Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels »

I have read a lot of books on physiology, more specifically hormones and metabolism, written by people with board-certified medical degrees. This book explains almost all of what the others do, plus more recent research, in a much easier to read format with helpful charts and references. I was very surprised a book of this quality could come from a non-degreed personal trainer. I have a new respect for Jillian Michaels for passing along medical researched-based facts (many pages of peer-reviewed medical references in the back if you want to check the sources) and dispelling myths like working out on an empty stomach, and the problems with soy and other substances interacting with hormones. Her own story is very interesting and there is a very thorough section explaining hormones and their interconnecting roles in our health. I’ve already started cleaning out my fridge and cabinets.

Quotes from Jillian Michaels new book Master Your Metabolism »

Quotes from Jillian Michaels new book Master Your Metabolism
 
French fries are one of the three most common vegetables consumed by infants 9 to 11 months of age.
Children who play sports are 80 percent less likely to be overweight than kids who never played any.
The average American woman has tried to lose weight at least 10 [...]

Cacao Banana Smoothie »

Cacao Banana Smoothie
Makes 1 serving

1 banana
1 teaspoon Maca
1 Tablespoon raw cacao powder or nibs
1/4 cup cashew butter or whole soaked cashews
1 cup filtered water, for desired consistancy

Place all ingredients in your blender and blend until smooth. Yummy!
Receipe from Ani’s Phyo Raw Food Kitchen

Ani’s Raw Food Kitchen »

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was sixteen. In the late eighties, that was rough- even more difficult than being a vegan now. In the last year, I made the transition to vegan, but thanks to the work of innovative cooks like Isa Chandra Moskowitz, that just isn’t hard anymore. The next challenge? Going raw- very difficult because apparently you need a Vita-Mix, a dehydrator (I don’t think I’ve ever even seen one of those), a food processor, a grinder, and a bunch of other esoteric equipment I’ve never even heard of- right? Ani Phyo earned four stars right off the bat by making almost every one of her recipes doable with a blender or, in many cases, a knife. There are maybe three recipes that absolutely require a dehydrator- and even that can be gotten around. For this reason alone, if you’ve been thinking about raw but you’ve been intimidated by all of the required equipment, check this out.

The recipes that I’ve tried- and I’ve gone a little crazy in the last few days- have been not only simple but really, really good. So far I have made her Miso Soup, Almond Yogurt, Black Pepper Cheeze, Nori Rolls, Coco Kream Pie (oh wow- so good), a bunch of her shakes and my version of her Sunflower Bread (hmm- how did I do that without a dehydrator?). Almost all of this has been accomplished with a blender, and I don’t even own the legendary Vita-Mix. In other words, the majority of households can do this.