Book Review: The O2 Diet

Have you heard of this one yet? I was sent this book, The O2 Diet, by my friend Kim and looked forward to reviewing it because it is loaded with information about antioxidants and why they are so important in our diets. I’ve always been interested in learning more about these disease fighting, age minimizing substances in our foods and in our supplements.

The book is not about writing down your daily calorie intake. It’s about getting the right nutrients in the foods you chose to protect against “free radicals, the culprits behind many forms of cancer, heart disease, and ..wrinkles.” It is a beginners “how to” book: How to embark on a life style change that you can stick with and not engage in dieting.

Instead of going through page by page indicating how the author, Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN offers suggestions on a 32 day meal plan which details the foods and offers easy recipes to follow or how excerpts can be found on most pages with valuable information such as proper ratios of carbohydrates to fats to proteins, I will present some delicious recipes from the book. A complete shopping list, life journal, and meal planner are also offered at the end of the text.

Crunchy Chicken Salad Boats: The following serves 1 so increase ingredients accordingly per people you wish to serve. The flavors are fruity and smooth. The crunch of the walnuts is so pleasing with the pop of the grapes. This is a perfect lunch dish.

3 TBS fat free plain yogurt

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1/2 tsp honey

1/4 tsp grated gingerroot

3 oz shredded rotisserie chicken breast, skin removed (about 3/4 cup) *Or use a vegetarian substitute.

1 TBS + 1 tsp chopped walnuts

2 TBS finely chopped Granny Smith apple

2 TBS quartered red grapes

2 Kirby cucumbers halved lengthwise

Combine yogurt, vinegar, honey and gingerroot in medium bowl. Add chicken, walnuts, apple. Mix well. Gently stir in grapes until just combined. Seed and scoop out flesh from cucumber halves using rounded teaspoon or melon baller. Divide chicken salad among the cucumber boats.

Salmon with Raspberry – Balsamic Glaze – Makes 1 serving so increase ingredients accordingly. Fruity and fresh. A brilliant dinner and so full of goodness!

Mix quinoa, yogurt, honey(if using), vanilla, and cinnamon in a small bowl. Fold blueberries gently into the acai pulp in another small bowl, stir to coat. Spoon 1/3 of the quinoa mixture into a glass, then 1/3 of the blueberry mix and 1/3 of the walnuts. Repeat layers twice, ending with the walnuts on top.

The O2 Diet even indulges our party–hardy attitudes by offering a Blackberry-Thyme Margarita. WOW! Perfect! I just can’t say enough. Delish!

This makes 2 servings, but you WILL want to increase this recipe.

16 large fresh blackberries, divided

4 small fresh thyme springs, divided

6 TBS 100% blue agave silver tequila

1/4 cup simple syrup

3 TBS fresh squeezed lime juice

1 TBS Cointreau or other orange liqueur

2 cups ice cubes, divided

1/4 cup chilled sparkling wine

Place 14 blackberries and 2 thyme sprigs in medium bowl. With the back of a wooden spoon, press firmly on the solids and mash. Mix in the tequila, simple syrup, lime juice and liqueur, then add 1 cup of the ice. Stir to blend well. Strain into a large glass measuring cup. Mix in the sparkling wine. divide the remaining ice between 2 tall glasses. Pour the margarita mixture over the ice. Garnish each drink with 1 blackberry and 1 thyme sprig.

If you are interested in making a positive life style change in a way that incorporates good foods, not “diet” food, and you want a detailed plan, make sure to review The O2 Diet by Keri Glassman, RD. If you are interesting in this book, leave a comment and let me your thoughts.

"A Complete Menu",

"The O2 Diet",

Antioxidants,

Keri Glassman,

Quick Meals