Slim for Life: The Ultimate Health and Detox Plan

You know, I really like this book. I love her show, You are what you eat. I love the information in this book. It makes sense. Some of the recipes are now my favorites...However...we purchased this because my husband, who has the good/bad luck to be married to a health nut like me, finally decided awhile ago that he wanted to do an all natural cleanse through diet. Other cleanses (which use supplements) tend to make him very sick and weak, so I suggested that just a balanced approach to eating that forces nothing would be his best bet...My main qualm with this is Cost/Time. As mentioned above, great info, great recipes. Love the gal. However, we spent a LOT more on those first days of groceries than we usually do...and I am an organic, mostly raw food eater. Also, time. Since it was my hubby's deal (for once) he decided to spearhead it...and he wound up so frustrated and tired after spending his 2-3 hours each night after work preparing. (I was also working and did not have time to help much.)Bottom line...if you are wealthy and have time, go for it. If you are an average joe, this has great suggestions and ideas and I hope you do buy it! But forgive yourself if you are not able to go whole hog with it; pardon the pun.You might also skip the bonus days at the beginning that include a 2 day prep time and fat flush...seemed appealing at first, but since it was 3 days before my hubby got to enjoy chewing, I think he would have lasted longer and had more of a cleanse if he would not have had a lack of sensory experience...doing all that work and not getting to sit down and chew really drained him...the good natural food would indeed have been a good enough cleanse had he kept it up, but after day 5 (with only 2 - 3 days of actual food) he gave up.Ps--not the easiest thing to do in a rainy or cold season. Especially that fasting portion (juices). There we were, drinking liters of fresh (and delicious) juice on the rainiest days of Spring, wishing for warm, comfort food. Would be better served to try during warmer, dryer months. But go for it...at least a little at a time.

This is the 3rd of Dr. McKeith's books I've purchased with the cookbook on it's way and I'm browsing through Slim for Life for the 3rd time. My husband's even paying attention now. I'm eating beans and grains that are new and interesting and above all delicious. Low fat diets never did much for my system aside from a few pounds and dull hair and thin fingernails. Protein and veggies was next choice and lost substantial weight but missed fruits and melons like crazy. This plan, protein from beans and grains and nuts is heavenly. We live in a small Southern community where many of her ingredients aren't available. Health Food Stores are also not available. But substitutions can be made and recipes altered a bit to give variety. After 2-1/2 weeks I've lost nearly 10 lbs, my clothes are loose but best of all my heartburn is gone, GERD is at bay and sinus headaches have said good bye. Can't say there aren't still days of wistfully eyeing my co-workers' hush puppies or donut, but truthfully? No inclination to toss Snickers bars into my basket at checkout any longer and a few bites of ice cream last week wasn't all that great. Before the change in eating, I could down a pint without hesitation and go "mmmmmm" the entire time. My salads are full of more ingredients these days, VERY green, with seeds for protein. A few of my favorite middle eastern dishes are also allowed - Hummus with veggies instead of bread and stuffed grape leaves with brown rice instead of white. It's been a fun experience and when the cookbook arrives, I'm sure it will be even more so. The books themselves are beautiful and being a lover of books, entice you to keep going through them even though you've memorized the gist of the plan. Dr. McKeith isn't the first person without "MD" credentials who knows good nutrition. A dear friend of mine tried to get me to eat this way when I was in my 30's. Too bad I waited so long. Just turned 63 and in this short period of time, feel better, sleep less, sleep BETTER, and look forward to eating. Kudos Gillian! this is a great way to take hold of your diet.

THE BAD:1. I live in a large City (Chicago) with every kind of store you can think of and I still had a hard time finding some of the ingredients used in the recipies. So you spend a lot of time shopping.2. You will spend a lot of time chopping and cooking. If you hold down a job, you must be very organized.3. The cost of most of the ingredients (organic) are very expensive. But the cost goes down once you get stocked on the staples, but is still more than I usually spend.THE GOOD:1. Most of the recipies are very good to great. (a few are not).2. You will enjoy eating a variety of different tastes.3. You will never be hungry. (I have a hard time eating all the food).4. You will feel more energized and healthy.5. Best of all , you will lose weight even if you are a postmenopausal woman like me. I lost 12lbs in 25 days.This is the way I will eat for the rest of my life. I have never said that with any other diet or way of eating before now, and like most of you, I've tried everything.

The reason I gave only 4 stars is that the book isn't what I expected. I have already read a couple of other books by Dr. McKeith, in which she advocates a raw vegan lifestyle for healing and healthy lifestyle, and I was expecting something along those lines. In that, I was immensely disappointed.Still, this book does its job. It seems focused mostly on midlife women and how they can adjust their lifestyles in order to achieve success on many levels, including weight management. As such, I believe it fills a niche that has, as yet, not been addressed. The book focuses on excuses, and shows how to divest oneself of them, then suggests a healthy omnivore diet. (That is not all bad. It is just not what I had signed on for. ) I think this book would be very useful for many women.

I have been trying to lose weight for at least 6 years. I went to the gym daily, and thought I had a healthy diet. Nothing worked, even though I ate no junk food such as chips, etc. I tried other plans, it didn't work either. I ran and walked at lunch. NOTHING.. with the help of Gillian and following her advice, I was able to drop 25 lbs with only following her plan and the routines she advises. What are you willing to do to lose weight, and finally be HEALTHY???? isn't THAT the bottom line. Gillian is a goddess.

EXCELLENT BOOK!!