Skinny Bitch

Skinny Bitch by Kim Barnouin (based on 839 customer reviews)

(Paperback)
Author: Kim Barnouin
Publisher: Running Press

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Most useful review as voted by customers:
397 out of 479 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 2/6/06

No-nonsense, no-holds barred advice

I fully believe that some people have a genetic predisposition to be somewhat overweight, but that doesn't give us the right to eat all sorts of crap. So if you read this and follow their advice, you may not become a skinny bitch, but a skinnier bitch. Clothes I bought before I went vegan in 2002 are now loose around my waist, although nobody will call me skinny.

I have read many books since going vegetarian, then vegan, so I know much of the stuff in this book about the hormones and antibiotics and carcinogens in meat, dairy, and eggs, not to mention the treatment of the animals. I am all too aware that the government just doesn't give a sh*t about your health (in the words of the authors), and that the inmates are running the asylum when it comes to the USDA. I have read many of the books they recommend and use as sources. But I have never read a book that talks to you like an old friend to whom you can say almost anything and who can say just about anything to you.

Yes, they can be vulgar, and if you're offended by certain words, you maybe should find an alternative book. But this book will kick you in the butt about what you eat and the brainwashing of the meat industry, the dairy industry, the egg industry. There are a couple of things I don't like about the book. I tend to ignore suggested menus in books because I'm not the type to plan a week in advance what I will eat. I also don't like that they suggest eating fruit alone, but they don't harp on this point. And I do wish they had harshed more on the idiocy of diet plans, especially those that prepackage your (no doubt overprocessed) food for you.

If you still want your treats, they have a chapter of alternative brands of cereals, cookies, crackers, and chocolate that have fewer chemicals than mainstream brands. They also advise eating in controlled portions. To which I say, Duh. But in this supersized era, apparently, a lot of people have forgotten that. I can tell you some of the stuff they recommend is in my pantry or on my regular shopping list, and, yes, the products are more expensive than what's in your local mainstream store, but then chemicals and crap are cheap.

Be ready to have your notion of a diet book turned on its head and get ready for a sharp kick in the tail if you read this book. But you won't regret it.

347 out of 454 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 5/10/06

Interesting overall.....

Yes, some of the language is a tad rough or maybe even vulgar to some. So try and overlook this and glean some wisdom from the book that may prove helpful to you. The book in my opinion seems geared to someone living in the city, who may have a harder urban edge to themself.

One reads the back cover where it says Rory Freedman is a former agent for the Ford Model agency and a self taught know it all. While Kim Barnouin is a former model who holds a 'Masters of Science degree in Holistic Nutrition' but it doesn't say if this is from a legit university or where.

Now to their 'facts'.

On page 57 discussing diary they write 'Got mucus? Dairy products produce mucus, and often the body will develop a cold or 'allergies' to fight the dairy invasion.'

Reputable studies from Harvard, Stanford etc show that its over processed foods and lack of fruits, vegetables and enough water in one diet that can lead to congestion as well as constipation. Not to mention Mongolians and nomadic people rely on goat, sheep and camels milk for their protein often in the form of yogurt. And these societies don't have mucus or constipation issues.

Fact is there is good as well as bad mucus. As many of my health books note i.e. 'Healthy mucus is a clear, slippery, lubricating secretion, used to protect mucus membranes along the digestive, respiratory, urinary and reproductive tracts. Unhealthy mucus is cloudy, thick, and sticky'. While some dairy items may cause an increase in mucus so do foods like white flour, meat, eggs, potatoes, beans, rice, grains, fish, peanuts and fats. One look at your average fast food meal shows an overload of bad mucus foods.

On page 27 they have Chapter 3 Sugar is the Devil. Amen to that. As we learned in La Leche League, babies are not born wanting sugar or sweets. It's an acquired and in my personal opinion an addictive or habit forming 'food'. One we do not need in any way to survive. It's a chapter worth reading.

Chapter 12 FYI notes 'Don't be a cheap a**hole. Yeah, yeah, yeah, organic produce is usually more expensive than conventional produce. But we spend countless dollars on clothes, jewelry, manicures, magazines, rent or mortgages, car payments and other bull****. Surely our health and our bodies (we only get one body) are more important than anything else in our lives'. Thing is I wish they had stressed that if you live in an area even if it has a small backyard, grow some fresh vegetables and save money. Or go in with some friends and rent a small piece of land big enough for all of you to grow lots of vegetables for yourself.

Wish the authors had stressed the importance of water more. But that's simply my personal view, since I know that drinking more water every day and getting more physical activity is the way to lose weight and keep it off. But they only give a few paragraphs to this.

They also give lots of Internet sites to check out along with recommended reading and even a months worth of menus, which could be helpful to some I think.

In chapter 7 The Myth and Lies About Protein they write beginning on page 84 'Have you ever, ever, ever in your entire life, heard of anyone suffering from a protein deficiency? Did you ever see an elephant, moose, or giraffe joneing for a protein fix?' Fact is one needs protein.

Actually there are many cases of children who are malnourished or starving who are protein deficient NOT from animal sources but in African countries where most protein is from beans, lentils, nuts, and seeds are protein lacking due to droughts etc that have killed off the vegetable sources for protein. Thus I think anyone qualified as a nutritionist would have noted that few if anyone suffers from lack of animal protein.

As for elephants, moose, or giraffes. Their digestive systems are different. Better to compare humans and their diets to our close relatives the primate who eats both animal and plant diets. But unlike their human counterpart, none over eat!

The authors have also chosen to ignore the value of eggs as a good source of protein, and many vitamins. Not to mention many of us have free range hens that we only have for eggs and bug control. Yes, factory farm set ups are not good in any way at all!!

Chapter 9 Have No Faith: Governmental Agencies Don't Give a S*** About Your Health is actually informative and more people should know how useless the USDA and even the FDA are when it comes to citizens health. Our ancestors were better off in many ways pre-WW2 when most families grew their own gardens and if they had livestock it was home grown. Wish Americans would wake up and realize its the over processed foods they eat that are the problem.

On page 135 Vitamins they do an excellent job of noting what the different vitamins do for the body and which sources to get them from that are non animal sources. Will note that I am 95% vegetarian.

142 out of 163 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 9/19/07

Informative and fun

These two ladies have really done a great job. Their assessment of the ways we treat our bodies with cigarettes, caffeine, sugars, meats, dairy etc. is just the most unconventional scrutiny we can ever undergo. Very sharp and funny at the same time. This is a book about healthy lifestyle not about any fad diet. It is written by sharp, intelligent women who are not afraid of challenging their readers. They demand respect for the nature and for our own bodies. It is an eye opening book making us realize what we really consume and why we became such an obese nation. I recommend this book for its funny and at the same time practical approach to healthy living. I took one star off for the language that some might find `inappropriate' to say the least. Another really great book about healthy lifestyle, longevity, and keeping your body in great shape is "Can We Live 150". If you liked Skinny... you will love Can We Live... .

104 out of 111 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 9/11/07

Amazing book!

If you keep the advice you will definately soon get skinny. I should change all my wardrobe because this diet helped me to loose wight. I would aboslutely recomend this book to all women who are willing to become skinny but healthy. Another book that changed my life and is also a must have for all women all ages - How to be a Super Hot Woman: 339 Tips to Make Every Man Fall in Love with You and Every Woman Envy You

All women want to look slim, to wear nice clothes, to know how to attract men and to look fabulous and all these things can be learned from those two great books. I highly recommend them to all smart women who want to always be noticed by the crowed.

92 out of 122 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/7/07

Get past the title, and find a very informative book!

Seeing many negative reviews is totally understandable. I too was a skeptic. I picked it up in the bookstore and thought, "How Rude!" It was even worse when I saw sentences like, "Being a fat pig will hinder you, sober or drunk" and "Fat=unhealthy." Obviously, their marketing worked for many people. Shocking the consumer is going to make you pick it up. But, when I started to really "read" it, I noticed that these authors wrote a very smart book. You just have to get past the crude and crass nature of it.

Yes, I know that the authors were once models. Yet, one of them has a masters degree in Holistic Nutrition. This book is not just full of opinions. There are many resources in the back of the book, food websites, and other books you can read. I know that they are pushing for veganism, but the things that they are preaching, are not bad things. I wish I had the patience and strength to become vegan. Let's be honest, it's probably the better way to go. But, until then, I can do what I can to eat food that doesn't have chemicals, and up my servings of fruits and veggies. (organic, of course.)

I loved the "Let's Eat," chapter. In it, you will find different healthy versions of foods that you can get at any healthier food stores.

Not only did they talk about how the government doesn't care about what's in our food (let's face it, they don't.) they discussed how many foods are unsafe to eat, as are genetically modified organisms (GMO's) which I also saw in a documentary recently.

All in all, these women really did their homework. I don't buy diet books. I do buy books to help me find a more healthy way of life and to keep out the chemicals. Besides, isn't that better for all of us?

Don't judge a book by it's cover--you'll miss out on a great book!

40 out of 50 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/23/06

Good advice; using humour helps :-()

This is an interesting read. It's full of interesting information and truthes that we all really know we know, but need to hear again. Soda is not your friend. Eat more fruit. Eat more fibre. (note that there isn't much info on the amazing benefits of exercise). It is quite funny which helps you really process the information given, but then later in the book it does take a turn and begins to promote a Vegan lifestyle which isn't for everyone, and is not the b all and end all for good health. As I said earlier, there really isn't anything in here that we all shouldn't know already, but it may just sink in this time and help you get on your way to a better and healthier and skinnier lifestyle.

22 out of 26 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 12/31/05

good advice from a great book

This book imparts great information on how to eat healthy from the inside-out. I disagree with the previous reviewer about eating meat and there being too much information on veganism. It just may not be for everyone.

This book really helps make the connection to how every piece of food that you put in your mouth affects your body...not just meat, but preservatives and additives.

Anyway, it is a worthy read and sound advice. I recommend the read.

16 out of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/5/06

Don't be scared of the "VEGAN" label...a witty, intelligent and motivating guide to the only "diet" that really works.

Finally, a non-granola approach to veganism! These two skinny bitches (a model and a nutritionist, mind you) take a cold hard look at everything we put into our bodies, from cigarettes and caffiene, to sugars, dairy and meat. This is not a fad diet book, but a lifestyle change...not one for hippies and tree huggers anymore, but for intelligent women who repect animals, the enviroment, and their own bodies...and who want to get skinny!

16 out of 19 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/6/06

Never knew I wanted to be a Skinny Bitch...'Till Now

Well let me first catch my breathe. I just finished this book a few hours ago, having started it last night. It was a riveting page turner and I will soon be rereading it, armed with a nice cup of decaf organic green tea and a highlighter. Sometimes the in-your-face approach can be really effective, and frankly what's necesary to get people to stop and think. I applaud Rory and Kim for writing a stellar book that sits you down and tells it like it is. It can be overwhelming, all the alarming information. But remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and I for one know I am going to continue taking baby steps on the road to a healthier, happier self. Is this book for everyone? Probably not, I know my sister and I have no intention of sharing it with our mother. But, if you have even a little thick skin and aren't afraid of a truth that isn't, if you'll pardon the pun, sugar-coated, then this is the book for you. The authors use facts and humor to make their point while also not preaching. I truly loved this book. It's high time something like this be written.

15 out of 20 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/5/06

I like 'em skinny

These two girls had me laughing out loud and make great points along the way. This book is not about how/why one should become a vegan, rather about opening our eyes to the crap we consume which has caused us to be the fattest nation in the world. I recommend this book because it's a fast read, great alternative food info and very funny.

Cigarette's, coffee and happy meals are so '89!

15 out of 19 people found the following review helpful.
Review Date: 1/6/06

This book rocks!

I too read it in one day, it was so compelling. Very funny, practical, down-to-earth talk. There is a strong need for this book in both the diet and veganism worlds....I love that these hip chicks could explain so clearly why the crap we eat is making us fat and killing us, and how most diets out there don't work. You need a lifestyle change if you really want to get healthy and skinny. A whole-foods vegan diet is just the thing. Thanks for the motivational boost!

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