I recently picked up a copy of the #1 New York Times Bestseller, Skinny Bitch, and read it not once, but twice. The authors talk to you straight, just like your best girlfriend would, peppered with what my mom calls “potty talk”. That’s okay, I probably wouldn’t have read it twice if it was dry and boring.
For anyone who thinks the object is to be a size zero or that a Skinny Bitch = bitchiness, think again. It’s about eating a vegan diet and being healthy, in body and mind. According to the authors:
“A Skinny Bitch is someone who enjoys food, eats well, and loves her body as a result. It has nothing to do with how much you weigh or what size you are! Skinny Bitches come in all beautiful shapes and sizes!”
The list of “foods” to avoid is short:
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Soda – regular (liquid Satan) or diet (worse than that)
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Cigarettes - aside from the Surgeon General’s warning about killing you, smoking is so uncool. Besides it kills your taste buds.
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Coffee- regular or decaf (caffeine is a drug)
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Alcohol, beer, wine (with the exception of organic red wine made without sulfites)
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Junk food – candy bars, potato chips, ice cream. You know, the goodies made with white flour, hydrogenated oil and high fructose corn syrup; the kind where you can eat a whole bag meant for 6 servings and you’re still ravenous.
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White carbs – white is not a food group! Ban white rice, white flour, white pasta, and white sugar from your pantry.
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Sugar substitutes and any food that contains Nutrasweet, Equal, Sweet & Low, or Splenda. If it contains aspartame or saccharin, it’s not for you.
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High fructose corn syrup - Read food labels. High fructose corn syrup is in just about every prepared food there is.
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Meat, fish, and dairy, including eggs and cheese – Their argument for a vegan diet is compelling. The chapters depicting life on the factory farm are graphic and sickening.
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Over the counter medicines – as in don’t reach for a pill at the first twinge.
Check out the resources in the Recommended Reading section. There’s a wealth of information online. I sent away for a “Vegetarian Starter Kit” from GoVeg.com.
The concepts that authors Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin espouse are surprisingly simple. Eat complex carbohydrates (think whole grains, brown rice), nuts, organic fruits and veggies. Use natural sweeteners such as Stevia, Agave Nectar or Turbinado sugar instead of refined white sugar. Use natural, unrefined Celtic sea salt instead of table salt. Drink decaffeinated organic green tea or herbal tea, fresh squeezed juice and plenty of water. Eat only when you’re hungry and oh yes, exercise! As Rory and Kim would say – Duh!
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Welcome to Verda Vivo. My name is Daryl Warner Laux.
Be very careful to allow sufficient protein in your diet. People require protein to live. No I am not giving up the wine I have given up all sorts of foods but the wine stays tho I shy away from box wines due to lack of flavor. That’s toilet talk as I used to say. Love Mom
I confess, if I gave up all that I WOULD be a size 0 because I wouldn’t eat much — and certainly not enough to be overweight. And I would be a sad, sad lady. Everything in moderation, I say. And it must be working OK — my naturopath has advised me to try to increase my cholesterol levels to support my overall health.
I agree. Everything in moderation. I will continue to drink coffee and drink wine because I enjoy both. And I haven’t given up cheese but the crackers are whole grain. I’m trying out new veggie recipes – http://verdavivocooks.wordpress.com/.
I loved the book! I admit that have read it thoroughly at least once, have skimmed it several times since and have passed it on to my Mom. Many of my friends have read it too and agree that it’s a entertaining “wake-up” call. I don’t think I ever would have been able to get a few of these same friends to read a typical vegan diet book if not for the catchy title and Sex-in-the-City-like delivery. and they not only like it but are embracing some of what Kim and Rori have to say.
Andwho says you have to adopt everything they say 100%? But it does inspire you to at least think about what you put in your mouth and maybe even cut back in some areas which will do not only your body some good but the environment as well.
I passed the book along to my daughter who is, I mean was, a fast food junkie. She has started eating tofu sandwiches and soy cheese. No meat and dairy for her. At 22 she would have found a traditional vegan book boring. I’m thrilled because she hasn’t always taken the best care of herself.
Interesting review. I’ve heard of this book, but haven’t read it yet. Although, after reading the list of ‘do not eat’ (which i agree, many of them are good to cut out) – what can you eat?!?
It is pretty limiting. I am not vegan and still drink coffee and wine but did cut out high fructose corn syrup, soda, sugar substitutes (I use stevia and agave syrup instead). ~ Daryl
I’m so happy that more and more people are finding out about Stevia. My Dad has been in to it since 1996 when he started importing it, experimenting with various formulas, and selling it to a faithful few. Check the link to check it out – http://www.sweetess.com.