To Fad or not to Fad, that is the question. We have two bookstands of books today, one with and one without. We will begin with the first Tuesday after the third Sunday in January for National Rid the World of Fad Diets and Gimmicks Day. These are books that have called out to me when I am shopping at used bookstores.
For Fads and Gimmicks: we will start with “The New way to Eat and Get Slim” by Donald G. Cooley, 1944. The author states in the first chapter “Frankly, this book is written for lazy people who want to get slim, who don’t like to exercise, but who do like to eat.” the first thing that scared me about this book was they they want you to not drink alcohol. I get moderation, but when they compare a dry martini to 4 cups of broccoli, I am taking the martini every time.
Next is “The Oriental 7-day Quick Weight-Off Diet, by Norvell, 1975. This book does not offer a 10 day lose weight diet like the above book, but an even quicker 7-day diet. This is really the famous Cabbage soup diet. One drinks this soup several times a day (as much and as often as they want), along with only a few items. Guaranteed to lose weight. Of course in the fine print, it does say “In fact, if you ate nothing but this soup you would soon starve to death!”
“The Practice of Nature Cure” by Henry Lindlahr, M.D., 1931. The Nature cure involves not using poisonous pills and potions, but working within the laws of nature in foods and exercise. Every morning one is to take an air bath, that is nude time in the sun. Barefoot in grass is the best, but if if unable, at least in front of a window facing the sun. In summertime spend as much leisure time “sunning”. The author reminds one to “Never miss an opportunity to take a nude rain bath.” And for sleeping, “Wear a night garment of light, porous material, so that the poisonous exhalations of the skin may easily escape; or, better still wear NONE.”
“The Miracle of Milk” by Bernarr Macfadden, 1926. We discussed Macfadden before. This book is entirely about a milk diet. He has you do it at home, (perhaps so no supervision?) He recommends unpasteurized milk, sipping the milk through tight lips, drinking about six quarts of milk a day. If one gets nausea, drink the juice of grapefruit or orange either just before or after the milk. If one does this from three to six weeks, circulation of blood will improve, skin will be healthier, teeth and bones will strengthen,. Macfadden states there is not a disease of metabolic origin, that cannot be helped or cured by his “milk treatment”.
Then we have “Bath and Wells of Europe, Mineral Waters, Seaside and Mountain Resorts, Curative Uses of Water, Milk and Grape Cures.” by John Macpherson, MD., 1873. The introduction give a clue when states”the public is ever captivated with novelty, and ever reveres things seeming secret and mysterious. There is the idea of soaking and/or drinking waters at various places in Europe, can help a person’s health. “They do call out Evian water as “having very feeble mineralization; the waters are limpid and perfectly tasteless.” As well as soaking in curative waters, there are various diets to use while soaking for several weeks at a spa. Grape diets help purge out the poisons in you, with perhaps five or six “motions” a day. One may eat three to six pounds of grapes a day. Milk diets may start with 6 ozs. three times a day to go up to 10 or 12 glasses a day.
The Raisin Cure” by Dr Josiah Oldfield, 1938 is a book similar to using grapes, but using raisins. He claims that there can be issues with mold fungus, especially when eating large quantities of grapes. With raisins being almost water free, they are safer. One justs needs to daily soak the raisins in water.
“Health Resorts of Europe” by Thomas Linn, M.D., published 1908 by The Health Resorts Bureau. This book describes many different resorts, and what kind of cures they work on. One can pick from air cures, mud cures, massage, grape, milk, hiking, etc. They also breakdown classifications of mineral waters at various springs. It is a vary detailed book of actual places, broken down by regions and countries; along with what to expect at each. There are also many pages of ads of various resorts and spas.
For Non-Fads, we have three special days for January , and a book for each. First is National Rhubarb Day. Then National Reading Day; and lastly National Speak Up Day.
The New Rhubarb Culture” by J.E. Morse, published by Orange Judd Co. 1901. It is a guide for farmers to grow, prepare, and use rhubarb. No less than 6 types of pies are included, along with Rhubarb and Orange Preserves, and Rhubarb and Gooseberries jelly. When I was growing up, we grew rhubarb in the corner of the yard, just to make pies.
Speaking of recipes, the book “Recipe for Reading, a Letter to my Godsons” is my book for National Day of Reading. There are several reading holidays throughout the year, including National Read a Book, National Read Across America, International Day of Reading, etc. For today, this book was written by Herbert Van Thal, 1945. It is the author’s advice on what books to read, and why. He gives hints on what books would be good to tuck into a home library, and then read at leisure. Van Thal makes an interesting, and solid list.
Lastly “How to Win Friends Influence People, by Dale Carnegie, My copy is from 1964, and it was the 106 printing. It is probably the most sold self help book ever published. Dale Carnegie feels that everyone can speak in public; they just have to conquer their fears. He also claims that “any man can talk when he gets mad…hit the most ignorant man in town on the jaw, and knock him down, he will get on his feet and talk with eloquence, heat, and emphasis.” ”Any man can speak acceptably in public if he has self-confidence and an idea that is boiling and stewing within him.”
I would thumb through that book the night before I had to give a speech. (along with another as you will soon see.) One meeting I attended with Target management, had over 150 attendees. It was for building enthusiasm, hopefully to take back to stores. Most managers just used the meeting to get away for the day. I planned on giving some unscheduled closing remarks, using the Regional Manager’s comments “does anyone have anything else to add, before we close?” I raised hand and was uneasily given the floor.
I asked the group if they had hear of the Cabbage Soup Diet? It was popular at that time. A few people nodded, but most people were like “what?”. I held up the book “The Oriental 7-Day quick weight-off Diet” book. I then said “this meeting was like the diet. We are all feeling good today, much like one feels good, losing weight during the seven days of drinking cabbage soup. But, like the plan says, if you eat nothing but the soup, you will eventually starve to death. The “feel good” is to help you develop and then stick to a plan for change. If we do not develop a plan to change attitudes in our stores, and then stick to our plans… our stores will all starve to death. Good luck.” I then sat down. Several people who knew me and my passion for books and tieing unusual ideas together, smiled. Most just thought “what just happened?”
So you can now see we have Fad help and Real help, to get things done. Sometimes they meet. With a book in hand, follow your heart.
Librarytomes 