February 27, 2009
Book Review: Skinny Bitch
Maybe I’m just getting old. As a big-time foodie, I thought I should find out what these young women were saying about what to eat. So I picked up a copy of Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. Now, don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the information they’re disseminating. It’s important to get the word out that many of us are killing ourselves with our food choices. And the resource listings in the back are probably worth the price of the book. I may not totally agree with their “no animal products, ever” stance, but they certainly do a credible job of justifying their opinion.
But, really. Do they have to be so brash and insulting to their readers? I know it’s hip to be foul these days, but after the first couple of chapters, I found it to be annoying and off-putting. Like I said, maybe I’m just getting old. Old enough to have discovered that kindness goes a long way in getting one’s point across.
Nevertheless, I’d certainly recommend taking a look at their “acceptable foods” lists, and start replacing some of your less healthy staples with items like these. Over time, you’ll discover even these more healthy convenience foods may be replaced by natural whole foods you can prepare yourself. That’s when healthy dining becomes economical… when you eat real food in quantities that promote a healthy weight. Then, you begin to internalize the role of food as fuel that keeps you energized, productive, and happy. And you find yourself delighting in the flavors and textures of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains prepared with a variety of herbs and spices and a lot of love.
February 19, 2009
Book Review: Stumbling on Happiness
I’ve never met Daniel Gilbert. But, I really like Daniel Gilbert! If I lived anywhere near him, he’d be on the top of my list as a lunch or dinner guest. He’s smart, funny, and erudite. If he stumbles on this blog entry, I just want him to know he’s appreciated.
Stumbling on Happiness is the result of Gilbert’s research on what it takes for people to be happy. Aside from being laugh-out-loud funny in a few places, with a lot of muffled snickering in between, Gilbert eases us into accepting his idea that people do not know what will make them happy in the future, and will generally not be willing to do what it takes to find out. I love his whole theory. It makes so much sense, right down to the last page.
I already have a list of people with whom to discuss this issue, with the mission of helping them discover what will make them happy, or maybe more to the point, what won’t. Me? Well, I don’t have to do what he suggests because… well… I’m different! 
Seriously, this is a terrific book for anyone interested in knowing how they can find happiness. Read it. Then think about it! Yes, you can be happy!
I am excited to be working with the insights he presents to improve my own situation. Not that it’s that bad.
February 5, 2009
Book Review: A Whole New Mind
In A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future, Daniel H. Pink presents a pretty good case for something we right-brainers have always known deep-down: being right-brained is actually a good thing! After many years of being told that using your left-brain was the only way to accomplish anything “worthwhile” and trying to cram my brain into algebra and engineering and physics, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief and embrace my love of artistic expression while running a business at the same time! (Fortunately, the field of physics has set a precedent by turning pretty right-brained with the advent of quantum philosophy.)
So, OK, I did a fingerprint analysis on myself, and discovered my true calling is to be in a health care business. This was just a few weeks ago, after I’d spent more than five years getting the education and wherewithal to start my own naturopathic health care business! Ha! I guess I knew what I was doing, even if it didn’t seem like it a lot of the time.
Mr. Pink’s book has made it all seem to make sense. He offers a compelling argument about the roles of the “new” six senses that are now required to succeed in business… senses that we right-brainers always tried to hide under a bushel while we worked for Corporate America because they might be thought unseemly. We can now open our hearts and minds, put our love beads back on, and embrace our work, our workplaces, and our colleagues and feel good about how we spend our days.
Pink offers many suggestions for ways people stuck in their left-brain can open up their new senses, and many resources for further information. Isn’t it interesting that now you can’t even read a book without being Internet-ready? I’ve become used to having a magazine in my lap and a keyboard on the right. Now, I expect I’ll be doing the same with books.
Does anyone think we might be getting too much input?
