The best and the rest of 2008

December 29, 5:27 PMBaltimore Healthy Living ExaminerMila Lowery

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Soon, we will welcome the new year! But first ... let's reflect on the year we are leaving behind. Here are some things in the fitness and wellness world that were on my radar in 2008.

Books About Nutrition
Yeah: "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. This book's message is simple: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."  Pollan says today's grocery stores are full of "foodlike-substances"  that do not even remotely resemble food. He suggests that we go back to eating "real food." His rule of thumb: If your great-grandmother wouldn't recognize it, don't eat it. I hear his other book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma," is also good.
Meh: "Skinny Bitch" by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin. This book lacks intellectual substance and does not offer readers anything new — just old information repackaged in an unnecessarily vulgar way.

Cookbooks
Yeah: "The Food You Crave" by Ellie Krieger. Tasty, healthy recipes made with natural ingredients. This is one cookbook I use again and again. Try the Thai Style Halibut with Coconut-Curry Broth and the Fettuccine with Creamy Red Pepper Sauce.
Meh: "Hungry Girl: Recipes and Survival Strategies for Guilt-Free Eating in the Real World" by Lisa Lillien. In general, I'm a fan of Hungry Girl. Yes, her recipes are creative and presented in a fun, chatty way. And her newsletter is like a daily visit from a friend, which is why she's a favorite among dieters. I just wish she wouldn't rely so heavily on processed foods, artificial sweeteners and marketing gimmicks from food manufacturers.

Fitness Gadgets
Yeah: The BOSU. Did you know that BOSU stands for  "Both Sides Utilized"? Sit, stand, balance. Work your upper body, lower body and core. Do pushups, situps, lunges ... so many possibilities. This piece of equipment rocks my world.
Meh: The Hawaii Chair. When I saw this on Ellen earlier this year, I almost fell off the couch laughing. But does it work? I'm  not about to find out. Just thinking about it makes me dizzy. Watch Ellen try it out.

Podcasts
Yeah: Jillian Michaels. The tough, in-your-face personal trainer from "The Biggest Loser" definitely mellows out on Sunday mornings. She's entertaining, heartfelt and brimming with solid fitness and weight-loss advice for callers.
Meh: Inside Out Weight Loss with Renee Stephens. I don't know if it was the eerie music or the droning robotic voice, but this podcast was too "out there" for me. This woman is a hypnotherapist, which explains things, but unfortunately, all this podcast did was bore me to tears.

Grocery Stores
Yeah: Trader Joe's. Reasonable prices. Delicious and interesting food. Ingredients the average person can pronounce, with no nasty chemicals or additives. What more could you ask for? I adore this store. I don't know what I'd do without it.
Meh: Safeway (Canton location). The prices are high and (more often than not) the produce is mediocre.

What did you like in 2008? Leave a comment or send me an e-mail at healthylivingexaminer@gmail.com.