Approaching the Natural: A Healthy Manifesto

A few weeks ago Sid Garza-Hillman, a Certified Nutrition and Weight Management Coach and the Programs Director at the Mendocino Center for Living Well at the Stanford Inn Eco-Resort in Northern California asked if I was interested in reviewing his book, Approaching the Natural: A Health Manifesto. My first thought was, “Heck Yeah!”  which was quickly followed with an overwhelming sense of responsibility to accurately portray the book to my readers. While I recommend books often I’ve never given a formal review.

I really enjoyed reading this book and definitely recommend it. First I want to tell you my impressions of the author. Sid, yes we are on a first name basis now (he may not know that though), makes you feel like you have known him for years and probably got in trouble in math class together in high school. Well, maybe not but he seems familiar, like an old friend and explains confusing concepts with easy to understand imagery and humor that will keep you engaged. His passion for life, his family, health and the earth are infectious.

In some ways I felt like he let me, “off the hook” and in other ways I felt extremely challenged and empowered to rise to the occasion and get moving. There is much more to your health than just the food you eat or the amount of exercise you fit into your day. He doesn’t give you a magic formula to follow for success; he simply encourages you to approach the natural and explains how to do that in every area of your life. The book discusses nutrition but it is so much more than a “health” book; it is more of a “this is how you were designed to live” book.

“Approach the natural by taking the smallest steps necessary to at least get you to take steps in the first place.” He explains that you can make huge changes overnight but it is often the small incremental changes that are easiest to make and keep. Basically you don’t have to give up all your vices, sell everything you own, and frolic naked in the forest; health and happiness can be found by choosing to make better food choices, eliminate unnecessary stress, and move your body among other things.

I also had the opportunity to ask Sid a few questions about his book, his philosophy and of course food.

1. Explain “Approaching the Natural”.

“Approaching the Natural: A Health Manifesto” is a philosophy of health and happiness book. I argue that when we act in line with our natural design, both mentally and physically, we thrive individually and as a species. I believe it isn’t only healthy body, healthy mind, but also healthy mind, healthy body.  The reason why it’s “Approaching the Natural” and not “All the way to the Natural” is that I advocate taking small steps toward a more natural existence until you get to a place that works for you. In writing the book, I wanted to create a super accessible, fun (and hopefully funny!) read that would be easy for anyone, no matter how busy, to pick up and use as an everyday guide (it literally fits in a back pocket!). I am a father of 3, and my wife and I both work….However, we still live very healthy and happy lives using the very tools I lay out in the book.

2. What obstacles stand in the way of approaching the natural for most people?

First, I would say that most people may not even frame health or happiness in terms of what is natural to us, so one obstacle is that they haven’t explored that way of looking at it. For instance, many people want to lose weight so try and figure out a way to do it. Yet, I see weight loss as just one side-effect of health – a healthy body will be at a healthy weight. Understanding that what we do in our lives (both what we eat and how we interact with others and the world) is either in line with or in conflict with our natural design can put things into perspective a little better. Being thin doesn’t mean you’re healthy or happy…Give your body and mind the tools they need to thrive and you’ll increase your chances for both.

Second, quick-fix solutions to our problems are obstacles in that they aren’t solutions at all. To lose weight, we try 7 day cleanses, 21 day meal plans or any number of diets only to return to our old ways of eating. We join expensive gyms and sign up for classes, only to burn out 2 months later. We simply take on too much too soon and don’t approach a more natural existence at all. To truly become healthy and happy we first need to learn to live as healthy and happy human beings. This takes time — I believe incorporating small, manageable steps will yield life-long change.

3. Why does your philosophy work?

Because people don’t have to turn their lives upside down to start living better. With some of my clients I start really, really small. For instance, if someone comes to me having never exercised, I might see if they can manage walking across the room and back once a day. If that’s something they can handle and do every single day, then very quickly they become ‘someone who exercises.’ Sure it’s not enough exercise to yield any substantial weight loss, but it’s a foundation from which to build. They have learned a new behavior, which is the act of taking care of themselves. At that point it’s just a matter of teaching them how to increase the amount of exercise over time until they’re at a place that works for them.

4. Tell us how this works in a busy family.

Same thing goes for a busy family. As I wrote before, my wife and I have three kids – a 9 year old, and 4 year old twins. We both work and trust me, we’re busy (understatement of the year). But we are constantly mindful of the way we want to live. We value time with each other and with our kids. We value treating our own bodies well (through the food we eat, and how we move) and living that example for our children so that they might grow up feeling both good about themselves and worthy of health and happiness. No matter how busy you are as a family, you can take a few moments to consider what is important, and do whatever you can in the context of your lives. If it means only 5 minutes each day with your children to step outside and talk to them about their day, then that’s better than nothing. We too often think it’s an all or nothing proposition – either a 1 ½ hour family dinner every night or nothing at all. I think there is a lot of room in between that can be extremely beneficial. During the first couple years with the twins we barely had time to socialize with other families even though being with our friends is very important to us. But we believe that socializing is natural to humans (we are tribal in nature) and plays a very real part in our health and happiness, so we did what we could even if it meant literally 20 minutes with friends here and there. Recently we have been able to increase that time significantly as the kids are becoming a little easier.

5. Since this is a food blog can you share one of your family’s favorite meals with us?

We make an awesome plant-based lasagna with brown rice pasta, tofu ricotta, shiitake mushrooms, a gluten-free béchamel, and spinach….I’m getting hungry just writing about it!

6. Any last words for my readers?

Please understand this: that taking steps toward increased health and happiness is a gift. It’s not giving up anything at all. Because it involves a transition, it’s essential to take however small steps as necessary to actually get you on the path to real life-long change. In the end, though, every step you take is worth it. Humans have an innate and unique capacity and drive to think, create, and love. Acting in ways that facilitate (and are not in conflict with) these by how we feed our bodies and minds will benefit ourselves, our families, and the world as a whole.

You can contact Sid Garza-Hillman through his website www.transitioningtohealth.net or follow him on twitter: @sidgarzahillman. His book can be found at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powells.

I’m giving away 1 copy of Approaching the Natural: A Health Manifesto to one lucky reader. Click here to enter the giveaway. This contest is open to people living in the US. A winner will be drawn Saturday and notified by email.

FTC Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book to review and a copy to giveaway but I was in no way compensated or asked to give a favorable review. All opinions are mine.

This giveaway is over, Susan won! I have emailed her. If I don’t hear from her in 1 week I’ll draw a new winner.