Although the ending is a little too simplistic, this book could spark debate in university classrooms or at dinner tables, where the abundance of celebrities and celebrity podcasts suits U.S. tastes as much as apple pie.
This title demonstrates that the wellness industry differs from true well-being as much as spa treatments differ from Audre Lorde’s original idea of self-care for activists. A valuable addition to conversations about race, class, ableism, and diet culture.
By turns intimate and inspiring, this title will empower any woman who has ever doubted her worth or her words, giving her new ways to think about why and how she can put herself more boldly in the world.
With a balanced mix of personal anecdotes (including confessions of missteps) and expert advice, this book feels like both a workout buddy and a super trainer, without taking a tone that’s unnecessarily prescriptive or harsh.
This is wisdom, pure and simple, for everyone in search of the strength necessary to live expansive lives in a world that too often relegates people to the margins.
Some of Buettner’s claims are perhaps heavy-handed (e.g., the book will add years to one’s life), but the recipes and the stories behind them showcase what’s best about food culture: its deeply rooted, community-building practices and the health benefits that accrue from eating in reflective, purposeful ways.