Savor

Dan Woren's excellent performance saves this worthwhile collection of familiar advice from being weighed down by the author's aphoristic and often repetitive writing. Woren's vocal approach is affable without sounding weak, and his steady enthusiasm and casual phrasing give the audio the momentum and optimistic energy that it needs to hold attention. Fans of Thich Nhat Hanh who might be expecting something more meditative and calming get a more or less standard discussion of how to eat with less mental static and make healthier food choices. The tips and rationales offered, which are nicely illustrated by accessible imagery and compact research summaries, ultimately make this the type of audio that will make a lot of us reconsider the mindless way we tend to go about eating. T.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine

March 15, 2010
The First Noble Truth of healthy weight is that being overweight or obese is suffering. This may seem a bit dramatic to those not familiar with the tenets of Buddhism, but Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist teacher, writes that acknowledging suffering is the first step to transformation. The book's first half creates the context of Buddhist thought as it relates to healthy living. Readers who are less interested in Buddhism and more focused on losing weight may find that the philosophy drags on. Chapters 5 through 7, however, are sure to satisfy readers' practical sides as philosophy gives way to science and nutrition. The "Mindful Living Plan" in Chapter 7 puts it all together and presents a ten-week outline for gradual changes toward healthy living, including suggested meditations for each week. There is a strong emphasis on social support, abstinence from alcohol, and mindful activism. VERDICT Though there are many books on mindful eating on the shelves, this one is likely to be in demand owing to the author's name recognition.Mindy Rhiger, St. Paul

Copyright 2010 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2014

A Buddhist monk and a nutritionist combine nutrition with the practice of mindfulness to help you find a healthy weight and general state of well-being.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2010
So essential to healthy eating is a healthy perspective that Zen Buddhist master and prolific author Nhat Hanh joins forces with nutritionist Cheung for a truly holistic approach. The duo pairs the latest nutritional information with the age-old Buddhist practice of mindfulnessthat is, of being fully aware of all that is going on within ourselves and all that is happening around usto draw attention to what and how we eat. Guidance is offered for recognizing what barriersphysical, psychological, cultural, and environmentalprevent us from controlling our weight, and readers are encouraged to savor food in order to fully nourish both the body and the mind. To that end, Nhat Hanh provides guided meditations on everything from eating an apple to coping with stressful situations, along with advice on selecting and preparing food, staying active, and avoiding self-criticism. Complete with a discussion of why healthy eating is also good for the environment, this is a uniquely insightful and positive program for wellness: a book of tested wisdom; practical action; and intellectual, emotional, and spiritual nutriments.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)