Show 128, June 27, 2015: Author Joan Borsten – Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook

Joan BorstenThe war on drugs in America may not be won on its streets – but in its kitchens. The weapon? A groundbreaking new cookbook that uses food to naturally heal brain chemistry in addicts and alcoholics. It’s the Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook and was authored by Joan Borsten.

“Neuroscience has identified a link between the inability to stop using and low levels of dopamine (the feel good brain chemical that addicts crave),” says Dr. Kenneth Blum, well-known addiction scientist and father of the reward gene. “This cookbook reflects an understanding of the power of food and its potential role in enhancing neurotransmitter function.”

Joan Borsten, who co-founded the renowned Malibu Beach Recovery Center (which she has since sold), worked with Dr. Blum and his colleague Dr. Mark Gold to develop a diet rich in dopamine producing foods.

“All drugs of abuse become objects of desire because of their unique ability to make those with low dopamine levels feel good,” notes Dr. Gold, who co-authored a clinical paper with Dr. Blum on the dopamine diet published in the spring 2015 issue of Molecular Neurobiology Journal, a peer reviewed medical journal. Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook works to fight the impulse of addiction by restoring depleted dopamine levels and healing dopamine receptors. It’s an important statement that diet is a central part of well-being, treatment and recovery.”

Show 128, June 27, 2015: Author Joan Borsten – Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook Continues…

Joan BorstenThe war on drugs in America may not be won on its streets – but in its kitchens. The weapon? A groundbreaking new cookbook that uses food to naturally heal brain chemistry in addicts and alcoholics. It’s the Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook and was authored by Joan Borsten.

Borsten asked four executive chefs, trained in her addiction-busting diet as well as in Michelin-Star traditions and restaurants (the gold standard among foodies), to create the brain-healing recipes. They include such delicacies as Jamaican Mango Shrimp over Coconut Rice; Asparagus, Peas and Basil Salad; and Chocolate Mousse.

“It’s hard to tell that the recipes in Malibu Beach Recovery Diet Cookbook are designed to promote recovery,” notes Dr. Gold who observes they also work on depression and anxiety. “They’re absolutely delicious.”

The cookbook was created to help those who can’t afford treatment, which accounts for about 90 percent of all addicts and alcoholics. But the book will be equally important to the thousands of rehabilitation clinics around the country that have yet to recognize the link between food and addiction.

“Currently, most drug and alcohol treatment centers unknowingly serve the very foods that sabotage recovery and can lead to relapse,” Borsten says. “Even those with five-star chefs.”

Joan was talking to us from Milan, Italy where she had been visiting Expo Milano. She was particularly impressed with the massive vertical produce gardens that are part of both the Israel and USA Pavilions. Joan feels she was looking at the future…