Recipe and Review: Hungry
For the past month or so, I go to the Barnes and Nobles in my neighborhood every morning during the week and write until lunch. I work on the cookbook, on whatever articles I’m doing for the week, on my latest children’s book and on the new Christmas romance I’m about to query publishers on.
Spending the morning writing surrounded by books with the gentle whir of expresso machines and chatter is like macaroni and cheese for the soul. It’s comfortable, soothing and I never get tired of it.
The other day, I was wondering up and down the aisles when this book beckoned to me. Expecting another “woe is me” tale, I picked it up and began to skim through it. Soon, my skepticism changed from shock to sympathy to laughter.
Hungry, by Crystal Rynn, is the true-life tale of a supermodel who tired of 8 hour workouts and diet pills and celery and bucked the system by modeling at her natural size, a 12 (she’s 5’9). What impressed me than rather than blame the fashion industry, she analyzed the ‘obesity epidemic’ and society’s obsession with women and weight, no matter which range they fall in. The book was heartbreakingly honest and terrifying, but hopeful at the same time.
What struck me the most was Rynn’s message of being true to oneself and success following the confidence of knowing you’re doing what’s good for you, regardless of what society or ones industry might say. After spending years watching my mother diet and be ashamed of her weight and my sister following the same path, and having my own personal struggles with body image and weight; I admire Rynn’s guts to take a stand in an industry that finds a size six fat.
After a pivotal moment of breaking down, Rynn’s first ‘recovery’ meal is a salmon salad at a cafe next to a modeling agency. Rather than binge, she enjoys the rich flavors and succulent greens, much like this salad.
I know she inspired me to make one next weekend. How about you?
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July 26th, 2012 at 3:36 am
I NEED to read this book!
July 26th, 2012 at 3:55 am
Presumably considered to be too large to be a so-called supermodel at size 12, I think we have such a warped idea on all things food/weight.
Pricking my ears up at your mention of a Christmas romance – do tell us more.
July 26th, 2012 at 4:16 am
The obsession with skinny drives me crazy! Especially now that I have a daughter who one day lamented, “Oh, I’m getting fat!” because she couldn’t button an old pair of jeans. Instead of realizing that she was growing, her first thought was she was getting fat, even at the age of 10! Thank you for sharing this book, I’m going to look for it next time I am in the book store!
July 26th, 2012 at 4:35 am
That book looks very interesting.
July 26th, 2012 at 4:45 am
I love food – I’m having an emotional moment with Tofu currently.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:22 am
Sounds like a great book! The salmon looks so good.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:48 am
Sounds like a fascinating read, and I might need to pick that up. But no to the salmon. I hate seafood. lol
July 26th, 2012 at 7:07 am
Sounds really, really good. I don’t understand everyone’s obsession with being super skinny.
July 26th, 2012 at 7:20 am
I’ll have to check that book out. I love salad with fish or seafood on top!
July 26th, 2012 at 7:28 am
First I want to say that I love your daily morning/writing routine. Such a comfort to have that sort of routine! It’s funny but this is like the third or so blog this morning talking about body image and weight, it must be a collective concern in the air!
xo Mary Jo
July 26th, 2012 at 7:41 am
I remember this book now. It is so important to be happy and healthy (it is great that she binged on salmon and salad!)
xoxo,
Chic ‘n Cheap Living
July 26th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Crystal Renn is a very inspirational person and I really need to read the book, but it saddened me that she did eventually lose a lot of weight since the book and I think she’s back down to less than a size six. That salad is great, though. I must try it again.
July 26th, 2012 at 11:57 am
What an evocative cover – she’s a beautiful woman and it’s ridiculous that society/industry makes us feel like we’re not if we’re not stick thin. Thanks for sharing, I had not come across that!
July 26th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
Sounds like a great read!
July 26th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
Sounds like a great read…glad she followed her heart. Your salmon salad looks magnificent
July 26th, 2012 at 6:13 pm
Sounds fascinating! I love salmon, I might have to try the salad.
Thanks for stopping by on my SITS day!
July 26th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Sounds like a great book.
July 26th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
nice post dear!
July 26th, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Sounds like a worthwhile read… And that salad sounds deeeeeeeelish!
xoxox,
CC
P.S. Great job on the P57 – I have heard amazing things, mostly from Kelly Ripa
July 27th, 2012 at 12:27 am
That book hungry sounds really interesting.
I need to get one.
July 27th, 2012 at 6:17 am
~~~~you know what makes me laugh?
this so-called-large supermodel looks fanfreakingtastic!
How nice it must be to go to Barnes and Noble in the morning, Ducky.
Xxxx Kisssssssssss
July 27th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
What an awesome review. I am going to put the book on hold now. Thanks!
July 27th, 2012 at 11:24 pm
This book sounds very inspiring!
Thanks for sharing it with us all!
July 28th, 2012 at 10:16 am
I have a hard time with content like this, and I admit it readily.
I’m one who has given over many times to relentless fat-jokes, simply as retribution for all the skinny-jokes I had to endure during my adolescence, which happened to coincide with Mo’nique’s book “Skinny Bitches are Evil.” I mean, I totally hear what you’re saying about the over-diagnosis of obesity, but I also happen to think that any woman who is 500 pounds and gnawing on a ham bone has no right to call me skinny. Yes, this has happened to me. More than once. So I called her fat, and then ran. She couldn’t chase me. Just saying.
All the same, that salad looks awesome…
July 28th, 2012 at 1:31 pm
i read that book and was deeply moved by it. it’s amazing how we can let ourselves sink so low only to rise again. good for her.
July 29th, 2012 at 6:58 pm
Wow that book sounds really good and that recipe looks delicious!!