4 out of 5 stars.
I would like to thank Hay House for supplying me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an open and honest review.
This has to be one of THE BEST books I’ve read in a while for anyone trying to suss the whole healthy, food, life, longevity questions thrown at us by modern living.
Thoroughly enjoyable and interesting read. Yes there were some parts I didn’t fully agree with, but there were parts I did fully agree with too. And one of the biggest things I took from ‘Kale and Coffee’ is that the reader didn’t have to agree with every single thing, as long as they took something positive from the book to use in their everyday life.
I also loved/ connected to the fact Mr Gianni was trying to emphasis there was no quick fix, one size fits all, totally guaranteed, absolute certain sure fire way for us all to live, eat and BE well. Instead he showed us various facts, theories and examples of what some people are out there are trying, and how he felt about them. The fact there is no real right or wrong answer for most things is great too. I mean, there are the obvious wrong answers like about high fat, high carb and high sugar diets being bad. Or smoking, or too much coffee for SOME people… but I hope you get what I mean?
Basically ‘Kale and Coffee’ is like a personal guide through Mr Gianni’s life and experiences on his road to better health and better eating. And he’s shared it with us, not for the reader to become a disciple and do absolutely everything he does… but to use his experience as a guide and suggestions to the reader taking their own path through the food, exercise and living maelstrom of information out there.
I did find the jumping from one time period to another a little jarring at times. But found it I read the book in small snippets, like reading a blog, it was easier to cope with. Not a book I could sit down and read all in one sitting on a slow afternoon. Something to be savoured piece by piece, every now and then.
Would I recommend this book to others? Absolutely. I feel ANYONE wanting to learn how to find their way through all the mixed information of “the best” diet, exercise, living, etc. should read this book. I don’t expect them to find the end all and be all answer in this book… but I do feel they will help gain knowledge on how best to face the rest of the mass information overload out there and find out their own path in it all. There is no quick fix; no one size fits all solution to food, health and exercise. And anyone wanting to learn more about why needs to read this book.
Would I buy this book for myself? I probably would. Sadly though I might consider getting it as an eBook and I feel that sort of defeats some of the purpose. Don’t get me wrong, I love eBooks as much as paper books… but there are just some books better suited to each media. This book would be better suited to be read in paper form – away from technology, wi-fi, and in a hammock on a gorgeous beach somewhere. But for me, I’d find it handier to have in electronic form to quickly use for reference every time I want to re-check something. So, yeah, kind of hypercritical of me I know.
In summary: People focussed on finding THE ANSWER when it comes to food, health, exercise, life need to read this book. It won’t actually give you that answer, but it will help you be better equipped in your search for it. Especially as it should teach you there is no ONE answer, you really need to make it up as you go in a manner that suits and is good for you. Well, that’s what I got out of it anyhow.
Until next time,
Janis. XXOO
Janis's Journal 