I read about using Taffy as opposed to resting, but it doesn't seem to be working. I can't seem to get from well to very well by using Taffy. Also why are Mint Leaves needed in this strategy?

Well, let's see. Mint reduces stress, taffy reduces fatigue. Work and training build up both stress and fatigue. If you don't eliminate stress and fatigue your monster will lose unnecessary lifespan. A monster cannot register "very well" unless 100% of BOTH stress and fatigue are eliminated. You won't start losing lifespan until it "seems tired", but it's best to keep from ever getting to the tired stage. The items chart shows the values of all items, and is a good guideline for how much to use. With a light work week, one mint & one taffy will eliminate the stress/fatigue problem, for a hard work week, two of each are needed.

Just to be clear on a single point, through the liberal use of these items is the intent to eliminate the rest option from one's regiment?

Yes, because if you eliminate rest weeks then you can work and gain stat points on those weeks. If you were resting say, one week a month, then eliminate it, over a sample 7 year lifespan you'd gain 84 weeks to work or train. That can add up to a lot of points!

Alright, I got the idea. But avoiding the "tired" message seems impossible to me. Just tested this out and training took me from "very well" to "very tired", it seems to me that in the interest of long life "tired" should be avoided at all costs, no? So, do you simply avoid training? And lastly, with your taffy, mint plan do you mean 1-2 of both EVERY week? That seems wildly expensive, although a good idea none the less.