The Blending Book: Maximizing Nature's Nutrients. - book reviews

Nutrition Forum, Nov-Dec, 1997 by Manfred Kroger

There are two major parts to this paperback: 75 pages of recipes and 42 pages of physiology textbook information (interlaced with strange statements that are totally new to traditionally trained nutritionists and dietitians).

Ann Wigmore, who died in February 1994, was probably as nice a lady as my grandmother who also worked in the garden and kitchen a great deal. Unfortunately, I had to relearn all that my grandmother taught me about nutrition. I'm afraid the same thing could probably be said about many people who read this book. It's mainly autobiographical, espousing much love; it also presents the views of self-educated health "professionals" and a subtle diatribe against everything that doesn't fit into the authors' worldview.

Like all books of this type, there are many restrictions and commands. Only organic, living plant foods are allowed. All other supermarket items and the way we eat them are blamed for numerous ills that afflict us. If people would only prepare and drink a fluid, made over several days, of watered wheat grains, with slight fermentation, their vital life force would be restored and the body rejuvenated. Hence Ann Wigmore's choice of the name Rejuvelac for the grain water she so fervently advocated.

Thus, a well-meaning kitchen experimenter attempts to become a nutritional authority and asserts unsubstantiated claims, new theories, and repeated confusions. Even the interesting recipes can't bail out a book like this. Antitechnology believers, however, will gobble up both blended foods and the claims made for them.

It is totally unfounded to say that food enzymes are important nutrients and that their lack induces various types of ill health. Also astounding is the elevation of chlorophyll to nutrient status. The authors' animosity toward cooking and modem food processing and the complete omission of any substantial data or sources makes this book another curiosity item on the shelves of alternative eating/lifestyle libraries.

The book's key idea is that food enzymes effect the best type of digestion and optimal nutrient absorption. In the opinion of the authors, their followers should produce feces of no nutritional contents, whereas the rest of us excrete large amounts of unabsorbed nutrients. Where is the stud comparing human feces that might back up the naive claims displayed here?