Clean Cuisine by Ivy Larson and Andy Larson MD
When it comes right down to it, we all know the American diet is terrible. Our grocery shelves are loaded with preservative laden foods that is making us sicker as a whole. We know there is help out there but sometimes it is so overwhelming to know what is the right path and what is not. In my family, we have some serious eating challenges and one of my goals for 2013 is to get rid of the garbage and eat pure, whole foods. It is easy to say it, but reality is harsh sometimes. Especially when it comes to getting everyone on board! I have had the opportunity to read a new book on eating clean and I want to share this with you. It caught my eye because of the Anti-Inflammatory nutrition aspects and this is something I need for sure.
CLEAN CUISINE
An 8-Week Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Program that Will Change the Way You Age, Feel & Look
by Ivy Larson and Andy Larson, M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.S.M.B.S.
Berkley Hardcover; February 5, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-425-25285-7
Published by Penguin Group
In 1998, as a healthy woman in her early 20s, Ivy Larson thought something was wrong when she started experiencing a series of bizarre health problems including incontinence, muscle spasms, and numbness in her limbs. After months of shuttling from doctor to doctor with no answers, she was finally diagnosed as being in the early stages of multiple sclerosis (MS). Her neurologist suggested three options: 1) begin one of the disease-modifying medications, 2) enter a study group for a trial drug or 3) revamp her diet. She decided to go with the third option and turned to her friend Andy Larson for advice, who was in medical school at the time.
The Clean Cuisine diet places special emphasis on plant-forward nutrition based on anti-inflammatory, unrefined, and nutrient-dense whole foods, which have an added bonus of being anti-aging. It has also been proven to combat the symptoms of several inflammatory conditions, such as fibromyalgia, asthma, allergies, and arthritis. People have lost weight, gained strength, reduced cholesterol levels, and blood pressure with CLEAN CUISINE.
CLEAN CUISINE includes more than 100 delicious recipes under topics such as “Less-Meat Burgers” and “No-Milk Shakes” to help kick-start a new lifestyle, as well as their 30-minute “Fitness Fusion Solution” workout program that works in as little as three days a week. CLEAN CUISINE is not just an 8-week program, but a long-term answer on how to live a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, with no calorie or portion restrictions. It even allows for a glass of wine and a sweet “cheat” treat every day!
This is a book packed full of information. So much so, that I got a notebook and took notes as I was reading it. (I am not a highlighter person, but seriously considered it!) What I like about this book is that the authors break down each component about nutrition and give you loads of facts and research. There are chapters on why to eat clean and what it does for your body over all. One on calories and the difference in a calorie from one food to another. The Complex Carb chapter lines out what the difference is on good carbs and not so great ones and why complex carbs are essential to a healthy body. You then move on to fats and proteins and the amount of information is astounding!
The authors also include a chapter on moving your body with exercises that are simple and easy to perform. Having some sort of exercise s essential to slowing your aging and reducing inflammation and there are pictures and poses included so you can those these properly. You the move into the recipe portion of the program and how to put it all together so that it works for you.
This book has taught me so much about nutrition. My notes are an excellent reference point for me to go back and study with. I have been working my way through this book and I am at the point where we are going to start adding some of the recipes into our diet. I am looking forward to it and so is my family. My only wish is that this book came in a spiral bound version. It would become a true workbook and reference book that you can easily go back to over and over. In hardback, that makes it a bit difficult when you are trying to prepare a recipe. or refer to a section that applies to a nutrition question.
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.