Everyday Systems

Check out the very last paragraph of Jane Brody's column! Time to contact Jane Brody!! You've got the attention of two people with influence now.

wosnes wrote:Check out the very last paragraph of Jane Brody's column! Time to contact Jane Brody!! You've got the attention of two people with influence now.

Perhaps I’ll try the so-called S policy Mr. Pollan says some people follow: “No snacks, no seconds, no sweets — except on days that begin with the letter S.â€

Yes, but they STILL haven't credited him! I'm furious, and I'm not even Reinhard!

Somebody DO something!

ETA: I just realized I was somebody, so I did something. I emailed Ms. Brody with a link to NoSdiet.com. (Frankly, I'm still a little pissed. You'd think she might have googled the term or idea. I know I would have, before writing about it. "Journalists". )

TunaFishKid wrote:

wosnes wrote:Check out the very last paragraph of Jane Brody's column! Time to contact Jane Brody!! You've got the attention of two people with influence now.

Perhaps I’ll try the so-called S policy Mr. Pollan says some people follow: “No snacks, no seconds, no sweets — except on days that begin with the letter S.â€

Yes, but they STILL haven't credited him! I'm furious, and I'm not even Reinhard!

Somebody DO something!

ETA: I just realized I was somebody, so I did something. I emailed Ms. Brody with a link to NoSdiet.com. (Frankly, I'm still a little pissed. You'd think she might have googled the term or idea. I know I would have, before writing about it. "Journalists". )

I commented on Well (where the link to Jane Brody's article is) and left the 13 word description and a link. Others could comment there, too! I'm not sure that either Michael Pollan or Jane Brody knew where it came from. I know Reinhard emailed Pollan, but it was after the book came out.

Wow, this is thrilling (and simultaneously infuriating!)

I've become anonymously famous.

Still, I'll take it over no New York times quote any day.

I emailed Jane Brody -- fingers crossed it makes it past her screener(s). She does seem genuinely interested. It doesn't seem beyond the realm of possibility to imagine her explicitly acknowledging (or even reviewing!) No S.

Thanks so much all who commented/emailed (or have yet to comment/email)! Of course an author is going to take notice of an unattributed quotation -- it's much more meaningful if his readers do.

Reinhard

Reinhard,
It's a big compliment that two of the most well-known nutrition experts think your concept wasn't invented but rather evolved. Those two experts may well be surprised to learn that someone who never got training as a nutritionist and in fact is in an entirely different line of work came up with an idea that seems both memorable and effective. Don't be surprised if people go looking for this idea in publications that pre-date yours!
Kathleen

wosnes wrote:I'm not sure that either Michael Pollan or Jane Brody knew where it came from. I know Reinhard emailed Pollan, but it was after the book came out.

I think Michael Pollan did know, at some stage. I'm pretty sure that Reinhard's NoS was explicitly referenced by some posters to Michael Pollan's request for food rules.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP5pCcCbw5s

From this radio interview of Michael Pollan:

"I realized that there is this whole cultural repository of food wisdom that we've denigrated...things we've heard from our parents or grandparents or great-grandparents and that really culture may have more to teach us about how to eat than medicine right now. So I'm trying to collect these and preserve these, whatever wisdom there is..."

Reinhard, I suspect you were not identified as the source of the S policy because Pollan assumed that it came from "this whole cultural respository of food wisdom."

Kathleen

I am flattered, no question!

I'd just really like to be flattered by name, is all

If anyone else feels moved to remind/inform Jane Brody, Michael Pollan, and/or the New York times of the source of this particular bit of food wisdom, here are some urls/email adresses to make it easy:

Email Jane Brody:

http://www.nytimes.com/gst/emailus.html

Email Michael Pollan:

http://journalism.berkeley.edu/contact/pollan/

NY Times letters to the Editor:

letters@nytimes.com

The "well" blog that links to the Jane Brody article:

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/0 ... to-eat-by/

Sorry for being so crassly self-promoting, but everyone I've discussed this with is harassing me not to let this opportunity pass by.

Thanks again Tunafishkid, wosnes, and everyone else who has already done some nudging on behalf of the No S Diet.

Best,

Reinhard

Well, count another set of letters to Mr. Pollan and Ms. Brody. Others here have done a good job of blogging, so I just made a note on his Amazon.com review page with that information as well.

Lazy little stinker.

Laura L.

reinhard wrote:If anyone else feels moved remind/inform Jane Brody, Michael Pollan, and/or the New York times of the source of this particular bit of food wisdom, here are some urls/email adresses to make it easy

Great idea, Reinhard.

Like TunaFishKid, I'm angry on your behalf. I've posted to all of them, and there are comments about NoS building up on the "well" blog already.

reinhard wrote: Sorry for being so crassly self-promoting, but everyone I've discussed this with is harassing me not to let this opportunity pass by.

Crassly self-promoting? Reinhard, you're too damn nice for your own good. If this happened to me I'd be thinking "lawsuit"!

My daughter put it well, I think. "It's such a little thing, only a few words. You can imagine that someone might think, it doesn't matter if I take it. But that's the point: it's honed."

I emailed Jane Brody and Michael Pollan as well. I really hope that Reinhard is credited for his plan and that No S gets the official attention that it deserves.

Thanks for the links. I emailed/posted.

TunaFishKid wrote: Reinhard, you're too damn nice for your own good.

He is!!!

Debs x

Wow, I just read the article.. it almost sounds like she's giving Michael Pollan credit for NoS...

No no no!!! That won't do at all..
I'm gonna write her too.

That's not cool.

Reinhard you will not be anonymously famous for long. We'll all see that you get *FULL* credit. It's your diet concept and your name should have been mentioned.

Good catch Wosnes!!

Debs

gratefuldeb67 wrote:Wow, I just read the article.. it almost sounds like she's giving Michael Pollan credit for NoS...

If she's only familiar with the idea through Food Rules, she'd give him credit because Pollan didn't give a source. Even if she googled it, she wouldn't come up with No-S.

Reinhard,

You have a brilliant idea. You also have a young family, so you don't see from my perspective just how brilliant of an idea you have. The Jane Brody and Michael Pollans of the world probably would not have referenced your idea had they known it was invented and not handed down from older generations. They'll have to acknowledge that this idea came from you. They probably missed that it was invented because it is a single letter "S".

The whole culture is focused on "portion control" and lots of little meals during the day. This leads to an obsession with food and the feeling that you are always hungry.

When I was in elementary school, only the kindergarteners had snacks. Now the kids have snacks all the way through elementary school and even kids in junior high have snacks at least one per week plus to celebrate birthdays and holidays like Valentine's Day. It's sad. We're raising a generation of kids who think they have to eat every few hours, or it's a crises. ("You need to keep your blood sugar up." "If you don't have snacks, you'll become ravenous and overeat.") The results are obvious. Michelle Obama is now tackling childhood obesity, and I hope she comes across your idea.

I also posted on Jane Brody's site and emailed Michael Pollan. We'll help get the message out that this idea came from you. It is such a brilliant idea that two of the highest regarded nutritionists in the world thought it was "cultural wisdom." You'll get on Oprah yet!!!

Kathleen

One of the things that has struck me from Pollan's writing is the similarity between the principles of No-S and the wisdom of "our mothers and grandmothers and more distant ancestors, which is another way of saying, on tradition and culture." That wisdom varied a little from place to place, even home to home, but was essentially the same. Of course, the mothers and grandmothers addressed the "what" of eating as well as the "how and when."

GO COLTS!

I, too, wrote to both Brody and Pollan. In both cases, I pointed them to your site and book, and emphasized that although the general idea may seem like common sense, they have (mis)quoted it using almost exactly your words, Reinhard, and they should be aware that this phrasing didn't just happen, it's the result of careful crafting on your part. With Pollan, I emphasized that he of all people should know how much effort it takes to polish up a concise nugget of eating wisdom like his "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants" -- that's a good one, and of course he wouldn't want it to be referenced by someone saying "Some people suggest following an 'eat food' policy where you eat not too much food, mostly plants". (I didn't actually include that in my letter, but maybe I should have.)

Anyway, for what it's worth, they've got at least a few letters about this, so far!

[Edit: It strikes me as odd that neither of those sites actually sends you a copy of the message, though they both require you to enter your email address. It seems only polite to cc the sender when you pass on the message, especially when they're making you use a web-based form rather than real email.]

I looked up the diet based on the NYTimes reference...and stayed up way too late exploring your site. Now a member, and on day one.

Excellent system! I promise to eventually buy the book, too.

BTW, is an unsweetened latte a snack, or a beverage?

weimanxi wrote:an unsweetened latte

You just answered your own question Welcome!

You guys are great. Thank you Deb, Dave, Kathleen, lelovelady, Steven, Sophia, and Too Solid Flesh!

Welcome, weimanxi!

And thank you for making the effort to dig up the source of that reference. I hope you'll find it to have been worthwhile.

On vanilla No-s, an unsweetened latte would be allowed; snacks are solid. Yes, liquids can have calories too, but if you stick with the unsweetened variety, you're unlikely, big picture, to consume them to excess. It's about putting the right high level behavioral structures in place rather.

Reinhard

Thanks for answering my question about the latte.

I raved and raved about the diet and systems to my husband, who has a similar behavior/calorie modification spreadsheet that never worked for me. We decided that you must be an INT?, (like us...)

We used to refer to feast days and fast days, but had too many feast days. This diet defines them, which is so helpful.

I just googled no snacks, no sweets and no seconds and nosdiet.com was the first link listed. I already emailed her, but I wish now I had included that suggestion. I'll be going home soon and will include that in my emails to the other links.

Actually, I thought Reinhard was already famous. Maybe just in our little world?

oolala53 wrote:I just googled no snacks, no sweets and no seconds and nosdiet.com was the first link listed.

I was just coming to post the exact same thing! I am appalled at the laziness of so many so-called journalists. I would never have written that column without googling around to see where the "so called S policy" came from. I never email or post anything without vetting it first. And I don't get paid!!

Until now I haven't talked much about No S to my friends and acquaintances, but that's going to change. I am making it my mission to spread the word AND make sure Reinhard gets the credit - IRL, and online. No S has really changed my life and I'm not just being dramatic. The effects go far beyond weight loss. My blood pressure is down, my stress level is down, I rarely if ever take TUMS for heartburn anymore, and my days are more productive and fullfilling. I have redecorated my living room, walk for exercise and enjoyment every day, and read more than I used to. Before No S all my time was wrapped up in dieting, reading diet books and forums, binge eating, hating myself, and basically driving myself crazy.

Reinhard, you did something great for me, and you deserve the credit. I am going to do my best to make sure you get it.

TunaFishKid wrote:No S has really changed my life and I'm not just being dramatic. The effects go far beyond weight loss. My blood pressure is down, my stress level is down, I rarely if ever take TUMS for heartburn anymore, and my days are more productive and fullfilling. I have redecorated my living room, walk for exercise and enjoyment every day, and read more than I used to. Before No S all my time was wrapped up in dieting, reading diet books and forums, binge eating, hating myself, and basically driving myself crazy.

That is a fantastic post, TunaFishKid! Something for the testimonials page?

Michael Pollan just sent me an email!

He wrote that he'd taken the S rules to be a "meme at large" floating around the net and hadn't realized that they were a consciously devised, published system. He would have happily credited me if he had -- and is going to look into doing so in the next printing.

He also mentioned that mine wasn't the only email he received on the subject, so THANK YOU guys!

Reinhard

Good for Michael Pollan! It would have been nice if he had done a little more checking into it earlier on, but I'm glad he's going to make it right.

reinhard wrote:Michael Pollan just sent me an email!

He wrote that he'd taken the S rules as a "meme at large" floating around the net and hadn't realized that they were a consciously devised, published system. He would have happily credited me if he had -- and is going to look into doing so in the next printing.

He also mentioned that mine wasn't the only email he received on the subject, so THANK YOU guys!

Reinhard

That's great! So, in addition to being intelligent, he's a person of character.

When I first read that he would look into changing that in the next printing, I read "next spring" and couldn't figure out why spring was so important.

Wow, great news, and quite right too. Congratulations, Reinhard.

Even if he just mentions it in further interviews -- that could be HUGE! Hmmm...it's also possible that he's reading all this.

That's fantastic! Congratulations again Reinhard!

Shannon

reinhard wrote:Michael Pollan just sent me an email!

He wrote that he'd taken the S rules to be a "meme at large" floating around the net and hadn't realized that they were a consciously devised, published system. He would have happily credited me if he had -- and is going to look into doing so in the next printing.

He also mentioned that mine wasn't the only email he received on the subject, so THANK YOU guys!

Reinhard

WOO HOOOO!!!!!
That's *FANTASTIC* Reinhard!!!!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

Debs xx

Dang, that was pretty fast! Actually, wouldn't the two of you make an interesting pair: Michael, the food guru, and Reinhard, the habit guru.

I've seen your/Reinhard's picture and I've heard some podcasts. I think you/he would make good TV. Especially if you were able to keep the nice mix of being kind, logical, and wry. Not everyone is ready for the message, but it would be a godsend to many, and so much better than diet-of-the-week.

oolala53 wrote:I've seen your/Reinhard's picture and I've heard some podcasts. I think you/he would make good TV. Especially if you were able to keep the nice mix of being kind, logical, and wry. Not everyone is ready for the message, but it would be a godsend to many, and so much better than diet-of-the-week.

I think he'd be great, too.

The possibility of bringing Reinhard to Oprah's attention has been raised in the past. If anybody is interested in doing so, a link for making suggestions for Oprah is here:

http://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=216

If a number of us contact the show, they might take some notice.

Great news,

I had emailed him (and Jane) as well.

When one works as hard as you do, Reinhard, to share what knowledge and wisdom gained - it should be acknowledged.

I appreciate that you actively care about your plan, your site and your "followers".

Berry

Too solid flesh,

Thanks for the link to the Oprah show. I emailed my suggestion for a show. AFter 33 years of restrictive eating, I so appreciate the sanity of this diet, and I so empathize with the Kirstie Alleys of the world who try so hard to lose weight and only gain it. This diet is for them, just like it has been for me, and I so hope Oprah showcases it!

Kathleen

Greetings!

Just wanted to drop by and say I added my voice to the NY times article, about you receiving proper credit for your work.

As a practicing "No S'er" I often recommend your plan to others when they ask how I keep from being fat while being able to eat what I want. I'm not perfect or ripped by any means, by with the concept of structured moderation, I was able to lose and now maintain a healthy weight.

This is further inspiring me, as I have been No S-ing officially since Jan. 1 and the scale is fluctuating downward. I want to keep going not only because this is restoring my sanity but on the off chance that Reinhard will need some low-range weight loss success stories to appear with him on Oprah.

I read Pollen's "Omnivore's Dilemma" a few years ago. I thought he sounded like a reasonable person.

Reinhard, I'm glad he got back to you and will revise his next printing.

Congrats and thanks

I received an email from Michael Pollan's assistant saying: "Penguin is adding a footnote referencing Mr. Engels’s book in future printings." YAY!

Me, too!

Here is the text:
Hello Maggi,
I’m Malia, Michael Pollan's assistant.Thanks for your email and your
feedback on the mention of the "No S Diet" in Michael’s new book Food
Rules. Michael heard of the "No S Diet" from a reader, who did not
mention Reinhard Engels’s book. Michael chose to include the catchy
mnemonic unaware that Mr. Engels had originated it. Penguin is adding
a footnote referencing Mr. Engels’s book in future printings. Again,
thanks for your email and for your interest in Michael’s work.
Best regards,
Malia

Too solid flesh wrote:
I think he'd be great, too.

The possibility of bringing Reinhard to Oprah's attention has been raised in the past. If anybody is interested in doing so, a link for making suggestions for Oprah is here:

http://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=216

If a number of us contact the show, they might take some notice.

I have been wanting Oprah to take notice of Reinhard and the NoS Diet for a long time. Thank you for the link...I just sent in my request for Oprah to have Reinhard on the show as her guest so he can tell the world about NoS!

Mimi

I'm thrilled, absolutely thrilled!

Well done!

That is wonderful news!

A newer edition of Food Rules is being released. I preordered it from The Book Depository a few months ago and just received word that it will be shipping soon. I'm excited to see if it has been edited to give Reinhard credit.

Thanks for letting us know, sophiasapientia.

Fingers crossed!

(my amazon.com sales rank seems to be creeping up again, possibly related?)

Reinhard

I haven't been to the noS site in months and tonight began reading posts. This subject reads like a soap opera! there is tension..there is suspense..intrigue..and..a happy ending!! Wow!! what we can do when we pull together ! good work guys!!

Just to update: I received the book. It was a UK-edition of Food Rules, released May 27, and did not include the correction, unfortunately. Hopefully we'll see it in future editions.