Home Health Books

I love any and all Susan Branch books so this one did not disappoint! I actually already had it but bought it as a gift for a very good friend who is going through a rough patch in her life. I hope it gives her as much joy as I get just by looking at the pages!

Product arrived in perfect shape. I gave the book to a friend for her birthday, and she loves it.

Thsi book is just a light read ,full of snippets on friendship and wonderful recipes

Every page of "Girlfriends Forever" is a treasure to read. That is why I have bought copy after copy of this book to share with my best and dearest friends.

It is filled with all the everyday things that girls laugh and talk about. It's not the kind of book that has to be read from cover to cover. You can read a page or ten pages from anywhere in the book and enjoy every minute of your reading time.

I purchased this book for a dear friend a few years ago and she loved it. I have all of Susan's books and decided I owed it to myself to add this to my collection. Her style is so warm and genuine you feel as if you're talking with an old friend. Wonderful to curl up with and reminisce about your own "girlfriend" experiences as you read. If you enjoy Susan Branch you must have this book.

This is a good, basic handbook/manual for herbalists. It's not difficult to follow and has clear instructions.

If you want a good guide for herbal medicine making this book is for you!
Each method of medicine preparation described is easily understood and mastered.
I reference this constantly in my studies under Jo Powell([...]).

AWESOME BOOK!

This man's witty guide to do-it-yourself herbalism is both entertaining and informative. Very interesting and useful guide.

This book seems to be "the authority" on this topic, however, I would NOT have bought it had I known that...

1) ...the hippie-dippy thing was so prevelant. Ok. So anyone who is looking for a book about making their own herbal preparations is a bit of a hippie anyway, but the new-agey spiritual practices and views promoted compromise the integrity of the book. Because I don't really plan on communicating with the plants I harvest, as the book recommends. It felt as much a spiritual textbook as herbal preparation texbook. I have several "herbaly" books, but this leans a little more "fruitcake" than the rest. Knowledgeable and experienced fruitcake, but fruitcake nonetheless.

2) ...the amount of information was much more than I, a hobbyist, could possibly ever use. For those pursuing herbal medicine more seriously, the abundance of specific information is fantastic. I typically enjoy "too much information", but this was one time I found the info and amount of detail difficult to wade through. And the design/layout didn't help. Do not consider this book as a "simple overview" on the subject.

3) ...the book had no specific information on several of the herbs I had wanted to use. There are 35 most commonly used herbs that are featured for preparation and use. The simplification is largely appreciated...unless the herbs you want to use are not on the list. That said, the list of 35 did contain the majority of herbs I had wanted to prepare.

So yes, this book has (almost) all the information you'd want on preparing your own herbal medicines, which would normally have earned it five stars. But the flaws I mentioned reduce its value significantly, and for that I do not plan to keep it in my collection.

Good beginner's guide ,no heavy processing ,no knowledge of chemistry needed. If you're going to play with this stuff you aught to also have a herbal PDR.

The author writes of her father's decent into Alzheimer's Disease (being more
and more child like in his progression of the disease and her young son growing up from a toddler to young boyhood..the opposite ends of the spectrum. A very moving book. I may reread this one.

In September 2004's Australian Reader's Digest, the story "The Unlikely Gift" had me in tears. It moved me so much that I searched out and ordered the book it was taken from - "The House on Beartown Road". I had been mourning the
death of a favourite and much loved friend who died from the ravages of a similar brain disease (vascular dementia). Although her body died recently, the soul and the entity that I loved which made her who she was, was taken from me many years ago when the diagnosis was made and the slow but inevitable slide began.

My friend Kath, whom I met in 1980, taught me joy and sharing, she took me into her family as if I was one of her own. As I am of a different background, she taught me to enjoy roast dinners and chocolate ripple cakes. She was a favourite auntie, a surrogate mother and most of all, a best friend. In the later years, I have been unable to be in her presence,
as I couldn't reconcile the angry, violent person as being the same caring friend I had known. She was diagnosed in her 60's which is much too early and didn't allow her to enjoy her twilight years with those she loved and who loved her.

Elizabeth Cohen's book is a beautiful and simply told homage to the reality of family life and in my opinion, a must read.

Few books have brought me to tears. This one did. The author writes in a matter-of-fact way about the heart-wrenching disease of Alheimer's, its impact to her life, and the lives of those around her. I didn't want the book to end. It is a quick read. Great book.

What a wonderful book. I have noticed that many who review this book are intimately involved in Alzheimers, be they professional or private care-givers. I don't have anyone in my immediate family with Alzheimers, but I read this as a potential gift to a friend who does. I am grateful that I was motivated to read this lovely, loving account of a disease and the way if effects those who are near it. The author and her family serve as reminders that love comes in all forms, and may be asked of you at the most inconvient moments. Don't wait until you have Alzheimers in your family to read this book. So much gentle learning to be done, so much joy to be given, so many miles we go, travellers through life.

I found "The House on Beartown Road" shelved in our local library (Pound Ridge, NY) under Mental Health/Alzheimer's. I don't know who decides these things, but this wonderful memoir ought to be prominently placed along with other contemporary memoirs. Elizabeth Cohen is a fine writer and she deserves recognition for this generous tribute to her 80-year-old father, Sandy, to her daughter -- one year old Ava, and to new-found neighbors on Beartown Road and to friends in the Binghamton, NY, community. Sandy and Ava of these are at opposite ends of the verbal spectrum, one forgetting language and the other learning. Elizabeth Cohen herself is there in the middle, somehow trying to work full time as a reporter, managing day care for the two people who depend on her, figuring out how to survive the winter in one of the nation's true snow-belts, and keeping her own sanity as a harrassed single mother.My own mother is 97 with Alzheimer's and I have a one-year old granddaughter, so this book is close to the bone in many ways. I tell everybody about it. I use it in the memoir course I teach. I want to keep it to survive as a classic memoir and as a year-long account by an un-self-pitying caregiver. Elinore Standard Pound Ridge, NY

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Plasker at the 1st annual DCS Jam and the book is a must for anyone who wants to be in on the 100 year lifestyle. This is also a great read for your patients!

Dr Erik Plasker's Book is a great read for anyone looking to take stock of their life. The main message revolves around the fact that many of us will live to be 100 and beyond, so we may as well start preparing for this increased longevity that not many of us have planned for.
"What changes would you make today, if you knew you would live to be 100?"
Health, finances, relationships, career, social, and more are looked at in this book.
What will we do with this advanced warning our ancestors didn't get?

This book is life changing! Realizing that we have all this time to accomplish things in life is an awesome feeling. I loved the comparison of cris care vs. self care. If people realized this and started practicing this we would have a healthier nation. I have personally given out over a hundred copies of this book and everyone for Christmas will be getting a copy!

I've given this book to more than 100 people. They are changing their lives from stopping smoking and loosing weight, to starting exercise. The people that take the message of the 100 year lifestyle to heart are playing harder and living a higher quality of life. Thank you Dr. Plasker for allowing me the privilege of helping so many people through your wonderful book.

Dr. Plasker presents a compelling blueprint for a hundred year lifestyle. Whether or not you seriously have a shot at living to be a centenarian, his advice here on health, diet, fitness and emotional/spiritual well-being makes eminent sense. It is truly a holistic approach to lifestyle and longevity that has merit. Making the book more practical is the fact that it has a number of checklists and each chapter closes with a list of action items for the reader to take. The latter underscores the point that merely reading a book will not improve your lifestyle unless you follow through, act and execute upon it.

Since Dr Plasker himself is a chiropractor, there is a pitch for preventative chiropractic care. His plea here is not over-the-top or in-your-face, however, and is probably well founded.

The author's point is that many lifestyle changes can produce long-term positive results. In many cases, though perhaps not all, certain types of illness are products of lifestyle and tiny diet and fitness decisions made over the course of months and years. Making better fitness and health decisions every day can put extra years in your life and life in your years.

This little book offers a lot of information for a small price tag. So many things us "germ freaks" had not even considered are covered in this well written book. I had to buy one for myself and one for my daughter because I knew we would want to be able to have our own copy to refer to later. A good investment to make us aware of all the information this book cover in a clever manner.

Allison Janses' "The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu" could also have been titled " A Consciousness Raiser for the Germ Awareness Challenged." Before I read the book, I didn't realize how little I knew about those little guys who can, and all too often do,cause anything from annoying colds to life threatening illnesses. What I found most enlightening where the sections dealing with the various places that they congregate. The book is very well organized and written in a witty, entertaining style. As a psychologist,I couldn't help but notice that the author is writing from a genuine place of caring and concern for the welfare of others. A change in behavior requires a compelling reason to approach things differently. "The Germ Freak's Guide to Outwitting Colds and Flu" accomplishes that mission in a wonderful manner.

I love this book. It has great tips and cleaning suggestions even if you're not a germ freak.

I bought this book hoping for some good background information that would allow me to extrapolate my own germ-freak tips - like more information on how, precisely, germs live and spread. I wanted some scientific information, at least a little bit, about how it all works!

I didn't get that, but what I did get was pretty darn good. This book is jam-packed with tips about avoiding germy people, how not to touch nasty things, socially acceptable things to say to avoid doing germy things that people always seem to want to do, and new cleaning and washing tips to help stop the germs.

While I was expecting something more than I got, I am still darn happy with the book and would highly recommend it. It was fun and easy to read and I did get a LOT of new tips out of it. Nobody likes to get sick and this book will help you avoid it.

This is a great book to help prevent you and your family from getting sick. When I brought my premature twins home from the hospital I was told it was very important to keep them from getting sick that first year because they were at such a high risk for contracting RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) which can be fatal. This book helped keep the germs away. Despite the unpleasant subject, it is a fun read. The author is really funny.
Dr. Jenn Berman
www.DoctorJenn.com
Author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids

this book was helpful for me because it offered very hands-on, tangible solutions to managing my depression. fast emphasizes the fact that tasks will not necessarily be the most enjoyable to complete while depressed, but it is the feeling of satisfaction you receive after "just doing it" that is the great reward...after all, you will only feel worse doing the alternative, which is nothing.

great format, highly recommended for those dealing with depression.

I was quite impressed with this little book. I think that some people will relate to the 50 different strategies more so than others. But I can't imagine a depressed person NOT taking something valuable away from at least ONE of the 50 methods.

What I liked even more than the specific strategies was Julie's clear and honest explanation of what it is like to have depression. She does a great job illustrating how the depressed brain operates differently. She includes personal examples from her own life for EVERY strategy.

I did think her personal stories became a bit whiny and annoying by the end of the book, but I understand why she included them. I figure any frustration I have with her is the same frustration I have with my own depression. No-one wants to be whiny and self-absorbed, but when you're depressed, it happens.

This is one of the better books for depression out there. Even if you aren't depressed, it's a great read because it will help you interact with and understand those who are.

Depression doesn't have to completely shut down people's lives - part of overcoming it is not letting it take over the sufferer's life. "Get It Done When You're Depressed: 50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track" is an encouraging and helpful treatise to help sufferers overcome clinical depression to keep them going and get over it so they can continue leading healthy, productive lives in spite of it. Inspiring readers to continue creativity, overcome their own mind, and allow for time to pass to get what they want, and dozens upon dozens of other tips to getting through day to day life under depression, "Get It Done When You're Depressed: 50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track" is highly recommended to self-help community library collections, for those who have been in the unending funk with the intimidating news that life still needs to be lived.

*****
This book is incredibly helpful because it helps you to learn practical methods for coping with depression. The subtitle is "50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track", and each strategy is thoroughly explored. First it is explained, then there is a short exercise you can do to apply the strategy to your life. Next the strategy is illustrated in a story from someone's personal life. Lastly, the author shares a story about applying that strategy in her own life.

For example, one strategy I found very helpful is "Accept the Limitations Caused By Depression". I expect way, way too much of myself every day and then feel bad when I can't accomplish what I want to. This strategy (and the book in general) helped me to see that I will feel better and get more done in the long run if I don't beat myself up about what I can't do, and if I work the other strategies diligently to do what I can.

It really helped that the author is successful and accomplished despite her depression, and the stories show how many, many people work with their illness to make valuable contributions with their lives instead of just giving in to depression and using it as an excuse for failure. It truly made me feel like I wasn't alone---that many others feel this way, and that they organize their lives so that they can still succeed.

I have to say that it's the most practical book I've ever read for actually coping with depression.

Highly recommended.
*****

As we would expect from Julie Fast, this book is very simply written and points are aptly illustrated and accompanied with charts and checklists. "50 Strategies for Keeping Your Life on Track" is the subtitle and is what she teaches in this book -- simple tips and easily understood and applied as you work through your depression. Her main point is that you can still be productive, even though you are feeling depressed.

I love that this cookbook comes in a three-ringed binder and has a picture for every recipe.

I am the queen of counting calories and this book is #1! I have tried several of the recipes (including desserts) and it is phenomenal how good the food tastes. Even when I reach my goal weight, I'll keep making most of the recipes I've tried so far because they are that good! I highly recommend the Sweet Onion Burgers (I use turkey), Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce, Tilapia with Chili Cream Sauce, and the Mocha Cake! Delicious!

I am very happy with this cookbook. The recipes are modern and the book's layout is fantastic! My family loves the new twists on old favorites.

The book is spiral bound, and while it allows the book to lie flat on a countertop, the pages don't turn easily. I think the problem is that the spiral binder is too small for the book. The pages don't have much "breathing room" as you turn them so it makes browsing the book difficult. The binding isn't an issue if you will find the recipe you're looking for and turn to that page. Aside from the binding issue, the production is top quality. The entire book is color on glossy paper, and you'll find alluring photos of every recipe.

I have read dieter cookbooks that seem to be regular cookbooks with traditional recipes that have been modified. I wouldn't put this one into that category. It's organized just like a cookbook, as the chapters are based on the type of food used in the recipes. However, I would classify the recipes as new and innovative ideas. While there are some basic, traditional recipes, it's more common that you'll find new recipes that you've never seen before which pair healthy foods, for example, Cranberry Grilled Chicken, Veal with Orange Sauce, Pineapple Pork Roast, Gazpacho Sandwiches, Blood Orange Sherbet, Green Tea and Tangerine Sorbet, Peach-Coconut Mousse, and Orange-Blueberry Angel Food Cake.

One of the best parts of the book is its introduction, which tells you how to calculate your calorie needs, provides a sample menu plan with variations for different calorie amounts, reviews the components of a healthy diet, and emphasizes the importance of exercise.

In my collection of cookbooks, it won't be my go-to book. But when I am looking for new ideas, it will provide me with tons of them to help me add flair to the foods I prepare most often.

First of all, I love this cookbook!! I own more than 10 diet/light/low-carb cookbooks, and this is the only one that all the recipes I've tried from haven't let me down. I love the layout as well; every recipe has a picture making it easy to choose a dish I'd like to try that day.

That being said, I regret that I bought a spiral-bound edition. I chose this one, because it was cheaper. And of course, it turned out that there's a reason for that; The book is quite thick while spirals are very tight, making it very hard to turn pages completely. So, some pages were torn off the comb as I flip though the pages very often to choose a recipe of a day.

This is a great cookbook. If I were you, I'd pay a few bucks more now and get a better quality version that would last longer. (like a ring bound or a paperback version? I don't know which one would be better since I haven't tried other editions. But at least I can tell you that spiral-bound is not very sturdy.)

Happy cooking! =)

As author of Eldercare for Dummies, I would like to point you to a new film "The Savages" released in December 2007 staring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Laura Linney. "Eldercare for Dummies" is actually reviewed in a scene in which a support group leader talks to her group members about the book endorsing it as "terrific." Great to see my book on the big screen, but more important, this is a film everyone needs to see -- especially children with elderly parents.

From the first page to the last, this guide offers practical, hands-on tips for navigating the maze of eldercare. As our population ages, more and more people find themselves thrust into the role of caregiver for aging relatives--often parents---usually with little or no background to prepare them for this role.

Eldercare for Dummies is easy-to-understand, engaging and witty, not overly technical or bogged down with research. Targeted directly to readers who face caring for an aging loved one, it guides them through assessing the current needs of the senior, choosing and arranging for appropriate care, ensuring safety, and helping to maintain happiness and quality of life.

I am so thankful I found this book! Being the child of older parents, I did not grow up with grandparents. Now my parents are becoming my grandparents. Dr. Zuckerman's book has helped me communicate and understand my parents with a plethora of easy to find information.

I recently met Rachelle at a healthcare meeting and was fasinated after hearing she had written her book. As an owner of a "free" senior placement service, I was anxious to read it and see how else I could advise my clients on such tough matters as eldercare. The book is with me wherever I go. Over the holidays I found myself counseling my own family members on how to talk to their in-laws when they begin to notice the ever changing physical events in their lives. I've only started, so there is so much more to learn. In the meantime, I never open the book without a highlighter in hand. Many thanks Rachelle!

I made my holiday trip to the bookstore last week. I purchased a copy of Eldercare for Dummies, by Rachelle Zukerman, PhD. The book is packed with light humor and also great tips. I especially liked Chapter 2 with the section on how to help when help is refused.It's great.

great book with tons of practical tips on living green. even if you don't have kids, this book is a good resource for simply living a healthier lifestyle while doing your part to protect the environment. would make a GREAT gift for new parents.

Great book for those who are learning how to go green. It has so much information to help you protect your family and Earth. It is an eye opener. We can make better choices now and it's important that we do so. Good luck, go green, be healthy, save Earth, enjoy the book and your life!!!

I feel like I am well read on this topic. I learned alot and many useful, pratical tips. Its also written very well for those new to the topic. I made many notes and made a to-do list. I highly recommend!

While the target audience for this book is people living with or expecting children, anyone who wants to minimize their exposure to environmental toxins or pollutants would find it very useful. I am expecting my first child in the fall and before reading this book, I considered myself fairly knowledgeable about what's in the world around us but I have learned so much!

The approach is not preachy but rather educational, and in fact early on in the book is the statement "No one can do everything. Everyone can do something." So even if small changes are made in one's household, health will be improved.

After an introductory chapter, the book covers limiting exposures to toxins in the following settings: while pregnant, cleaning the home, choosing foods, beauty and hygiene, kid's toys, gardening, air and water, pet care, home renovation, and lastly, putting it all together. Information is presented in each chapter as a series of steps, and readers can make the changes suggested in one or all steps.

Within each chapter are several sidebars written by either celebrities or others knowledgeable on the subject. Personally, I like these stories because they show how people (albeit rich people...) can incorporate the suggestions. Many times, the writers of the stories will discuss making a few major changes, but pointing out that another area hasn't been changed for certain reasons. It made me realize that I don't have to do everything to improve the living conditions in my home.

I highly recommend this book. It's an interesting read and websites are given for those who want even more in-depth information.

I read this book and liked quite a bit, but felt it wasn't really geared towards the every day person. I have a decent income, yet it overwhelmed me on it's push to buy, buy, buy to keep my family safe. It wasn't until I was almost finished that I realized his Hollywood connection, but it had seemed incredulous up to that point how he'd attracted so many celebrities as just a non-profit green guy.

All that namedropping made it harder to see the book as aimed at everyday people (I wanted to see regular people talking about their changes and making it work, not people with millions to work with). Several of the shops mentioned in the resources section for places to buy from "just happened" to be owned by celebrities. A lot of the items mentioned as critical were really advertorial for specific brands and of course very expensive. There were a few homemade recipes & ideas, but just as many pushes for things that are a financial stretch for many people. A lot of cheap greener living items were barely touched on. Cloth diapers were a tiny paragraph and not given much kudos yet that is a huge item that is feasible for any income level. Only 1 of the 4 diaper brands listed in the resources was cloth.

The intention was there, but IMO there are other books by regular people that are more inspiring, more realistic in what you're able to do time-wise and financially and still be as green and safe as you can.

This book has given me some help on things to think about with my aging parents.

Read "The Retirement Nightmare" by Dr. Diane Armstrong. Get the real truth about the fraud and abuse of the elderly and not so elderly. To avoid a professional guardianship, should be of paramount importance. Reports of guardians stealing from their wards' bank accounts and other wise abusing guardianship powers are surfacing with disturbing regularity. 'This problem is going to get bigger and bigger,' says E. Bentley Lipscomb, AARP's Florida state director and a former state secretary of elder affairs. - GUARDIANS DRAWING INCREASED SCRUTINY, AARP Bulletin.

Virginia Morris nails it with this comprehensive volume. She addresses every issue I've faced as a caregiver and more. Her sensitivity and caring shine through every page, and she's packed the book with useful information.

If you're caring for aging parents, start here. "How to Care for Aging Parents" stands head and shoulders above other general caregiving books.

Phyllis Staff, Ph.D.
author, "How to Find Great Senior Housing"
and
"128 Ways to Prevent Alzheimer's and Other Dementias"

Taking care of my 90 yr old Grandmother was so difficult. This book gave me so much insight on area's that I had no understanding of. Also helped point me in the right direction to planning at the end.

This book is exceptional. The author includes all specifics needed to apply the valuable information provided throughout the book...including phone numbers and addresses. Not only did the book help my husband and I prepare to care for our own parents, reading it has helped us prepare for our own aging process. The information will make things as easy as possible for our single child when we become the "Aging Parents". This book is a must have. I bought one for each of my siblings and also copies for good friends who are also caring for elderly parents.