I had mixed feelings about this book (2.5 stars).I don't usually write such long reviews.

However having been involved with natural foods since the late 60's and working in the retail end for 39 of those years I've seen a lot of change and food trends and the subject is of long interest to me. This book addressed some of them. I worked in 2 local places, one now gone, the other thriving celebrating 37 years this month.



I recall when plain yogurt was considered very exotic. Now in every flavor kno

I had mixed feelings about this book (2.5 stars).I don't usually write such long reviews.However having been involved with natural foods since the late 60's and working in the retail end for 39 of those years I've seen a lot of change and food trends and the subject is of long interest to me. This book addressed some of them. I worked in 2 local places, one now gone, the other thriving celebrating 37 years this month.I recall when plain yogurt was considered very exotic. Now in every flavor known to humans it's become a probiotics panacea. Since then there was wheat germ, bee pollen, brewer's yeast, whole wheat, whole grains, oat bran, quinoa, wheat free, soymilk, almond milk, tofu, tempe, high carb, low carb, low fat, no fat, more fat, no white sugar, honey, pomegranate juice, unpasteurized, fermented, organic, non GMO, no rBGH, grass fed, free-range, cage free, vegetarian, fruitarian, macrobiotic, vegan, paleo, gluten free, fasting, cleansing. And that's the short list. I've eaten most of them if for no other reason than if a customer asks me a question I am more informed.Most are not quite mainstream everywhere, but in larger cities you will find many of these food items in your local supermarket or food coop.Am I biased? Yes,I personally think that a diet of mostly unprocessed, organic foods is healthier than heavily processed food regardless of what foods you choose to eat. Fewer additives may be better. It can take more time to prepare your own meals but there are ways to plan meals to offset that. Is it more expensive, yes for some items, no for others. Having cooking skills makes this easier. Where I worked, part of our goal was to help people learn how to do these things. I also believe that people deserve to work in safe conditions and be paid fairly; that plants are not just trademarked product; that animals are not just product and should be raised humanely and respected for their sacrifice. To the best of my ability I abide by these guidelines but am not perfect.So back to the book. I did like parts of the book that clarified such things as yes,for people who are celiac it is very important that they know about gluten in their food but that doesn't mean it's poison for everyone. No,for many people salt is not lethal. A little sugar won't kill you but seriously should you drink a liter of pop a day? Likewise with the other topics addressed. Is there lots of self-interest and greed built into fads-yes that applies to more than food today. Fanaticism is off putting whether it's food, religion, politics or morality.I thought the rice diet story was the saddest, more due to the utter hypocrisy involved in the manipulation of women's fears about being fat to control and bilk them while feeding them a crappy diet. It would be another whole article to write about the search for belief and how people are manipulated by it to spend money on hope. The author does touch on this.What I did not like is the author's tendency to sarcasm and snarkiness about presenting his information. I listened to the audiobook and to me the reader's interpretation seemed to emphasize this. Interestingly it sounded very much like the behavior of people who are being fanatical in the other direction. To me he discounted some useful information in doing this.I also thought the author was somewhat naïve about the influence of "big food" i.e. corporate food producers and political pressures. Over the last 20 years large food corporations have seen lots of money to be made in organic and "natural" foods. Many independent businesses have been bought up. There has been pushing back and forth about revising organic certification standards which are quantifiable unlike the term natural. Many millions of dollars have been spent to protect interests and profits. Organic standards have been challenged to weaken them. GMO labeling has been resisted. I recall when ingredient and nutrition labeling was resisted for the very same reasons too hard,too expensive.Whatever the current fad of dietary cure all is, a lot of businesses do jump on the marketing bandwagon.Consumer health is not always the first priority.Then in the last chapter, the author went totally fanatical too. It's not that he was incorrect about eating with intention not distraction or avoiding plastics; his information is good. But just as he dinged other extremists about back to nature, the past was better, single item cures,he then went on to say ONLY his advice would solve ALL our problems.I recall a member of our food coop who lobbied hard for our store to be vegan in every area but… pet food. I asked her why selling non vegan pet food is okay and she replied "well, I have a cat". I said "So, you are saying that though all of us have different contradictions in our choices, your contradiction is the only acceptable one." Yes, she thought we should all abide by her choices as they were the only "right" ones.We all have contradictions in our lives. You can only be aware of them and choose what is best for you without harming others. For years I had on my office bulletin board a quote from Epictetus;“Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you and be silent.” I guess by writing this review I have perhaps ignored my own advice.And don't forget as Warren Zevon said about life ''How much you're supposed to enjoy every sandwich."A chart of who owns what-organic brands purchased by large mainstream producers