In midlife being able to start fresh has to be some kind of gift! Enter good friends Diane and Doug Clement and their newly published food and fitness book Start Fresh - A Complete Guide to Midlifestyle Food and Fitness.
With so many cook and fitness books in the aisles of every bookstore why read this one? Because of their very impressive backgrounds... if anyone knows the facts they should!
Diane is a chef, author of seven other health-conscious cook books, restauranteur and lifetime partner of a sports medicine doctor. Before many people could even spell the word organic I remember stepping inside her new restaurant Tomatoes in Vancouver and thinking how I loved her menu.
Doug was I think the first sports medicine doctor in British Columbia if not Canada. My first introduction to him was as a patient at the University of BC's Sports Medicine Clinic in the early 80's as a first-time marathon runner. An Olympic runner in 1952, coach, educator and medical innovator he is also a recipient of the Order of Canada and an inductee into the UBC and the Canadian Olympic Sports Hall of Fame.
This book is a must read for midlifers because the authors are living proof that a balanced healthy lifestyle is one substantial key to vital aging. Reconnecting after about twenty years I was energised watching them meet and greet at a special Vancouver event promoting sport to inner city youth. The event was attended by other Olympian forces to be reckoned with including 2008 medal hopeful Gary Reed and past Olympian Charmaine Crooks.
Start Fresh is about one-third fitness oriented and two-thirds nutrition. If Diane uses the recipes from her book it is not surprising that Doug has overcome long term heart problems and a stroke in 1998! They are both the epidemy of fitness for their ages and are totally engaged in life.
I am totally impressed with their on-going contribution to the lives of others through substantial volunteerism. Now go out and buy the book, eat well and check your fitness levels! (Whitecap Books, CAN$29.95).
Keep an eye on our web site www.lifeplanningmatters.com as I would not be surprised if they are involved in a future learning event. Hint, hint!