Nutritionist, Food Blogger… Author

February 19, 2011

I try to make it a point to celebrate the small things we encounter daily that make life interesting and enjoyable. Every now and then, though, life brings along a big thing and you don’t have to try all that hard to start the celebrations.

Enter The Everything Guide to Food Remedies by Lori Rice, MS.

Yep, my book has arrived!
I received copies last weekend and it was a huge surprise! I knew the book would be published in March, but I didn’t know when I would see my first copy.
It is an interesting feeling to hold a book in your hand and as you flip through it recognize that these are your words, and in this case, your recipes. There is excitement, pride, humility and gratefulness. I’d also be lying if I said there wasn’t a slight bit of sadness since I’ve put freelancing on hold currently to return to work in my field of study.
With this though is also a huge sense of accomplishment.
Just a few short months after we moved to Brazil I was struggling with what I should do with my time and how to take full advantage of no longer being commented to an employer. If you’ve ever lived in another country or been a so-called expat wife, you can probably relate. I was filled with big ideas, but they had gotten lost in the confusion of learning a new culture.
One night as I sat frustrated, my husband told me that I could do anything I wanted to; I just needed to choose something and do it. Due to his advice I decided I wanted to be a freelance writer.
I spent the following months working from scratch and tackling a major learning curve because I knew absolutely nothing about the art. I read blogs, tips, advice, forums and began applying for jobs. Soon I found myself with gigs for small articles and blogs which then led to an ebook project.
I continued writing when we moved back to the US in 2009 and last spring I finally got what I would consider a pretty good gig – this book.
While I would someday love to have a book that tells my story, perhaps about my experiences abroad or with travel and food, the more I think about it, this book tells my story too.

It represents me leaving a secure job where I was well respected to accomplish a dream of surrounding myself by a new culture. It represents me focusing my energy to accomplish the goal of becoming a writer.

On another note, it represents part of my food journey. Four years ago, I might not have been able to write a book like this because at that time I still believed in mainstream diet foods – low fat, low carb and processed. The changes in my food and health views shown here through Fake Food Free, allowed me to write this book from a perspective that it is truly something I believe in.

The Everything Guide to Food Remedies: An A-Z guide to healing with food (Everything Series)

The Everything Guide to Food Remedies: An A-Z guide to healing with food  covers diseases and ailments that plague our society and identifies the whole foods (not pills or isolated nutrients) that help to alleviate those conditions. With each chapter the reader will find five recipes that utilize these nutritious foods.

This blog has been a big part of my food journey and will continue to be for as many years as I keep on blogging. Thank you for reading and sharing it with me!

I have three copies of my book to give away right now and there will likely be more opportunities in the future.

If you’d like one tell me your food philosophy in the comments.
Do you feel that food contains all we need for optimal health?


Thanks in advance for the thoughtful comments. And by the way, please no drive-by comments. Only those who thoughtfully answer my question will be considered.

I’ll select three commenters at random on March 14, 2011!

The book is available via advance order at Amazon and other online bookstores.

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  • Ricki February 19, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    Congratulations, Lori! What a fantastic accomplishment. And it looks like such a great book! I would love a copy. 😀

    I know that there is a lot of overlap in our respective food philosophies. I do believe that food can act as medicine and heal many ailments. Sadly, often by the time someone turns to food for healing, the damage may be too great to heal with food alone. . . but a good, varied, organic diet should contain everything we need. 🙂

  • Megan February 19, 2011 at 7:42 pm

    I’m also on a journey to a whole-foods-only diet, and your blog is often an inspiration. I’ve come to realize that my food philosophy is that cooking from scratch is the greatest gift you can give your body. It might not be a philosophy per se, but I try to think of it every time I eat, shop, or cook.

    I do think food can heal our health problems but we’ve been so conditioned to believe otherwise. I’m glad we’re starting to see a shift on that in the mainsteam.

  • Angie (Losing It and Loving It) February 19, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    Lori,
    I’m so excited to hear about your book. I can’t wait to read it. Does it happen to have anything about foods that are good for those going through any type of cancer (mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer) and is trying to find all kinds of books that might give her ideas.

    My goal is to eat more whole foods as I have been trying to cut down on processed more and more.

    Again, way to go on your success!

  • Andrea@WellnessNotes February 19, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    Hi Lori, I just found your blog, and I really like your food philosophy. And I love the title of your blog!

    Congratulations on your book! What an accomplishment! You must be very excited! I’d love to win a copy! 🙂

    My food philosophy? I believe in eating mainly local, organic foods and supporting small local farms whenever I can. We belong to a CSA and buy eggs from “happy chickens” from a small local farm where they get to roam around outside. Like you, I try to stay away from fake foods…

    I actually had sort of an interesting journey when it comes to food and what to eat. My parents grew most of our food, and we hardly ever ate out (maybe twice a year). We didn’t own a microwave, and my mom canned a wide variety of vegetables and fruits. Almost everything we ate was in season. As a kid, I remember wanting to be “normal,” like my friends, who got to eat candy, fast food, and drink soda (things that just didn’t exist in our house). Once I moved out, I had a little phase of rebellion and started drinking soda and ate fast food, things I had never had. Luckily, I got over my rebellion, and now really appreciate what my parents did for me.

    I have two sons, and I want to be a good examples when it comes to food without being “too preachy.” My older son is in college and just read The Omnivore’s Dilemma for one of his classes. It’s funny how he all of a sudden seems to “get it.” My younger son is only in preschool, and it’s a reminder how impressionable kids are (by what their parents do AND by what they see others do…). Our weekly farmers’ market trips are a time of bonding and connecting with our food and the people who grow it. I try to give my kids lots of healthy options, but I try not to make a “big deal” when they don’t want to eat something.

    I think food has great healing powers. The best way is of course to prevent disease in the first place… Sorry for the long comment…

  • Kate February 19, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    Congratulations, indeed! A copy of this would be most welcome in our household.

    I believe there is a large place in our health philosophy that turns to food as a healing element. However, I also believe that there comes a point when food is no longer the answer and medicine must come into play.

  • Jenn February 19, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Congratulations on the book! How exciting!! I am on a journey to change the way my family eats. Your blog has been a great inspiration to me. We had a very small garden last year and plan on expanding it this year. We try to eat locally as much as possible and recently have begun enjoying eggs from my inlaws’ chickens.

    I think minimally processed and whole foods do play a large part in optimal health, along with exercise and a positive mental outlook.

  • Vivienne February 20, 2011 at 1:13 am

    Wow congrats!! I didn’t know your story before…about leaving the job and starting something totally new to you! That’s very brave!

    I think I saw this at the bookstore a few weeks ago in Australia? Or maybe it’s another one?!

    While I try to eat unprocessed food as much a I can, I believe optimal health is a balance of a lot of things in life. A person’s mood (stress) is probably one of the most important (a lot of illnesses comes from being stressed), also adequate exercise, food varieties (getting enough nutrients), and knowing your body well all contribute to your overall health! 🙂

  • Lauren February 20, 2011 at 4:42 am

    Fantastic! Congratulations are in order :).

    I strive to find a balance between the two basic food philosophies of “eat to live” and “live to eat“. I believe that food should be (and is!) one of the great pleasures of leading a healthy lifestyle, but also that food nourishes our bodies to be the best they can be.

  • Joanne February 20, 2011 at 6:53 am

    Congrats Lori, that is SO incredibly awesome!

    I am a big fan of the idea of food as medicine and I will definitely be espousing that to my future patients. This just goes to show you that if you work at it, you can really can follow your dreams and be successful!

  • Mindy February 20, 2011 at 7:32 am

    Lori, congratulations!

    I have come to similar conclusions, as you know, in a similar time frame as you have–mostly due to me being an “ex-pat wife” in France. Over the past couple of years, we have banned most processed foods from our house and have added more local and organic foods to our diets. I think that this keeps our family healthier. I believe that certain foods will help keep us healthy and perhaps even cure some ailments, but I believe also in finding a good doctor who is willing to consider more natural paths to health. I have a friend who died recently of kidney cancer whose life was prolonged considerably by a combination of healthful eating and conventional medicine. I’m not sure he would have lived years past his prognosis without this delicate balance.

    I can’t wait to see the book in person! 🙂

  • Andrea (Off Her Cork) February 20, 2011 at 8:41 am

    YaY!!! Lori I’m so excited for you! What a great accomplishment and an amazing step in your food and recipe career. Whoo!

    My food philosophy is real whole foods. Eliminate processed as much as possible but be realistic about it. Meaning if you want to eat some chips eat them, just don’t make them the base of your diet. Support local as much as you can when you can and pay attention to the foods you put in your body. Just because something claims it’s healthy (Hi Earth Balance, I’m talking to you) doesn’t mean that it is. Read ingredients and take time to pay attention and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel.

  • Andrea (Off Her Cork) February 20, 2011 at 8:44 am

    Oh I forgot to answer the medical part! Yes I think food can help so much because our bodies don’t lie. They constantly tell us what they need and require, we just need to listen. That said, I do think that medicine has it’s place and can be beneficial, but I don’t feel that it should be the first choice for minor things. Some symptoms can be addressed with a diet adjustment.

  • Faith February 20, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    A huge congrats to you, Lori! This is a big thing indeed!!! I view food as much more than just nourishment, but as a part of life that touches and intertwines with many other parts of our lives. When it comes to eating I believe moderation is key, but nothing is off limits. I try to eat local as much as I can to help my body, the earth, and local farmers.

  • Joy February 20, 2011 at 3:25 pm

    Congratulations and Cheers for you!

  • Fresh Local and Best February 20, 2011 at 4:58 pm

    Ahhhh! Lori, congratulations! You have published a book!!! It’s so exciting to see your name on the cover.

    I’m not sure if I have a rigid food philosophy. I believe that the more you know about your food, the better. That means, meeting your farmer, visiting their farms, supporting those farms that are chemical free and sustainable. I follow much of what Michael Pollen writes about – eat real food, mostly plants. But I also think an occasional homemade treat is okay.

  • Deb in Hawaii February 20, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    Lori–I am so excited to see the book in its published form. You must be so excited and so proud of your work!

    I share a similar philosophy of food–what we eat can harm us or if selected wisely, it can nurture and heal our bodies. By educating ourselves about our food and choosing, cooking and eating whole, healthy foods whenever we can it can lead to whole and healthy lives–not to mention the benefits to the planet. 😉

    Congrats on the book! 😉

  • Danielle February 21, 2011 at 7:02 am

    Congratulations!! I try to follow the guidelines as far as which produce to buy organic. We also try to only eat meat that is organic or we know where it came from! We’re trying to raise our boys with the knowledge of fruits and vegetables and their importance. So far, so good. This looks like a great book and I’d love to have a copy of my very own!

  • emily (a nutritionist eats) February 21, 2011 at 1:04 pm

    Congratulations again Lori! So exciting, I’m definitely buying a copy of this book!
    Our food philosophies are very similar – and I’m a huge believer in the idea that food heals. I count on the variety in my diet for most of what my body needs but I also take a few vitamins as back up 🙂

  • kat February 21, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    Congrats Lori! Our philosophy has changed a lot over the last couple of years. We eat almost no processed food anymore & try to eat seasonable & local as much as we can. We pay attention to how the meat we buy is raised & processed. We don’t follow trends like no crab, etc… I do believe foods can keep you healthier & also make you feel worse depending on what you eat.

  • Eliana February 21, 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Congratulations Lori! I am so so happy for you. As for my philosophy, food is a major piece of the “good life” puzzle.

  • Lori February 21, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Ricki – I’m so glad you brought that up. Once damage is done food may not be able to help in some cases.

    Megan – Thanks so much for your comment. I agree, scratch cooking does wonders. It means a lot to me that I take the time to prepare our food. It is a source of wellness for us.

    Angie – Thank you! There is a chapter on cancer in the book, but it doesn’t single out specific types. It is more of a general overview and focused on prevention. I’m sorry to hear about your mom. I wish her strength and recovery.

    Andrea – Don’t apologize! I appreciate your comment so much. We are definitely on the same page. It sounds like you had a great foundation growing up that influences your choices now.

    Kate – Thank you! I agree. In some cases it is not wise to abandon modern medicine when diseases have progressed. I tried to emphasize that in the book, to seek the help of medical professionals whether natural, traditional, eastern, western, etc.

    Jenn – Thanks so much! I definitely feel that processed foods are a huge factor in health and reducing disease.

    Vivienne – Thank you! Actually, I don’t know what the schedule would be for international releases. Hmmm…there are lots of titles under the everything guides, but it could have been it. Love your total wellness philosophy!

    Lauren – Thank you! What a great philosophy. Thanks for putting it into words because that describes me as well.

    Joanne – Thanks so much! You are going to be such a great doctor!!

    Mindy – Thank you! Thanks for sharing that story too. You bring up such a great point. An open minded doctor can be really be key especially in situations like that.

    Andrea – Thank you! You are so right. We really have to get past claims and realize that it is 95% marketing. Companies want to sell, period. We have to take that into consideration with our purchases. I think I’ve finally gotten to the point where I listen to my body and it has been a long journey. It’s a great place to be. 🙂

    Faith – Thank you. Food really does impact so many parts of our lives!

    Joy – Thank you!

    Fresh Local and Best – Thank you! I agree with you completely. Knowing more about our food helps us make much wiser and healthier choices.

    Deb – Thanks so much. So glad you brought up helping the environment. I guess in many ways my choices have had a much more positive impact, but I haven’t focused on it. This is one area that I’m learning more about and welcoming the constant stream of new info.

    Danielle – Thank you. We do the same with meat. It sounds like you are raising some seriously healthy eaters. 🙂

    Emily – Thanks so much. So glad you brought up variety. I knew it was important before, but writing this really emphasized it for me. It’s something I’m really trying to focus on.

    kat – Thanks so much! I think we are on about the same time frame as you all. All these changes have really taken hold within the past couple years. I always find you all and your meal plans and farmer’s market trips so inspiring!

    Eliana – Thank you! It truly is a puzzle, isn’t it? 🙂 Real food is such a big part, but many more need to fit together. Get it right though and it is truly the good life!

  • MelindaRD February 21, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Congrats! Super exciting. I understand the whole living overseas thing and not really knowing what to do. I am also getting ready to embark on my own book adventure.

    As for food philosophies and if this contains all we need for good health, I absolutely think so and it is all about balance. It is the big picture and not just single events and single foods. There are so many factors that go into disease development and it is possible through the right diet to eliminate many of the risk factors. It all comes back to balance.

  • Pearl February 22, 2011 at 8:07 am

    Congratulations!
    Yes, I do believe foods provide nutrients to sustain optimum health. I’ve been on a quest for wisdom in this area for over thirty years. Currently, after reading some of Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s literature, I am eating lots of vegetables, a portion of which is raw, fruit, seeds and nuts. I rarely eat animal products. I am awaiting results from my last cholesterol test analyzed earlier this month to see if my changes will help me ward off taking medication for a borderline high result last year. My physician knows I do not subscribe to the philosophy that a pill will make it better; pills simply cause more problems…they all have side effects.
    Anyway, I enjoy your blog. Keep up the good work.

  • Sagan February 23, 2011 at 11:50 am

    SQUEE I am so excited for you!!!! That’s such a fantastic project. (And, coming from a family of expats, I love the expat life :)). I would love love love to read your book.

    My food philosophy is to eat whole foods (more nutritious), cook most meals (to re-connect with where our food comes from), and learn about the background of the food (is it local? Organic? Visiting farms is AWESOME). I also think it is extremely important to eat foods that you ENJOY. If there’s a healthy food that I absolutely hate the taste of, I’m not going to force myself to eat it. I’ll compensate by eating a variety of other kinds of healthy foods instead 🙂

    I think that we can get most of our nutrients from food alone – the problem today is that much of our foods are sprayed with so many chemicals that it vastly reduces the nutrient value. Sad.

  • Rhia February 23, 2011 at 3:36 pm

    The book looks great, I’d love the chance to read it.

    Unfortunately I don’t think food contains all we need for optimal health, there are so many other factors. But I do believe food is the most responsible for a persons health and can heal so many problems. On the other hand there are always extreme cases that require other means. That being said I think the vast majority of people could be so much healthier if they knew and understood how food could heal them instead of relying on medicine.

  • Mary Jane February 24, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    Congrats on your book! I am excited to read it 🙂

    I believe that we are what we absorb! Learning to feed our bodies the fuel and nutrition it needs to function at it’s optimal healthy is amazing! I am on a journey of discovery this year with whole foods and have seen an amazing tranformation inside and out!

    I am currently studying “Food as Medicine” and look forward to adding your book to my research library!

    Enjoy the journey!
    Mary Jane

  • Tangled Noodle February 26, 2011 at 8:15 am

    Congratulations, Lori!! What an amazing and thrilling accomplishment! As always, you are an inspiration and I look to your experiences and how you pursue your goals as a stellar example for all of us. I hope I’ll be able to get a hold of your book here (or at least prevail on family to hand carry a copy when they visit!)

  • Daily Spud February 27, 2011 at 11:09 am

    Wow, Lori, I cannot imagine how exciting it is to hold your own book in your hands! As for my food philosophy, you probably have a fair idea about that already through comments I’ve left in the past, but I guess it’s best described by moderation and pragmatism. I do try to avoid heavily processed foods and eat little or no meat, but I love dairy (and not the low-fat kind) and enjoy a nice glass of wine or bottle of beer. And, of course, much of what I eat is what I cook for myself.

    As for the question of health, I think that, just as the abuse of certain foods can have a clearly detrimental effect on our health, a diet having a good balance and variety of foods that are not heavily refined can indeed contain all that we need for optimal health. I think it helps to be aware of how different foods may or may not affect aspects of health and healing, but then that’s where your book comes in, right? 🙂

  • Emily February 27, 2011 at 11:45 am

    Lori,

    Congrats on the book! That is awesome! I’d love to be entered in the drawing – but I’ll be buying one if I don’t win.

    I often say that becoming a Mom has turned me into a total hippie. Natural, intervention-free birth, cloth diapering, whole foods…

    My ultimate food goal is really just moderation. I want my family to have a positive relationship with food and eating. I also want them to be well nurished and healthy from the foods I serve. At home we rarely eat anything processed. I make things from scratch. We grow or buy in season and freeze. If the label has HFCS or things I can’t recognize as “food”, I generally won’t buy it. While “organic” isn’t a huge deal to me personally (I’ve always selectively and carefully used herbicides and pesticides in my own garden), REAL food is vital in my opinion.

  • The Food Hunter February 28, 2011 at 3:09 pm

    Congratulations!

    As for food philosophy: I do think that good food has a major impact on good health. I’m a huge believer of eating well and will often try food remedies before anything else.

  • Anonymous March 1, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    congratulations. i greatly admire both your perserverance and courage.

    in terms of food philosphy – while i think that good wholesome food is essential for optimum health i don’t think it is the only factor. i think there are multiple factors that come into play including exercise, sleep, doing things one finds some measure of enjoyment/pleasure and the simple & often taken granted ability to take a freely take a breath and be “oneself”. so essential YES – the only thing NO.

    jacquieastemborski AT comcast DOT net

  • ahealthypassion.com March 1, 2011 at 9:52 pm

    I am so happy to have found your blog and congratulations on your book that is so exciting! I used to be the same sick and stuck to the SAD but over the past two years my life has been transformed by my love of local organic whole foods. I have never felt better and I have fallen in love with food all over again. Being a part of the food blog world reinforces everything I believe in.

  • OysterCulture March 5, 2011 at 2:51 pm

    Lori, Congratulations on taking the step to being your own boss. That must have been so empowering.

    I was excited when I saw the title of your book but even more so when I saw that you had written it.

    Regarding food having all that’s needed for health. I’d say you were a good way there, but exercise is also key. I believe both are required. Food I think we need to continue to explore all the possibilities it provides. What’s interesting to me is that combinations can have an exponential increase in benefits or cancel each other out. So that’s an area I’d like to look into some more.

    Best of luck and I am so excited for you

  • OysterCulture March 10, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Hi Lori,

    I wrote a comment over the weekend and apparently it did not get through. Hopefully my other ones did. I am so excited and happy for you. This is a heck of an accomplishment and I hope you are basking in the glory.

    Regarding food being the end to health, I think it goes a long way, but exercise cannot be discounted. The two coupled together are the winning combination. A balance of what goes in and what our body puts out.

  • Lori March 10, 2011 at 4:05 pm

    Thanks so much for all the congrats and your thoughtful comments! I love all the points you are bringing up regarding total health.

    LouAnn – Sorry about your comment! I have admin approval set up after posts are a week old and I’ve been traveling since last Friday. Haven’t been on the blog to approve everything. 🙂

  • TasteHongKong March 16, 2011 at 9:43 pm

    Lori,
    Congrats!
    Wish you a happier food journey ahead …
    Fake food free is already a great food philosophy : ).

  • Selena June 8, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    Hi Lori, congratulations, and as always I greatly admire both your perseverance and courage. You’re right eating the right foods are the best way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That’s why I love the catering services in new york because they have great and healthy foods. Thanks for the wonderful and informative write-up!

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