Review by Melanie Cox McCluskey

With the tagline “The No-Nonsense Guide to a Smaller You and a Healthier Planet,” author Kami Gray’s self-help spin combines nutritional guidance with an eco-friendly push. I’ve never read a diet book before, but Gray’s approach intrigued me. A TV costume and set designer from Portland, Ore., Gray motivates readers to stick to “The List:” her 16 eating and drinking habits that everyone should incorporate into their lifestyle to make staying lean and healthy a no-brainer. Because much of The Denim Diet is about eliminating many no-no foods from your life, Gray tries to make the restrictions more fun with her witty asides and hilarious anecdotes.

Much of Gray’s manifesto comes from personal experience. She gains the reader’s empathy and trust by describing her embarrassing overweight years in college, then goes on to explain her eating epiphanies. Observing her skinnier friends’ health habits combined with a life-changing drive across fast food-littered Texas inspired Gray to write The Denim Diet. But she backs up her unscientific observations with medical research, recent studies, and health and nutrition news. She doesn’t pretend to be a dietician, and offers both sides of controversial health topics, such as the pros and cons of dairy. As someone who loves to cook for my family, I appreciated Gray’s common-sense information but found some of her tips very restrictive, like the ban on white flour. I adore the selection of recipes in the back. And the bullet points at the end of each chapter worked like a charm for motivation. They are as helpful a takeaway as any magazine tear-out card.

Gray also makes a strong argument for improving eating habits as a way to save the planet. Consuming more fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and whole grains forces our bodies to burn more calories while reducing the impact of wasteful packaging and processing on the environment. Her perspective on creating a lifestyle that nurtures the human body and the planet makes perfect sense.

Denim Diet Giveaway!
Leave a comment here with one reason why you would love to win The Denim Diet to read and incorporate into your own life, and automatically enter to win The Denim Diet Giveaway basket, complete with a signed copy of The Denim Diet book, a one-page cheat sheet for THE LIST and local, organic treats from Stash Tea, Tazo Tea, Dagoba chocolates, and more. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win! BONUS: Join the Mama Lit Facebook group, be sure to leave a separate comment letting us know you’ve joined (or already a member) Mama Lit on Facebook and you’ll be entered into the drawing twice! You must leave your comment before midnight Friday May 29th to be eligible to win!