Jordan Rubin
Miracle cure stories abound when it comes to natural healing. A super nutrient reverses cancer after chemotherapy has failed. A Chinese herb lowers high blood pressure in a patient with heart disease after being dismissed as quackery by doctors. Jordan S. Rubin’s account of returning from the medical abyss, however, includes an original twist. After several years of battling Crohn’s Disease, which included a small fortune spent on both conventional and alternative treatments, as well as trips abroad in search of help, Rubin weighed only 111 pounds and, at just age 21, thought his life was over. At the urging of his father, a naturopath, he contacted an obscure nutritionist in California promoting a diet based on the teachings of the Bible. Yes, we’re talking what Jesus ate: kefir, lamb, sprouted breads, eggs and meat from free-range chickens, and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Rubin also started to pray and added a new powder supplement containing homeostatic soil organisms (HSOs) to his diet. Four months later he weighed 170 lbs and was on the road back to his former athletic and healthy self. Inspired by his experience, and now with advanced degrees in nutrition and naturopathic medicine, Rubin has crafted
The Maker’s Diet. While the faithful will surely find the book of interest, Rubin’s command of the scientific issues underpinning his recommendations may also appeal to those more accustomed to studying food labels in search of what to eat than ancient religious texts. --
Patrick Jennings
1 A big disappointment
I received this book as a birthday gift from my family, and I figured I'd give it a shot. My parents were really excited about the book, as they had see Rubin on several shows plugging the book. Unfortunately though the book is very much like an infomercial with very little on the actual application or foods of the diet until the last 100 pages or so.
Alot of the information is more common sense than anything else: stay away from processed foods, sugar, junk food etc. Also the foods recommended and the places listed in the book to order the food from are rather expensive and the recipes are more time consuming than I would have hoped.
If you can afford the diet, and have the time and energy to follow it you will be healthier for it. However, I don't see the need to purchase the book or other instructional products to do so.
2 Makers Diet - 40 days of waste
This "diet" is one that is hard to follow - I did not realize you are recommended to purchase the supplements and products the author promotes (and makes a profit from) - this diet is not long term and with busy lives too much effort to follow and maintain.... I found better success in understanding portion control, caloric intake and exercise and better eating habits....
Other books are easier to follow so unless you have 40 days to to gamble this is not for you....
3 Grateful Mother!
Ouch! Some of the reviews on this book! Good grief people...The disciples sat at Jesus feet and wrote much of the New Testament. They weren't scholars! Jordon has sat under many learned men and has done his homework. Let's give him some credit. I think he found his cure and is sharing all the knowledge he has acquired. Who cares if it isn't all perfect. Take what is good from it and learn.
I have a special needs daughter with a multitude of health issues. She was so sick last year the doctors said there was nothing more they could do.The principles in this book and others has saved our lives. I have a healthy daughter today because of it. Whom is off all medications but seizure meds.
God has supplied us with all we need here on earth to be healed. I thank God for people like Jordon who have the passion to share their knowledge with the rest of us.What if everyone just sat on their knowledge. We'ld be a much sicker society.
I highly recommend this book.It is easy reading, humorous, has great recipes and is a sea of knowledge. Maybe not perfect....but what book is? VP
4 The Maker's Diet
This book has changed not only my life but now my whole family is healthier! The principles in this book regarding food, lifestyle, etc are very helpful. I have read it several times and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to be healthy.
5 The Maker's Diet
"Maker's Diet" author tied to illegal supplement marketing. The FDA has ordered Garden of Life of West Palm Beach, Florida, to stop making unsubstantiated claims for "Q-Zyme,""Primal Defense," "Virgin Coconut Oil," "Fungal Defense," "FYI (For Your Inflammation)," "RM-10," "Revivall Classic," or other products. [Singleton ER. Warning letter to Robert U. Craven. May 11, 2004] The company was founded by Jordan S. Rubin, "NMD, PhD, CNC," who claims to have cured himself of "intestinal parasites, severe Candida, extreme anemia, food allergies, diabetes, excruciating abdominal pain, chronic diarrhea, poor circulation, liver problems, chemical sensitivities, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, arthritis, insomnia, hair loss, prostate and bladder infections, irregular heartbeat, eye inflammation, and chronic depression." Rubin's credentials have no legitimate academic or professional standing:
* His NMD (naturopathic medical doctor) is from the Peoples University of the Americas School of Natural Medicine, a nonaccredited school with no campus.
* His Ph.D. is from the Academy of Natural Therapies, a nonaccredited correspondence school that the State of Hawaii ordered to close last year.
* His CNC (Certified Nutritional Consultant) comes from the American Association of Nutritional Consultants, whose only requirement for "professional member" status has been payment of a $50 or $60 fee. The CNC requires passage of a test based mainly on the contents of books that promote nutrition quackery.
6 Not much substantiated
I have to admit I wanted to love this book - it had the makings of a wonderful book. It's just that, when compared to other publications similar to this one, The Maker's Diet just failed to support it's claims. Not to mention it takes biblical references out of context and doesn't really rely too heavily on those either.
Considering this is supposed to be a Bible based diet, I found very little biblical reference.
Also, I began to feel that this was just a storefront for Rubin's line of supplements that he sells on his website (which, by the way, NEVER mentions the Bible at all).
I opted to put this one down and pick up "What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health". It is much more sensible and has support for its claims.
7 A Commitment in the Journey
After reading the Maker's Diet I became very excited and was ready to apply it in my life full steam ahead. I had been suffering from several pains and even lost part of the sight in my left eye due to stress with a combination of eating all the wrong foods.
The information in the book made me more aware of what I was doing to my body and just what God had really made to be the most effective foods for me to live a long and healthy life. I was encouraged and up lifted by Dr Rubin's words.
The Bible tells us that we die from a lack of knowledge, and I can see how we are killing ourselves with the American Standard Diet (SAD) because of our lack of knowledge and understanding of what is really healthy for us.
Knowing this information now causes me to look at food in a whole new light and as I walk into the local store I realize that there are few healthy foods that are offered to the American public.
Although I realize that eating healthy is far more costly to the pocket book, I know that in the long run I would spend much less because I would have less of a need for medical expenses.
I truly believe that Dr Rubin's approach in the Maker's Diet is the best because it is addressed on a Biblical point of view.
The Bible holds the words of truth and in as much as Dr Rubin comfirms his findings with the scriptures I find that the message he shares is turth as well.
The most important part of this journey however, is commitment. As with anything we do, I realized that what made this work for Dr Rubin was his commitment to find a cure, a commitment to live. Reading his book I could see first hand how being committed to changing our eatting habits, our exercise habits, and our spiritual habits we would be changing our lives forever. The question for me was not if it would work, but would I work it and stay committed to it?
Although the information was awesome I know that reading it once is not enough to make me committed to it. That is why I enjoyed the sections with web-site information, where to buy the foods, support forms on his web, etc. That could very well be the most important part of the book.
Dr Rubin seems to be commited now to making people aware of the turth to overcoming illness and living free of desease. I do believe he is right.
I highly recomend the reading and the implamenting of the of the Maker's Diet. Take control of your life so that life will not take control of you. You can do that through the Maker's Diet.
I am doing it now and am beginning to find releaf in my pains. I praise the Lord for Dr Rubin's desire to spead the word and educate the people of God's best plan for HIS people to live a long and healthy life. In so doing we are able to serve Him longer and more effectively.
Read it, apply it, share it today!
8 Theology aside, diet guidelines make sense and work.....
Recommended by an online newsletter, I read this book hopefully, but really not expecting it to differentiate itself from other books recommending forms of "healthy" eating and supplementation. My eyes were wide open: Dr. Rubin does sell a product. And my mind was wide open: Dr. Rubin's view of the digestive system as a second brain was intriguing. So, for about a week, I loosely integrated into and eliminated foods from my diet as recommended. An increase in well-being was so dramatic that I replaced my supplementation with basic items suggested.
9 Very Good Read, The Diet works
This is a good read, chock full of inspirational true stories, impartial research to back Rubin's claims, and easy to follow diet instructions.
The fellow in the prior post has misinterpreted badly the Bible passages he notes (with overly great verbosity). In the Mark 7 passage, Jesus is making the point that diet doesn't make a man sinful - breaking moral law does (sinful attitudes/motives) - that's the context. The Pharisees thought that diet trumped morality. Jesus was correcting them, but he never said that those meats were now clean for healthy consumption. He said food does not cause moral defilement.
In the Acts 10 passage, he gets it wrong again. God was telling Paul to not call anything unclean **that he had cleansed**. There is no indication in that passage that the animals in that dream were of the forbidden type - Peter arbitrarily called things unclean. Which fits with the context of what Jesus was getting at: nowhere did God ever say that the Gentiles could not receive redemption, and in fact even in the old testament, God redeemed Gentiles like Rahab. Peter had an unbiblical bias, which God was correcting.
The rest of his opinioned tome is equally inaccurate. Nowhere does Rubin imply that following the law will get a man saved. Again, there is a distinction between moral law (the things that had the penalty of death), and health laws of the old testament.
The Jews believed that following the moral law would get them to heaven. Jesus corrected that by saying no one has kept the moral law - no one - and that they were written to help us know that we need a savior to get to heaven - and one that will free us from our propensity to sin, morally.
But the health laws are more akin to gravity and physics - you can violate them and still go to heaven, but you may get there faster than you wanted to.
10 The makers diet
I would rate this 5 stars except for one simple fact. Reality. If you can afford to live this way I think you would be much better off. I am putting as much as I can afford into practice myself and feel that I am benifiting greatly for it. It's jut so darn expensive. I mean an extra 200-400 per month expensive. His next book should be about how to make it more afordable.
Just a comment on the other reviews. When he talks about not exercising, I think what he is talking about is extreems i.e. marathon runners, boddy builders, professionel dancers, and no I don't mean strippers.
11 Defense of Daniel L Edelen
This is in defense of an excellent and informative review written by Daniel L Edelen. See his review if you are considering purchasing this book, then use your own judgement. It appears that other reviewers simply don't like his opinion. Fine. Beautiful. I wish more people would write reviews like he does. Honestly.
Mr. Edelen is obviously a Christian who is very familiar with scripture. If in doubt, please read his other reviews. How can one question another's faith with the following statement? "It has already been mentioned that you need to read the entire chapter of Mark 7 to understand what Peter was talking about."
Easy solution. Read Mark 7. Most notably read Jesus' Word in Mark 7:14-23. I know the answer. You will as well.
12 A Really Great Book!
This is a very good book and makes perfect sense. It's a diet that actually works. What an amazing story also.
13 Complete solid resource for health
Jordan Rubin has given me a step by step plan for improved health. The one thing America does not need is another diet book. Jordan has given the reader a total plan for health, not just weight loss. What an amazing experience to go thorugh the 40 day plan with friends and coworkers. I have learned action steps for my health that I will continue thorughout my life. The resource section and recipes are like having a coach with you at home. Unlike other health books, Jordan has given the reader those to turn to purchase tools that will improve their experience. The biggest connection that Jordan Rubin gives the reader is he has walked through his own health crisis and is victorious! I to am feeling victorious after going through the Maker's Diet, as I have increased energy and am closer to my ideal weight. One of the most important changes I have made in my life is that of the advanced hygiene program that Jordan recommends in his book. Who needs to fear flu shot shortages when you can daily improve your immune system! I recommend The Maker's Diet to anyone who wants to improve their health and the health of those they love.
14 Brilliant Book
I've been looking for a biblical source highlighting divine truth and this is the one. A rhetorical nutrition fact which Rubin vindicates (although his disease was a bit different) is that natural foods are easier to digest than un-natural processed and preserved food. Where this makes a big difference is in your bodies' reaction: Your body must produce more acid in order to digest difficult food. A high ph can result in anything ranging from common acid-reflex to cancer.
To those who think Rubin's book is bad theology, one would have to look at the Greek of Mark 7:19. The words "Thus he declared all foods clean" are not there, and are inserted as a measure of smoothing out the syntax eisegetically.
15 Off Makers back on Body for Life
Probably a great book and advice if you have a critical illness or health problem that nothing else seems to help. Probably a great book if you want to grow your own fruit, vegatables, raise your own cows for milk, cows for beef, polutry and fish. But for those of us that just need to loose a few pounds by avoiding fast food and exercising more this is not for us. I am extremly intrigued by a biblical diet and agree that people of the old testament did not eat pork and shellfish for a reason, I also agree that pork, shellfish and fried foods contribute to a lot of our health problems today. I do however disagree with the notion you should not exercise to get better. I firmly believe that exercise weighs equal with proper nutrition on leading a healthy lifestyle. I will keep this book to reference certain foods with its biblical belif but still find Body for Life a much better program. Again, I do not question the validity of it for people with serious illnesses like cancer that need a radical change in diet. It is just not for the rest of us trying to lose a few pounds.
16 amazed
i am so grateful that i found this book.i suffer from celiac disease and have been on a gluten free diet for a little over 3 years,have gained weight, had multiple sugeries, and way too many doctors visits, and im only 23 years old! this book has given me hope. i read the whole book in 1 day front to back and started the 40 day plan. so far im on day 2 and i have the worst headache and im craving soda! i never realized how much i was affected by my sugar consumption. i reccomend it just as a good read, even if you arent looking for a solution to whatever plagues you. and of course he is going to try and sell his products! he wants people to use them because they work! its awful to say, but im glad rubin got sick, so he could help so many of us at the end of it all,through the work of god.
17 The Little Purple Pill
It truly is amazing how ignorant people are about their health! After salvation, it's your most precious asset. People spend ten's of thousands of dollars educating themselves at institutions across the country to earn more money to buy more things and all for nil when their health goes south. The drug companies are no better than the tobacco companies. On TV we're constantly bombarded with expensive ads pitched to us about the relief or the enhancement their product will bring to our already over drugged lives so that we'll get our physician to prescribe the "much" needed drug when all we really need to do is look inward and see what we're feeding our body. By the way the tobacco companies and the drug companies both warn us that there are inherent dangers involved in using these products. "Dah" Ever hear of Vioxx?
I read this book and as with all books I use discernment. What Dr. Rubin is conveying is just plain old common sense. I found it quite interesting that his father spent $150000 on alternative therapy and he missed the one therapy that would have offered a cure to him in less than 21 days. FASTING. Don't think of me as an over zealous Bible thumper that fasts for spiritual closeness although I hope to at some point in the future. I'm just a 48 year old redneck from Alabama that decided to take personal responsibility for my health.
Eight years ago I read a book by Dr. Joel Fuhrman entitled "Fasting and Eating for Health". I read the back cover and it sounded like common sense to me. I read the book but yet I never dreamed I'd undertake a fast. Three years later my wife finally became pregnant via fertility drugs. Our son was born healthy but 6 weeks later my wife was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The rheumatologist just said we would have to learn to live with prednisone and its side effects. We'd eventually graduate to stronger drugs with worse side effects than prednisone.
I'll never forget the exchange I had with this doctor. I asked the reason why my wife would have to have her liver and kidneys tested every 3-6 months. (I already knew why). She responded that there were some side effects. She added that both the liver and kidneys would be under more stress due to the drugs.
I suggested trying fasting first and if that didn't work we could always go on drug therapy. Like most people, she thought that I was a nut. Short story now; my wife fasted for 9 days with water only (under an MD's supervision) and was cured. It's been 5 years and she hasn't taken a drug and has no recurrence.
Ninety percent of the diseases we suffer from as Dr. Fuhrman says are inflicted with our knife and fork. This is the same message that Dr. Rubin is pushing. I just wish there were more of these "common sense" doctors out there.
I agree with another reviewer about the index. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Paul Claborn
Albertville,Al.
18 Rebuttal to Daniel L Edelen's review
It didn't seem like you read the book very well, your complaints are easily addressed. It has already been mentioned that you need to read the entire chapter of Mark 7 to understand what Peter was talking about. However, the point I want to make is that Peter was speaking of Salvation, not health, in all of the scriptures you mentioned. What you ate no longer determined if you went to heaven or not, that doesn't mean it no longer applied to a healthy life on earth. Dr. Rubin mentions the fact that Jews did not die from the plague as others did, if OT sanitation laws still apply it makes sense that the dietary ones do too.
I found it amusing and discrediting that Mr. Edelen, who makes it blatantly clear that he is not a christian, passes judgement on Strang Publishing so quickly, just because he seemingly briefly perused the Bible in a desperate attempt to find flaws in this book.
In a "convenient omission" when talking about primitive peoples he claims that Dr. Rubin "routinely talks about the excellent health of primitive people, but the lifespans of those people are remarkably low, in truth." First of all Dr. Rubin clearly writes on page 48 of the book *as a heading* "Primitive Diets Not All Healthy" and he also says he believes the longer average lifespan in the west is from better crisis care. What is important here is quality of life not how long modern science can keep you alive on pills and machines.
In regard to "the Japanese...live longer than anyone" last I heard it was the Sardinians, but this designation changes on a regular basis. I would attribute the Japanese peoples health to the lack of hydrogenated oils and sugar in their diets, not the amount of eel they eat. These other nutrition issues are dwelt on with equal importance by Dr. Rubin as the kosher dietary laws.
Finally, Mr. Edelen is confused by how Dr. Rubin can recommend that you eat blueberries, when they weren't eaten by the hebrews, let me explain: he says that you should eat foods that are kosher, not specifically what the ancient hebrews ate. In the kosher laws no fruits or vegetables are forbidden, only types of meat. Therefore blueberries and corn are obviously fine Mr. Edelen.
If you haven't noticed, I highly recommend this book :) The only reason I gave it four stars is the lack of an index! Since I am constantely referencing the book this is really annoying.
19 Much more than a diet....
In all reality this book is not about a diet, but rather about a serious life change for the better. This book puts together what my family and I have been trying to do for the past 2-3 years now. It provides a sound model for eating and living based on biblical principles. After reading some of the other reviews, I think some
people are throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Just because Rubin has a supplement company that provides alot of the healthy products he describes in the book, doesn't mean his advice is skewed or necessarily biased. It looks like some are questioning Rubin's credentials and education to discredit his advice. However, I have founds many other resources and websites that also come to the same conclusion as Rubin when it comes to our diets and lifestyle. Rubin goes to extensive details to provide the reader plenty of solid medical facts to explain what the human body needs and why other eating patterns fall short.
He provides the names and websites of almost 100+ other companies that provide healthy eating and living information and products.
My family and I considered ourselves very healthy compared to most people we know, but were shocked to find out the negative side effects of Soy products. We have been consuming a good deal of Soy over the past two years, from Tofu, Soy Milk, Cheese, veggie burgers, etc. I was shocked to learn of the side affects
"Processed" soy can have, especially in Baby formula (where there are several lawsuits now against soy manufacturers). This was a reality check for us to look at what we are really eating, even though we thought we were healthy. If anyone wants more info on soy dangers see the website: http://www.westonaprice.org
Overall, I would Rubin's advice very highly. Can you actually imagine what would happen if millions of people actually switched to a lifestyle similar to the Maker's Diet? Our nation's health would dramatically increase almost immediately. All those people who are hopping from one diet to the next would really benefit from this book. If nothing else, this book serves as a huge wake up call to all those who are unaware of the toxins that surround us. From chlorinated/flouronated public water supplies to Hydrogenated fats/oils that are labeled as "healthy" by most food companies to the hormone laden chickens and beef we eat to the herbicide/pesticide vegetables that line our groceries. Yes, I do think it is time people took a hard look what the put into our bodies and ask themselves what has changed over the last 100 years of modern agriculture and food processing. Do youself a favor and get this book to read...
20 Changed my life!
The Maker's Diet is one of my favorite nutrition manuals. It brings together in print a lot of the helpful things I've learned over the past year by gleaning from cutting-edge nutrition sites like mercola.com and price-pottenger.org. It helped me to see the flaws in other popular diets and see the down-to-earth, back-to-our roots wisdom of this way of eating.
The "40-day health experience" requires discipline and faith but it's worth it! I'm so glad I've completely turned my back on the Standard American Diet that's killing us. This book helped me clean out my pantry, improve my family's health, and inspire me to a new and improved life style.
We've enjoyed a lot of the recipes and have used a lot of the cooking, preparation, and food storage suggestions.
There's a great list of resources in the back for everything from essential oils to eggs. I like that he pushed LOTS of good products, not just his own. I've examined several of the other books recommended in this book and have been very happy with the additional information I've been exposed to regarding safety, health and wellness.
Yes, this book did indeed change my life and I'm so glad my children will have such a great foundation for good health!
21 the maker's diet
i don't know if it's the maker's diet, but it has sure helped me. butter, butter, plenty of butter! but from GRASS-FED COWS. not grain-fed. grain-fed cows are for losers! that's what rubin thinks, though he doesn't say so explicitly. i never thought i would be worried about what they feed the cows i eat! but here i am, worried abuot grass-fed vs. grain fed cows!
rubin had an illness caused by yeast, a yeast infection in his colon (some would say crohn's disease is caused by a yeast) and found that consuming HSO's -- a hardy probiotic formula discoverd by this guy DAUBNER -- cured him of the disease. his story is so dramatic and so compelling, and fits in the front of all of his three books -- though 'patient heal thyself, his first book, is no longer endorsed by his company because of FDA warnings. (I hate the FDA). Rubin is really ALL about PROBIOTICS -- the trillions of 'beneficial bacteria -- living in your colon and lower small intestine. rubin places a LOT of emphasis on 'fermented foods', namely RAW sauerkraut, and raw yogurt and raw kefir (a name i hadn't even heard of before i read and followed the diet of this book, for 40 DAYS).
40 DAYS OF MY LIFE -- AAAHHHHH! I suffer from many health problems -- namely in order of descending importance DEPRESSION, JOINT PAIN, and GI SYMPTOMS. I fasted in the summer, a water fast for about 7 days, though it quickly got extended to 30 because i had such a hard time going back on food that i didn't have a meal the whole month of july! the point is that the first meal i ever made from the maker's diet, i made in a weakened state and not very well at all, but it was such a good meal! it was like 'coming home'. i don't think my mom was that good of a cook. 'coming home' is the sensation i would use to describe how i feel eating many of these meals. i have cooked these meals for my parents, for my cousin and her daughter and i have become quite the popular cook. without exception they love my meals. rubin must have prayed a lot to god (i'm not very religious by the way, though i am trying to be) to make these meals delicious and nutritious. they are.
i find rubin's story of chronic sickness to health to be very compelling and i find myself reading it often for moral support in my own 30 year struggle with depression -- it has brought me to tears just reading his story! i only hope that one day i get the same victory -- unmitigated as his was!
i think rub's has some incredible chapters, that i have heard touted on other websites -- i'm thinking of the weston price foundation website in particular. in particular, chapter 3, the brain and the gut, or rather, the gut as second brain. what a great idea! since reading about the independence of the gut as a neurological organ i have become convinced that my depression is intricately linked with my digestion. rubin presents and is trying to present evidence that the health of the intestinal system is intricately linked with overall health.
in chapter 4 he atlks about the double edged sword of hygeine, where he -- i think brilliantly -- describes the importance of DIRT! DIRT of all things! because it contains micro-organisms that protect us from infection by stimulating the immune system and provide an overall health-restoring effect to every tissue and organ system of the body -- these are rubin's highly touted 'homeostatic soil organisms' that he says saved his life ( and i say somewhat cynically, loaded his pockets with cash!). homeostasis meaning they restore balance to every body system. get dirty! rubin says, and i believe we could all benefit from his advice. my experience with his hso product is that it practically eliminated my depression -- while i was following the diet at the same time. one catch: his company, garden of life recently changed the formula and they no longer guarantee it is gluten free. i tried it and i got sick for a week! one week in bed! that was NOT FUN! so i'm looking out for another soil based probiotic supplement. why would a company go from a hypo-allergenic supplement to a hyper-allergenic supplement?
rubin's recipes are truly a god-send -- 'red snapper mexican style', 'tuna steaks, oriental style', 'tuna tahini salad', 'all-day beef stew', 'korean beef', 'crispy pecans', 'coconut almond fudge' are just a few of the recipes i have had success with. almost all of these are from a cookbook called nourishing traditions by sally fallon (though many in the book are from stephen byrnes whole food cookbook; and a guy named 'keith tindall from white egret farm). check out the nourishing traditions reviews on this site. there are over a hundred and mostly all are totally enchanted with the book. the recipes are enchanting as well. i just made some 'carrots vichy' the other day, awesome! i forgot to mention the 'coconut milk soup'. my mom calls it a real elixir.
rubins company, garden of life, is not like any other company out there in the business. they are whole-food supplements not isolated vitamins or minerals, and they have an odor! they are actual food! they are not tablets or capsules but caplets. they are truly unique (though expensive!). his digestive enzyme supplement, for one, changed my life earlier this year. and the older version of primal defense took away my depression, though not the joint pain, and i would stick with it if it wasn't for the change in formula. i was very furious that they changed the fomrula and spoke several times with the customer service but they were unable to explain why they made the change. their customer service is very poor, even if they get back to you promptly.
this diet can be summed up with a list that is on the weston price foundation web site under 'basic nutrition'. there you will find a perfect summary of the maker's diet. namely:
Eat whole, natural foods.
Eat only foods that will spoil, but eat them before they do.
Eat naturally-raised meat including fish, seafood, poultry, beef, lamb, game, organ meats and eggs.
Eat whole, naturally-produced milk products from pasture-fed cows, preferably raw and/or fermented, such as whole yogurt, cultured butter, whole cheeses and fresh and sour cream.
Use only traditional fats and oils including butter and other animal fats, extra virgin olive oil, expeller expressed sesame and flax oil and the tropical oils-coconut and palm.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, preferably organic, in salads and soups, or lightly steamed.
Use whole grains and nuts that have been prepared by soaking, sprouting or sour leavening to neutralize phytic acid and other anti-nutrients.
Include enzyme-enhanced lacto-fermented vegetables, fruits, beverages and condiments in your diet on a regular basis.
Prepare homemade meat stocks from the bones of chicken, beef, lamb or fish and use liberally in soups and sauces.
Use herb teas and coffee substitutes in moderation.
Use filtered water for cooking and drinking.
Use unrefined Celtic seasalt and a variety of herbs and spices for food interest and appetite stimulation.
Make your own salad dressing using raw vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and expeller expressed flax oil.
Use natural sweeteners in moderation, such as raw honey, maple syrup, dehydrated cane sugar juice and stevia powder.
Use only unpasteurized wine or beer in strict moderation with meals.
Cook only in stainless steel, cast iron, glass or good quality enamel.
Use only natural supplements.
Get plenty of sleep, exercise and natural light.
Think positive thoughts and minimize stress.
Practice forgiveness.
it's me again, and rubin's nutritional hero is weston price. rubin preaches not to be afraid of saturated fats! that's a good thing. i don't think cholesterol has ANYTHING to do with heart disease, and the fact that doctor's (who according to rubin and many others are the third leading cause of death in north america) say otherwise is no deterrent to me. by the way, rubin DOES address this ACTS controversy by saying that some will say that following the guidelines on clean and unclean foods is OUTDATED LEGALISM (page 35 of his book), but he argues it isn't because plenty of people willingly follow some of the laws of the OT, like, oh, i don't know, THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! so , you see, he does address this problem. Jordan Rubin believes that digestive health is at the center of great physical health, and i am heavily inclined to believe him.
22 Worth Looking At!
The Maker's Diet is definitely worth looking at!It's a refreshing change from most diet books and packed with useful information. To be sure, Rubin wants to market his products and his faith. But so what? What writer doesn't? I've personally surveyed over a hundred recent popular diet/eating plan books; and this is one of the most unique. You WILL find information in this book that you don't find in other popular books--some of it very conscientiously and painstakenly put together. One of the things I especially appreciated are the careful lists of low glycemic-load foods for each phase of Rubin's diet. It was news to me, also, that goat milk is alkalinizing. To be sure it would be best if the author didn't make assertions in some areas since doctors might disagree with some of his comments. However, most popular writers tend to do that kind of thing--which means you, as the reader, really should consult with your own M.D. before following anyone's diet--including Rubin's. For one thing, while some Biblical prescriptions for heal are valid today, others were based on lack of scientific knowledge and are not.
23 It Works!
This book changed my life! I always knew there was something missing in my diet. I never felt healthy or energetic. I was a size 26 and over 260 lbs. I couldn't lose weight, on the road to diabetes, thyroid and candida problems. I tried every quick weight loss scheme, from Pritikin, to Metabolic Typing to Adkins. Nothing worked. I'd lose 5-10 lbs and gain 20-40. It's not about just low-carb. Carbs are not our problem. Low Nutrient foods are our problem. Today, six months later, I'm a size 20.
Jordan teaches that we need nutrient dense foods such as kombucha, cod liver oil, coconut, naturally fermented foods, organic meats and vegetables, preferably raw goat butter, goat milk and yogurt, organic lamb and organic chicken stocks, celtic sea salt and living water. I eat beets, palm hearts, artichoke hearts, salmon, kefir, organic raw eggs in smoothies, raw honey, olive oil, palm oil, coconut oil, homemade sauerkraut, sourdough breads. I limit bleached flours, soy food, vegetable, canola, and corn oils, hydrogenated oils and margarine, snack foods, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, TV dinners, store meats that have hormones, pesticides and disease, pork and certain seafoods.
I don't overeat anymore and I'm satisfied. God gave us food to eat and enjoy. When we fight against our own hunger we destroy our relationship to food. I no longer horde food, freak when there's not enough, nor do I eat when I'm sad.
I also take Clear Energy. I went from working in an office and came home ready to collapse, to being a nanny of 5 year old triplet boys. I come home tired, but happy and ready to start my day! I use clenzology. And usually start autumn with a good sinus infection...no sign of one yet!
I think we need to separate the idea that this is a `religious' concept and understand that Jordan is asking us to think about what we put into our mouths. Are we going to accept what we've been told is healthy or are we going to finally question the Standard American Diet? He isn't contradicting himself. Anyone who read the book knows he's saying that sometimes it is necessary to temporarily eliminate certain foods from your diet until the flush is complete. And, regarding the comment about wine, there is an enormous difference between naturally fermented raw drinks and commercial wines. They are pasteurized and highly processed, all the possible nutrients are cooked out. This is the problem with the entire food industry.
Other reviewers suggest many other diet books, however; these books focus on specific concepts and remedies, but not on overall healthy eating. None of them suggest eating all of the foods in Jordan's book including coconut, palm oil and fermented foods which helps correct diabetes, thyroid, cancer, hormonal problems, and digestive problems. I have read many of these books; they completely overlook key nutritive foods.
I met Jordan at a local seminar. He is the picture of health and offers free seminars. He is the least "Commercial" person I have ever known. His products are of the highest quality; made of whole, organic dried fruits, vegetables and seeds and herbs. He isn't peddling a low-grade, laboratory processed, chemical `supplements'. He is personable, kind, without the slightest hint of pretense. And he has feelings. I think twice when reading a review of someone who attacks another human being without having met him personally.
And as far as exercise. I couldn't exercise last year. Every time I got on a tread mill, my blood pressure skyrocketed. Many Americans are in such poor health, that they need to get better first, then consider workout regimens. That's like asking a person who needs open heart surgery to run a marathon. It's impossible. But with health comes the ability to keep on track and exercise and stay in shape. One step at a time!
We need more people like Jordan Rubin to swim upstream, amid a world of nay-sayers, and be a living example of health!
24 Mixing Bible Sales and Nutrition Advice
If you are looking for serious dietary information, do not buy this book.
You will get much better information in reading THE ZONE, THE SCHWARZBEIN PRINCIPLE, LIVING THE LOW-CARB LIFE, SYNDROME X (Challem, et al), and ATKINS' NEW DIET REVOLUTION. If you are diabetic, pre-diabietic, hypoglycemic, or have sugar cravings, read ATKINS DIABETES REVOLUTION, and for insulin dependent diabetes diets, read DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES BOOK. For a hormonal analysis, read THE AGE-FREE ZONE. For an evolutionary analysis of diet and heredity, read THE METABOLIC TYPING DIET. For further details on the danger of grain and sugar consumption, read THE NO-GRAIN DIET.
THE MAKER'S DIET'S nutritional guidelines, insofar as they are present in the text, mimic Atkins in the beginning and then move toward The Zone. However, the author gives very short shrift to these guidelines or to true nutritional analysis. The majority of the book is a blend of half-baked biblical commentary and poorly-rendered theology, accented with pictures of an emaciated Rubin, in a seeming attempt to create shock value akin to looking at gory portraits of the crucifixion. As noted in another review, perhaps part of this shock is designed to spur the reader's purchases from Rubin's nutrition company.
If true understanding of nutrition is important to you, do not rely on THE MAKER'S DIET to any extent. In fact, the book is not worth reading. It is noteworthy that the bookstores do not even keep "THE MAKER'S DIET" in the "Diet, Health, and Nutrition" sections of the store; they keep it in
the "Religion" section...
There are many superb texts on religion and profound treatises concerning biblical analysis. There are many books containing moving accounts of personal religious convictions and philosophies. However, Rubin's book fails both at dietary analysis and religious insight; moreover it smacks of the worst kind of commercialism, which takes advantage of an unhealthy person's search for help.
25 Very Interesting and Informative
The Oxford Dictionary meaning of DIET: 1. the kinds of food that a person or animal habitually eats 2. a special course of food to which a person is restricted 3. a regular occupation or series of activites to which one is restricted or which form one's main concern, usually for a purpose, i.e. a diet of light reading and fresh air.
Let's not forget the many definitions of DIET. Yes, our ancestors did have a diet. Not the Western way of thinking as DIETING.
I think there is new information in this book. For a novice of nutrition or for somebody still working off of the Standard American Diet (SAD) this is a very useful book with useful information. Do you know how many people there are who have no clue, still, regarding trans-fats, artificial sweetners or the differences between a good carb. vs. a bad carb.? MANY! Many people still have no clue that what they eat can effect their health and how they feel or act. And, most people can not relate to Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI)
I've been a health nut for a long time. I'm an herbalist and Holistic Healthcare Practitioner and I still found new information in this book.
I bought this book a few days ago. I'm only up to page 160 and haven't begun the 40 days yet. I'm anxious to find out what it will be like.
I, personally, do believe that you can get healthy and lose weight in 40 days. I believe that any thing is possible. Then again, what ever you believe is true!
26 Nothing new here
The information contained in this book could have been condensed down to 5 - 10 pages. This is old information that has been repackaged to sell books. If someone is interested in reading this book I would recomend obtaining it through an inter-library loan as I do not think it is worth the cost nor is the information unique enough to have in a personal library.
27 More to the ACTS 10 story
The "Peter's Dream" question is one I get often since I teach on health & healing.
If we simply allow the word of God to provide the authority on this subject it is simple to understand. Actually, the Acts 10 Peter's Dream question is probably one of the easiest "eat anything you can catch" ideas to debunk.
One doesn't need to do anything more that read the entire account in both Acts 10 and 11 to rightly conclude that this vision had nothing to do with God changing a non-food into food. Peter himself says that God was showing him something quite unique. Peter provides his own conclusions. (see below)
Acts 10:12-14
"It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. 13Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat."
14"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."
Question: If you were presented with skunk, puffer fish (poisonous), crocodile, buzzards, opossum, porcupine, hogs, lizards, poisonous snakes, etc. would you simply rejoice and say "yippee, let's dig in?" Probably not, nor did Peter. He was totally perplexed unlike some today.
Note: Jesus Himself called snakes, rocks, and scorpions something that even an evil person would never feed his children. Bread, fish, and egg were things He considered food. (Look at the gospel for a second)
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:11-13
9"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Matthew 7:9
Back to Acts 10
V 17 While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon's house was and stopped at the gate.
We don't even need to speculate. Peter himself, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit provides his own commentary to the meaning of such a totally outrageous vision.
27 Talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people. 28He said to them: "You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any MAN impure or unclean.
There you have it! Peter's own commentary to the meaning! Jesus Christ and the cross changing everything! Peter's exclusive Jewish world just got rocked. What is food never changed. Just the symbol of the Gentile changed, not to be compared to an unclean creature (nonfood). If the subject was a change in food then scripture wasted a lot of time and complicated a rather simple subject. Why not simply say "You may now eat anything. It is now food." The end! But no, there was a profound spiritual lesson and change taking place and it took many days and a couple of chapters to "cipher". And, most importantly we have the benefit of Peter himself telling us what it all meant.
34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Acts 11:2-8
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him 3and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."
4Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened: 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'
8"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
Acts 11:18 When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45THE CIRCUMCISED BELIEVERS WHO HAD COME WITH PETER WERE ASTONISHED THAT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD BEEN POURED OUT EVEN ON THE GENTILES.
I encourage you to read all of Acts 10 & 11 in context and judge for yourself. You don't need me or any other to explain. The truth will jump off the pages!
If anyone still believes that Peter's Dream reveals that all creatures are for food, come on over for a dinner of puffer fish, BBQ buzzard and poison ivy salad! I'll drink from a punch bowl, not the toilet! But, yes I am free to do so!
There are several other scriptures people like to turn to (to eat whatever they want) that are just as easily explained from scripture. Don't have time here. (Most absolutely avoid Isa 65 or 66 though.)
The Best Advice Might Be: (Taken from "What The Bible Says About Healthy Living" by Rex Russell MD.)
1.) Eat The Things God Made for Food
2.) Don't Alter the Healthy Design
3.) Don't Let Any Food or Drink Become Your God!
Bottom Line: Our Heavenly Father loves you, wants to protect and nourish you!
He simply tells us what food is, and what is not. Pretty easy guidelines to follow. In reality, there really is no such thing as a Biblical diet. Everything God made for food is good and is called food. Everything else is non-food. There is no "diet".
Ps. Oh, by the way...
I recently was researching a toxicology related subject and discovered that one of the most effective sources for inducing tumors or carcinogenic activity in the laboratory is by using Okadaic acid, the major cause of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning and a powerful tumor promoter. Okadaic acid is found abundantly in shellfish and is sold by the chemical industry as tumor promoter for cancer research. (Scales and Fins science still up to date! Father loves you and wants you to avoid sickness. (Thanks Father)
You can type Okadaic acid in Google or any search engine and see for yourself. Nonfood will always be nonfood.
28 Continue reading Acts chapter
I do agree that this book sells a lot of the author's products and that it appears he himself is at times confused about kosher or legal foods. But, you cannot use the tenth chapter in Acts (or more specifically little pieces of this) to proclaim all foods edible. This was a dream to let Peter understand that the Gentiles had been called also and that he was to go to Cornelius' house and teach his household. I ask you please- Don't stop at verse 15. Read the ENTIRE chapter and understand what is truely being written about.
It is my understanding by going back to the Old Testament that all grains, vegetables, and fruits are acceptable. As I have only began this journey into the food categories which are accetable to the almighty I will not proclaim to be an expert. This book is nice for people who have health issues they want to address from a Biblical perspective and can be done without the buying of additional products. Give it a try if you haven't found something that works for you. It may be that The Maker knows more about our bodies than we do.
29 silly diet for tubby folks
If readers would exercise for 40-days, they would CERTAINLY lose weight.
Yet people want the lazy way out.
For those who have fatten themselves up over 20 years, they certainly will not lose the weight in 40 days.
Listen friend - the best 3 pieces of diet advice are:
1. exercise
2. exercise
3. exercise
30 I agree with Daniel Edelen's review (below this)...
***
I agree wholeheartedly with everything said by Daniel Edelen (below). It would impossible to say it any better, therefore, I am not going to try. His review is comprehensive, detailed, and really, really accurate.
I, too, noticed the glaring omission of Acts 10:9-15 and wondered about that.
In addition, I should add that the author's credentials are very controversial, as one of the universities he got his degree from is now defunct, and the other is not a typically accredited university. There is much about the content of this book that is controversial, too.
Nevertheless, I still found it a worthwhile read, as I like to keep up on popular diets, especially those marketed to Christians. The author definitely markets his products in the book extensively, too, for many of which he is the only source in the whole world. I think it's a stretch to call it the "Maker's Diet" and more accurage to call it the "My Interesting Take on Biblical Eating---Buy My Products" diet.
***
31 A good diet wrapped in contradictory advice and bad theology
God brought the Hebrews into a promised land flowing with milk and honey. Thankfully for them, Dr. Ornish and Dr. Atkins were not along for the ride or else the doctors would have argued against the health of the place. At least that's what Dr. Jordan Rubin, the author of "The Maker's Diet" believes. He claims in this latest chart-topping diet book that the Maker of Heaven and Earth was right all along.
Rubin starts this book with the same inspiring story he used to begin his bestselling "Physician Heal Thyself," his comeback from near death due to advanced Crohn's disease. In his latest, he details the diet that restored his health, one based on the Old Testament's dietary laws. While there's not enough space here to detail the specifics of eating kosher, the advice here boils down to avoiding eating "unclean" animals (e.g. - shrimp, pork, eels), buying organic, forsaking sugar, shunning processed foods, getting eight hours of sleep, developing a deeper spirituality, and doing "natural" exercises. Plus, eating a little dirt now and then helps, too.
What bothers me about "The Maker's Diet" goes beyond its infomercial script and to its very premise. The book is published by Strang Communications, a charismatic Christian publisher, and it claims the Bible as its source. Rubin argues that God gave Man the right to eat vegetables until the time of Noah, adding the eating of animal flesh after the flood. The Mosaic Laws further refined what was considered clean and unclean eating. It is largely the diet of Moses' day that Rubin endorses as being God's perfect diet.
But there is a convenient Scriptural omission: Mark 7:18-19, wherein Jesus Himself declares all foods clean. Later in Acts 10:9-15 Peter is told by God to kill and eat unclean animals. When he responds that he has never eaten anything unclean or "common," God replies, "You must stop calling unclean what God has made clean." Peter now understood that Jesus's finished work fulfilled the OT Law for all of us, rendering moot issues of what was clean and unclean. No longer were the Gentiles considered "unclean," just as food was no longer classified as clean and unclean (as in the Mark passage.) To further this point, the Apostle Paul routinely denounced Jewish Christians who insisted that the Gentile converts follow the OT laws (including the dietary laws espoused by Dr. Rubin.) As Paul writes later in Galatians 5:18, "But if you are being led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." Resurrecting the Law carries its own problems. James 2:10 says, "For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point is guilty of breaking all of it." Living by the Law instead of the Spirit, compels a person to obey the entire Law--a tall order that no one was able to accomplish, and one of the primary reasons why Jesus came. That a publisher like Strang overlooks the flawed theology in "The Maker's Diet" is simply inexcusable.
Some of the concepts Rubin lauds as gospel truth are questionable. The author routinely talks about the excellent heath of primitive people, but the lifespans of those people are remarkably low, in truth. Compare the overall appearance of an average woman in her mid-forties in a Western country with her primitive counterpart and the latter appears far older and decrepit. The author notes the perfect dentition of primitive people, but anyone with a few copies of National Geographic lying around can open to a lot of really poor teeth in the very people Rubin lauds. The argument for eating only "clean" foods also fails factually. The Japanese, for instance, live longer than anyone and enjoy remarkably healthy lives, yet they eat large amounts of meat (especially seafood) classified by Dr. Rubin as "unclean." Rubin also cites many older medical texts that support his claims, although some of the science in those texts has been disproven in other areas. Lastly, the author's own story relates his quest for health by noting he tried hundreds of different diets in an effort to erase his ill health before he settled on this one, supposedly God's very own. A different person might have responded positively to one of those other diets, as millions of others have, considering the testimonials we get in the cornucopia of diet books out there. If Rubin had gotten results from eating a Tibetan monk's diet, we'd probably be getting a completely different title for the book.
Inconsistencies in the advice abound, as well. Rubin says that exercise should not consist of unnatural exercises (e.g. - running, jogging) that elevate the heart rate for long periods. In other words, aerobics are out, while yardwork is in. Exercises that can put a lot of stress on the body, or are risky in general, are to be avoided, too. But then Rubin recommends exercising on a mini-trampoline, a completely unnatural exercise (by his own definition) that is the cause of thousands of injuries a year. Inconsistencies extend to the diet itself. Many of the foods of the Bible are uncommon around the world, and Rubin recommends foods (e.g. - blueberries, curry) that did not exist in the Hebrew diet. How this keeps in line with his premise is not clear. How do we know that God considers corn, a New World food, "clean?" Rubin doesn't say. Even specific foods are approached with contradictory advice: Peanut oil is highly recommended, but peanuts themselves are not. Rubin recommends fermented foods, but not fermented drinks (yet, some of the recipes included in the book include that classic fermented drink, wine.)
Dr. Jordan Rubin's "The Maker's Diet" is a frustrating book. Somewhat of an infomercial for itself and for the author's (convenient) nutrition company, it still contains decent dietary advice that, if followed, will produce a healthier lifestyle. However, despite the touting that this is God's own dietary advice to modern men, the advice distills down to little more than common sense and temperance.
32 The best health/nutrition book yet
I have read so many health and nutrition books over the years-Fit for Life, 12 steps to Raw, 8 Weeks to Optimum Health, and many, many more and this is by far the best, most comprehensive, historically and scientifically supported book on how to eat well. I just finished it and can't wait to try some of the new things I have learned.
My only iffy issue with the book is that the meal plans don't contain as many raw veggies as I would think best, however, it is clear this book is written for folks who are used to the standard American diet way of life. I am going to buy this book for my Mother-in-law for Christmas! (and that is saying a lot).
33 Very well written
I have read many self help books on diet and other areas. This one is very well written, easy to follow, clear information. It does not leave you wondering what to do next. I recommend this book very highly.
34 GREAT health plan
I had read "What the Bible says about Healthy Living", which is an awesome book, but it did not give a food plan to follow. The Maker's Diet is not an easy plan and is not a quick fix, but you will see significant results if you stick with it.
My husband and I haven't even finished Phase 1 yet and can already see major differences in our appearance and our health. He has lost 1.5 - 2 inches around his stomach. I haven't measured, but my clothes are fitting looser. The big thing for me is the way my skin has changed. I had severe adult acne for the last 10 years and no matter what I tried, nothing ever cleared up my face. I have been on The Maker's Diet for 12 days and my face is practically clear! And I know it's because my body no longer has the toxins in it that was causing the break-outs. The other huge item for us is the fact that our energy levels have already significantly increased.
If you're looking for a quick weight loss program, this isn't it. This is a life changing program that will truly change your life.
35 Helpful insights on nutrition and health
Is there a divine plan for health and nutrition that we can follow? Jordan Rubin emphatically says there is in The Maker's Diet. Based on his study of scriptures, health and nutrition, and his own experience of sickness and recovery, Rubin presents a diet and overall wellness plan that he believes lines up with God's plan for healthy people.
The Maker's Diet begins with Rubin's inspiring story of his battle with severe Crohn?s disease. His doctors called his case the worst they had seen. During college, Rubin went from the picture of health to death's doorstep--6'1 and weighing 111 pounds due to digestive problems related to Crohn's disease. Rather than giving up after over a year of sickness, Rubin clung to his faith in God and sought one more solution. The final try was a man who had developed a Biblically-based diet and health plan. This early version of the Maker's Diet saved Rubin's life and led to his complete recovery and healing over the course of several months. He includes astounding before and after pictures of himself that demonstrate the diet's effect.
This experience inspired Rubin to enhance the Biblically-based diet through additional research and create Garden of Life, a health and wellness company.
Rubin's in-depth analysis of the typical American's diet compared to what he considers to be a healthy, nutritious diet impacted me. In the recent weeks since reading the book, I have changed my grocery shopping and eating habits to better follow the book's general guidelines for healthy eating.
Rubin emphasizes the benefits of natural and organic foods in contrast to the nutritional deficits found in processed and engineered foods. He also compares the nutritional value of foods God included in the diet plan for the Israelites versus those excluded such as pork and shellfish.
While he makes no claims that his diet is a "cure-all," he believes "the book was inspired by God and that the practical protocol it contains can greatly improve your health."
The Maker's Diet offers a 40-day diet plan targeting not only weight loss but overall health and disease prevention. It consists of three phases. The general diet is a list of foods to enjoy and foods to avoid during the phases. For example, Rubin encourages readers to enjoy beef but to avoid pork. For all of the food, he recommends natural, organic or free range products for reasons he specifies. He includes sample meals and recipes. His diet also includes regular fasting for physical and spiritual health.
His Garden of Life company supplies many nutritional supplements and products to complement the diet. He recommends some of these but also lists various other suppliers of natural foods and products for the reader's benefit.
Some of Rubin's comments focus on healthcare and exercise. These are not Rubin's areas of expertise. His sincere though pedestrian writing about these topics offers little insight and may do a disservice to readers who follow his advice too literally. At times he seems combative toward the medical profession, as he contradicts what physicians and medical experts would advise regarding medicine, vaccinations and exercise.
He does come across as an expert in nutrition and natural remedies. Although not from mainstream universities, his advanced degrees are in naturopathic medicine, nutrition and natural therapies.
I think The Maker's Diet will benefit all readers who are willing to make changes in their diets. It offers general guidelines and specific programs to follow. Throughout the book, Rubin expresses the importance of his relationship to God and the Biblical foundation to his diet. In addition to his own miraculous story, he includes testimonies of sick people who recovered on this diet and overweight people who lost weight while on it.
