Hippies in the City

by Rita Balshaw

Hippies in the city - A guide to natural urban living
Mission
Wellbeing is about creating balance and taking a more holistic approach towards your mind and body. Use this book to capture inspiration, set goals and enchance your wellbeing
Description
There is a difference between a good life and a great life. Hippies in the city is a book with a primary purpose that is to positively transform the lives of others. A super exciting and informative collection of insightful nutritional advice, recipes, lifestyle tips, skincare suggestions and much more. It has fundamentals on how to create change in your physical and emotional health. Overall Hippies in the city encompasses a holistic approach to living, yet still embraces all of its audiences with the intention to relate and speak out to those from all walks of life.

Hippies in the city is a book that will supply its reader with a large amount of timeless health information, leaving you feeling excited about the wonderful world of clean living and natural therapies. You will discover ways to take your health and wellbeing into your own hands and basically learn how to feel and live better.

278 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2012

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Eagerly went into a Perfect Potion to purchase whilst on holidays as it seemed like something I'd adore. It seems to be written for the early-20's woman (talks about Partying a few times...) and only one page for mamas - but generally has some good ideas and is a broad reminder of holistic practices that anyone interested in this topic would find useful.. I found the writing a little bit sanctimonious at times, and downright irritating in others, but overall it is a decent reference book to have on the 'wellbeing' shelves at home so will hopefully dip into it often. Pretty sure I won't be converting to steamed fish and brown rice for breakfast, but there are some ideas I've learned that will incorporate into my life and that is all I could have hoped for from such a book.

[Maya · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rita Balshaw is a privileged white woman who obviously has no serious health issues or money problems, and cares a lot about the environment and preventative health care -- but apparently not enough to actually educate herself on these subjects before writing a whole book on how to avoid seeing a doctor for your mental and physical health problems. Thanks Rita!!!!!!!

She is one of the new breeds of young environmentalists who strives to be informed about sustainable produce, medicine, and the environment, but continues to be influenced by the wrong schools of thought (perhaps actively avoiding contradictory articles and arguments), and further perpetuates incorrect claims by trying to "educate" others. Her lack of understanding of medicine and the human system is clear when she gives tips for health issues and serious medical conditions. Every chapter she repeats anti-"synthetic" and anti-pharmaceutical rhetoric that we've all heard before (which gets very tiresome), never once sharing a new perspective or any evidence to back up her claims. She even specifies exactly what a "bohemian lifestyle" entails, redefining a word that has been around for centuries and was adapted from a French term for the Romani people. What I find interesting is Rita admitting that certain essential oils are toxic, but encourages their use even after several chapters ridiculing our contemporary "toxic lifestyles" and our need to detox our bodies. Keep things straight, Rita.

In a nutshell, this book is heavy on bullshit. And I don't mean cute bullshit like herbal teas and aromatherapy -- that stuff is fine by me -- I'm talking about harmful bullshit like unpasteurized milk, colonics, homeopathy, and encouraging problematic alternative medicines and therapies. The tiny disclaimer after the introduction that insists "[the] lifestyles suggestions [...] should not be taken as medical advice" is at-odds with most the essays in this book that show a clear disdain for scientific-based medicine.

Here's my ongoing list of all the bullshit Balshaw talks about (discluding general whimsy stuff like raw foods): Organic produce being "pesticide free"; unpasteurized and non-homogenised dairy products; anti-GMO sentiments; qi; ayurveda; homeopathy; probiotics (these are debatable); food vibrations; detoxing; a sluggish liver being the cause of all allergies; free radicals; aphrodisiacs; reflexology; applied kinesiology.

My own tiny disclaimer: I appreciate Rita Balshaw sincerely trying to be helpful with this book, but that does not negate the fact that advocating pseudoscience, no matter your intentions, can influence someone to make a life-threatening medical choice. One cannot even abide crystal healing, which purports to cure depression and cancer. A falsehood is a falsehood, and there are vulnerable people who need real help by real professionals (and not naturopaths ffs). Peace out.

[Brodie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I want to give this book more stars because clearly a lot of effort has gone into producing it. It's really well presented and also has as a handy glossary of terms and a listing of practitioners to consider.

It covers off lots of different areas, from herbs to food and crystals to chakras and I am sure I will use it as a basic resource in future. I say basic resource because there isn't any research cited to back up the claims the author makes which is disappointing.

I also find the tone of this book really pious at times, which is grating given the lack of evidence provided for such strong statements.

All up, it's a nice resource if you are looking for something which provides ideas that you can further explore and things you can try to start living a more natural life. It's not a book I would recommend if you want to be sure about why you should make the lifestyle changes recommended.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot even though I already knew most of the information. I liked all the recipes and ideas for products and baths, etc. However, I'm not sure how many food recipes I'll try...none of them really struck my fancy. I appreciate the idea of a whole foods, natural diet but I try to eat that way with plant based foods and there seemed to be a lot of recipes with meat in them! I sorta expected a book on hippie advice to be more veg friendly! Sorry...I'm honestly not trying to be judgemental or offend any meat eating hippies. That's just my feeling, I guess.
Overall, I thought this book had lots of good advice and is a source of inspiration to keep coming back to!

[Lili · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hippies in the City is book that explores different holistic approaches to life. Its personalized text creates a more casual read that perfectly captures the essence of a natural and healthy lifestyle. This book consistently supplies you page after page with information making you want to lead a more holistic lifestyle.

[Christine Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didnt mind this book, i thought it had some great tips and pointers and all in all i thought it was pretty cool. The only thing i wasn't to keen on was the title "anti cancer drink" in the drink recipes,i don't think you can say something like that without any credible research or discussion. Otherwise good book to have :)

[Donna Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously LOVE Rita’s books! They are AMAZING!!! If you’re on a more holistic journey like me than I recommend getting both of her books! Packed with sooo much information! I’ve read them more than once and always go back to them, every time I read them again I find something new! I cannot recommend them enough they really are my favourite books!

[Elinor Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever! An easy to follow, non dogmatic & fun approach to health and life! The author clearly is a well educated, open and carefree woman who deeply cares for others. this book is so inspirational and really beautifully put together.

[Beata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Aussie book, still in the process of finishing it.
Something you could easily keep coming back to in the future. Worth buying one for your shelf :)

[Jorjha Unwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ideas and ways of thinking in this book are amazing! probably my favorite book x thanks mum!

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good but you do have to be rich and have no children for this one.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my hippy bible! So inspiring, with a lot of information communicated in a conversational and accessible way. A must have for your shelves!

[Steff Barr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply omg! I am so in love with this book and am still rereading it to learn more about holistic living. One of my best buys.

[Sofia Lemus]

great!