shazzie (of shazzie.com) reviews clear skin

Presented in easy-to-digest sections, the book starts off with an explanation on who this book can help. Acne is described and there is some information on antibiotics (against-life) and probiotics (for-life). Towards the end, the importance of water and supplements are discussed. In the body of the book, we are given easy reference charts on foods which are good for your skin ("Skin savers") and foods which are bad ("Skin sinners").

Then the book proceeds to describe the advantages and practicalities of various cleanses, such as fasting, juicing and detoxing. The relevance of nutrients regarding general well-being are also discussed.

Next, we have the recipes, and it was at this point I became riveted! Karen Jessett's immense creative ability definitely followed her into the kitchen! The ingredients in the smoothies are bound to make anyone's skin glow: oranges, papayas, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries are just a few of the fruits used to help the body in its quest for becoming acne-free. As a total salad addict, I was already sold on the following section before I looked at it! Avocado, mango and pine nut salad, Green herby salad and Thai salad all hit the spot (really, no pun intended)!

By this point, you may be so excited about the recipes that you've forgotten why you're on this plan! Good; let that happen, sit back, relax and enjoy the next twenty-eight days. Easy-to-make, nutritious soups are followed by main courses; including Japanese spring rolls, Tofu goreng and Gado Gado with steamed vegetables. One thing's for sure, you won't be bored or hungry while on this plan. In fact, it could just be the blossoming of a beautiful romance between you and fresh, wholesome food!

When writing recipe books, people always save the best until last — and in this case, Karen really did because the desserts are to live for! I'll have Banana and cardamom ice cream pie with a side of Mango and strawberry pie to go, please! And finally, dips and snacks offer us hummous and guacamole to scoop, spread or dip as our fancy takes us.

Once you have feasted your eyes on all the recipes, Karen then offers a four week menu plan, using the recipes in this book. This means that when you are doing your Ultimate Clear Skin Plan, you don't have to think about it! You can just do it. Not forgetting that people have a social life, Karen gives suggestions for dinner party menus, too.

Exercise, relaxation and mediation are all covered. They are an important part of healing any problems in the body, but Karen makes specific reference to activities that will target your skin.

Daily care is an interesting section, because the way you treat your skin whilst on the plan and then afterwards will make a difference. Karen's top ten tips are another easy-reference section which will help you develop excellent daily habits for the sake of your skin.

Before the very useful contacts and resources comes a diary of a young lady who used the Clear Skin plan. We follow her over 28 days, and see in real life just how effective this plan really is. This is a highly inspiring part of the book, as we can learn so much from other people's experiences.

It was such a pleasure to read this book, because the advice within it could be used to lighten anyone's life, acne or no acne! Of course, if you have acne or spots, the plan is sure to clean you enough on the inside to make you sparkle on the outside. However, if you don't have a skin condition, then the plan will still be instrumental in increasing your health and well-being. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone interested in how to look and feel their best.

Karen is one of a growing breed of women using natural health and her inner wisdom to keep herself in top shape, both inside and out. As I have the great pleasure of knowing her personally, I can vouch for the changes in her skin while she tested out, experimented with and then followed her own skin plan. However, the changes weren't only skin deep. Because this book works on a holistic level, her energy levels also increased, and everything in her life became lighter.

With much love,

Shazzie
Director of Rawcreation and author of Detox Your World and Shazzie's detox delights
www.detoxyourworld.com

* This review refers to the first edition of the book