Glow: A Prescription for Radiant Health and Beauty

Rating:
Summary: Far Beyond any basic beauty book
Review: Do not be misled by the cover or title; becuase this is not a girly book. Guys would do well to read it too, even though the complement of "glowing" is seldom given to a man. True, there are home "beauty" remedies, but the book's principle purpose is gender neutral: to inform the reader how physical signs reflect the body's need for nutrients, and how tell the body is being fed, overfed or deprived of these nutrients.

Christina Pirello teaches you how to monitor your body's needs so that you can achieve a healthier life, by explaining what causes factors like brittle nails, irritated eyes, thin hair, varicose vens, zits, warts, excessively dry or oily skin, and cellulite...to name only a few of the symptoms she addresses. She then instructs you on how to modify your diet and recommends home remedies that will not only alleviate physical imperfections, but direct you on a path that will yield a life of improved health.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent guideline for holistic health
Review: I was very impressed with the content of this book. It does a wonderful job of explaining the effects of different foods on the health of the human body, using the energetics derived from Chinese medicine theories. It was clear and concise, and I could actually pinpoint some of my own health issues from a perspective that I had never heard before. Western medicine has far to go.
I have not tried any of the recipes yet, as some of the ingredients are totally foreign to me, or sound unappetizing, but will try them eventually. For now, I will apply the theories to the foods that I am already familiar with. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for natural ways to improve upon their looks and health.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent guideline for holistic health
Review: I was very impressed with the content of this book. It does a wonderful job of explaining the effects of different foods on the health of the human body, using the energetics derived from Chinese medicine theories. It was clear and concise, and I could actually pinpoint some of my own health issues from a perspective that I had never heard before. Western medicine has far to go.
I have not tried any of the recipes yet, as some of the ingredients are totally foreign to me, or sound unappetizing, but will try them eventually. For now, I will apply the theories to the foods that I am already familiar with. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for natural ways to improve upon their looks and health.

Rating:
Summary: The Recipes are Fabulous!
Review: In addition to all the wonderful information and insights on health, the recipes are excellent. Even my meat loving family likes almost all of the recipes that I have tried in this book. If you would like to include more veggies in your diet, try some of these recipes. Greens have never tasted so good. I have also found the natural remedies very helpful as well. If you are looking for better health, look in this book.

Rating:
Summary: The Recipes are Fabulous!
Review: In addition to all the wonderful information and insights on health, the recipes are excellent. Even my meat loving family likes almost all of the recipes that I have tried in this book. If you would like to include more veggies in your diet, try some of these recipes. Greens have never tasted so good. I have also found the natural remedies very helpful as well. If you are looking for better health, look in this book.

Rating:
Summary: Fire the editor!!!
Review: The author goes into detail about the Yin and Yang aspects of nature, describing Yin as outward moving and expansive, while Yang is described as being inward moving and contractive. My boyfriend, who is studying Chinese medicine was reading the sample pages over my shoulder and was quick to point out that the author has these qualities exactly opposite of what they should be. Yin is the feminine quality, inward and storing while Yang is the masculine quality, outward and depleting. It's hard to believe that someone could make this mistake and actually get to print, but alas, they did. FYI for all those who would care to know.

Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: This book was full of excellent information. It was an easy and enjoyable read. The recipes are also great the only downfall is the cost of these recipes but in the end health and beauty are worth it.

Rating:
Summary: use whole foods to solve your beauty woes!
Review: Upfront, let me point out this book's glaring weaknesses: not only are the attributions of yin and yang switched in this book, but (with a somewhat repetitive writing style, I might add) Ms. Pirello also helps the reader self-diagnose facial flaws using "chinese medicine". While this is a good concept and she has many interesting insights, the very nature of chinese medicine is undermined as the the balance of the entire system of the person that is so central to chinese medicine is never discussed! For a complete introduction to Chinese Medicine, try reading "The Web That Has No Weaver" by Ted J. Kaptchuk.

HOWEVER, don't let these editorial oversights stop you from purchasing and applying the unique insights and treasures to be found within its pages. It is about time that someone applied the Chinese worldview of health to the topic of beauty for we westerners, and Ms. Pirello has done just that! With her book I was not only able to diagnose the real causes of my adult-onset acne, but as I began to apply her "plan" I found that I lost excess weight that no single diet had ever succeeded in taking off.

Her plan is a drastic change for most westerners, and there are many foods that she recommends which are difficult to find at first...but, after searching, I did find them. I have only applied about half of her remedies so far, and my skin is already clear and "glowing," just like when I was a child! I've lost weight, feel more energy, and just generally feel "lighter." An added bonus that I didn't expect from this plan is my lower blood pressure, which was never really a problem per se, but had been slowly creeping up as I began to age.


In addition to this book, may I also recommend "The Truth About Beauty" by Kat James...it also approaches beauty from the aspect of health, as well as having an excellent reference guide in the back for locating difficult-to-find products and supplements!