could change your life. Anyone with even a passing interest in diet and nutrition will find it enjoyable and educational. It is a must read if you have any health or medical issues or if you are at all frustrated with your current eating patterns.

The book is full of information, with every sentence seeming to contain a new nutritional idea or fact. All the facts and figures are incredibly well researched and documented. If you are new to the concepts in the book, you will find it easy to follow and understand. If you are already well versed in the Traditional Chinese approach to diet and nutrition you will find it a wonderful source of new information and a great addition to your reference shelf.

This is a great book if you are tired of the "one approach fits all" way of eating. It examines the time-proven message of Traditional Chinese Medicine: we can improve our health by changing what we eat. I have been following the eating plan for dampness for three weeks and have lost 5 lbs effortlessly. I have more energy and no cravings. Best of all, I feel in control of what I am eating and doing. Linda presents the information in a clear way that is easy to follow. If you want to make the right changes in your life to regain and maintain your health, this is the book for you.

I LOVE this book! The recipes are easy, inexpensive, and YUMMY! I gave it as a gift to two of my friends and my Mom and they all love it, too!

Big fan of healthy cooking and have quite a healthy cookbook collection, my husband and i even rate the recipes with different colored stars after we try them. And this book we have put more gold stars in than all the others combined. It gives nutition info which is nice because my husband always asks, and the food actually tastes good. We havent found a bland or tasteless recipe yet!

Many of the recipes I tried in this book I love.
My favorites include the Pork Chops in Onion Gravy, Caramelized Garlic Chicken and the Glazed chicken with couscous.
I never tried or even thought of trying couscous before so it was interesting to try it out.
The recipes I tried are tasty, fast and healthier than some others books I have.

This is a cookbook I use often. It has easy, healthy recipes that require ingredients already in my pantry. Great book!

I bought this book when I got married in an effort to help my husband and I support a more healthy lifestyle (ok, we wanted to lose some weight!). This book has by far exceeded my expectations--i use it at least three to four times a week!
the highlights:
-meals that truly can be prepared quickly
-"normal" ingredients that I can find at a regular grocery store and won't sit in my fridge for months after using them once
-truly tasty recipes that rarely taste "lowfat"
-a wide variety of recipes with a multitude of flavors and tastes that suit both the adventureous eater or a more conservative palate.
-directions that are easy to follow with helpful information sidebars. Even you 'non-cooks' out there can use this book!
-It lists nutrition info with each recipe, so you know exactly how many calories and how much fat you're taking in with each dish.

The book is divided into sections for each type of food (ie chicken, fish, breads, etc), and it has a pretty good index in the back so it is easy to find things.
The only thing I would do different is that the entrees don't list suggestions for sides, which would be helpful for those of us who don't have an intuition for that sort of thing.
A book that does do this is "Make it in Minutes", a book by weight watchers that is my second favorite cookbook. Ignore the WW thing, and pick this book up too. It has some great recipes as well!

I generally buy health, exercise and nutrition books written for men. There's much knowledge to be had from this book, dealing with the 'before' of going on a diet. She sort of writes in the style of David Zinczenko (editor of Men's Health magazine and author of 'The ABs Diet'), which integrates humor with serious facts. It lightens up the atmosphere of the reading. She also gives sample meal plans to follow, but the book goes much more beyond the aspects of a diet. There's too much to tell - get a copy and read it - then put it into practice. I recommend also utilizing Gregg Avedon's 'Muscle Chow'. There are tons of recipes to follow. Only caution, the Avedon book falls apart, so have some duct tape handy!

This book hits what and how you should eat in order to live a healthy life, increase your libido, build mass or power lift. The principles, explanations, and references to research add to the power of this book. Granted it doesn't touch on veganism or vegetarianism too much but, but it does write out pretty specific diets to plan from.

I wish women would write books for women like this. Very direct, to the point, in an easy relaxed style with no unecessary "fluff". Just the facts - told how it is. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book.

I can't believe this book has such a low price. Fitness and nutrition is an area where you can easily spend a lot of money (coachs, nutritionist, gyms, special diets, equipment).

On the other side of the coin you can also spend a lot of money if you don't have a healthy lifestyle (doctors to treat diabetes, hypertension, heart disease).

Well, here is a guide that might very well save you tons of money and change your life for the better.

Just the first chapter of the book is worth its price, by far. In that chapter the author gives a general description of what an average guy would eat through out a complete day. As she describes this hypotetic guy's diet she explains what happens to your body at each stage, she explains all the mistakes we commonly make when eating.

In the second part of the first chapter she tells you what you could do instead during a complete day, she explains what you should eat, at what time, in what amounts and why.

Her explanation of the glygemic index and its relation to glucose levels opened a new world for me. I finally have come to understand why I was having terrible lows of energy during the day.

I believe those explanations would be enough to get you on the right track and start seeing results. With results I mean, more energy, less fat, better feeling in general.

She builds from there and each chapter is devoted to understanding what you need to do to achieve specific results. The last chapter is as good as the first one. It has a lot of tips on what you can do to improve your diet and how it can become part of the life of a very busy guy.

The advice in this book is thorough and most of the time she is on the right track. The only aspects I did't like was how she promoted milk, eggs, and soy. But I really don't blame her for that, since there is much controversy around dairy and soy.

There are books like The China Study that constitute a serious analysis of why certain very common foods are actually the cause for many of the health problems in the western world. So, basically when it comes to dairy and soy you should read both sides of the debate and make up your mind as what you think might be good for you.

Other than that, the book is just amazing, and I did't really mind much about her mention of dairy since she really doesn't talk too much about it.

It is clear to me that the author knows a lot about the scientific aspect of food, and some of her explanations go in that direction, still you don't feel it like a heavy read. So, I believe the tone of the book is perfect for an average guy who just wants to know what he should really eat, when, how, and in what amount.

The best book on nutrition I have seen so far!

I think if you read this one and The China Study, you will have almost all information needed to make a sound decision when thinking about your diet and your goals!

By the way there are tons of menus you can use. I really really liked that, because the books on nutrition I have seen have very poor menus or ideas to get you started.

I have to make something clear. I liked the China Study more for what it promotes than for what it forbides. According to the study you should eat tons of plants, fruits, vegetables. And even though the author of the China study promotes the elimination of animal protein from diet, he actually compromises and says if you want to eat animal protein, do it but still try to focus on eating a lot more vegetables. So, before anyone start a long debate here, I have to say I do eat dairy! Just that not in the amounts I used to! Which is by the way the advice given by the author of The Powerfood Nutrition Plan to lactose intolerant, to eat yougrth in small amounts.

This book is flawless. I'm a personal trainer and it has been an invaluable resource in dealing with my clients' nutrition needs. Sometimes they need a little convincing when it comes to breaking some of their bad habits and this book explains it all in plain english, and the meal plans are fantastic.

This book was in great condition, and is really and truly helpful. It not only opens you into a whole new world of cooking, but it also helps you grocery shop, eat healthier, and enjoy cooking!

I've had this cookbook for over a year and it is without doubt the best one in my collection. The recipes are easy to follow and taste great. I've tried numerous ones over the year and every one I've tried has come out perfectly! In addition, there are pages of tips on how to prepare foods that any cook can find helpful. As part of a total weight loss program, this book is a must!

This is a great reference for people wanting to cook a little healthier. There are a host of suggestions on how to convert existing recipes to a lower fat menu and there are many illustrations to support the many tips and charts. You will learn how to substitute lower fat ingredients for butter and oil without compromising the taste of your food. The authors discuss the many types of rice, flour, grains, herbs, spices etc. and guide you in selecting the appropriate one for your particular needs. In short, this book is a cooking class in healthy living. Buy this one...you will use it often!

P.S. Weight Watchers' clients will particularly like this book. The nutritional information necessary for calculating Winning Points is included with every recipe and you will have a huge number of dishes that you may prepare within your program.

This book is fantastic. Everything tastes like gourmet cooking.
Some of the recipes are fairly simple while others are not. This book is great for people who love to cook and want low-fat alternatives that taste great. Fair warning though this isn't one of those quickie meal recipe books. It is the best cookbook I own, regardless of the low-fat. It gives tons of information on exotic as well as common ingredients. It is a great gourment recipe book as well as instructional cooking book.

This book is fantastic. Everything tastes like gourmet cooking.
Some of the recipes are fairly simple while others are not. This book is great for people who love to cook and want low-fat alternatives that taste great. Fair warning though this isn't one of those quickie meal recipe books. It is the best cookbook I own, regardless of the low-fat. It gives tons of information on exotic as well as common ingredients. It is a great gourment recipe book as well as instructional cooking book. Not only does this book tell you how to cook everything (poultry, seafood, vegetables, desserts, etc.) it also includes a nice sampling of international recipes for added flair, Spinach/cheese enchiladas, Greek Moussaka, Squash stuffed with Mediterranean grains, to name just a few. You won't get bored.

The first couple of frightening chapters motivated me to want to take positive action. The rest of the book allows you to do just that. Clearly written and well documented--I heartily recommend this book to anyone concerned about this dreadful, but reversible, disease.

Rob La Follette
Austin, Texas

I was recently diagnosed with high blood sugar by my doctor and this book has all the information I needed regarding foods to eat, foods to avoid and suggestions on diet, good recipes, supplements and gives breakdowns on good and bad fruits and carbohydrates. It is organized well and has lots of information. I got exactly what I needed and would highly recommend it to anyone with questions on what they should eat and do with prediabetes.

The book has great information and it is working for me. I have been reading it and changing what I eat. I feel better. It is too soon to tell about the weight, but I feel better and that says a great deal. The book is easy to read and has wonderful non-prescription information packed inside. It has information that I have read in other places, but being more up to date with vitamin issues helped me to learn more. My morning fasting blood sugar levels are down from 112-115 to 100-108 in just a week.

There are several good books for diabetics, and several more for people interested in a more natural diet. This is one of the few books, perhaps the only current book, specifically focused on prediabetes. That's important for people like me who found themselves to be prediabetic with no idea of what that word meant, and no outward signs that diabetes was a real threat. The book is smoothly written, clearly organized, and educational without being pedantic or academic. It's also very easy to integrate with diets like South Beach, the Abs Diet, and the slow-and-natural approach Michael Pollan advocates in In Defense of Food. If you're already trying to live a healthier lifestyle, this book will help you easily modify your life to accommodate your concerns about prediabetes. If you're just starting to learn about prediabetes and healthier options, this book is the place to begin. The authors claim that within just a couple of days of implementing changes you'll feel significantly better. I found that to be absolutely true and three months later it remains true. I would have paid $10,000 or more for that just three months ago, so the book has been a steal.

This is an excellent book!!! Very Informative even if you don't have this diagnosis worry. The information is sound nutritional advise for every person. I learned so much about carbohydrates effect our bodies. This is food information everygody shoul know

Prepare to laugh, cry and cringe --- but also to learn --- as Abby Ellin leads us through the landscape of obese teen life. First, though, a confession: When I volunteered to read this book, I feared that I was facing a hard, long slog through a dry tome packed with scientific studies on how to help an overweight kid drop a few pounds. Instead, I could barely put down this lively read. Ellin keeps a page-turning pace as she skillfully weaves her own story as a heavy, weight-obsessed teenager through the stories of other such adolescents.

Ellin begins with her own family, who courageously support her by not challenging her right to tell the unvarnished truth about the ways in which her home contributed to her weight problems and food fixations. Interestingly, the family's attitudes toward weight resulted in the author's sister becoming anorexic. Even as Ellin grew larger and larger, her sister began dieting by third grade.

Ellin's grandmother was a major influence on her self-image, withholding affections when Ellin gained weight. On visits to Grandma's house in Florida, Grandma weighed Ellin daily. At home, Ellin's mother obsessed over her own weight, restricted her diet and exercised before stepping on the scales each morning. She taped a photo of an obese woman on the refrigerator door. Both grandmother and mother repeatedly drilled into Ellin and her sister the dangers of gaining weight. As a child, Ellin was devastated when her grandmother told her she couldn't come to Florida for a visit at Christmastime unless she lost 15 pounds. The ploy didn't work. Nothing really did, for many long, sad years.

Ellin spent six years at weight-loss camps. She lost weight but also learned more about dysfunctional eating and how to do it (one counselor sneaked Ellin out to buy a cart full of candy and cookies because "Your body's getting used to the diet. You need sugar to give it a jolt."). In describing her fat camp days, she tells us the story of the owners of weight-loss camps, beginning with her visit as an adult with the man who ran the first weight-loss camp Ellin attended. During her visit, she talks with young campers, giving us the first of many insightful conversations with teens seeking to lose weight. What they say about their parents can make a reader weep.

In TEENAGE WAISTLAND, we learn what has helped teenagers lose weight and, (heartbreakingly) more often, what has either not helped them or made them worse. Experts --- from fat camp leaders to directors of weight loss programs to bariatric surgeons, researchers and fat activists (and more) --- represent a variety of attitudes as each discusses the best way to help heavy adolescents. Ellin compassionately presents suggestions to parents on ways to support an obese child, all based on respect.

Although there is not a single solution to such a complicated problem, reading this book is informative and helpful. It is a horrifying and fascinating study in our culture's warped attitude toward food and weight. Even if you don't have a child with weight issues, TEENAGE WAISTLAND is an engrossing read.

--- Reviewed by Terry Miller Shannon (terryms2001@yahoo.com)

I work in public health and struggle to find resources that are useful. This is a great book for everyone. There is no magic pill and there is no easy fix - but there are LOTS of ways to make things worse. Until we have changed our social norms, our environment, and the availability and ease to make healthy choices, it's going to be a long, tough road. This book is a great read that describes what it's like to struggle with weight - good for those of us who are lucky and think our 5-8 pound struggle is horrible, as well as those who struggle with real weight challenges and are ready to hear the painful truth of a child's experience. Well done, Abby.

An honest look at America's obsession with weight loss and how it affects the younger generation. The author, a former fat kid and fat camp survivor (though not a parent, as she acknowledges) explores various ways to lose weight from fat camps to nagging to behavior modification and surgery, among others. Sadly, there is no quick fix or even well-planned diet and exercise program that works for all, or even some. Due both to lack of willpower or incentive, and physical factors beyond the dieter's control, often the weight is lost then gained then lost again.

"Teenage Waistland" lets the young subjects speak for themselves. It is a fascinating look at a controversial subject.

This book was extremely helpful to me and my family. As the parent of an overweight child, Abby Ellin's insight as a "former fat kid" is a hands-on "what to do/"what not to do" primer for any parents dealing with these sensitive issues. You're never really sure what to do until you're faced with it head on and Ellin's book showed that it's the sensible approach that makes the most sense. Don't panic; don't over react (as is the most instant impulse). Just act sensibly. Well done!

Simply put, Abby Ellin "gets it". She had a childhood relationship with weight, food, and family that stays with her, regardless of what the scale says today. She candidly tells her story, which isn't always a happy one, but it's often hilarious. When it comes to the "fat kid epidemic", the author doesn't claim to have all the answers, but is very willing to explore a variety of solutions. Teenage Waistland is tragic, eye-opening, humorous and true. Once you read the introduction: Fat Kid Blues - you'll be hooked, just like the author is on Hostess cupcakes!

This plus "God's Way to Ultimate Health",Lyman's "Mad Cowboy" started it all for me around January. A good friend recommended to read Malkmus after she beat breast cancer by changing her diet! I knew then I had to understand the link between diet and health. I wasn't satisfied to read just this book but many of the others listed in the bibliography and others on biological medicine and others relating to the acid/alkaline balance within our bodies. Morter's "Your Health, Your Choice" helps us to describe what's happening and clearly spells out what implications diet has on our lives. Armed with this info I've been able to help my mother gain control of her arthritis and hopefully get her off methotrexate for good. I've been able to help my mother in law lower her cholesterol since prior strokes have made this an issue. And my wife and I have lost the weight we couldn't seem to shake and have been able to improve all aspects of our health and physical well being. If you have any loved ones who's quality of life you want help improve this book is a great start.

I read this book in the early 90's. Ted Morter, D.C. was way ahead of his time when he released this book to the public. Unfortunately, good health is a person's choice and most people will take very little time to make inquiry into the matter. Also, although this book is reasonable and substantiated from a physiological standpoint, one has to break through the idolatry that exists where medical cures are concerned (i.e. antacids as a cure for stomach ills, argggh!).

I loved Dr. Morters explanation of the digestive process and the pH of each phase from salivation to stomach to duodenum. It is necessary to understand all this to understand what lengths our bodies will go to in order to "save the whole man". The body operates in its wisdom under dire circumstances, but we have a choice and an opportunity to get out of survival mode into health. And the answer is so simple and the logic impeccable.

Cancer and other disease thrive in an acidic environment within the body. Each food we eat leaves a residue of acid or alkalai in our system. Our body will do crazy things to counteract the acid-ash residue left from the SAD diet we are used to (Std. American Diet). Our body will pull calcium from the bones even to neutralize the acid in the system. Drinking more homogenized milk only aggravates the acidity.

Dr. Morter runs under the legs of the medical researchers and unlocks the mysteries...a simple answer to a plaguing problem. Now, ten years after I read the book, researchers are catching up to this book.

It's your health and your choice. If you won't invest the effort to read a little book and see if it compels you to make some basic adjustments, then you deserve the inevitable: poor health and misery---perhaps early exit. This book is great and it changed my life. Too bad it's out of print. It's a CLASSIC! I think that you could find it as a used book even. I still have my copy and don't lend it to anyone. Get it at the library if you must. Sincerely, "paris_match@hotmail.com"

This is a wonderful book for learning the basics of nutrition. Dr. Morter exposes the protein myth and explains quite thoroughly the effects of alkaline verses acid producing foods on the body. He provides a guided tour that goes through all the digestive organs of the body showing how they are affected by an acid diet. I felt this book was presented in a very scientific manner. I used to have regular acid reflux problems. By reading this book I came to understand the implications of that on my overall health, and since reading it over two years ago I have never had indigestion again.

The book gives me a new perspective towards "health" from the traditional "nutrition" way. This pH perspective takes a "total approach" towards health. You will know the real causes of some common illness like asthma, heart diseases, gall stones, mental illness, blood problems......which are actually caused by bad eating habits/choices. Then you will know how to find a way out from those diseases. The book is written in very simple language, an average people can understand it very easily. Having understood the reasons why we choose out food in a 8:2 ratio (8=vege, 2=protein/carbohydrate), it is so easy to apply the priciple in my daily life to stay healthy. It is recommended to read the other books from the author - Dynamic Health, An apple a day and Exercise or Diet.

If you have any type of health problem, please read this book. You may not know it, but your food may be killing you. Your body can heal, but it may be in survival mode and it just doesnt have the chance. This book is very understandable and funny, yet gets technical enough to be convincing. The most beautiful part is that it is your chioce and your health. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. The section on exercise makes you rethink your exercise program. If you want to be healthy, read this book. If not, pass it up. It's up to you, and only you..

I have only gotten to try a few of the recipes so far but they have all come out at least alright. So far i have gotten to try some of the bread ones and they came out good, the sandwich bread was fine (we couldnt get white rice flour and had to use sweet brown but it was fine, just had a little of the normal GF crumble to it), the corn bread how ever you cannot tell it is GF.

there are so many breads and other stuff listed i cannot wait to try many more of the recipes

the author has a flour mix that is used in most of the recipes that uses sorgum flour, a little hard to find but it seems to work well. there is also a modification list on how to add, subtract, substitute ingredients in the mix depending on what you are making to give it more "normal" characteristics.

if you or some one you know has to live GF this book should be one of the first books to buy

Great book, a celiac's dream. It has everything, the widest variety of recipes I've seen in a GF cookbook. The only thing that would improve this volume would be some pictures of at least some of the recipes.
1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes

Finally, a comprehensive, everything you could ever need gf cookbook. This really IS the "joy of cooking" of GF cooking. It's the go-to book with all of the standard recipes you could possibly want. Carol uses a broad range of ingredients, and gives recipes ranging from healthy to decadent. From the vegan options to carnivorous, there's something for everyone.

I made the vanilla cupcakes first, and my husband asked if they had gluten. That might not seem like a dumb question, but I haven't baked with gluten for many years!

So if you need one gluten free cookbook, this is it. And if you have additional allergies, look at my very favorite cookbook, Cooking free, which is also by Carol.

Cheryl Harris, MPH, RD
Registered Dietitian and nutritionist

Carol Fenster really is one of the greatest GF cooks out there, and her recipes are excellent. But I am disappointed that her new cookbook uses Expandex in some of the recipes without much discussion of what you should use if you do not have this product. She does have a chart at the front of the book, but it's a little confusing. I am certain that Expandex is a superior item to have in my cupboard; I am just wishing, since this is a new product and not as easy to buy as some GF baking things, that she had addressed this issue a little better.

Otherwise, if you're prepared for this one thing, the cookbook is quickly going to become my main one, because her recipes are so trustworthy and fine-tasting.

I have several of Carol Fenster's past cookbooks. This is such a complete book, it is like the Joy of Cooking for gluten-free. Some of the gluten-free cookbooks are just recycled old recipes with the gluten out. The recipes in this book are very innovative and creative. The only down side of that is you might have trouble finding some of the ingredients she uses like the modified tapioca starch and teff. But it is worth searching them out on the internet and it broadened my horizons in gluten-free cooking, and I am a dietitian who has been cooking gluten-free for 15 years.I think I was in a rut with my cooking and this inspired me to try new and healthy recipes. My family is going to be surprised at Christmas!
If my patients can only afford 1 book this is what I would recommend. It is a good value at the price Amazon sells it at.

PAMELA, DID YOU HAVE TO PUT you picture on the cover? If you're trying to galvanize those who are already vegetarians, I'm sure you'll succeed. However, for meat eaters who need convincing, your picture alone is going to put them off of buying the book and subscribing to the idea, for sure.

Look at you. You look like a librarian from Akron, and a bitter one at that. Non-vegetarians already associate vegetarianism with reedy pretentious types, so a big sarcastic "thanks for helping."

In your next publication, a little less narcissism, please.

Orwell was right.... the worst advertisement for any cause is its adherents.

To my surprise, this book is very well written, not preachy or ideological, but rather is a "laundry list" of facts and well documented research on the topic of vegetarianism, why people have switched over, the current role society plays in the environment and of course, health. The facts are compelling, and you cannot deny the truth. As everything is footnoted and sourced, the author challenges you to read the articles and publications that are referenced in her 101 reasons. This is truly a must read book for those who are interested in the truth about eating meat and the effect it has on a person's health, the environment, the economy, world hunger, and of course the animals. This book sealed the deal for me in fully converting to a vegetarian diet.

I loved this book! It was candy to my soul. I read it twice and probably will again. I highly recommend it to everyone that wants the facts, the whole facts and nothing but facts. A brilliant piece of work. Very well done.

There are all sorts of reasons to become a vegetarian, and this little book contains 101 great ones. From the effect of animal production on the environment to the destruction of genetic diversity and the spread of disease from animals to humans to the horrific treatment of farmed animals, many of these reasons will sound familiar to a lot of people.

Still, these reasons are articulated in intricate and often disturbing detail. The links between dairy production and the life (if it can be called that) of veal cattle, the extreme overproduction required of laying hens and mother cows, the huge amounts of waste produced by factory farms and the dangers of biotechnology, genetic engineering and cloning are outlined in stunning detail.

Of course there are also reasons involving the positive health benefits (and benefits for the planet) brought about by eating a vegetarian diet, from reducing your risk of several kinds of cancer to increasing beneficial phytochemicals in your diet and reducing the world's oil and energy drains.

There are probably reasons here that most readers have not considered, and facts you might not know about; for instance, that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest pregnant women heat cold cuts to 170 degrees to reduce their risk of getting listeria. Or that even though its forbidden for cows to eat other cows because of the risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or mad cow disease), the Food and Drug Administration says as many as 350,000 cows that humans consume were fed bovine by-products.

So many moments in this book will make readers gasp in surprise and horror at the state of the average American diet and what it is doing to the animals, the workers who are paid to kill those animals, the planet that must deal with the waste and corpses of those animals and the people who consume such a diet.

If nothing else, this book will affirm everything you believe about why the vegetarian diet is right for you and the planet. Perhaps you could also use it to convince family and friends to stop their meat-eating ways, or at least to show them why you are a vegetarian.-Sarah White

Be prepared, this is no ordinary book on vegetarianism. It is undoubtedly THE BEST I've read on the subject in over 24 years of maintaining a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle.

101 Reasons is a gift to society. A clear, comprehensive log of the myriad reasons a vegetarian diet just makes sense. The tone is perfect-unapologetic and direct while still light and conversational. Reading this will strengthen your convictions if you are already vegetarian, and will make you stop and reassess if you are not. This is a "just the facts" approach. Thankfully, not once are animals referred to as "cute" anywhere in the book. Covering everything from individual health benefits to environmental and global impact, and everything in between, this book should be a treasured resource in any home library to be referred to again and again.

This is a book with some helpful hints...although it is really hard to follow. The excersise tips are great. I don't think I'm really qualified to rate this book as well as other fitness books. It is def a book for someone who is just starting out and wants to lose weight and gain muscle.

This is a complete outline of and support for this weight loss plan. Written in a clear and comprehensive style, it is an excellent summary of the support given via emali.

Leave every other fad diet behind you - this is the sole program that actually works! It literally creates a new lifestyle for you, and most of all, the weight loss is GUARANTEED!
Plus, you get to work with a coach who motivates you with an incredible surge of positive energy!

This is a great find. Though not advertized anywhere apart from on the website of the author I think this is the ultimate way to finally develop healthy habits that will support a permanent weight loss. I would like to recommend this book to all desesperate dieters who are fed up with the yearly load of crazy1 diet, crazy2 diet, new1 diet, and new2 diet! To your health! Margaret

30-day BootCamp: Your Ultimate Weight Loss Plan is an amazing book and a wonderful way of life. As Valerie Vauthey says, you have to be ready to lose the weight, but if you are, and follow Valerie's bootcamp, the weight just falls off. And, it's actually fun, because Valerie Vauthey thinks of everything and makes it easy. And it is totally healthy.

But beware: The results of this book might be that you find yourself jumping out of bed every morning and running to a mirror to see how thin you have gotten during the night. You might find yourself with a new and unusual desire to rush to stores and spend money you werent planning to spend and buy bikinis and tops that show off your belly button.

You may find yourself with a new boyfriend or a newly ardent husband. In other words....this book works.