Marilu Henner's Total Health Makeover

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I have never been one for "dieting" but after reading this book I decided that it was time to make some changes in how I eat food. I gave up all dairy products and have started food combining and as a result I have lost 10 lbs in 5 weeks. Like Marilu says in the book, I am starting each step one at a time. Next I will begin exercising regularly (something I have never done) and after that I will give up beef and chicken. Without this book and excellent information I would not have gotten where I am right now! Thanks Marilu!

Rating:
Summary: Taken in part or in whole, Marilu hits the mark!
Review: All I can say is I gave up dairy, processed sugar, began food combining (not perfectly either!) and cut way back on meat consumption, and in as little as three months lost 35 pounds. What Marilu says makes perfect sense and it's easy to understand and follow. It's one of the only "life plans" I have come across that is realistic and healthy. It has literally changed my life!

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Summary: Little changes that make big differences!
Review: I've read this book, and after giving up meat and dairy (I switched to soy substitutes) and caffeine, and food-combining for only two weeks, I've dropped three pounds--but I look like I lost a lot more! My body and (especially) my face are noticeably thinner, and my complexion is nearly translucent! All in all, Marilu gives good advice, nutritionally and spiritually. In fact, all of it is geared toward protecting your mind and body from stress--whether it be through food-combining and giving up caffeine and dairy, exercising, or re-adjusting your attitude. And the great part is, you can follow Marilu's plan in increments. You can incorporate all or any of her steps, and even then, there are increments of "zealousness" for each one. You can positively affect your life by following ONE of her suggestions just a LITTLE. I'd give this book five stars if it weren't for some contradictions between her rules for food combining and the foods listed in the Josie's restaurant recipes section and the restaurant-selection suggestions section. For instance, she gives a recipe for turkey tortillas (protein + starch) and suggests eating cold sesame noodles (another protein + starch) at a Chinese restaurant. There are many other protein + starch combinations listed. In addition, she'll give advice such as consuming a citric fruit with nuts to counteract their fat content, but then doesn't say how soon you should wait till your next meal--i.e., is this nut-fruit combo treated like a fruit meal or a protein meal? I know that Marilu has a new book out--which I haven't read yet--so hopefully some of the aforementioned food-combining kinks have been ironed out. But if not, and if you're reading this, Marilu, this information needs to be more consistent, exact, and precise.

Rating:
Summary: Praise for Marilu's book
Review: I have practised food combining on and off for 12 years and have found it to be the "best" way for my health, my weight and my energy level. My first experience with food combining was through the book Fit for Life. I have battled with my weight fluctuating, with digestive problems and insomnia. Food combining irradicates all of those symptoms for me. Unfortunately, it can feel so strict at first but once you get into the habit of fruit till noon, and learn how to prepare quick lunches and interesting vegetarian meals, it is the ABSOLUTE best way for your body. Marilu explains the principle of food combining clearly and presents it in a less radical fashion than other authors have. Her explanation of Balance in chapter 2 is very revealing and informative. I love "The Ten Steps - One At A Time". I am able to change everything almost immediately except for Sugar! But knowing that this is a life process and not just a diet supports me even when I eat that piece of carrot cake. Her section on dairy, sugar, chemicals and meat are very well presented. I have read hundreds of books on health for my own interest and I found that she presented her book in a very engaging and informative manner. My only criticism would be that she elaborate on the food combining section adding menu suggestions for lunches and dinners. It would be beneficial and important for those people who are new to this awareness. Perhaps that is what we will see in her book that is due to come out this spring! Thank you Marilu for bringing it all back to me!

Rating:
Summary: Small Steps Make a Huge Difference
Review: I've spent the last 20 years of my life waking up and deciding to do a 180 degree change with my diet and exercise habits only to find that when I screw up in one area, I drop the whole ball and stop ALL my new-found habits. Marilu's program separates them and introduces them in such a gradual way that when I eat a piece of cake, I am able to not only maintain the other dietary and exercise changes but also am able to eventually regain my resolve and go back to discontinuing the sugar from my diet again. I don't feel like a failure if I backtrack a little here and there as I feel I have numerous other things I'm doing right that are getting great results.

Rating:
Summary: This book changed my life!
Review: This is an awesome book; I highly reccommend it. Unfortunately, if you don't live in California, cheap, fresh, organic produce will be expensive and pretty hard to find. Otherwise, her suggestions on food combining and living dairy-free are wonderful (although if you read them, you may never want to drink cow's milk again). Trash The Zone and try this book. Her writing is refreshing and engaging, and having tried a million books about the same thing, Marilu's is the only one I would reccommend to someone seriously trying to change their eating habits.

Rating:
Summary: Difficult at first, but AMAZING results later!!!
Review: I met a woman in one of my classes who was on the Marilu plan. She was a constant ball of energy and man was she fit. I am 21 years old and I don't look near as good as her 31 year old lithe body.She and I talked and she let me borrow the book. WOW! I love it. It is a little, uh, strict. But, if you love vegetables and feeling great, this is definitely the plan for you. To the woman who said "no protein with a starch meant no sandwiches. . ." GET REAL!! There a thousand combinations of vegetable sandwiches you can do, and feel much better after eating them. I LOVE MY NEW "MAKE-OVER!! 14 lbs of loss and still going!

Rating:
Summary: For people who are finally ready to feel healthy
Review: I read "Fit For Life" by the Diamonds several years ago and tried food combining for a couple months. I never felt better in my life. I don't know why I didn't stick with it after that, but this book is different - it's not as preachy and it lets you have a social life. It's a more laid back approach to food combining, and eliminating toxins from your body than "Fit For Life" was. Rather than scaring you into making these major lifestyle changes, Marilu eases you in. You're not going to die if you can't quit your daily latte, but you can try and cut out beef first, then sugar, then dairy - slowly. There's no pressure. You feel like you're getting the advice of a trusted older, wiser girlfriend. I've read enough about food combining, dairy and meat to know that she speaks the truth. If you can't bring yourself to believe that "Milk does a body good" is *only* advertising, not gospel, then just quit dairy for one week - you won't believe how much better you feel. Same goes for meat, caffeine and sugar. Great book! I refer to it often.

Rating:
Summary: Great energy, makes you move to live!!
Review: I have always looked for ways to eat right Mary Lou has tapped The nutrition out look! I wish I could thank her personally!!!!!

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Summary: This book offers a "make-sense" approach to eating-no diets!
Review: To see Marilu Henner on TV is a testamony as to the affectiveness of this manner of eating. This book along with any of the others she recommends in the back may change your eating habits forever. You will surely drop the word "diet" from your vocabulary.