Albatross

Here’s how to start: get the book and set aside three weeks to apply the 21 chapters of daily wellness intel. Each chapter features prose by Eddie on impactful moments from her life, which then segue into varying ways to nurture the body, soul or both. What makes Peaches easy to connect with is that every chapter features one of Eddie’s friends who, in a series of candid interview questions, impart wisdom and tips on how to become the best version of whoever you want to be. Her friends are the women we see through the rose-tinted glasses of social media: the models, actresses, poets, photographers, and art directors sauntering their way through seemingly enviable lives.

Peaches tears down the stereotypes and red-tape surrounding the ‘it-girl’ persona, one honest page at a time.

Chapter by chapter, Eddie and co. guide readers how to hang on to your inner child and shed perfectionist attitudes. Peaches is an ode to the power of friendships and a manual for life in a pastel-colored package. Eddie reveals the magic in making new friends who speak her language of dry brushing, cold showers, movie nights and morning yoga.

Eddie began writing Peaches in 2018 as a guide to her younger self and to all the young women that want to add intentionality to their days. Having moved to New York City at age 17, healthy choices were not on her radar. Working as a model and living a fast-paced lifestyle left health and mindfulness in the background. “The wellness books I was reading in my early twenties seemed to be for an older audience. The topics they covered were things that felt very far away,” Eddie says. That’s when Peaches felt absolutely necessary to write. “I wanted the book to feel like a group of friends holding your hand each day. I included stories from different women from all around the world so that everyone can relate at some level to one of the featured women.” Chock-full of simple plant-based recipes, interviews and essays, Peaches is more than just an aesthetically pleasing coffee table addition. Eddie explains that the whole point of the book is to give you something new to consider and maybe even incorporate into your day (and beyond).

There were moments while reading Peaches when I stopped and re-read lines because I felt they were directed at me.

Gillian Sagansky, journalist and mental health advocate living between New York City and Berlin, gave this piece of advice: “Have the gumption to walk away when you know and stay when you know. Both take courage.” Whether you’re removing yourself from an unhealthy relationship, friendship, or job, making a change to your status quo is scary — even if it’s for the best. In the same vein, sticking by someone or something because it’s what you believe in speaks volumes.

Sarah Benjamin, an Israeli casting director, gets real when asked who her role model is — “Honestly? Myself.” We should all be so lucky to get to a point where our own history acts as fuel to push us beyond our recent benchmarks.

As for whether or not I’ve noticed any changes from the 21-day Peaches reset plan, the answer is… I haven’t started it yet. But, the interviews have nonetheless left me feeling inspired and ready to start changing. My showers now end with 10 seconds of cold water, Eddie recommends three minutes. I start mornings with a cup of tea instead of reaching for my boyfriend’s espresso machine. I’m not quite at lemon water yet, but we’re getting there. Oftentimes, I’d find excuses why a workout wouldn’t make sense on a particular day. In my mind, an 8:30 am yoga class could never work if I had an 11 AM meeting. Thanks to Peaches, I started scheduling my workouts at the beginning of every week as the anchor of the day and then I’d add everything else afterwards. To conclude, I feel a lot like myself…but better.