February 12, 2008 by Keli.

Stupidity gets the boot today so that I may indulge in a book review.

When I learned that the good people over at MotherTalk were seeking reviewers for a new book on women’s health, I was mildly interested. I’ve read loads of books on that very topic. I’m almost surprised I haven’t written my own by now (key word, almost). I know what to do to stay healthy: exercise regularly, eat organically and take every supplement known to man (or woman in my case). Or so I thought.

Then I discovered that the author of this “groundbreaking” new book believes that one doesn’t need to endlessly exercise, give up favorite foods or stock walk-in size closets with expensive supplements and vitamins; I quickly signed-up. And I’m glad that I did.

Clear. Concise. Chock full of common sense advice. These aren’t necessarily words normally associated with a book written by a physician. But they were the first words that came to my mind upon reading a chapter of The Natural Superwoman by Uzzi Reiss, M.D., OB/GYN and Yfat Reiss Gendell, a knowledgeable father - daughter team. Their professionalism is nothing to be sneezed at. Everything is underscored by scientific research.

Dr Reiss believes that focusing on four basic principles or “pillars” enable women to manage and maintain health and well-being in meeting the challenges of everyday life. These four pillars are:

1. Nutrition 2. Activity Maintenance 3. Hormone Balance 4. Mind and Mood

The chapter on osteoporosis caught my immediate interest as my sixty-six-year-old mother was recently diagnosed and advised to begin a strong, conventional treatment program. After some research, Mom decided the abundant and unpleasant side effects outweighed the potential benefits of the treatment. Her physician had not bothered mentioning the downside of the medication. Dr. Reiss not only ably discusses the serious side effects of conventional treatments, but also offers a viable, safe and alternative method for battling osteoporosis, consisting of a practical “regimen of natural supplements and exercise.” Additionally, he suggests activities to prevent and treat osteoporosis. Valuable information for those seeking choices.

I’ve read extensively about nutritional supplements for osteoporosis. But Dr. Reiss offered a first in explaining the benefits of a higher than usual dosage of magnesium and Vitamin D.

The book is presented in a genial, conversational tone. I can almost feel the patient doctor sitting next to me on the couch, chatting while sipping tea…mineral-rich green tea, of course, per his recommendation.

I greatly appreciate books written by physicians who encourage patients to explore alternative, less invasive and less intrusive means of treatment. This is just such a book. Dr. Reiss believes the patient knows more about her body than anyone else. And he attempts to help her along by asking a series of questions regarding symptoms.

Another chapter explores strategies for “proactively preventing and treating breast cancer,” through weight management and diet, among others. I was surprised to find that iodine deficiency was associated with breast cancer. Needless to say, I immediately went to my supply room and took a Kelp supplement the moment I finished that section.

What makes this book particularly innovative is the doctor’s stance on bioidentical hormones as a safe and effective alternative treatment. Bioidentical meaning an exact replica of what our own bodies produce. Unfortunately, I have not had enough time to give this section a proper read, but I’d like to and will as this type of therapy has been controversial in recent times.

As Dr. Reiss explains, to be a “natural superwoman” simple lifestyle changes enable women to reach their maximum potential. He believes our bodies can run “glitch-free,” hence making us superwomen. After reviewing much of this book, I find it easy to believe that we can indeed become superwomen.

Keep thinking!

Keli
Keli@Counterfeithumans.com

Many thanks to Marjorie and Melissa for generously making this review possible, through the courtesy of Mother Talk.

Posted in Book Reviews | 3 Comments »

August 31, 2007 by Keli.

Stupidity takes a well-deserved day off (I didn’t leave the house at all yesterday or answer any phones in case I’d run into a vacant mind) to give me a chance to review the latest young adult book offering by brand name author, James Patterson: Maximum Ride 3 ~ Saving the World and other Extreme Sports.

Science fiction and fantasy are not my genres of choice. But from the very start, this energetic read showed no signs of letting up. Fast-paced and well planned, the short, crisp chapters reeled me in; I couldn’t help but fly right beside Max, Fang and the whole gang as they set out to save the world from obliteration.

Six genetically modified kids, ranging in age from six to fourteen, strive to overcome the very mad scientists that created them. The “whitecoats,” become these children’s, and the entire planet’s, worst enemies. Another tome about the co-existing forces of good and evil. Hardly an original concept, but what the plot lacks in inventiveness, it makes up for in action.

The kids in Maximum Ride 3 are hip, smart and just happen to have amazing flying ability. They’re the only ones of their kind to have escaped the whitecoats and survived on their own. Consequently, they’re street-wise and world-weary. I hadn’t read the first two books of this trilogy, but I felt unhampered as this was simple to follow and to the point.

The leader of the flock is sassy Max, a young girl with grit and moxie, not one to hold back when it comes to speaking her mind. At first, I found her nonstop sarcasm a bit much. But honestly, what did I expect from a parentless girl forced to fend for herself against the odds and elements? The majority of grown-ups in her short life were wicked and bent on wrecking havoc. When did she have time to learn ladylike manners with survival on her mind, not to mention saving the world?

Details that could delay the action are conveniently discarded (how did the kids buy airline tickets without money? And who was the mutant in the castle that passed the note to Max?). I wish James Patterson had opted to discard the attempt at romance between Max and Fang. It seemed out of place. And weren’t they a little young and terribly busy? For me, it was an unnecessary distraction from the action; I was relieved it was brief.

No search for deeper meaning required in Maximum Ride 3. Just a carnival ride, exciting and fast-moving. Don’t get me wrong. These kids are set on doing the right thing and surrounding themselves by the right people. Responsibility, loyalty, and trust are often put to a test. Not bad virtues to pass on to young readers.

If you’re looking for flowery prose and detailed description, you’re not going to find it here. The rare similes that appear consist of examples such as Total the talking dog squirming inside Max’s “jacket like a gopher in a hole.” But you’ll find action galore.

My sixteen-year-old, currently reading The Scarlet Letter for his English class, peeked over my shoulder as I read.

“Wow!” he marveled. “this looks really easy to read.”

Maximum Ride 3 appealed to his sense of brevity and fun; a light-read, not requiring a dictionary by his side to define terms like “assiduous” and “desultory.” What you see is what you get and that was just fine with my son.

If you give youngsters a choice between going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art or Disneyland, which do you think they’d choose? If it’s Disneyland, then this is the book for them.

Tomorrow my quest to overcome stupidity while maintaining sanity resumes with A Case of Mistaken Stupidity.

Keep thinking!

Keli

Keli@Counterfeithumans.com

Posted in Book Reviews | 3 Comments »