The American public is showing more & more interest in improving health, living longer & happier, and achieving better-looking, more efficient bodies. Magazines and TV ads are literally bombarding us with information, theories, quick fixes, research studies. Health food stores, drug stores and grocery stores are attempting to respond to the need by filling their shelves with products designed and marketed to entice us in our quest for health & beauty. The result is confusion with incredible financial expenditures. Here's the thing: and these concepts have always been true - There's no such thing as a quick fix, there is no single miracle product, and achieving a healthy body, mind and spirit involves effort, patience, and the willingness to learn from multiple sources of information.
Dr. Pratt has successfully given us a single resource that addresses the spectrum of disciplines required to live on the Path to Health. His approach involves the seasons: Winter is the Season of Resolution. Spring is the Season of Joy. Summer is the Season of Peace. Autumn is the Season of Transition.
There are four strands comprising your health line: nutrition, exercise, adequate sleep and personal peace. Your healthline is analogous to a rope hanging off a cliff to which you cling. Neglecting any strand corrupts the synergy of the rope, fraying it, putting you in danger of falling into the abyss below.
The following is an outline of the Seasons and topics covered:
Winter - New Winter Superfood - Dark Chocolate, touted for its polyphenols. Dr. Pratt not only summarizes the benefits to overall health, but also tells us how much, what kind, and how to buy.
More Winter Superfoods: Dried fruits such as apricots, figs, plums, raisins, dates, cranberries. These dried superfruits provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, potassium and complex carbohydrates.
Oranges - the vitamin C in citrus protects DNA from free-radical damage and prevents cancer before it begins.
Oats
Tomatoes - processed tomatoes have greater benefits than fresh - known for lutein content, protecting eyesight.
Each season covered in the book includes recipes to get superfoods in your diet.
Winter focus - keeping active indoors - a challenge which is addressed with some novel ideas of finding ways to exercise that you may not have thought of before.
Winter disease focus: Avoiding diabetes - outlined are ways to avoid or control.
Winter Superspice: Cinnamon - aids in the reduction of blood glucose levels, moderates triglyceride & cholesterol levels. Also known as an antibacterial. Buy organic. Contains vitamin C & carotenoids.
The importance of Vitamin D - more difficult to get naturally in Winter - stock up on Vitamin D fortified foods. You should also get 10 - 15 minutes of unprotected sun daily.
Spring - Theme - Savor Nature
Focus: the benefits of Walking
Diet: Portion Control - discusses what portions and sizes really are.
Spring Superfood - Kiwi
More superfoods: spinach, soy, honey, fiber, tea
Disease focus: Osteoperosis
Summer - Theme - Season of Peace
Whole Mind/Whole Body Health
Stress, relaxation, meditation, spirituality, deep breathing, music, optimism, fun & friendship, embracing nature, & anger reduction are thoroughly discussed with interesting ways to achieve balance in life.
Summer Superfoods: Avocado, Blueberries
Disease focus: Alzheimers
Optimum blood flow, adequate nutrients, right balance of fats - are what the brain relies on. A healthy cardiovascular system = foundation for a healthy brain.
Brain superfoods: fish, green & black tea, low fat or non-fat yogurt; wild salmon, halibut, tuna, sardines, herring, trout, seabass. Recommended: increase potassium intake for hypertension and high blood pressure. Cook with Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Autumn: Season of Transition
Focus: adequate sleep
Super foods: apples, pumpkin, pomegranates (can be juice), walnuts, broccoli, onions, turkey (skinless breast).
Super Spices: Cumin, Turmeric, Oregano, Thyme.
Dr. Pratt & Kathy Matthews are also the authors of Super Foods Rx.