29. The Wellness Industry Is Gigantic — and Mostly Wrong

Eat Your Ice Cream challenges the conventional wisdom of the wellness industry, advocating for a balanced approach to health. Rather than obsessing over restrictive diets and extreme fitness regimes, Emanuel promotes six simple rules for a long and healthy life. These rules emphasize the importance of social interaction, avoiding risky habits, staying mentally sharp, and embracing moderation. The book encourages readers to find joy in life's simple pleasures, like savoring ice cream, while maintaining overall well-being. It's a practical guide to aging well, focusing on sustainable habits and a positive mindset, rejecting the self-denial often associated with modern wellness trends.

Published in 1906, 'The Jungle' follows the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus and his family as they navigate the brutal realities of working-class life in Chicago's meatpacking district, known as Packingtown. The novel highlights issues such as public health hazards, extreme poverty, and the cruel treatment of workers and animals. Despite Sinclair's intention to expose labor abuses, the public reaction primarily focused on the sanitation issues in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant legislative changes, including the passage of the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.