"I've known Rip for more than 20 years. In that time, he's been a great motivator for so many people. This terrific book will inspire all who read it to change their lives and optimize their health."-Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, seven-time Tour de France champion
Lose weight, lower cholesterol, significantly reduce the risk of disease, and become physically fit--in just 4 weeks.
Professional athlete-turned-firefighter Rip Esselstyn is used to responding to emergencies. So, when he learned that some of his fellow Engine 2 firefighters in Austin, TX, were in dire physical condition-several had dangerously high cholesterol levels (the highest was 344!)-he sprang into action and created a life-saving plan for the firehouse. By following Rip's program, everyone lost weight (some more than 20 lbs.), lowered their cholesterol (Mr. 344's dropped to 196), and improved their overall health. Now, Rip outlines his proven plan in this book. With Rip as your expert coach and motivator, you'll transform your body and lifestyle in a month. His plant-powered eating plan is based on a diet of whole foods, including whole grains, fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This invaluable guide features: **Dozens of easy, mouthwatering recipes-from pancakes to pizza, Tex-Mex favorites to knockout chocolate desserts-that will keep you looking forward to every bite **Pantry-stocking tips will take the panic out of inevitable cravings and on-the-fly meals **Guidelines on menu choices that will allow you to eat out, wherever and whenever you want **Rip's simple, firefighter-inspired exercise program that will boost your metabolism and melt your fat away.
Medically approved, easy-to-follow, and amazingly effective, this diet is designed for anyone who wants to make heroic strides in his or her health, weight, and well-being-all without heroic effort.
"Want to be as strong as a Texas firefighter? Or as healthy as a professional triathlete? Then follow the wonderful advice of Rip Esselstyn, who is both. His book can save your life--whether you're a man or a woman. Highly recommended!" -Dean Ornish, M.D., Founder and President, Preventive Medicine Research Institute, Clinical Professor of Medicine, U of CaliforniaSF, author, Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease
I've met both of Rip's parents, and they are very impressive people. Ann Esselstyn's grandfather founded the Cleveland Clinic, an institution world renowned for it's interventionist heart procedures. I'm sure the Esselstyn's must find it more than little funny that they're essentially working to put the clinic Rip's great grandfather started, out of business.
I was first introduced to Caldwell Esselstyn through a Vegsource DVD.
I was so impressed with his presentation from 2005, that in 2006 I ended up traveling 3 days by bus, to meet him in person, in California.
I first met Ann Esselstyn last September, in Saratoga Springs New York. She is a ball of energy!
It's good to see Rip's book doing so well. Hopefully it will go a long way towards dispelling the notion that we need meat for strength, and dairy for strong bones.
These are people you can trust!
Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease: The Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven, Nutrition-Based Cure
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health
Eat to Live: The Revolutionary Formula for Fast and Sustained Weight Loss
Healthy at 100: The Scientifically Proven Secrets of the World's Healthiest and Longest-Lived Peoples
Okay, so I admit - I need to lose a (clears throat) few pounds! But what really caught my eye of Rip Esselstyn's new book was the subtitle - "The Texas Firefighter's 28 Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds."
Okay - cholesterol is a major concern for many North American adults and who couldn't stand to lose a (clears throat) few pounds?
The basis for The Engine 2 Diet is Esselstyn's belief that "...the most basic, profound and powerful way to take care of your health on a day-to-day basis is to eat a healthy, plant-based diet."
As a firefighter and dedicated athlete, Rip was concerned about the health of his fellow firefighters. He convinced them to join him in his plant based diet and all who participated saw profound results, both in weight and health improvement.
He has two plans - Fire Cadet - which slowly weans you off meat, eggs, dairy, oils and refined products. And the Firefighter - you're off all the above at once. There are numerous studies and facts presented to back up his belief that this is the way to live the rest of your life. Results can be seen in four weeks.
Of course, it needs to be combined with physical activity, muscular and cardiovascular. Rip uses a method called functional training - using your own body weight, no equipment needed. There is a full section on stretching and exercise, complete with descriptive pictures. He advocates having a number of medical tests (ie blood work, BP etc) done so that you have a baseline to measure your progress against. The book is peppered with testimonials and anecdotes, giving it a personal feel.
The second half of the book cover recipes and meal plans. I found the section on label reading and specific product recommendations to be extremely helpful and very clearly written. How to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need from sources other than meats and dairy were helpful as well. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I was pleasantly surprised with the recipes and meal plans. They were absolutely do-able, if that makes sense. Many of them were foods I already enjoy. Most of them appealed to me. (But I will take a pass on kale butter!)
I have to say that a lot of it really makes sense to me after reading this book. Even if you took some of his ideas and adapted them to your life, you would reap some benefit. Am I going to jump on the bandwagon? (or fire engine as the case may be) It's given me a lot to consider.
While I don't follow a vegan diet, I do follow a primarily plant-based diet, as Mr. Esselstyn recommends. An avid reader of Dr. Weil's books, I changed my diet three years ago. Since then I have never felt or looked better. A primarily plant-based diet makes you healthy from the inside out, even improving the condition of your skin and hair. I truly believe, as does Mr. Esselstyn, that whole foods and vegetables are at the core of good health. While many diet books are marketed to women, this book may appeal mostly to men . . . many of whom have had a wakeup-call of some sort. I am hopeful that once my husband reads this book, I'll be able to get him on board the path to better health "before" his wakeup-call.
Lynette Fleming, Coauthor of Lunch Buddies: Buddy Up for a Better Diet
