A Great Leap Forward in Natural Health?

I have to admit that I did a small doubletake when I learned that Dr. Maoshing Ni, an L.A.-based specialist in Chinese medicine, is known as “Dr. Mao” by his celebrity patients—probably because I never watched Sex and the City, so I never saw the episode where he did a consult for Charlotte. Then I actually went to take a look at his new health guide, Secrets of Longevity (right), and was further shocked to discover that while the trade paperback isn’t little (in fact, it’s a little bit wider than usual), it’s decidedly red. But maybe I’m just warped for even thinking of such things.

Anyway, one of those secrets must be “drink lots of smoothies,” because Chronicle Books is teaming up with Jamba Juice for a “Live to Be 100 Sweepstakes” where the grand prize is “100 days of Jamba Juice,” a free visit with Dr. Mao, and a membership at 24-Hour Fitness. Of course, the skeptic in me went straight to the fine print, where I discovered that we’re only talking about one all-fruit smoothie—”the perfect complement to any balanced diet,” says the good doctor—for each of those hundred days. In fact, you could burn through the supply earlier, because really you’re getting a “jambacard” with a $500 credit. (If the price goes over $5, I suppose you’re on your own; likewise if you don’t have a Jamba Juice in your neighborhood.)

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