Loss Books

This is a well written book about the authors and why they believe in the Mediterrasian way of eating.

Mediterrasian cooking is something I've been searching for for a long time. Like Ric says in his author's bio, I was confused about what to eat. With all the news stories, articles and studies touting what is "good for you" and contradicting every other thing that you once thought was "good for you," I was deeply confused and ended up eating out a lot
-- fast and unhealthy food. I just felt off and knew there was another way. I also didn't want to cook for myself if all the recipes I ever found for "healthy cooking" were predominantly Western meals of baked chicken (boring), etc... and nothing with flare like the Asian food I love. Well, I'm writing this review now because I think this book and the www.mediterrasian.com website deserve all the praise in the world. It might not work for everyone (I don't think any ONE thing is the solution for EVERYONE), but I think for most people, the concepts about eating and the recipes will leave you feeling great, as it's done for me and my family.

I was putting off writing a review until I tried the plan and recipes for a while and it's been about a month now and the results have been great. I'm not a great cook, but the recipes are fun and easy to make and has made me want to become a better cook altogether. Most of the recipes are really delicious and they feel healthy. I especially like the Greek Salad Pitas, Shrimp and Asparagus pasta, Shrimp Fried Rice and Minestrone soup. I never thought I could make Minestrone soup and have it taste sooo good! There have been a few misses, like the Tuna and Brocolli Pasta with Red Sauce. I think I'll have to try that one again, it might've been my fault it didn't turn out great because almost everything I've made from the site and book has been really tasty. I've also definitely lost weight (clothes feel looser) and the best thing is that I FEEL better. Physically, there is a difference in how I feel now eating the Mediterrasian way (feeling full and satisfied most of the day and physically healthy) and the way I felt right before when I was eating out a lot (bloated, unsatisfied and like something was missing).

I really truly want to thank Ric and Trudy for dedicating themselves to spreading the word about eating this way and for creating recipes that taste so good. They really seem like dedicated and good people; you can see this in how detailed their website, book, and blog are. Thank you for trying to help people eat and live better!

I used to visit their website, and all the recipes I tried were just fantastic: healthy, but packed in flavour!. Therefore, I wanted to buy one for my Mom. A few months later, I bought another one for my sister-in-law, and now I just bought one more for my daughter!.

If you are looking for a cookbook that you will want to use all the time, this is the one!.

The book is beautiful from the very cover and is not just a collection of recipes. The first part explains the Mediterrasian philosophy, backed up with medical facts and history, and an actual plan to follow a Mediterrasian way of life for 14 days. (As someone currently living in Italy, I can say living like this for far more than 14 days is anything but a pain!) The second part is a catalog of delicious recipes showcased with beautiful pictures that, by a historical coincidence, happen to be great for your health.

This is not a diet plan. This is some rather helpful information that may lead to healthy lifestyle adjustments. The recipes are delicious. I found one error in the book as far as a page number but that is all. I am a cheese lover, but so far I have adapted more of an Asian approach to eating and I must say that I really don't miss dairy as much as I thought I would.

I hope that Ric And Trudi take it to the next level and provide some nutritional information on the various accompaniments that can be consumed with foods. I'm sure that there is some benefits to the various pickles, relishes, and non-alcoholic beverages I have enjoyed since my youth other than the taste they provide. There has not been much written on the subject but I'm sure a better understanding will add more dimension and enjoyment to eating food.

I am a high school student and I was doing a project / paper on memory. I found this book to be simple, extremly interesting and even humorous in places. I opened the book to just get my paper done but it made me a real believer that I am following his advice to get into " the Memory Program".

The Memory Program is a concise and straightforward source of information regarding both the causes and treatments for memory loss. Dr. Devanand has taken information from his own research and personal clinical experience and has presented it in such a way that it is easily generalized to the public at large. This book inculdes discussions on the vast majority of causes, treatments, and preventive options for memory impairment. Despite the wide range of material covered, the book is organized in such a way that the reader does not get lost and is able to synthesize all the information. In short, this book is an excellent source of information not only for those people currently struggling with memory problems, but also for those interested in the prevention of such problems.

This book succinctly and in everyday language makes complex neuroscientific concepts and cutting-edge developments in memory research easily accessible to the reader. Most importantly, this book makes it possible for the reader to tailor this wealth of information to his/her personal needs in a realistic and easy-to-implement manner. I found this book extremely informative and useful and recommend it as a "must read" for any one who treasures their memory.

This is set apart from other memory books by the caliber of its author, who is both a practicing clinician and an eminent researcher in the field. Professionals, as well as the general public,will benefit from his elegant and succinct reviews of the complexities of neuroscience and also from his sage and practical advice.

Hi, I am a sophomore student at Rutgers and I volunteer at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital. I have the opportunity to interact with Senior citizens who are troubled by their memory loss. There is also their added worry that they would be a burden to their family. This awareness rekindled my interest in memory and ways to improve it. I found the memory program to be very informative. It's author, Dr.Devanand has used his clinical knowledge, skills and experience to put this book in an orderly manner so that it is easy for the general public to get the information they need without getting lost. It spells out the causes, methods of prevention and treatment in a straightforward style. Dr. Devanand also has a holistic approach towards the program where he stresses the value of a healthy life style combining good nutrition and exercise . This is an easy to follow MANUAL - with plans tailored to individual needs, which should be in every house and everyone should "get with the program". Balaji , New Brunswick, NJ

The book New Prescription for Childhood Obesity by Dr. Billy Johnson was very informative. I was able to see the connection between what we eat and our health. It explains a lot about the health of our nation especially our children. I see so many overweight children and adults and that this epidemic makes me realize that we are slowly eating away our health.

This book gives clear and medically proven guidance for dealing with childhood obesity, but I believe that the information is also helpful for improving the health of children and adults of average weight and for adult weight management and health. It is well written, easy to follow, understand and implement. It is a practical guide to good health for children with many benefits for parents as well.

I can't agree with Dr. Johnson more than what the rest of the reviews have mentioned. The product he refers to (MonaVie) is a wonderful product for gaining a high amount of antioxindants and phytonutrients for adults and children. Not only is it good for children to curb obesity, it is also great for adults looking to get their proper daily nutrition. Taking 4 ounces daily is the equivalent to getting up to 13 servings of fruit a day. The USDA recommends getting 7-13 servings a day. Who has the time to eat that many fruits/veggies a day? Not me. It only takes 30 seconds to get your 4 ounces of MonaVie. I can't recommend it enough. For more info on MonaVie you can go to [...]/IFeelGreat.

Genre: Health & Fitness

Title: New Prescription for Childhood Obesity:
Fight Childhood Obesity with Antioxidants & Phytonutrients

Author: Billy C. Johnson M.D., Ph.D

Everyone that is aware of their surroundings must realize that childhood obesity has become an epidemic. However, few are as knowledgeable about the extremely sad, long term effects as this author, Billy C. Johnson M.D., Ph.D.
Written as a parenting guide for the 5-12 year old generation, the intention is teaching that eating less and exercising more does not work on a long term basis. Parents must teach their children the root of the problem so lifelong habits of healthy eating are established. By understanding this approach, the parents themselves adopt a healthier lifestyle, benefiting as well.
The root of the problem is the development of low-grade silent inflammation combined with decreased levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients. The result being chronic, degenerative diseases with Type 2 diabetes at the top of a growing list threatening quality of life. The multitude of traumatic diseases is not only diabetes but loss of energy and muscle, arterial plaque, poor concentration, heart disease and high blood pressure, just a few mentioned as a wake up call. Along with all of this, we are also faced with external sources such as pollution, inadequate sleep and ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Chapter 1, is based on the philosophy that balanced nutrition can be tailored to the individual level of physical activity. Antioxidants are phytonutrients, which are chemical compounds found in non-starchy vegetables, fruits, beans and soy. They must be included in the diet for the body to be able to neutralize high levels of free radicals that cause oxidative stress, attack DNA and other healthy cells. The recommended daily serving of 7-9, falls very short in today's society. A new discovery to combat this deficiency is Mona Vie, which is a highly concentrated juice based from the Acai Berry.
This book has been meticulously written in 14 easy to understand chapters. The author, Billy C. Johnson M.D., Ph.D. leaves no stone unturned as he covers everything with clarity from food groups, to necessity of water and snacks. Planning is very important and he teaches us how to plan/shop, as well as providing a sample plan including many basic recipes.
He graduated from the University of Florida, did his residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Brooklyn and has also practiced in Virginia and Connecticut. After tragically losing his brother to heart attack secondary to diabetes he became interested in Health & Wellness. He is very active on the subject with public speaking, weekly radio program and on the Internet.
It has been an honor to learn from his book and I would highly recommend it.
Reviewer: Cheryl Ellis, Allbooks Reviews.

Quoting from the back cover:

"About one in three American children is either overweight or obese. Childhood obesity is a crisis robbing youth of health and energy, and even causing children to die prematurely. Obesity among children, which is likely to carry over to adulthood, is also linked to a greater risk of high cholesterol, diabetes, early heart disease, and high blood pressure.

"New Prescription for Childhood Obesity provides an innovative approach to fighting childhood obesity. The traditional method for weight loss and fat reduction has been to eat less and exercise more, but this does not work over the long haul. To lose weight and keep it off requires addressing the root cause of the problem: insulin resistance and the low-grade silent inflammation that is triggered by many factors, including foods and environmental causes such as pesticides, industrial pollutants, and toxins.

"Now parents have an opportunity to change their child's eating and physical activity habits even before a weight problem develops. Complete with recipes to get you on the right track, this essential guide provides specific and simple strategies, techniques, and skills that will enable children to eat the right amount of food appropriate for their level of physical activity without dieting."

This is an excellent book, and we could all benefit, not just our children, from Dr. Johnson's theories, information and eating/exercise program. There certainly is a need in this country for information and guidance to help us fight our obesity issue. This is a well written, organized and edited book, and if your child has a weight problem, you might want to read and consider Dr. Johnson's program.

Kaye Trout
Reviewer

This book is wonderfully well written and I gained a lot of understanding from reading it. I was afraid of cancer before reading this book. Now I know cancer does not have to be something we dread or have to go through proceedures that kill more than the cancer to help us overcome it. I am rereading and rereading to gain the understanding on the obesity section of the book . The depression section also helped me to understand what I had gone through all those long years and why those drugs messed me up further. I don't have to go there again. Read all of the books written by F.Batmanghelidj, they are all very well written in laymans terms and encouraging. Blessings to you and yours... love ,Kay

If one desire health that is the book of first choice to getting better..

This interesting clearly written book gives insights into how the human body actually requires considerable amounts water, salt and exercise, when these are adequately supplied the changes that the practitioner can expect. Helpful asides are given in various places including how to calculate your water requirement using your actual weight, and how to use salt as a sleep inducer. A carefully written work which will be useful to both the professional and layman alike. The clear style almost pedestrian pace will allow all readers to gain valuable insights in how to manage their water and salt intakes to facilitate health improvements.
Having changed nothing in my diet except follow this book's guidelines on adequate water consumption for two months my cholesterol level and weight have significantly changed for the better, the diabetes sugar readings have lowered and the acidic perspiration has gone (we live in a humid rather hot area).
I recommend this book to those discerning people who having tried to follow the present day hype and found their health deteriorated as a result. The healthy water intake requirements of our bodies today are often needlessly ignored to our detriment and this book addresses the imbalance that exists in many peoples busy lives. It was so simple to read, understand and implement but the benefits have been excellent, I recommend this book to all who are concerned about their health and want to do something safe and beneficial that will either impact on problems which may already trouble the person, or prevent deleterious conditions developing in the first place.

Let's see. Our body is 75% water (so is the surface area of the earth). Our brain is 80% water. Need we say anymore?

dr. b should get a nobel prize for his breakthrough work on the vital importance of at least 8 glasses of water per day plus sea salt to prevent chronic dehydration of our cells and body - a condition all too prevalent and usually undetected by doctors and victims alike - we don't feel thirsty until the last stages of dehydration - read this book! it could extend your life -

Pam's family "journey" was similar to mine. My children lost their father when they were ages 6 & 4. I was pregnant with my third. I wish Pam's book had been available at that time, for it was so difficult to explain everything to my children. The way this book is split into sections for the benefit of children and adults alike makes it a great tool to have at a time when everything in the world seems so confusing. My children are now 18, 16 & 11, and all three of them thoroughly enjoyed the story. My advice to readers is if you've experienced a loss, purchase this publication for your child and yourself!

Pam Adams has written a book that will help both children and adults in grieving a lost loved one. There are activities for a child to complete alone (recording special memories of good times with their loved one) as well as activities for the adults in the child's life to complete with him. There are sections that explain the grieving process and tell the child what he might expect to feel, all the time reassuring him he is not alone or different in the ways he responds to the loss. There is also assurance that life will get better and the child will be able to cope and function.
I bought my first copy as a gift to a 10 year old child at my school who recently lost her mother; I intend to buy another copy as a donation to my church library.

This book will be very helpful for adults working with children who have suffered a loss, as well as for children themselves. There are sections to record special memories of the child's lost loved one, as well as inspirational stories of others who have lost important people in their lives and have gone on to live positive lives. Although it was written for a boy, it is also useful to girls. I bought mine as a gift to a child at my school who recently lost her mother; I intend to buy another as a gift to my church library.

I think this book could be good for both grieving children and adults. It contains materials to help encourage and inspire, such as stories about others who have dealt with loss, as well as writing exercises to encourage children to let their feelings out.
It is designed to help anyone dealing with any type of loss realize that they are not alone in the feelings that they experience.

I must write to recommend this book. Pam Adams did a great job in writing her son's story and struggles in dealing with his grief over losing his father to suicide without dwelling on the gory details of suicide. It is a book of hope and is very uplifting while giving excellent advice to children for dealing with their feelings of grief. It can be used to deal with grief over many things - it is not specific to suicide. If you work with children, you simply must have this book!

This book is written clearly, and it is organized well. I learned a lot from reading this book.

This book is a life line to those of us who are concerned about developing dementia as we age. I think everyone should read it but especially if you have a loved one with dementia. The book outlines specific things you can do to delay the onset of dementia for years even to the point where you never develop significant symptoms in your life time. I feel like I can do something to stop memory problems and AD is not hopeless. Thanks Docs!!

If you are interested in this book, you are probably over 50 and have a relative or friend who suffered from Alzheimer's disease (AD). You are probably frightened by even the faintest possibility of sharing such a fate. And, you want to inform yourself to do everything you can to prevent AD for yourself and loved ones.

This is a timely book for you to read. It is written by two medical experts. This book goes into greater detail in explaining the specific functions associated with the different lobes of the brain going much beyond the vapid left brain vs right brain concept. They also define all the different types of Dementia related to AD. They explain the four main neuronal causes of AD. They outline underlying medical conditions (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc..) that can ultimately affect the brain and cause AD. They clearly outline the genetic component of AD. If you carry one or more of the Apolipoprotein E4 or Presenilin genes, your risk of getting AD is up to 7.5 times greater than normal. But, the greatest risk of all is advanced age. On the very first page, the authors state that if you are 85, there is a 50% chance you will develop AD. I have read this statistic so often that it must be true. If you know otherwise let me know.

The authors' strategy on how to prevent AD is "prevention through delay." By taking fairly simple diagnostic and preventive measures one can reduce its risk of AD dramatically and can also defer the debilitating symptoms of AD by an average of 6 years per their own clinical observations. Those measures include taking annual memory tests with a neurologist by the time you are 50, taking fairly large doses of Vit. C & E, a small daily dose of Ibuprofen, and ginkgo biloba supplement. This is in addition to exercising 30 minutes a day, and following a diet with plenty of fish, fruits and vegetables.

In their view, the key is to catch any symptoms leading to AD early. For them AD is just like diabetes. It is extremely challenging to treat diabetes once you suffer kidney failure. Similarly, if you wait until you are in a nursing home to treat AD, it will be tough to do much. On the other hand, just like diabetes if one recognizes potential early symptoms AD can be prevented and deferred more successfully.

Armed with this information, this book should give you hope that one can actively take simple steps to reduce their risk of AD and defer the debilitating symptoms of advanced AD. Also, taking such steps will not only reduce your risk of AD but also your risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer (the two leading killers).

I have been waiting for 3 years for this book to come out and it meets and surpasses my expectations. Dr. Shankle treated my mother for Alzheimer's and is treating my father for other neurological problems. Concerned about getting Alzheimer's myself, this book is both reassuring and informative, offering concrete steps we can all take now to reduce our risk of dementia and suggesting memory screening annually for everyone over 50. The essential message of this book is that dementia, like any serious illness, is best treated through prevention and early intervention. The book includes a web site for free memory screening and other easy tests to do at home and includes a chapter on current research. There are valuable ideas on finding a good doctor and web sites to go to for more information.

What an excellent book. I am a RN have atteneded many seminars, read many books on aging and Alzheimers, work in psychiatry and gero psychiatry. However, I learned many things new reading this book. I am taking notes and plan to read it again to make sure I do not miss anything. What would happen to the Alzheimer's epidemic if we all followed the suggestions in this book.

I had a patient with chronic hypertension. I thought he might benefit from the rice diet but I had no information on it. Then at a used book sale, I ran into this book for a quarter. I bought, brought it home and read it. Judy's story and writing was so engaging, I decided to try it. I was overweight and that made it all the more an attractive idea. Within a few days, I was blown away by the diet. The first time I cheated
on the diet, I was repaid with an extremely severe reaction.
I learned more from this book and the advice in it than I ever learned in school. I am not knocking school. If I hadn't gone to school, I might not have heard of the diet. The diet is a discipline unto itself. What Judy provides is the motivational spirit to stick with the program. Her energy pours off every page. I went from weighing 230 down to 165 on the diet. Since that time, I have gained some back as expected. What I know now is that I can keep my weight under control and still eat what I want once in awhile without any concern. I feel I owe a debt to both Walter Kempner and Judy Moscowitz for guiding me toward a truly healthy relationship to food.

The Rice Diet Report came just in time. I was sitting on a lounge chair when it collapsed under my immense weight. Two weeks later I was in Durham on the Rice Diet. I had bought Judy's book months before, but it took that ephipany of falling through that chair to get me to Durham. In Durham, I lose a hundred pounds and found a culture. I also found a career documenting diet culture. Thanks Judy, always thanks.

Jean Renfro Anspaugh

I bought this book new over 15 years ago.The title
intrigued me.I am normally quite fit,work out 3-4 days a
week and eat right.However, back then, I returned
to college part-time,had a stressful job and a
difficult personal relationship.I gained 30 lbs in less than seven years.
This diet was easy to follow,had realistic results,and
gave me back my energy.I didn't lose all 30 lbs just from
the diet,but it helped to kick start me back into my earlier,healthy lifestyle.
Oh,and I got the degree,found a more rewarding
and less stressul job,and left the difficult man.<smile>.
My paperback is quite yellowed,but cherished.I return to it regularly.
I'm currently back on the diet to lose 10 lbs
I gained this summer from traveling and getting
off my normal fitness/meal routine.
I know I'll get back on track!

I PURCHASED THIS BOOK THREE YEARS AGO, AND ALTHOUGH I WASN'T SERIOUSLY OVERWEIGHT I DO HAVE A TERRIBLE TIME EATING RIGHT AT TIMES AND THIS BOOKS GETS MY APPETITE IN CHECK. BY EATING ONLY AT SPECIFIC TIMES OF DAY AND NOT SNACKING IN BETWEEN I CAN GET A HANDLE ON THINGS BEFORE ANY SERIOUS WEIGHT GAIN. THE WAY THE BOOK IS WRITTEN REALLY DRAWS YOU IN AND MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE IT IS THE DIARY OF A FRIEND WHO WANTS TO HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT. GREAT BOOK.

I tried the Rice diet after trying everything else. I tried breathing exercises, aerobics, tae-bo, soup diets, every fad diet listed on the web, the hollywood diet, grapefruit diet, mayo clinic, great american and the list goes on. I never received the results promised. I discovered this book and thought I'd give it a try as well. I bought a 2.50 box of rice, and about $10 worth of canned and fresh fruit for the week. I started at 168 lbs on Wed and was down to 163 by Sat. After that I have just been eating "normal" foods (according to the book) and have maintained for two weeks. With other diets, I gained the weight back within a couple of days of returning to regular foods. I plan to start again today to remove 10-15 more pds. I was tired of the bland rice after four days but I did not have to stop, I could have moved to phase II and continued. However, I wanted to see if I could maintain once lost and YES I CAN!!!!! I know that I can lose this weight on the rice diet and if it starts to come back I now know how to get it off for good. With God's help, I'm determined to go all the way.

Wonderful story of the kind of love we all want and how painful it is to lose after we have experienced it. I really enjoyed this story and "The Sculptor" by the same author. The writing style sort of reminds me of the "Bridges of Madison County" and that is one of my favorite books! Linda B

....any of you older hands remember that song? In the bloom of young adulthood I resented it, yet found myself turning off the radio before I started bawling. why???? because young as I was at the time, it wasn't hard to picture me carrying the daisy to the grave of someone i loved. Well here we go again, except this time I'm old...and ill...and I'm reading Jim Wilsky, a talented writer whose gift for sentIment and its expression holds you spellbound.

I knew fairly early on who the picnic was for. Mrs. Palmer's greeting cinched it...but it didn't matter because I was spellbound by the sweet, sad, sentimental prose of Jim Wilsky.

So I read on and cried and cried. I pictured those two roses lying there when it rained that night..waiting to give the joy one lover intended for another...but waiting in vain. My God, Mr. Wilsky, you've moved me to tears. Your story describes every heart broken by the loss of one so close. You write in the universal language of love and death, so that any of us could so easily substitute our own wives, beloved girlfriends, or the child who was so full of love and life gone off to war. Lest We Forget

You do it so simply, Mr. Wilsky, and so well. Five Stars John W. Cassell

Like the other reviewers, I was swept along knowing where the river would take me. But, what a heartfelt, poignant, and beautifully written word picture of what love should be--and endure. I mostly pull down dozens of fellow Amazon Short Authors to get a technical feel of the different genres--well written or not. However, I showed this one to my wife. She did something she has not done with my own stories. She took a copy to work along with Amazon Short information so people could by a copy of "Roses." Jim, I'm jealous, but happily so. Good work.

With perfect Italian élan, an elderly gentleman packs a picnic for himself and his beloved. There is nothing particularly telling about his actions or the items he solicitously places inside the well-used wicker basket, but still there is a sense that something is not quite right. Author Jim J. Wilsky is careful to describe this loving ritual in calculated detail. As a reader, you like his leading character almost instantly; this is a man who stops to adjust crooked pictures of his loving family, and even though he has put on his sweater a thousand and two times, he still manages to mis-button it. Even still, there is a slight aura of tension that surrounds him. It is almost as subtle as the subtext used to create it.

The reader can't help but be swept along.

The two lovers walk hand in hand through a beautiful park, to their well-worn bench sitting in an umbra of silence and solitude. Two birds frolic on the ground in front of them as they eat, deftly underscoring the poignant, bittersweet ending.

`Roses,' is a story of gentle layers, subtle nuances, tenderness and beauty. Very impressive in less than 2,000 words.

ERO

As I read this story, I couldnt help recall my father. Only recently we lost my mother and though I grieve, it does not seem to compare to the grief my father suffers.

All the remembered little things about a loved one, comes sharply in the focus of the one left behind and were it not for the shared memories, the loss would be a living hell.

Anthony Vacco was a man set a sea without his first mate, his wife, his beloved Maria. Days drift into days and it is only on Wednesdays that the sun comes up for Anthony. The Roses bloom and everything is perfect for a picnic in the park...and then, the pain begins.......
A beautiful and tender story I understood well.

We are a grain milling family. We mill our grains and make all baked goods using freshly milled grains. I was looking for a book that would help me to mill and bake low fat, high fiber type foods for weight loss. I have always believed that Low carb dieting is not realistic, nor is it livable as a lifestyle for us. However, the desire to lose weight automatically makes me think I have to "go without" the living, vitamin filled baked goods I make for my family.
This book is so full of great recipes, especially heart healthy breads and baked goods, which is what my family thrives on! This is all stuff I can eat and still lose weight. This is a great resource as a whole grain "cookbook" or for someone like me, who is looking to trim down a bit and yet still eat freshly milled whole grains.

This is the only cookbook in 30+ years of cooking that I have literally used to death. I am online today buying my second copy of "Set for Life" It's interresting to note that this book has been in print for almost 20 years, but the fitness principles - don't diet! Exercise regularly! Cut fats and sugars! - still apply today! Jane Merrill not only explains the proper nutritional guidelines, she shows with her great recipes that eating right can be a breeze! The whole wheat breads are all delicious and easy. The blender pancakes have been a staple and we love the alternative pancake syrups, sauces and toppings. Taco soup has also become a regular at our house! There are not very many seafood recipes, but in Idaho, we don't see a lot of seafood. Many of the recipes reflect a western background (Ranchero beans, sloppy joes, and many uses for Idaho potatoes!) If you want a taste of down-home cooking, I highly recommend this book.

If you are looking for healthy recipes for everyday items that many people eat often, this is the cookbook for you.
If you want the best homemade bread recipe ever, this book's Set-Point bread recipe is the one for you.
If you are looking for a healthier way to make favorite desserts, this book is for you.
If you are looking for realistic, functional alternatives and substitutes that will help you be healthier, this is the book for you.
In addition to good recipes, this book also contains suggestions for lifestyle changes and a schedule and set of lists to jumpstart those changes.
This is not an Italian cookbook, or a French cookbook. The majority of the recipes truly are for more everyday things, like basic entrees, baked goods, desserts, breakfasts and such.
A very useful addition to the person or family that is wanting to make healthy changes in their eating habits and even lifestyle.

I had Jane Merrill sign this book for me when I bought it in 1990 and it's one I use often. Great nutrition advice as well as wonderful recipes. I have found her whole wheat bread recipes and tips especially helpful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle!

This is not a book about dieting. It is a book about living. It is a realistic, timeless approach to exercise and eating. Fads come and go, set-for-life will stand the test of time. The recipes, though whole grained based, are very mainstream and easy to make. Unless I want to grind my own wheat (which is actually a lot of fun), I can purchase most the ingrediants at a normal grocery store. I have also learned to quickly recognize recipes from other sources that adhere to the set-point lifestyle, or that can easily be adjusted. The chapter on breads, rolls and muffins has literally changed my life. I did not grow up with fresh home-made bread. My kids will. The authors teach you step-by-step how to make large batches so that you can freeze some of the dough. The frozen dough is so easy to pull out of the freezer and bake. I believe if people only realized how delicious bread could be, and how enjoyable it is to make, all those wimpy grocery store bread companies would be out of business. By adhering to the guidlines set forth in this book, I have sacrificed nothing and gained much. Thank you Jane Merrill and Karen Sunderland for sharing your wisdom and recipes in this book.

Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill has assembled a collection of thoughts, quotations, and short exercises about grieving, inspired by work with the Connecticut Hospice, Inc. Each page contains a single thought or quotation, or a chance to express the reader's own thoughts or feelings about a particular topic. The book is divided into sections like Memories, Treasured Possessions, Happiness...Sadness, but it's sometimes unclear how the pages in each section relate to the section topic.

What struck me most about the book was that it would offer someone mired in the chaos of grief short bursts of thought, not requiring sustained reading or focused attention. For someone looking for a narrative thread, or a unifying philosophy, this book is not the place to look. I couldn't help but contrast it with Joan Didion's Year of Magical Thinking, a treatise on Didion's own process of grief, of working through the stages of feeling, thought, and emotion.

O'Neill's book, in contrast to Didion's treatise-like work, gives us bursts of thought, short quotations, and the chance to jot down a few of our own thoughts. About the quotations: I am often disconcerted by quotations in a book like this, where people are quoted out of context, and the reader is given nothing to put the quotation in context. Sometimes the quote is from someone familiar, like Carl Jung or Sinclair Lewis. We may not all be familiar with Jung's or Lewis' work, but we have something of a framework in which to place them. We can find their writings, read their novels. But, who is John Gray, and how does he relate to the experience of grief?

The writings of the author seem to be designed to provoke movement in grief, to give the grieving person a different perspective, a way to begin to think about how life has changed, and will change more.

Armchair Interviews says: For someone who needs some inspiration, a sense that they are not alone in this experience, and a way to find brief, accessible musings on grief, this book could be very helpful.

This book is a wonderful tool for those of us who are "challenged" when it comes to providing emotional support to others at a time of loss and desire to do more than give/send garden variety bereavement cards. Because the book is spiritually uplifting rather than oriented towards religious beliefs and teachings, it is appropriate for giving to everyone from business associates to close friends and loved ones. A nice touch is a page near the beginning of the book where the sender can dedicate the book to an individual's memory.

I wish I had a copy of "Sheltering Thoughts" to read after my dad died. His sudden passing was confusing and numbing to me and all of my family.

I now keep this collection of inspirational thoughts close at hand. Its passages continue to give me a great deal of comfort whenever I'm missing Dad.

This book is my first recommendation to anyone experiencing the deep feelings of grief and loss.

Genre: Grief/Inspiration
Title: Sheltering Thoughts
AUTHOR: Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill
For life and death are one,
Even as the river and the sea are one.
Kahil Gibran

Losing a loved one is part of life but a most difficult and emotional time for all of us.
Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill has experienced grief both personally and professionally. As a psychotherapist and consultant, she joined the caring group of professionals that founded the first freestanding hospice in the United States. This book is the result of years of professional experiences with those that have passed on and those that were left behind.

Sheltering Thoughts is the ideal little book for someone who has recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Although a sympathy card is appreciated, this book will help them deal with their grief in a positive way. Each page is filled with inspiration, encouragement and support. The rhythmic poetry and lyricism make this book an enjoyable read in a difficult time. Famous quotes add interest and retrospect to the message.

Filled with heartfelt emotion and a depth of understanding that only one who has worked with the grief stricken could have, Sheltering Thoughts is well written and well presented in 147 pages. The book is small enough to keep in a purse or pocket enabling it to become a comforting traveling companion. A portion of the proceeds will benefit hospice work.

Recommended by Reviewer: Shirley Roe, Allbooks Reviews.


Title: Sheltering Thoughts
Author: Sharon Gilchrest O'Neill
Publisher: Tate Pub.
ISBN: 1-9332904-3-9
Pages: 147
Price: $10.95 Feb. 2006

Like most `Baby Boomers', I find myself at more funerals than weddings lately, so (following the suggestion of an earlier reviewer) I have started keeping a couple of copies of Sheltering Thoughts on hand and at the ready. I never know what to say at funerals (what can you say?), so I simply give this gift book filled with words of comfort, support and peace. The author's hospice and family therapist experiences and sensitivities are evident in her tasteful assembly of sayings, poems, and lyrics and in her own personal comments as well. When I read it myself, I found it to be a very moving read that stimulated a surprisingly peaceful contemplation of my own mortality.

One of the things I like most about this book is the feedback I get from the recipients. Different people are comforted by, and hence remember, different passages but the book seems to be appropriate for anyone regardless of their religious beliefs (or non-beliefs), and in that delicate regard this book is a safe and universal gift.

The appreciation from recipients (three so far) has been heart-felt and they said that they too will give it as a gift when the situation arises. It appears that Sheltering Thoughts fills a void not addressed by the traditional bereavement approaches. It is more distinctive, intimate and lasting than a card or flowers, and it is easy to mail when I cannot attend personally. It was written just in time for my generation.