"Dear Food,
It's not you. It's me.
I've just discovered I've had a dysfunctional relationship with you all my life."
So begins my imaginary letter to one of my life's great loves after reading Megan Gilmore's new book, Everyday Detox: 100 Recipes to Remove Toxins, Promote Gut Health, and Lose Weight Naturally.
I found the introduction and premise behind the book to be both fascinating and insightful. I had never considered that there might be a different experience other than feeling gassy & bloated after eating. Also, I have a very difficult time sticking to any plan that asks me to give up my nearly 50-year desire for something sweet. Gilmore states at the outset that her plan does NOT make you give up those sweet indulgences, nor the pasta or potatoes, nor any other food that you might enjoy. She simply asks that we begin to rethink the need to consume ALL the things we love at every meal. (What? I can still have some chocolate now and again? A muffin? Mac-n-cheese? That's HUGE!)
Gilmore suggests that so many of our digestive and weight issues stem from the fact that we are eating the wrong foods together. She presents some "new rules" for putting meals together which ultimately bring more good news: these meals are simplified, quick and easy, and made from better ingredients (which lend more nutrition, taste, and ultimately satisfaction to the experience). She suggests that we eat meals focused on one food type (think animal protein, nuts & seeds, starches, etc.) with a host of supporting "neutral" cast members (typically, non-starchy vegetables) on the side.
After laying out the method and philosophy, Gilmore then presents a host of recipes from smoothies to packable lunches, satisfying dinners and even sweet treats. She lists out how to stock your pantry and kitchen to make her plan a lifestyle and not a passing fad. She advises that even if you don't want to follow the well laid out plan for a full week of detoxing, taking her advice on what foods to avoid eating at the same time and eating more whole foods (versus processed foods), you are sure to feel better (no more bloat! less gas! higher energy!) and possibly lose some weight at the same time.
I for one am very stoked to dive in and put these ideas into practice. I would love to come away from the table feeling satisfied and full of energy rather than ready to curl up on the couch and nurse the pain under my ribcage. I can't wait to try some of these recipes. (The chia cereal/pudding is at the top of my list!) I'd like to thank Blogging For Books for the review copy I received in exchange for this review!
From the Publisher . . .
A healthy guide to detoxing naturally, all year round–no dieting, juice fasting, or calorie counting required–to lose weight, improve digestion, sleep better, and feel great, featuring 100 properly combined recipes for every meal of the day.
Most diets and cleanses have all-or-nothing rules that encourage unhealthy cycles of intense restriction followed by inevitable bingeing. In this healthy guide to detoxing naturally, nutritionist and blogger Megan Gilmore shares 100 delicious, properly combined recipes that will leave you feeling satisfied and well nourished while promoting weight loss and improving digestion and sleep.
Because the recipes were developed with digestion mechanics in mind, detoxers won’t feel bloated or uncomfortable after eating. And crowd-pleasing recipes for every meal of the day—such as Banana Coconut Muffins, Chocolate Chia Shake, Broccoli Cheese Soup, Mediterranean Chopped Salad, Skillet Fish Tacos, Cauliflower Flatbread Pizza, and Peppermint Fudge Bars—are packed with all-natural, whole-foods ingredients designed to stave off feelings of deprivation. With helpful information on how to stock your detox-friendly kitchen plus a handy food-combining cheat sheet that demystifies this cutting-edge health principle, Everyday Detox makes it easy to start eating this way today.
About the Author . . .
MEGAN GILMORE is the creator and recipe developer behind Detoxinista.com, a website that makes healthy living easier and more accessible. Though she wasn’t raised as a healthy eater, Megan credits her former junk food habits—and a penchant for baking—in helping her re-create healthy favorites using whole-foods ingredients, without sacrificing taste or texture. Megan is a certified nutritionist consultant and health coach, and her recipes have been featured in The Guardian as well as Shape and Clean Eating magazines. She lives in Los Angeles, California, with her husband and son.
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