BARBARA STEWART examines "Vogue’s’ guide to good living Natural way...

Press, 7 May 1980, Page 13

BARBARA STEWART examines "Vogue’s’ guide to good living Natural way...

Vogue's “Natural Health and Beauty” by Bronwen Meredith is the body’s recipe book of nature. It most enjoyably brings the reader back into touch with the gifts of nature. The twentieth century’s affair with synthetics, fast foods, and frenetic pace is being deeply questioned. All is not well with the quality of our lives. There is a definite move to gain more fundamental knowledge of natural health. Nature is back in fashion. Let us hope that it is not a passing fad. We can learn, understand, adapt and incorporate what we like in this book as a permanent addition to our lives.

Bronwen Meredith aims to summarise in one book the many principles, methods, regimes, recipes, and claims in this field, giving a balanced and shophisticated view. The book is apparently aimed at women. The large collection of striking black and white photographs are all of women. But every chapter contains information equally applicable to men. It is a hard-back, with satin-smooth paper and well spaced lines,, which make reading easy. This is a book for constant use. Because it is so attractively produced it would be advisable to add a plastic cover. When working ♦Torn it, slip it, open at

the page you’re using, into a clear plastic bag.

Part one, “Health and Energy,” describes the bad habits we have slipped into in modern times, how to understand food facts, and develop a basic, healthful diet. The author advocates special, cleansing, monodiets and juice fasting. The “Movement” chapter provides knowledge of our body and its best posture. For those with little time for the complete selfdiscipline of yoga, there is a routine with which to limber and trim. And there is, a programme for natural body activities, such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, and skipping.