I love her approach of "Food is wonderful! Look at all the foods you get to eat!" I also love her "power foods" list which includes blueberries, whole grains, olive oil, spinach and almonds -- it's almost a no-guilt diet...eat things you love and lose weight at the same time. Her recipes look extraordinary and the ones I've tried so far have been amazing -- all fresh food, but easy to find at the grocery store. Her emphasis on flavor and variety is also inspiring -- you don't need to eat celery and rice cakes to lose weight, far from it. There is a bit more emphasis on food combinations than I esp like at this early stage, but I'm following along for a while because it will probably help with the variety issue as much as anything else. How many of us just get sick to death of our diet food and can't bear to eat another bite? With her approach, "diet food" may actually be "great food" that you never want to give up.

I'm not generally keen on diet books - they're usually written around pseudo-science and often demand severe restriction of certain types of food. This plan isn't laborious to follow, in fact, it's pretty intuitive after a day or two. The author builds a framework that I can follow without journaling or counting points. The food is healthy and whole and there are great real-world recipes, food you could serve guests.

Very preliminary review but I look so forward to starting Jan 4 with my mom and sister (we have a pact!). This is the type of food I long eat anyway and if I do, reading this book, I understand that I reap many lifelong health benefits in addition to weight loss. That is fairly basic information, I know, but somehow the way this book is written, the fact really struck home for me. I'm always skeptical of "diets" knowing how easy it is to revert. As a "foodie", I think I can do this! I will enjoy the recipes regardless. The parts that intrigue me most are the initial "Wave One" 10 day part where weight loss is quick and realigns your food cravings, and the many delicious but simple recipes to get there. Best of all, I love the prevailing attitude of eating to enhance your life not limit and deprive. Best wishes!