In the introduction to Bodyfoods for Busy People, Jane Clarke clearly states her goal and it is one that she developed from personal experience: "Although there's probably not a lot you can do to minimize the strain of living in the fast lane, it's my aim to help you to nurture and soothe your body with the food that you eat and drink. I'd like to enable you to learn the shortcuts, watch out for the pitfalls and make healthy eating and drinking a way of life, however busy that life may be."
Clarke is a busy person. As a registered dietician, a popular writer, a Cordon Bleu graduate cook, a TV performer in the U. K., she understands what stress can do to a life and has developed methods for not just coping, but prevailing over the hectic pace of life.
This is an informal book. It is divided into four basic sections. The first is what she calls 'bodyfoods basics.' These are two-page entries on different vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, the need for vegetables, all presented in an casual but knowledgeable manner. This is followed by a section called 'bodyfoods practicalities,' which deals with the real difficulties of our lives - lunch on the go, nothing in the fridge, how to select the right meal in a restaurant, what snack will give not take energy.
The third section, 'bodyfood therapies', is designed for people whose bodies are showing stress, whether through the digestive system, sleeplessness, blood pressure, PMS, skin problems caused by poor diet or stress. This is not a section for curing major diseases but one which hopes to point us away from the possibility of developing larger illnesses.
The final section is Clarke's 'bodyfoods stressbusters' and includes a 48 hour spa section. One weekend of good eating can help revitalize and reorient, can put someone who has let stress consume their life, back on a healthy track.
The recipes contained within each section are simple. Clarke states that she is not interested in teaching complex techniques, but in making good food more available in a hectic life style. We often wished she had given more explanations, as the recipes seemed to be written fror the knowledgeable.
About the author: In addition to writing books, performing on TV and maintaining a practice, Clarke has written for numerous publications, including Observer Life magazine, BBC's Good Food magazine and Red magazine for women. She is now The Times expert nutritionist writing a weekly column for both their Body & Soul and T2 supplements.
The author has kindly shared these recipes:
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