The Rockstar Remedy

October 6, 2014
“Do the things that bring you joy while being mindful of your health” and you can still party like a rock star. That’s the premise and the promise of this book from “naturopathic doctor” Francis, developed over 25 years of working with some of the world’s most famous—and infamously indulgent—music gods. The key: live a consciously healthy life 90% of the time and you’ll minimize the negative effects of the excesses you enjoy during the other 10%. Francis’s simple, no-nonsense plan gently guides readers toward healthy, nutrient-dense foods, fit-anyone’s-schedule exercise options, and easy-to-incorporate damage control tips. Broken up into five stages, the program begins with a 21-day diet detox; continues with a detox plan for body (exercise, spa treatments, and bodywork), mind (meditation, prayer, and personal relationships), and home (eradicating household toxins and clutter); then segues into maintaining that 90-10 balance whether you’re traveling, eating out, having drinks, or at work. Sprinkled throughout are self-assessment quizzes and handy reference lists, as well as engaging backstage stories and quotes on mindful living from the rock stars themselves. Francis’s prescription may not be revolutionary, but her lively approach to presenting sound and solid advice should make it a hit. Agent: Brandy Bowles, Foundry Literary + Media.

Starred review from December 1, 2014

Francis, known to some of the most famous bands and musicians in the world as the "Rock & Roll Doctor," brings her years of experience as a naturopathic physician to this compelling prescription for healthy living. The author describes the lifestyle of her "regular" clients as similar to that of her rock-star patients: often marked by insomnia, poor eating habits, and lack of exercise. She claims that people commonly become overwhelmed by the demands on their time and are prone to periods of overwork followed by a return to healthier habits, in much the same way that musicians exist on tour. Francis shares the methods in which her clients are taught to support their bodies during those intense times and the techniques they use to get back into balance during downtimes. She details the five stages, or key areas, of transformation involved in her program: detoxing the diet; nourishing and reviving through food and drink; exercise; revitalizing the mind and spirit; and socialization. The author includes many quotes from performers with whom she has traveled and worked. VERDICT This detailed, informative, and fun book is recommended for fans of alternative medicine and music aficionados alike.--Linda F. Petty, Wimberley, TX

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2014
So much for sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll. Naturopath doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, and massage therapist Francis, who has toured and worked with such bands as Aerosmith and Red Hot Chili Peppers, instead touts herbs 'n' sleep 'n' acupuncture. She keeps it fun, with chapter titles such as Health Food Rocks and subtitles such as Nurture Relationships. Love Is the Drug! and Rotator Cuff Injury (Drummer's Shoulder). Some of her recommendations, such as getting more sleep, seem sensible. Others seem far out, such as her advice to take gravel root, uva ursi, juniper berries, burdock root, parsley, and nettles to help remove toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract. Oddly, to treat heartburn, she recommends dyglycerinated licorice, marshmallow, okra, and slippery elm. It's quite a combination. Even skeptics may get a kick out of the many inspirational quotes from born-again health nuts such as Steven Tyler of Aerosmith and Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction ( Naptime has become an opiate, says Navarro, a daily gym goer. It's become my way to shut my brain off ). Skip the colonics and the more out-there advice and focus on the overall get-healthy message.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)