Um...

On Wednesday of this week Oprah announced the launch of her latest endeavor to live her best life: a 21 day cleanse.

Oprah was inspired by Kathy Freston's new book, Quantum Wellness, which, in three days, has soared to Amazon's best selling list at number 3-right behind the the Oprah Book Club's recent selection, Eckhart Tolle's A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose. Kathy Freston, personal growth and spirituality counselor, recommends a 21 day cleanse that eliminates the following items from your diet: caffeine, sugar, alcohol, gluten and all meat and dairy products. Oprah echoed Kathy's core belief that if you want to look and feel your best, you have to make the complete mind, body and soul connection.That means you have to work from the inside out.

Kathy, a commited vegan and animal rights' activist, encourages all of us consider the energy of the food we eat and make a conscious effort to eradicate all chemicals and toxins from our diet.

Mrs. G. didn't have any genuine issues with Kathy Freston's philosophy until she went to Barnes & Noble and saw the cover of her new book.

And the cover of the book she wrote before that.

Botulinum toxin is a neurotoxin protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is one of the most poisonous naturally occurring substances in the world, and it is the most toxic protein. Though it is highly toxic, it is used in minute doses both to treat painful muscle spasms, and as a cosmetic treatment in some parts of the world. It is sold commercially under the brand names Botox, Dysport, and Myobloc for this purpose.

The hypocrisy made Mrs. G. snort, and Kathy Freston's credibility as a personal growth and spirituality counselor, nutritionist and a bestselling author unraveled like a cheap pair of stockings. As Mrs. G. walked away and covertly flipped the bird to the entire women's self-improvement section, it occurred to her that, in this isolated instance, men have triumphed over women. They rightly balk at some loosely credentialed expert who suggests he or she has all the answers, and they don't spend millions of dollars trying to make themselves better. Why Won't I Stop For Directions?, Why is My Stomach So Big?, Why Can't I Find Anything Even When It's Right in Front of My Face? These titles would gather dust on the shelves, get tossed to the discount tables. Way.To.Go.Men.

And for the record, Frances Moore Lappé (author of Diet for a Small Planet), has been advocating this same information on a global scale for over thirty years. Isn't she lovely? And believable?

Please don't send Mrs. G. any emails suggesting that she is descrimating against women who choose to do as they please to make themselves feel good. She takes issue with the whole advocating of eliminating all chemicals and toxins from your diet but inject them into your face message-and is a little bitter about the whole bestselling thing. Freston will be at the top of the NYT Nonfiction Bestseller list by next week.

Oops...wrong button

If anyone was confused, it's not you. It's me. That was a premature blog posting.