Health Books

"I don't know if I will live to finish this," begins this memoir by Paul Monette, who would ultimately live only seven years after he did complete it (and, auspiciously, several other works). Monette's account is a chronicle of the last days of his lover Roger Horwitz in 1985 and 1986: a mere nineteen months between diagnosis and death. It's an emotionally devastating portrait; yet, far from wallowing in his grief (although grieve he does), Monette instead describes this period as a battle to extend Roger's life and a determination to seize every remaining day and make the most of it.

An AIDS diagnosis in 1985, in Los Angeles, doomed the couple to an unwanted pioneer status; it was a "death sentence" mitigated only by hope and delusion. For the first half of the decade, Paul and Roger comforted themselves with the notion that the disease, whatever it was, confined itself to a certain group of fast-living libertines ("not us") in San Francisco and Los Angeles. When the reality hit home, the initial method of coping, shared to different degrees by themselves and by their friends (and particularly by Roger's brother), was a mixture of mortification and denial.

Once Roger became ill, however, the couple fought tooth and nail to pursue every potential pharmaceutical elixir or therapeutic panacea; they were on the vanguard of trials for suramin (with devastating side effects) and for the more successful "Compound S" (AZT), which Monette credits for extending Roger's life. Throughout, they struggled to present a united front of normalcy and optimism, with Roger attempting to practice law from his hospital bed and Paul flying to New York for meetings in the Russian Tea Room with the newly famous Whoopi Goldberg about an ultimately doomed screenplay ("it must've dismayed her considerably to think that this humorless man sipping broth and Coca-Cola was meant to be her breakthrough into feature comedy").

Still, if it's possible to say that one can be "fortunate" in such circumstances, Roger and Paul had the only advantages available at the time: money, connections, and (mostly) supportive family and friends. In spite of the sequence of crises and disappointments, they somehow managed to find time to laugh and to love amidst the anger and the betrayals; Monette's wit and fair-mindedness saves this work from overwhelming the reader with morbid pity and depression. Paul and Roger were often too busy chasing hope to pause and wallow; those moments were often saved for the morning. ("Waking teaches you pain.") What's most remarkable about this book is not the riveting and livid account from the front of the epidemic--such memoirs are plentiful--but the lyrical and even humorous appreciation of the "borrowed time" remaining to these two admirable profiles in courage.

Although I am a conservative Christian who has never been "homophobic", I have been 100 percent guilty of "indifference" to what it really means to be gay and and the AIDS issue. Not any more. I began to research the issues and I have been telling everyone about this book. The genuine love story and respectful relationship that Paul and Roger shared is something everyone could learn from. I don't believe I have ever read a book that portrays such courage. The pain that both of these men endured would make the average person collapse under the weight. I know what the Bible says about homosexuality, but I believe that Jesus himself would just wants us stop judging and comdemning and to simply love one another as he loves us. All of us.

'Borrowed Time' is the most unpretentious, cliche free account of love I've read. So much of it's power lies in what Paul does not say about his lover: describing him most often as his most precious 'friend' he asks the reader to understand, to implicitly know the strength of his passion. The simple assumption that readers across cities, countries, cultures will understand his emotions is what gives the story so much beauty. I fell in love with both Paul and Roger, or more specifically, the strength of what they had together.
The battle against AIDS and discrimination faced by both men made me bawl, and I hope this book is read by people working through their prejudices and moral judgements about the both the illness and its prevalence in the gay community at the time the events occurred. Surely Paul and Roger's love can only be seen as something beautiful that graced the earth, even briefly.

I don't know how this book didn't win every award the publishing world has to offer. Quite simply, this one volume is the most emotionally devastating work I've ever read. I've read about hate crimes, political assassination and Nazi persecution, but none touch this. Several times I had to set the book down because I was no longer able to read through great, racking sobs and eyes nearly swollen shut. I grieved.

Paul Monette, author of the the award winning memoir "Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story," died of AIDS not too long after losing his beloved companion Roger to the disease. That he was able to focus so much energy on chronicling the events of Roger's death in this memoir, was a mircle - and indeed this book is a miraclous gift. "Borrowed Time" is a story of pain, suffering, hope, strength and courage. However, and more importantly, it is a love story - the greatest I've ever read.

I listened to Paul Monette read from his memoir on a recorded book; and the experience was unforgettable, profound, wholly human, and perhaps the best meditation on love I've ever read. Without going into the details of the 1980's AIDS "scene," which this book also authentically and accurately portrays, this "love story" depicts and explored and revealed so tenderly and so poetically that it should be placed on all the bookstores in the relatinship section of the major chains--and recommended for straight and gay couples. And while the booksellers are at it, they should remainder all the John Gray, Dr. Phil and every other "author" who address relationships in a vapid, moronic, demeaning way. This book may be the best argument for "gay marriage," although I hesitate in recommending this in fear that such a beautiful relationship as portrayed in this work could be subsumed under such a shaky institution. It would also be a d_mn good book for heterosexual, especially "conservative Christian" couples, men and women to read together: Not necessarily to change minds about the law, but at least to change misconceived perceptions about their fellow humans. And a note to women, if you would like your guy to be a better "listener" and a better "lover," read this book--not those goofball "women's magazines." This book might also make some right-wing ideologues re-think some of their kneeejerk definitions of "values" and realize that perhaps it is their values that need some looking into, or as peanuts said, "We have met the enemy and it is us."

This is an incredibly powerful book I wish everyone could own. My 15 year old daughter and I read it together and it the experience was unforgettable! The photographs paired with the real, raw stories of these girls, young women and women opened up a dialog between my daughter and I that could not have happened in any other setting. This book looks at bodies and the lives behind them with a sense of dignity and truth that you rarely find.
Some images and stories may be disturbing and/or inappropriate for younger children, but for me this book was a powerful way to see body image in a healthy light for me and my daughter.

I bought it for my 14 year old daughter who at first thought it was 'yucky' but later appreciated the stories that accompanied the photos. Great job of using pictures to paint the story of challenges that so many women continue to overcome.

This is not the kind of book with pictures of naked women that most men get interested in. This volume is not about sex, though it clearly deals with sexuality. Frank Cordelle's photos of naked women, at various ages and stages of life, serves as a kind of anti-porn - showing women for who they really are, as opposed to who society thinks they should be. There are some tragic stories and some wonderful stories in this book. It serves as a good reminder of who humanity was created to be. Those who struggle with body image will find this book a healing balm. Those who champion the innocence of simple, non-sexual nudity will find a friend in Frank Cordelle.

This is one of the most powerful and subversive commentaries on the objectification of women in our culture that I've ever encountered. What's even more remarkable is that its power comes not from the eloquence, but from the silence of its creator - Cordelle steps back both verbally and graphically and lets the women and their images speak for themselves.

It's hard to call this a book, as it is an experience of a lifetime.
If everyone would openly talk, violence would be drastically reduced. I am sorry to the brave women in this book who were harmed by someone's violence. The wowen are a testimony to courage. Frank's courage, as well, for following his heart and soul. As, art it is a monumental master peice. A must experience for all those who have suffered from hiding, secrets, and sexual violation.

I am a nurse, so of course, I loved this. It has wonderful, uplifting stories. It would be a wonderful gift for any nurse, or for yourself, if you are a nurse or for anyone thinking about becoming one.

As always, very pleased with yet another Chicken Soup book.

Incredibly touching with quotes to remember. A book I will pass along so others can enjoy the soul warming experience as I did.

I was feeling really down until I read this book and now, after 27 years in the profession, I can remember why I love this job!!!

I work as a Director of Nursing and I enjoyed this stories.

Fran has really broken some important ground here and offered helpful tips for substitutions and alternatives to the nutritionally pathetic traditional method of dessert making. DO NOT come to this with the expectation of everything tasting like grandma made it -- vegan baking cannot taste exactly like double fudge cake with butter cream icing, nor should it have to. It is tasty in its own way, and once you get used to it, other desserts are overwhelming and unappealing.

Before you read further, however, know that I am not sold on the 0% refined sugar routine because I don't like everything to taste like maple syrup and barley malt, and would rather not spend an arm and a leg to purchase these items over plain old sugar. Fran refers to everything that does not have white sugar as "sugar-free" which is very misleading, inaccurate, and confusing if you don't know what she's referring to. For example, "sugar-free lemonade" (which I thought must just be frozen lemon juice and water?) actually meant organic lemonade sweetened with juices. If the viscosity of the syrup she calls for is necessary, then I will use it, but I ration them out so as not to break the bank.

If you share this mindset, don't dismay -- it is easy to tweak the recipes to allow for some refined sugar. I was seriously impressed with the boston creme pie/cake, which I fed to many dairy-eating carnivores that didn't know it was vegan (and my husband went crazy over it). I was disappointed that the only sugar cookie recipe was wheat-free and nearly inedible (I threw the remainder away after I served them, and vowed never to make something out of here for others without trying it first!). Brownies were amazing, oatmeal cookies were very good (and I tried those using no white sugar), chocolate sauce/glaze made me want to sing and dance.

The "great" recipes in this book are reason enough to buy it, but the good information about successfully baking using the prescribed methods is invaluable (minus the scientific claims and warnings that are presented without reference to any empirically valid source, yet printed as fact).

It is not the most professionally made book (several typos and not aesthetically pleasing), but that doesn't matter to me as long as it's useful. Buy it, peruse it carefully, adapt the techniques, and then use that as a springboard for fashioning your own great good desserts!

Although I am not a vegan, I do try to limit my dairy. However, dessert is my major weakness. This book is nothing short of fabulous. It taught me how to make healthier desserts, make appropriate subs., etc. She explains all of the uncommon ingredients for those we are new to vegan desserts. I have made a ton of recipes from this book and have not been dissapointed by any! I highly recommend this book.

This book is brilliant. Of my myriad vegan cookbooks, it's recipes are consistently the best and most thoughtfully presented. Every single recipe I have tried has been mouthwateringly good. Fran (if I may use her name so informally, which only feels natural since I use her cookbook so much) leaves out no details when it comes to baking delectable desserts and provides tons of background information on healthy sugar substitutes and the like. I have made many of these desserts for my family and peers and they too have been shocked that there are no animal products or refined sugars in them. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to vegans and non-vegans alike. I am delighted each time I get the opportunity to make something from it.

These are some of the best desserts ever. I served the blueberry slump at a dinner party, and my guests were blown away that it was all natural. Go Fran!!!

If you really want to make vegan desserts at home, this is a good reference. However, be prepared to shop for hard-to-find, expensive ingredients like arrowroot, kuzu, and agar. Also, I wish the author included approximate times for each recipe, like some of my other cookbooks do. I made the tofu frosting, and even though it was good, it wasn't good enough to justify the two hours it took to make. I think this book is good enough to give it four stars, but I've discovered that, personally, I'd rather just go to a vegan bakery than bother doing it myself.

If you are interested in the ways animals and humans have found ways to help and heal one another -- then this is the book for you. I am deeply impressed by the layers of information and deeply researched examples of ongoing pet and human partnerships in living well, healing, and transcending personal tragedy. If I were to offer one book to both the pet lover who is already persuaded at the amazing gifts of animals, and to the skeptic who isn't sure that pets do more than entertain or receive our projections -- this would be the book. It is a serious book with beautiful, remarkable stories and scientific efficacy to support its claims.

The book arrived in an excellent condition at the promised time.
As this was a present for a friend it was greatly appreciated
Susan

The fact that this book was written by a co-author of "Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul" (a book that I loved) is one of the things that made me pick it up. However, "Healing Power of Pets" is more than a collection of animal anecdotes. There's a lot of good, solid scientific information woven in, too. Dr. Marty Becker, a veterinarian who has worked with Animal-Assisted Therapy programs, cites numerous studies which show that people who are bonded with their pet(s) lead longer, heathier lives.

On page 74, for example, he refers to a 1995 study conducted by Erka Friedmann, a professor at the Department of Health and Nutritional Studies at Brooklyn College. She recruited 392 patients who had suffered heart attacks and were part of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial. Of these, 87 owned dogs and 282 did not. A year later, only one of the dog owners had died, while 19 of the non-dog-owners had passed away. In other words, people who own a dog are far more likely to be alive a year after having a heart attack.

Why is this? Many reasons are given in the book: dog owners get more exercise, they take better care of themselves because they feel responsible for the dog, they relax while petting the dog, they are less lonely because of the dog, etc. Other studies have shown that the act of stroking an animal's fur lowers the human's blood pressure like a form of meditation.

As a Jewish educator reading this book, I could not help but reflect on the fact that, compared to the general population, far fewer Jews have pets. In the Orthodox and Hasidic communities, especially, it is rare to see a dog in the house. One reason is because dogs were used to track and kill people during the Holocaust and other persecutions, so they have bad associations for many Jews. I understand this. Still, I found myself wondering how many of those 282 non-dog-owners in the Brooklyn College study were Jewish. (Brooklyn has a high percentage of Jews.) Are we allowing Old World fears about dogs to deprive us of a valuable form of therapy?

The pet doesn't have to be a dog, however. Cats (of which I have ten!) are equally therapeutic. So are other species, such as birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. Even watching a tank full of fish can help a person to relax. The important thing is the Bond between the animal(s) and the human(s). Reading this book confirmed in a scientific way what I have always believed in my heart: this special Bond is a healing gift that God designed into the very fabric of creation.

I am a dog lover in particular and a pet lover in general. Pets definitely have healing powers. The interaction between human and pet is healthy. In terms of my love for a dog the benefits are extensive. This book is scientific and gives the evidence that proves the healing power of pets. It is not speculation. As you read the book you will learn of the many ways in which your interaction with pets will maintain and enhance your good health.

Dr. Becker and Danelle Morton describe the positive effects that animals bring into our lives. They focus mostly on dogs and cats in this book and only briefly touch on other pets such as birds or rodents. They combine individual testimonials concerning animals assisting sick humans with data from researchers who study animal behaviour, and interviews with therapists who use animals for therapy. He sites several examples of nursing homes that have resident pets trained to assist in therapy sessions and discusses how these animals bring joy to lonely and/or ill elderly. More importantly, Dr. Becker details the type of pet best suited for a particular personality or illness.

He candidly points out that pets are not for everyone; that sharing your home with an animal requires great commitment and sometimes expense. He outlines the required care, loving and guidance needed. For me, this was the most important point in his book.

This book is well written, easy to read and absent of technical jargon. This book is not a treatise of recent scientific research on the subject of animal behavior or the use of animals in therapy. Most of the heart-warming stories are testimonials rather than solid scientific data, but anyone who truly shares a bond with an animal will appreciate these stories.

I recommend this book for anyone thinking of getting a pet, who already has a pet, or who simply loves animals. I particularly recommend this book to folks who see animals only as a commodity or worker/helper/hunter. It's an enlightening book.

A word first about how I came to buy the book. I have been dancing about five years, Israeli folk, not ballet. Folk dancing is a great way to stay fit, but in my classes at least, there is little emphasis on low impact preparation: warm-up, flexibility and strengthening. Ballet, specifically work at the barre and "on the floor," is great for that.

I bought the book thinking I would exercise at home. The book can serve for that, but it is far more centered on getting you into class. The authors emphasize that, yes, to be a professional dancer you have to start young, but ballet has tangible benefits no matter what age you start. It is written to make you aware that there are a lot of schools that have adult classes and to get you over the threshold. It spends a good deal of time talking away all the reasons why you think you can't do this. It talks in a straightforward, no-nonsense way about what to expect: dress, shoes, typical class programs. Some schools hold more to ritual than others: it spends some time on class etiquette. And since ballet is "in French," it has a chapter on "language": the different positions - feet and hands - and movements, from stage one (plie, tendu), to more complex (battement tendu jete, rond de jambe), with careful guidance to how they are done.

The Joffrey is known for its professional program, but it also takes its adult beginners very seriously. As I mentioned, I did not buy the book expecting to take classes, but the Joffrey is walking distance from my home in New York, and one of the two authors, Dena Simone Moss, teaches adult elementary.

I would add my vote to my teacher's view, hers formed over long experience, that to get into ballet you really do need to be in class. The individual positions and movements, those in beginning class at least, are not physically difficult, but there are countless ways to head just a little off the rails. It needs a mature eye.

I'm 37 yo and for the first time in my life have started ballet. I always wanted to as a child (parents couldn't afford it), was too interested in travel/dinner/fun in my twenty's, but now in my 30's I want to do something that helps me grow as a person so there's no better time than the present. This book is so informative. It includes photos of "non-child" students, what to wear to class, what to do/not do if you have former injuries, etc., expectations (your's and instructor's) PERFECT!

Most books on ballet are either dictionaries of terminology or else they are intended to be read by young children and teenagers. Ballet fit fills in a void in the literature for those of us who started dancing late, already have some kind of career, and do it for the sheer love of it. I wish there were more books for adult beginner dancers.

Ballet is one of the best workouts a person can get. It promotes good posture, flexibility, coordination, strength, grace, and balance at the same time bringing out one of the most artful forms of expression through dance. There is a recent trend of people wanting less grinding forms of fitness such as weight lifting and aerobics. This has caused a serge in popularity in workouts such as Pilates and Yoga in adults. This has also brought interest in means of working out that are both beneficial to your health and fun to do; thus the rising popularity of adult ballet classes.

A few years ago adult ballet classes were very rare. It was considered inane because there really was no hope in becoming professional when starting as an adult. However, there is a new movement of adults whose goal is not to become the professional ballet dancers but turning to it for the sheer fitness benefits. This book is perfect for the types of people just mentioned. There is a certain amount of anxiety and hesitation, however, when entering the world of ballet for the first time as an adult. Ballet is very structured and detailed and this can be a huge turn-off for someone who's not acquainted to this. This book takes all of that anxiety out for you. It tells you everything you need to know so you are completely prepared for your first class. It goes over how to buy your fist pair of ballet slippers; how to get the correct size and fit. It tells you the proper attire. It goes over all the basic foot and arm positions, correct form, and all the terminology. It also has wonderful pictures so you can see just what the positions are supposed to look like. It tells you what to expect the structure of the class to be like.

Now, I actually took ballet for several years when I was younger, but quit my sophomore year of high school. I'm now 26 years old and have had a child, so I was a bit apprehensive to even think about going back into ballet. This book was a great refresher and gave me the courage to get back on my toes again.

The book was somewhat of a disappointment due to the fact that I had already started ballet when I bought it. I had also already found out a lot of useful information on the internet. The target group of the book is adults THINKING of starting talking up ballet. The "Ballet fit" at the end was mostly a brief summary of what excercised that can be expected from a ballet class. Many of the movements are difficult to understand since there weren't enough amount of illustrating pictures. The pictures that are there are surely beautiful, but unfortunately, they have mostly used a pre-pro student in the center of focus and NOT real adult beginners (they are placed at the back). Which really doesn't give you any indication of how far an adult beginner can reach.
If you are going to buy the book, do it for the right reason: As a motivation for starting classes and NOT a technical instruction book or ballet work-out book!

Fabulous book! Bair gives clear and easy-to-follow instructions to connect with one's heart and from there to the natural world. I believe it is what the world needs. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

This book has wisdom from beyond the ordinary realms of everyday life. This gives the reader tools and information to use to take steps "up" in life in order to know what purpose they are here for and to live that with passion. The author is highly knowledgeable and uses both general and specific information and personal stories from many people to bring home the points and importance of using these tools and when to use them. They help with the ordinary challenges of everyday life and open the door to the beyond. Pretty exciting stuff that could enlighten anyone who is seeking more from life.

This book is a groundbreaking work in the sense that most sufi teachings are encapsulated for small groups of followers of one particular Master or Stream of enlightenment, but this work has the currency and immediacy to answer the cry of humanity's illnesses today and provide healing and help in the areas of relationships, health, and character building. I look forward to the publication of the successor volume due out this Sept. 07, and I know that it shall be an even bigger event for readers of this important wisdom school in our time. This book is definitely the crest of the wave of practical healthy steps toward enlightenment and valuable and useful applications for steps toward an enhanced life and increased appreciation for living in these difficult days, eventually leading us back to the source from whence we all came, by unlearning some of the hang-up and attachments holding us back and making us all ill. A great primer for meditation, concentration, and contemplation. Enjoy and welcome home.

I have read many many "heart" entitled books over the years and it is surprising to me that so few people are aware of this book and the method of meditation that it introduces, especially given its ease and effectiveness. Before I discovered this work, my own heart had attained various states----from serious questioning with Ramana Maharshi and other spiritual quests, to the ecstatic verse of Rumi and Hafiz----from sharing with patients, life's trauma and joys through years as a health care provider, to the wrenching-heart-breaking-openings of ended relationships.

When I began Heart Rhythm Meditation, sensations and awareness felt great right away which aroused my curiosity and encouraged me to keep practicing. But it took me six more months of various methods of this meditation before realizing I was experiencing much more than just a temporary high or an insightful understanding. Some essential aspect of my being was gradually changing by such a simple practice of attending to my breathing and my heart-beat.

(For the quickest experiential entry, go immediately to "The First Intervention" practice on page 144 for a limited number of breaths. Then go right on to page 155 "The Second Intervention" also for a limited number of breaths. Gently. Simply. Easily. Entering into a "conversation" with your lungs and then opening to the possibility of a "conversation" with your heart. If any anxiety or concerns arise in this new relationship with your heart, move right on to page 166.)

I have read this book every year for the last nine years and shared it with patients and students. With even a little patience, I know you will discover or uncover within, exactly what the book's subtitle suggests: energy, clarity, peace, joy and inner power. Moving into your heart, layer after layer after layer. Holding a feeling state longer and longer. Living less through your mind, and living more from your heart. You will not lose any mental abilities but calm and enhance them as you gain your full heart function. As Puran Bair speaks so succinctly, you may now live with your mind in service to your heart.

(This book provides practical emotional experience of the Elements and insights on pranayama for those interested in either of these arenas.)

Puran and Susanna Bair have also published another title: Energize Your Heart

Living from the Heart has altered my perception of what it truly means to be "real" and has had a profound effect on not only how I perceive others but more importantly on how I react to all of life's situations. I've found that through the breath practices alone my life has changed. My energy is double if not triple what it was, my ability to listen to others and really hear what they are saying has increased when I listen with my heart and maintain a full breathing pattern. Add the element breath practices and WOW you have a guaranteed method of changing your energy to match the situation. If you need to be the calm voice of reason in a business meeting where everyone else is charged up and you use the air and earth breaths you can not only see the bigger picture and commonality of everyone's concerns but you can remain calm in the storm and actually calm down everyone in the meeting (both in person and via phone). If you've had a long day and need to get a boost of energy or optimism then the fire breadth will increase your energy. The water breadth is perfect for developing and sending empathy and emotions for not only your closer relationships but also with those you may have just met. I've found that learning to harness the power of your breath can be an extremely powerful tool in business as well as in life.
I have tried many different forms of meditation over the past 24 years and have taken multiple leadership, communication, relationship building and "stress relief" courses yet they only cover bits and pieces of how to effectively listen to your intuition, relate to another person, show empathy and relieve stress. Living from the heart gives you sound, easy to practice and incredibly powerful methods of developing your concentration, intuition, communication with yourself, and guides you to living a heart centered life.
The key to this method of meditation is that it is not just visualization or counting or any of the other methods that take you away from your body and self but rather key practices that will apply to every situation in your life. This book not only teaches you how to meditate but gives you the tools to apply the benefits of mediation to enhance your everyday life. It gives you the tools you need to contact your heart, hear what it says, learn how to breath (which if that is all you learn from this book your life will be greatly enhanced), and to really connect with your spiritual side. The method is based on thousands of years of collective knowledge from multiple religions and spiritual practices blended with the latest in scientific research.
Puran Bair has done an absolutely spectacular job of synthesizing the best practices that many spend a lifetime learning and presenting the knowledge in an easy to understand, easy to practice and incredibly powerful manor that anyone can learn and benefit from.
I've given copies of this book to countless friends. Anyone that wants to learn how to really breath and utilize the power of the breath, develop awareness of their body and heart, increase their body's natural healing capacity and connect back with (or enhance) their spiritual awareness will love this book regardless of religious affiliation (or lack of religious belief).

In addition, those who will benefit are not just those on a spiritual path but anyone that wants to harness the power of their breath...using the square (or diamond) breath is a highly effective way to increase your lung capacity and VO2 Max...useful for runners, atheletes, anyone living in or traveling to high altitudes or basically anyone interested in increasign their stamina, recovering from surgury (takes pressure off your chest), and increases your vitality and health.

This book is a great reference guide for those who are considering the low-carb lifestyle and want to compare various plans and their pros and cons. He gives insight into the history of low-carb dieting and writes in a clear, pleasant to read format. It is a nice break from many diet books which seem to offer a gloom and doom approach to dieting. He is concise and informative. I really enjoyed this book

I am an average stay at home mom who needs to lose about 30-40 lbs. I recently started the Atkins diet and was immediately fascinated that for the first time in my life, my cravings were under control. It was amazing. In the past few weeks I have become somewhat obsessed with the low carb lifestyle. I was at a large bookstore the other day looking for a low carb cookbook when I stumbled across this book. I am so glad that I did. This book explains so much of how low carb works and how it affects our bodies. The author is a fantastic writer and he does not seem biased when he reviews many of the popular low carb plans. That is one thing I was worried about and was somewhat skeptical to buy this book for that reason.

My favorite thing about this book is that it helps you pick and choose the best parts of each low carb plan to put together the ultimate plan FOR ME. I do enjoy the current plan I am on but I love that I can add aspects of other LC plans to my lifestyle. This book will also help you set yourself up for success. There are many tips on how to be successful and answers to many questions that you may have regarding low carb eating. This book is well rounded and covers all of the bases. Plus you can't beat the low price.

I can't believe I bought this book and left it in my bookshelf for almost a year. This is an exceptionally well written book.
Don't let Jonny Bowden's picture drive you away from the book. The back cover shows a man that seems too strong to be smart. Yet Jonny has the gift of writing. All his book is well-referenced, interesting, and a pleasure to read.
Bowden certainly did his homework. Before writing his book, he read everything there is to read. When he quotes or criticizes a book, he does it with knowledge, authority and style.
I noticed that some Amazon reviewers behave as if they were book salesmen. I won't do that. I believe this book is not for everyone. This book has a wealthy of information that might intimidate superficial readers. But if you are serious about lowcarb diet, or if you want to be educated about it, this book is a treasure.

Overweight people, parents, folks with auto-immune diseases, EVERYONE should read this book! It's an easy read and witty, not muddied down at all with too much jargon, but written clearly with plenty of scientific facts and studies to back up Jonny's advice on eating. Too Americans are either fat or unhealthy or both and we need help. I switched to this low-carb way of eating a month and a half ago and have dropped two sizes (hoping to drop 1 or 2 more to reach goal weight). NOTHING else worked for me. It is all SO CLEAR now why it is impossible to stick to a healthy diet while eating the typical 400 grams of carbs a day that Americans eat, when we should all be eating 60-90 carbs a day instead. I am finding this way of eating so satisfying and feel better than I ever have. My kids and hubby are going to be weaned from all the processed sugary junk, too and I hope I can help them not be future diabetics, among other things.

I love how the book can be easily used as a resource. It's quite different from Dr. Phil or any other diet book! You will love it and be grateful for it. Trust me.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1H00BCVNZLHNH *****
This book reviews 14 different low carbohydrate eating plans, and gives you the tools to put together an eating plan that is right for you. In this video I share about the book, the plans, and how it helped me. It is my hope that it will give you the information you need to decide if this excellent book is for you.
*****

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R21LH09NLC588Y The fastest way to create wealth and success in your life is to use the principles of mastermind groups first introduced by Napoleon Hill best selling author of Think and Grow Rich. When you understand the principles you will accelerate your results to new heights much faster and easier than you ever imagined possible.

Meet and Grow Rich gives you multiple examples of how to run a mastermind group effectively so you can produce the results you want in your life quickly and easily. It also cuts down your learning curve to success.

Profiting in Turbulent Times

Wealth Without a Job: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Freedom and Security Beyond the 9 to 5 Lifestyle

Laid Off? Don't Stress! How to Get from Mad to Glad

In a world of hype advertising where what is claimed so often bears little resemblance to reality, this book (and specifically its book jacket) is a refreshing change. This book delivers exactly what the publisher says. And, delivers very well!

I am a huge believer in the power of mentors, coaches, mastermind groups and the like. In my studies and interviews of peak performers from all walks of life, getting constructive help from others is very often cited as a key to a given peak performer's success.

Now tons of books have been written on coaching, but there has heretofore been a dearth of books on masterminding. Authors Vitale and Hibbler have wonderfully filled this niche. They have written an interesting and valuable how-to book on assembling and maintaining an effective mastermind group. Especially valuable for the self-employed who are void of the valuable networking often provided by the traditional corporate workplace.

Caveat emptor: If you looking for a deep psychological treatise on exactly how masterminding works neurologically, this is NOT the book. But, if you want a nuts and bolts guide to masterminding, this book rocks. Exactly as advertised by the publisher! How refreshing, and useful.

We are the product of the half dozen people with whom we spend the most time. Assemble and maintain the right mastermind group and one can't help but to be more successful. This book will show you how to make that happen.

It is a good book on the Masterming group model. It is clearly and simply written. I get more out of books that I enjoy, and this is a pleasure to read, engaging is aterm I'd use to describe it.

Meet and Grow Rich contains everything you could possibly want to know about mastermind groups and then some. As a coach and consultant to what I term creative multipreneurs who are starting or growing a small business or businesses, I recognize the value of having a good, strong support team in place as a catalyst to success. Authors Joe Vitale and Bill Hibbler offer all the nuts and bolts on how to start your own mastermind group plus give many real life examples of the different types of groups that fall under this moniker. The second half of the book is filled with all sorts of tips, advice, and how-tos from several contributors who share their first-hand experiences. All the answers are here.

I was so inspired, I immediately contacted four self-employed colleagues and started my own group, as well as created a facilitated mastermind coaching groups program as a service of my coaching practice.

Susan Henderson
www.susanhenderson.com

Lots of helpful information. I formed a mastermind group that was fairly effective, now I am looking to take that to the next level with some of Joe's ideas.

EVERY woman should own a copy. I give it as a gift to any woman I care about.

This is a wonderful guide for all women, of all ages. It answers every possible question that we could have about our bodies, our phychology and every phase of our lives. I purchased 4 copies for me and my friends and I intend to buy some more... I am grateful to the writers for a newly discovered self esteem!

Thank you for writing this book! Every woman should own their own copy. Any home with adolescents should have it to read. This books covers being a woman from A-Z and it does so in a way that makes you feel proud.

I just bought this this book to send to my daughter who is a freshman in college. My mom bought an early edition for me when I went to college, and I bought an inbetween edition as a 30 year old. This is an essential reference for women of all ages. I love that it has informed intelligent women about their bodies since its first publication.

I just got this book and wished I'd had it in my teens, twenties, thirties, but thankfully now in my 40's I do. I bought two copies used. The 1984 edition and the 1998 edition. Now after reading the reviews for the 2005 edition I am going to get that new. The 2005 edition is the 8th edition and in 35 years has never gone out of print.

Truly a wealth of information and a treasure to have found. This is the kind of book you can flip thorough and start reading on any page and find something of interest. They even have their own internet site containing information about this book and related books.

The book is lavishly illustrated with drawings and photographs (including in the 1984 & 1998 editions an iconic one by Tee A. Corinne of a disabled person making love in a wheel chair).

The subjects cover every issue that a woman can encounter -

Taking Care of Ourselves
Relationships and Sexuality
Sexual Health
Reproductive Choices
Child-Bearing
Growing Older
Medical Problems and Procedures
Knowledge is Power

1: Body Image
2: Eating Well
3: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Mood-Altering Drugs
4: Our Bodies in Motion
5: Complementary Health Practices
6: Emotional Well-Being
7: Environmental and Occupational Health
8: Violence and Abuse
9: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
10: Relationships with Men
11: Relationships with Women
12: Sexuality
13: Sexual Anatomy, Reproduction, and the Menstrual Cycle
14: Safer Sex
15: Sexually Transmitted Infections
16: HIV and AIDS
17: Considering Parenting
18: Birth Control
19: Unexpected Pregnancy
20: Abortion
21: Pregnancy
22: Childbirth
23: The First Year of Parenting
24: Child-Bearing Loss
25: Infertility and Assisted Reproduction
26: Midlife and Menopause
27: Our Later Years
28: Unique to Women
29: Special Concerns for Women
30: Navigating the Health Care System
31: The Politics of Women's Health
32: Organizing for Change

From the publisher's website: 2005 - Thirty-five years after Women and Their Bodies revolutionized women's health, a substantially revised Our Bodies, Ourselves is published for a new generation of women.

THE BOOK'S NEW LOOK
Almost all new photographs
More compact size that makes it easier to carry and read
Fresh, modern design
A new, reader-friendly layout with lots of sidebars and bulleted points

NEW CHAPTERS
Navigating the Health Care System
Safer Sex
Considering Parenting
Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

HOT TOPICS
The debate over "female sexual dysfunction"
Direct-to-consumer advertising by pharmaceutical companies
Cosmetic surgery and breast implants
Fad diets
Microbicides, which stop sexually transmitted infections
The menstrual suppression debate
Breastfeeding
Anti-depressants