The Truth About Beauty by Kat James
03/31/2009 In Book Club Reviews by bien-être
The Truth About Beauty by Kat James
Our skin is an organ and functions at its best when treated like one instead of being treated like a cosmetic covering. The rest of our organs also need proper nutrition in order for us to look and feel our best. Kat James, a former celebrity stylist, knows a thing or two about this first hand. She found herself overweight and unhappy with the way her skin was aging and decided to overhaul her beauty and diet regime to something much simpler and cleaner. By doing this she began to lose excess body fat, and look younger and healthier. Kat writes about this beauty transformation and makes several great points. She encourages the reader to make “under” their skincare regime (giving the skin some much needed breathing room), and focusing on a healthy, balanced diet supplemented with antioxidants and vitamins. For those of you who tend to get a bit overwhelmed by diet trends and skincare products, take note: the truth about beauty is…beauty is actually quite easy to achieve when it comes from health.
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In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
03/30/2009 In Book Club Reviews by bien-être
In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto by Michael Pollan
Well, I loved The Omnivore’s Dilemma so much that as soon a I returned from my beach Honeymoon, I went to purchase the sequel: In Defense of Food. While it helps to have read the first book prior to this great one, its not mandatory for getting the gist of Michael’s message. He asks the reader, “what is food?” The answer should be painfully obvious, but after a quick jaunt through the supermarket aisles, he realizes that this word “food” has quite possibly been bastardized with all kinds of partially hydrogenated, fat-free, sugar-free, vitamin-fortified ’special’ ingredients. After reading this book, I asked myself another question: “How long does the ingredient list have to be until a deliciously flavored cracker, soup, cheese, or frozen meal is no longer recognized by my body as ‘food’?” You will crave a nice big salad after this one!
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Ayurveda Wisdom by Cybele Tomlinson
03/27/2009 In Book Club Reviews by bien-être
Ayurveda Wisdom by Cybele Tomlinson
Cybele Tomlinson, a new mom with a desire to create health, peace and vitality in her life, writes about the philosophy and practical uses of Ayurveda and Yoga from her own personal experience. Most books on this topic delve way too far into the history and different aspects of auyrveda, that it can seem overwhelming just reading them. Cybele makes a point to mention that this is not that kind of book. Instead the 163 pages are filled with straightforward explanations as well as everyday tips and routines. For those of you interested in ‘dipping your toes’ into this ancient way of life and many of the benefits it has to offer, start here!
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The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
03/19/2009 In Book Club Reviews by bien-être
The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan
Do you know exactly where your food comes from?? I know this is a skincare resource website – but diet is so intimately connected to skincare, I often read and recommend books that give a better understanding of internal health. I actually read this book on my honeymoon…I know – nerd alert! Honestly, though, it was so fascinating, it made a great beach read! Pollan’s journalistic background gives the book an investigative reporter’s perspective that isn’t as much preaching or editorial as it is just plain eye opening. He follows three meals all the way back to their source, and in the process tells their stories. The American farming industry is in crisis!! Read this book to find out why. After you finish it, I promise that you will be asking your local grocery-store butcher more questions, and reading more product labels that EVER before!
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The Clear Skin Prescription, by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.
03/18/2009 In Book Club Reviews by bien-être
The Clear Skin Prescription, by Nicholas Perricone, M.D.
I often recommend this book to my acneic clients because it provides the best explanation for why we break out and what we can do internally and topically to achieve both quick and long lasting improvements. Dr. Perricone is well known for his work with anti-inflammatories in skin care and diet. If we already know that acne is a systemic, bacterial “disease” then we can also assume that what goes into our body is just as important in treating breakouts as what we put on our skin. Perricone makes an excellent argument for the relationship between acne and inflammation. He goes further to explain the relationship between inflammation and diet. The diet changes he recommends are very strict – so they are not for the faint of stomach…but they WORK. He has the before-and-after photos in this book to prove it, and I have the clients who can vouch for it as well!
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