Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Book Review and Giveaway - Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal

Foods That Harm, Foods That Heal is a Reader's Digest book - the tagline is "The best and worst choices to treat your ailments naturally" and that interested me because the older I get, the less dependent on medicine I'd like to be...and if I can treat, if not cure, something naturally, I'm all for that.

This book is huge - it weighs over 2 pounds (yes, I actually put it on my food scale to check).  It's a very easy-to-read reference book that lists both foods and ailments alphabetically - for example, I looked up arthritis because of the mess I'm dealing with in my feet.  I was surprised to see that eating pineapple was recommended - it contains bromelain, which is an enzyme that helps to reduce swelling.  Interesting...I go through bouts of eating a lot of fresh pineapple, and now I'm going to track my foot pain to see if it gets better when I'm on a pineapple jag.

I like the simplicity of this book, and how they list both health benefits and risks, if any, with food.  As I randomly flipped through the book, I discovered that celery has no risks, but it can help with weight loss, high blood pressure, certain inflammatory conditions, and may help reduce the risk of certain cancers.  All that from something as simple as celery!

Here's a few more examples from the book - and hey, did you know that you're supposed to be eating carrots with a little bit of fat for better absorption of beta-carotene?  I didn't, but now I feel better about the little bit of butter I toss my cooked carrots with!
I have one copy of this book available for giveaway - just leave me a comment saying you'd like to win, and I'll have random.org draw the winner and announce him/her this Friday.  Open to U.S. and Canada residents only; please make sure you leave an email address in the comments if your name isn't linked to a blog.  Good luck!

Comments are closed as this giveaway has ended.

FTC:  I received a copy of this book for free; opinions expressed are all my own.  The publisher will be fulfilling the giveaway prize.

27 comments:

  1. Love your blog! I found it through "Go Goggy Go". This book sounds great and I would love to win! I am hoping to get my blog up soon. It is called "Type 2 Turtle in Training". I started on it, but then one heck of a year put it on the back burner. Janice
    jimmyjan82@gmail.com

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  2. Definitely. I think I need some pineapple.

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  3. Not entering, but just wondered what benefits &
    recommendations you found for coconut M&M's?
    :)
    Chrissy

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    1. Surprisingly, they aren't listed! I'd put them down as emotional helpers. ;)

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    2. There is such a thing as coconut M&M's????

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  4. I'd love to win! Food is medicine, it can heal you or hurt you!

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  5. I'd love to win! I found your blog through "AIM", so I'm going back to the beginning of your blog and reading. I'm currently in the middle of 2011 - you are awesome, Shelley! Such an inspiration, and it's getting me motivated to get with it! jegjess at gmail dot com.

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  6. I have been reading your blog for awhile now - you've been inspiring me on my own weight loss journey - but have never commented before. I would love to win! I have been paying a lot more attention to the food I've been eating lately and this would definitely be a handy reference to have!
    erika_jane@hotmail.com

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  7. That would be a very interesting read. I'd like to win :)
    michelle [at] betahelix [dot] net

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  8. I would love to win and it would help me as I start my own (again) weight loss journey. Working on initiating my own weight loss blog now which will be titled "2 Many Diets 2 Count". You are an inspiration and I thoroughly enjoy your blog. germanancestry@gmail.com

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  9. Hey Shelley, I have actually picked up and put this book down so many times in Barnes & Noble. I mean to go home and order it from Amazon, but by the time I get home, I've forgotten all about it?? (See I need to look up what's causing short-term memory loss and what I can eat to stop it! LOL!) So I'd LOVE to have it. Looking forward to the next AIM post!

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  10. I'd love to win this book! I try as much as I can to avoid taking medicine and pain pills, but I just guess to what I think will help. This book would probably be a bit more effective than just guessing! :)

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  11. The book's cover is so pretty! I'd love to win! I'm on a weight-loss/gain roller coaster and feel like THIS is the time I'm going to lose it for good and maintain!

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  12. Hey Shelley, this would be one I would like to win! Sure enjoyed getting to spend a few hours with you last week! Let me know if you want another outing - perhaps we could meet at an outlet mall?!?!?! 😀

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  13. I definitely think there is something to the notion that some foods make you feel good and others make you feel bad. I think I definitely feel better since I've been eating less sugar. Thanks for all the giveaways you do, makes it fun!

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  14. Oh thank you for the opportunity! Please enter my name in the raffle.

    Rose in SV

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  15. This book sounds really interesting. I would love to win it! I love pineapple and wouldn't it be fabulous if it would help my arthritis.

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  16. This would be great! I have a 15 year old with constant stomach pain, and my husband had arthritis and fibromalagia.

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  17. I have heard about this book, and would love to be included in the drawing!
    My email is terriarnell@gmail.com
    Thanks,

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  18. I'd love to win this book! I'm all for natural cures rather than "drugs". I'm reminded of the quote from Hippocrates - "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."

    My email: dwillisccg@msn.com

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  19. I would love this book. I've been dealing with a lot of vague health issues that are making me feel like crap and I have a strong suspicion my less-than-perfect diet has something to do with it.

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  20. I'd love to see if my everyday food habits are helping or hurting me! lynn_w (at) softhome.net

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  21. I'm new here and was just reviewing your blog for inspiration. What a lovely journey you have been on. So motivating. Thank you for sharing and I would love a chance to win the book! I have been trying to find some natural remedies for a few of my conditions, this would be perfect! I also hope to start blogging like you all soon too.

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  22. I would LOVE to win this book. Thanks.
    tarter95 at hotmail dot com

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