Alcohol Can Be A Gas!
Book and CD
by David Blume

Eat More Raw
by Steve Charter

Emotional Genius -- How Your Emotions Can Save Your Life
by Karla McLaren

Grain Damage
by Dr. Douglas N. Graham

Dr. T. C. Fry’s Raw Energy Mini-Course
Dr. T. C. Fry

On Nutrition and Physical Performance
Dr. Douglas Graham

Overcoming the Myths of Aging
Roe Gallo and Stephen Zocchi

Perfect Body
Roe Gallo

Primal Mothering
by Hygeia Halfmoon, Ph.D.

Raw Kids:Transitioning Children to a Raw Food Diet
by Cheryl Stoycoff

Relearning to See: Improve Your Eyesight -- Naturally!
by Thomas R. Quackenbush

Self-Heaing Power!
By Dr. T. C. Fry, Herbert Shelton, David

Senior Fitness
by Ruth Heidrich, Ph.D. Klein

Sonic Feng Shui
CD by Patrick Bernard

Superior Nutrition
Herbert M. Shelton

The 80-10-10 Diet
Doug Graham

The China Study
by T. Colin Campbell, Ph.D.
with Thomas M. Campbell II

The High Energy Diet Recipe Guide
by Dr. Douglas N. Graham

The Nature and Purpose of Disease
Definitive Guide for Peoples With Melanin
by Henry L. N. Anderson, Ed.D. with Dr. T. C. Fry, D.Sc.

The Science and Fine Art of Food and Nutrition The Hygienic System: Volume II
by Herbert M. Shelton

Vegetable Soup
by Susan Smith Jones & Dianne Warren

Your Natural Diet: Alive Raw Foods
by T. C. Fry & David Klein

Voices from the Dreamtime
by Williamson and Backstrom

Review by Jenifer Ransom

In partnership with Stephen Zocchi, Roe Gallo has come out with another informative, user-friendly guide to healthful living in all its aspects, this time slanted toward living free of the specter of bodymind deterioration over time—thus the title, Overcoming the Myths of Aging. (The anagram OTM, frequently used in the book, was apparently coined by Stephen.)

The book centers on a dialogue between Roe, as teacher, and Stephen as student. Stephen starts out questioning whether it is indeed possible to overcome the aging myths: "It's normal to expect that we'll gain some weight, do a bit less physical activity, or see our health erode. We are growing older after all. Why should we believe these signs of aging are myths?" The rest of the book explores how and why the expected signs of deterioration are not due to aging but to our lifestyle choices—specifically, those relating to diet, activity level and attitude—and how to make new choices that help us overcome these aging myths. The crucial point is: "You can only be as healthy as your cells. Your health and therefore your life depend on the conditions of your internal environment."

Admitting that he wants more than the expected "aging stuff" for the rest of his life, Stephen also says that he thought the diet outlined in Roe's earlier book, Perfect Body, was too hard to follow. Roe confirms that many of those who are relatively healthy, and not in life or death situations, have said the same to her. Stephen agrees to help her work out a more flexible system and Roe agrees to help him get over the conventional mindset about aging. The basic keys are "get it" (correct info), "believe it" (integrate it) and "live it" (put into practice).

The OTM plan consists of three components: food, exercise and mind. It allows for a bit of decadence in a healthful diet/lifestyle plan, while high nutrient foods provide the energy for true enjoyment of life. The core of the OTM approach to food lies in distinguishing between "enhancing" vs. "compromising" foods.

Enhancing foods deliver maximum nutritional value, are easy to digest, and add to overall energy and health. Fresh raw organic fruits and vegetables comprise the majority of foods on the OTM plan. Compromising foods are the less nutritious items we take in more for enjoyment or convenience than for their health-promoting qualities; the plan helps balance our choices so we're still building health. The compromising foods are animal products, salt, sugar, cooked/processed foods and drugs, including alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, over-the counter and recreational drugs.

The OTM food plan works with points based on several phases, to keep track of the balance between enhancing and compromising foods. As Roe says: "At any point/level in OTM plan, you are helping yourself lose weight, look great, and lead a happier and healthier life." OTM also phases in exercise. "Like the OTM plan for food, exercise should be something that you can enjoy and keep an integral part of your healthy lifestyle."

Most of the chapters include an exchange between Roe and Stephen in which they discuss the challenges of the OTM plan and overcoming aging myths: The SICK myth, the FAT myth, the FLABBY myth, the TOO LATE myth and the SEX myth.

As Roe points out to Stephen, the message of the Sick Myth, that age is responsible for illness, is not borne out by evidence; "We might have all taxed our immune systems mightily over the years, but the good news is that your body knows how to recover—if you give it a chance." Stephen starts to put the pieces together: "The more I learn about toxicity, the more I get it. Maybe I am the biggest factor in controlling my own health."

Encapsulating the OTM message as it relates to the other myths covered:

FAT MYTH: We will naturally put on weight as we get older.

Truth: There's nothing about age itself that leads to storing more fat, which is due more to the build-up of toxicity and sedentary lifestyle. We can keep our metabolism up to speed by staying fit. When we eat empty calorie foods, the body cries for more because it is under-nourished ("overfed and undernourished") The first thing to do is to lose fake appetite by eating less and concentrating on healthy foods, so the body is freed to break down and use stored fat for energy. The OTM plan is not a diet. It is focused on what/how to eat rather than what not to eat.

FLABBY MYTH: our bodies naturally get softer as we get older.

Truth: As long as you are exercising regularly, you can keep in great shape. Roe cites the example of Morjorie Newlin, who began lifting weights at 73 to ward off osteoporosis, and at 86 is a champion bodybuilder! Roe points out that exercise also helps prevent degenerative disease. Tips are given for adding more exercise to busy lifestyle, emphasizing the importance

of making exercise fun, finding something you enjoy doing.

TOO LATE myth: Once we get to a certain age, we won't be able to do/be/have certain things. "I'm too old to..."

Truth: Again Roe mentions Morjorie Newlin, as well as Ed Lawson who at 51 was "a heart attack waiting to happen" until he worked with Roe. He is now full of energy, slender, calm. Ed foresees "freedom from illness and pills for the rest of my life—the life that I never expected to have."
When Steve first read Perfect Body, he dismissed the ideas about lifestyle and diet, but was impulsed to consider how this reflected a growing rigidity. He has now has begun to open up to new ventures and experiences in his personal life. Even as he questioned OTM, he also looked for ways to make it work for him. "I found a way, and it wasn't too late."

SEX MYTH: We naturally lose interest and capacity for sex as we get older.

Roe points out that we're never too old to have sex, especially when we are working with the OTM plan. Our sex drive naturally settles down after the raging hormones of youth, but never fades entirely as long as we stay healthy and fit. The brain is the number one sex organ, and beliefs determine our attitude to and experience of sex as in all else. To change our sex/love life, we need to change our thinking, and make quality time in our busy lives to nurture relationship and sex. Roe gives tips for better sex, and concludes "It's never too late for love, romance, partnership, and great sex."

Going into more depth about the food aspect of OTM, facts are given about the benefits of fresh raw vegetables and fruits, such the fact that upon consuming them, there is no rise in white blood cell count (digestive leucocytosis. a stress response to something foreign/harmful, which does occur with cooked foods). Debunking the "Five Food Groups" of the USDA, Roe cites the PCRM (Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine), which recommends a vegan diet.

Steve concludes: "The idea is to choose a healthy target level. Say 50% OTM Plan target. Make the choices necessary to ensure that 50% of the foods you eat are nutritious foods and are consumed in a way that allows them to make their full contribution to your health."

The book includes great recipes (who would have thought kale salad could soundso yummy?); exercises we can do using our own body weight; face exercise; information on maintaining good vision naturally; an in-depth exploration of the role of the mind and our beliefs about aging; and closing words on the relationship between diet and the planet, pointing out the link between cattle ranching, deforestation, and global warming.

In all, this is an excellent book which should appeal to many readers who want to live out their lives in health, happiness and productivity, free of the aging myths, while continuing to enjoy "a bit of decadence." Come to think of it, I'm one of those readers! Thanks, Roe and Stephen.

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