cover image Superlife: The 5 Forces That Will Make You Healthy, Fit and Eternally Awesome

Superlife: The 5 Forces That Will Make You Healthy, Fit and Eternally Awesome

Darin Olien. HarperWave, $26.99 (320p) ISBN 978-0-06-229718-1

Aside from the dubious opening statement that humans are inherently healthy and that all disease is preventable, self-appointed health expert Olien, the man behind the whole-food supplement Shakeology, sticks to the familiar. Operating on the premise that readers should focus on five key forces (nutrition, oxygenation, hydration, alkalization, and detoxification) in order to attain wellness, Olien reiterates what we’ve been told time and again: avoid processed foods; cut back on the carbs; drink plenty of water; exercise; and make smart choices at the grocery store. The book does contain specific tips for implementing these lessons: which foods are best for various nutritional goals; which type of water to drink; recipes and nutritional information for easy-to-make items like smoothies, wraps, soups and salads; and daily exercises, which include going barefoot and hugging trees. Readers certainly won’t hurt themselves following Olien’s plan, but they won’t exactly be pioneering a new path to wellness either. Those interested in healthier habits will ind a few worthwhile tips. Agent: Richard Pine, Inkwell Management. (Feb.)