The Ultimate Weight Solution for Teens

Wow. I got this book in December and in the last month I have lost 15 lbs. This book has helped a lot. I could feel the difference right when I started to read the book. Before I was depressed and hated my body and now I am going strong. I was 295 lbs at 15 and now I am 280 lbs at the age of 16 (my birthday was last week). I tried Dr. Phil's book but it wasn't working and now that Jay came out with this book, I am amzaed and it makes much more sense. I just want to say buy the book, it really does help.

This book is great is you are overweight. It challenges the way the think about food and helps you realize your cues (things that make you overeat). This book also addresses eating disorders like bulimia and anexoria. Althought a chapter is dedicated to eating disorders, I wouldn't recommend people with eating disorders to buy it. It stresses weight loss, but not weight gain. This book also teaches you how to make goals and how to follow through with them. I loved this book! Buy it!

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Although I think that all of the keys are very significant and help you in different ways, my favorite is Key 4: Mastery Over Food and Impulse Eating. This one held the most significance for meas an emotional eater.

This chapter explains the "quick fix"or "immediate payoff" you experience when you eat and eat and eat, or you go on fad diets, or you starve yourself. they give you immediate control and satisfaction about yourselfthey are your reward to yourself. So why stop when what you are doing is making you happy on some level. It goes on to show you how negative thoughts about what you look like and about who you are inside are instigating your need to "reward" yourself in these negative ways. You have to change those negative images of yourself and begin to see the ultimate negative that could be turned into a positive by turning around your reward system. Food (or lack) is not a healthy reward, but going out with friends, driving around with your windows rolled down and the music blaring, or even allowing yourself an hour of freetime every day to do something fun are all healthy rewards that you can do easily.

I really thought this one was the one that spoke the most to the way I live. This book has keys that will help everyone I think.

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Prior to reading this book, I had read Dr. Phil's adult counterpart. As an 18-year-old reader, however, I often felt that the book wasn't wholly appropriate for me as it referred to having responsibilities such as a career, kids, bills, etc. It also would include phrases like, "I want the body I had when I was in highschool!" This is obviously not relevant to someone that is still a teenaged student. At the time, I wasn't aware that Jay's book existed, but as soon as I saw it, I decided that I had to buy it.

Although this book is definitely more appropriate for a teenager, I think it is certainly written for a younger teen. Upon first starting the book, I was annoyed by the colloquial tone it used to establish a, "Hey, I'm young too!" type deal. He started the book with a line like, "What's up?" and uses words and phrases like "crap," "bs," "stuff," etc. He also frequently interjects anecdotes about his friends, family, and life experiences, and repeatedly talks about his involvement in school as a law student. Although I do think it's admirable that he is trying to establish a connection with his reader, it is a little over-done.

Aside from this being written for a younger person, it seems also to focus on severely depressed people with low self-esteem. For me, as someone who has never been picked on, has never had an issue with low self-esteem, and has no means to relate to the quotes in the book like, "I hate myself!!!," I found most of these parts boring. There is also an entire chapter devoted to those suffering from anorexia and bulimia that I completely skipped over.

You definitely get over it fast though, and this book was somewhat amusing and as easy read (written on probably a sixth grade level). I was able to read it in two days and found it difficult to put down. My above comments were not at all to criticize the author or discourage someone from reading this, but I would advise an older teenager to perhaps look into other options or even consider reading Dr. Phil's book and deal with the irrelevant parts.

The bottom line, though, is that this book is definitely helpful to anyone of any age. I personally liked the suggestions of ways to distract myself when I want to snack (I now will take a shower, go for a walk, or paint my nails). The nutritional plan is well-organized and easy to follow, and I actually like this chapter more than the one in Dr. Phil's book. There are certain "fluff" keys I think are used only to make the book longer, but the ones that help really do get the job done. I wish the best of luck to anyone embarking upon a weight loss journey; this book will definitely give you the push you need!

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A Woman's Decision: Breast Care, Treatment & Reconstruction (Quality Medical Home Health Library)

There are many, many books out there dealing with breast cancer and treatment but this was the only one I could find that really helps a woman decide what course to take if she thinks she wants to have reconstructive surgery. I found it so helpful I recommended it to my doctor.Making a decision to have reconstructive surgery is hard enough, but then you have to decide what type you would like to have, what your choices are depending on your type of cancer and treatment, and, when to have the surgery.Especially helpful are the black and white photos of the results of each type of operation as well as touching and honest real life descriptions of experiences by women who have had these types of surgeries.Having actually gone through a mastectomy with simultaneous "tram flap" reconstuction, I can attest to the accuracy of both the medical information and the emotional descriptions contained in the book.

My plastic surgeon gave me this book to read. It was the best book on breast cancer I've found, and I've built up quite a library lately. It aided me in my treatment decision as well as my reconstruction choice. It also explained my pathology report better than any of my doctors. A great book for any breast cancer patient or her family.

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The diagnosis of Brest Cancer usually comes unexpected and is emotionally overwhelming. Decisions that will have a lifelong impact often need to be made within a short period of time. The authors explain in detail all the different screening options, the various treatment options at all stages of the desease, and, most important, surgical reconstructive procedures performed either in conjuntion with a mastectomy/lumptectomy or at a later time. Diagrams, drawings, and "before and after" pictures help to visualize the results of reconstructive surgery.

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I did not particularly care for this book too broad and not easy to read too general.

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I had a bilateral mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction in May 2002. The decisions I had to make were agonizing. This book was the best I found on the subject, and I read and re-read the case histories that were closest to my own situation. The information proved to be accurate and gave me a realistic expectation of the process and the results. I recommend this book to anyone undergoing breast surgery, with or without reconstruction, as it covers a wide array of decisions that other women have made.

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Girls' Night in: Spa Treatments at Home

Think of pampering and spas and usually one thinks of paying big bucks to leave home and obtain professional treatment: but as GIRLS' NIGHT IN: SPA TREATMENTS AT HOME shows, many of the same results can be achieved right at home on a budget. Use GIRLS' NIGHT IN to host a spa party: seasonal themes, recipes for home products and healthy foods and drinks, and even cocktail recipes make GIRLS' NIGHT IN an appealing alternative.

Diane C. Donovan

California Bookwatch

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Alzheimer's 911: Help, Hope, and Healing for the Caregivers

I have run an Alzheimer's Support Group for Caregivers for over 13 years and I bought this book for my group. I think it is one of the best books I have passed out because it is geared towards helping and advising the caregiver on how to take care of themselves not just their carepartner. That is a VERY important subject for caregivers!!!!!! I highly recommend it for any caregiver!! Jackie Baldwin

When a member of my family was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, I thought I would be prepared. After all, I worked as a professional in the field and had shelves upon shelves of books on the subject. In the end, I was well informed but completely under whelmed. Was there nothing to hope for? No way to ever connect? Would every day be an uphill battle and a downhill journey? Not so, says the author of Alzheimer's 911. This book takes the glass half empty feeling and fills it to the top. Flowing over with wisdom and humor, the author guides the reader step by step to discover the unimaginable, a silver lining in the cloud of this disease. Finally, a book I could use and recommend.

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I just took my 88-year-old mother into my home. She has been diagnosed with dementia. When I was reading Alzheimer's 911, I kept running across behaviors my mother exhibits and getting "Ah-ha" moments. Then Frena Gray-Davidson had concrete suggestions regarding what to do. I especially like the advice on nutrition. And the book is full of so much love. You can tell she has really been in the trenches with elderly folks with dementia. She isn't just professorial or medical or "professional". That's not what you need when you are working with someone who is experiencing the world almost entirely on an emotional level. Medically oriented writers aren't going to tell you to say, "Let's go eat cookies," to your mom when she is upset, but I tried it and it worked. When "the towels are too thick" is a matter of major importance in your life because you mom with dementia hates them and you are running all over town looking for thin ones (thank you dollar stores), you need down to earth advice. Down to earth advice is all you will get in Alzheimer's 911. I would compare it to the book "What to Expect When You are Expecting" which was my pregnancy bible. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you what to do.

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I come from working in the world of severe mental illness. When the author of this book pointed out that everyone with dementia does it in his or her own unique way, I knew she was on the right track. In my field a label of "schizophrenia" helped no one make sense of the psychotic process. Learning to walk in the person's world with them did. I can see that knowing the medical facts of Alzheimer's has little to do with understanding a person's soul journey. It seems Gray-Davidson knows a great deal about caring for the hurting heart of a person living more and more away from our ordinary reality, in this case with Alzheimer's. The people who care for others, in my field or hers, need most to know about how to do this. The afflicted person is very, very lonely and it is the caregiver who is willing to learn the ways of patience and understanding and entering into this new world that can really make a difference. Gray-Davidson provides a wonderful guide through the challenges of Alzheimer's caregiving. A wise book.

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Not recommended shallow advice, and most alarmingly treats dementia as a process that "allows elders to do the important work of processing their oldest memories and conflicts".

She barely acknowledges the well-documented fact that dementia results from progressive brain damage the eventual loss of a quarter or even a third or more of brain tissue, a loss which can be easily seen even by laypeople through diagnostic imaging.

Specifically:

1) She treats serious issues casually. She says, for example, that "agitation never killed anyone" and that caregivers should just wait it out if they can't soothe or distract the person. Well, the intense agitation that often accompanies dementia is pure emotional misery for the loved one who experiences it. Emotional pain should be treated as seriously as physical pain. Distraction and soothing often don't help at all. Very small doses of psychiatric meds often help return quality of life to our family members with very low risk of side effects.

2) She plays amateur psychologist. "Most people with dementia about 90%" had terrible childhoods". Huh? Are we to believe that a traumatic childhood event planted some kind of time-release brain damage that suddenly emerges, oh, seventy or eighty years later. This is patently absurd. We would never assert that people with cancer had traumatic childhoods. (and of course, this conveniently ignores early onset dementia's documented genetic links!)

3) She treats delusions as reality. She seems to believe that dementia results in "recovered memories" of abuse and other awful experiences, rather than recognizing them as the delusions (rigidly held false beliefs) that they are. For example, my own mother believes that she has been physically attacked except that I know with certainty that it never, ever happened. Delusions like these are usually very upsetting to people with dementia, but can be easily controlled in most folks with very small doses of medication unless you believe like this author that such memories are real, and therefore allow your loved one to continually become upset about these terrible "events" that they keep "processing."

4) Her "practical advice" is incredibly superficial. She brushes over the incredibly challenging and intense behaviors that many people with dementia exhibit and offers few specific tips. Bathing, clothing, toileting and incontinence, suspicion, paranoia and many more agonizing behaviors all brushed over lightly with the suggestion that these things are easy to deal with except that caregivers are "notably unwilling" to learn new approaches.

That conclusion would come as a shock to the millions of devoted caregivers out there who DO reach out for help, desperately looked for better ideas and specific suggestions, trying everything they can think of to help their loved ones.

I could go on, but I won't.

Instead, try "Learning to Speak Alzheimers" or check the very active and helpful message boards hosted by the Alzheimer's Association.

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Jivamukti Yoga: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul

This book Jivamukti Yoga is very different than most yoga books in that it is about Yoga in a more holistic sense. It has some material on asana sequencing (very interesting I might add), but that is the smallest part of the book. I would also agree with others that the photographs have a lot to be desired in their size and the way they are cropped. Not user friendly at all. It seems as they were willing to sacrifice clarity for the sake of being "artsy".

Jivamukti Yoga is more of an overview of the more spiritual aspects of yoga and puts the asana practice in the context of this more complete picture. It truly treats asana as just one limb of yoga practice.

While I enjoyed it on many levels, I must also say that there are many times where I felt the authors got very preachy and sometimes seemed a bit off base to me.

For example, Gannon and Life's view of "Ahimsa" compared to other authors on the subject. Most writing on this concept of non-harming that I've read also stresses not harming oneself, Gannon and Life don't give very much importance to this aspect of it which has a bit of a "martyr-like" attitude to it.

In Desikachar's book "The Heart Of Yoga" he says (I'm paraphrasing) that "Ahimsa also means acting in kindness toward ourselves". and goes on to say for example that " if one is a vegetarian but are in a situation where one must eat meat in order to survive then one must do what they need to do so they can continue to take care of their family and other responsibilities" and goes on to say that "it would show a lack of consideration and arrogance to become stuck on one's principles".

Gannon and Life often seem to be stuck on their principles which I found to be a bit of a turn off.

Even Buddhist Metta practices start with the idea that one has to love themselves in a healthy way(not in a hedonistic or egotiscal way) before they can truly have space and peace in their hearts for others. Only then can people love in a pure and unconditional way as that love expands outward. How can one give what they don't have?

Anyway, besides occasional somewhat "fanatical" attitudes throughout, I enjoyed this book immensely. I am currently reading it for the second time and can see that I will go back to it and re-read it many many times in spite of my occasional disagreements with the authors.

I have read some complain of a lack of "thoroughness" regarding the "yoga philosphy" in this book, but in fairness to the authors, this book isn't a scholarly book on Yoga philosophy but rather an introduction that will surely open many eyes to Yoga as a broader practice than just the asanas. Most people new to the more philosophical and religious aspects of yoga practice are not going to start with Patanjali but would be better off getting the overview from a book like this.

As mentioned above, for those interested, I would highly recommend Desikachar's "Heart of Yoga", which does have the "Yoga Sutras" translated at the end of the book. It is preceded by an overview of yoga philosophy prior to presenting his translation of the "Yoga Sutras" (as well as some chapters on yoga "asana" practice) to give the reader some background.

Desikachar himself is the son (and student)of the late Sri T.Krishnamacharya. Krishnamacharya himself was also the teacher of Pattabhi Jois (the primary Guru and Ashtanga yoga teacher of Gannon and Life and THE most well known proponent of Ashtanga Yoga). Krishnamacharya also taught BKS Iyengar. That should be enough of an endorsement to convince anyone of Desikachar's "Yoga lineage" and credibility which would in my eyes put him in a different class than Gannon and Life. Sometimes it seems that some Westerners tend to "romanticize" their experiences in India whereas someone like Desikachar is not apt to do that since he is a native of that land.

Still, regarding "Jivamukti Yoga", I still think it deserves a five star rating and Highly recommend it for those interested in this very interesting approach to yoga.

Namaste

This has been a very interesting read for me. I attempted to read the book without thinking about things that I have heard about the authors. Sharon and David are much discussed in yoga circles they are considered fairly radical and I have heard many good and bad things about them. I also tried not to let the views of the authors that I don't entirely agree with influence my view of the book. In the end, I was quite please with this book.

First of all, I think the overview of yoga philosophy, is good. This is the main focus of this book. As an introductory book on the philosophy aspect of yoga, it does not go into great depth. The authors believe that this aspect has not been being spread as much as the physical practice of yoga. However, be forewarned, the authors practice veganism as a part of their ahimsa (non-harming) practice and they are strong advocates for animal rights. This stance is presented throughout the book. While I don't entirely agree with them on this, if you read the entire book, they do explain where they are coming from on this issue.

As far as hatha yoga / asana practice / the physical postures of yoga, there is some of that in this book. The authors assume you have studied asana previously. They point out there are many books and teachers availible regarding hatha yoga, and they don't feel compelled to repeat this. What they do is dedecate a few chapters to demonstrate their style of vinyasa krama (linking the postures together with breath in a dance/tai chi like flow series). They give 5 sample 'lessons', three for beginners and two for intermediate/advanced. They also give numerous flow sequences you can put together yourself in various ways or incorporate as a segment into your own practice. As others have stated the pictures of the authors doing these sequences are not extremely clear, but I think this is because they are already assuming you know how to do the poses. They do state you should have studied yoga before attempting to do these sequences. I have incorporated some of these lessons into my home practice and have found their sequencing extremely enjoyable.

Basic meditation and pranayama (breathing) techniques are also given. They do suggest exhale retention, a practice many do not advise until experience in pranayama is gained; however, they don't go into discussion about the various theories behind this.

There is much discussion of spiritualism throughout the book and devotion to the divine in whatever form you see it. in the authors' opinion, this is the goal of yoga/life. There are also discussions of the arts in worship. Building a spiritual community is another major focus in the book.

There is a considerable bit of name dropping in this book. This may be American name dropping but I want to offer another explanation. In many yoga traditions you are supposed to recognize anyone and everyone who has contributed to your growth. It is a sign of humility: I would not be here without all these people (all things that have come before me have made me and I will be a part of all that comes after me), I have done none of this own my own.

I have never met David and Sharon, but I have heard a lot about them second hand. I don't know what of that is true or false. All I can say that this book is a good, well-rounded presentation of yoga that does include the authors viewpoints and personality in its pages (whether this is good or bad depends on how you feel about this as a reader).

I give this book four and a half stars.

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"Jivamukti Yoga: Practices for Liberating Body and Soul" is a wonderful book that reflects the path of Yogis David Life and Sharon Gannon. Although the couples views on Ahimsa (non-harming) are controversial (and to many readers somewhat extreme), they most certainly make one think.

I have had the pleasure of practicing Jivamukti Yoga (not with Sharon and David, but with their students) and find it to be an energetic and well integrated style of Yoga. Like all yoga, Jivamukti's asanas and philosphy will not be for everyone. Yoga is a personal path and each of us that embark upon that path must invariably find their own way.

What I enjoyed most about the book was that it is a detailed description of two people that clearly have found their path. Many find their path extreme, but that is for the reader and individual Yogi to decide. Ultimately you will recieve from the book what you need and put aside that which does not serve you.

I definitely recommend that yogis read this book in order to clarify their own path.

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This book is unique among Yoga books as some topics come out in more detail with more of the Author's personal experience. Such as Karma (action), Ahimsa (Non-violence), Prana (life force), Vinyasa Krama (the act of sequencing), etc. The coverage is more extensive than most of the typical yoga books. A whole chapter is devoted to each of these topics and more. The authors state that the book itself is not really about the postures but what (all) is essential in liberating the soul (Jiva mukti life/soul liberation).

A very unique chapter is about the Guru. This chapter eloquently highlights the characteristics you should look for in a Guru. The authors point out the fact that your intuition apart from the intellect itself must play a role. Another point you don't read often is the fact that a Guru must have attained enlightenment. While very few teachers in the modern age have attained enlightenment, Sharon and David point out the need for the Guru to be in close touch with the scriptures as a substitute.

Being strong proponents of non-violence and animal rights you can expect a good deal of coverage on ahimsa. Very few Yoga teachers prescribe a vegetarian diet; Sharon and David prescribe it as an must for a true Yogi.

The book is complete with a superb collection of photographs and many charts of asanas for different focus backbending, forward bending, twists and such. A quite comprehensive reference list and a comprehensive translation of sanskrit terms ends the well written and eloquent presentation.

The cover photos while beautiful is needlessly catchy! In all, an eloquent discourse on many aspects of Yoga. It would be a complete book if the authors had an as in-depth commentary on the other yamas and niyamas, the rules and observations as some of those in the book.

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I did not like this book. There is too many rules to follow, too much religion like. For me yoga is about one's own wisdom, following one's own intuition because living someone else's life and following someone else's path will not bring happiness to anybody. No matter how good it seems. But according this book you must follow the rules to be a good person and to ever find any happiness. When you read it it makes you feel bad about yourself. Because up to their standart no one is good enough. Only if you devote yourself to their principles you can start to think about yourself as being a better person. And I don't believe that.

This book is very limiting to the beauty and the spirit we all carry within. That something that makes us so special and different from each other. They mean well but the truth is somewhere else. Try to find your own path and your own truth. This book will not help you with it. It will only make you feel bad about who you are today.

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Suzanne Somers' Fast & Easy: Lose Weight the Somersize Way with Quick, Delicious Meals for the Entir

I am very impressed by this book. As usual, the plan is laid out very well. It's made easy to understand, and the most up-to-date medical information supporting Suzanne's plan is included.

But best of all, the recipes are MUCH better than her last books. In her last books, the recipes were more gourmet and "haute cuisine". They were good, for the most part, but my husband really didn't want to eat chicken stuffed with goat cheese no matter how elegant the presentation and my budget didn't allow for the expensive ingredients in most of her previous books.

These are recipes that families can enjoy, and she's tried to make most of them fast & easy to prepare. I am soooo happy!

She's included fabulously "somersized" recipes for a shake & bake type mix, ketchup, barbecue sauce, tartar sauce, chicken nuggets, "fries" made from zucchini and "tater" tots made from cauliflower. She's got chili, ribs and even a recipe for "Green Eggs & Ham." She's got boston cream pie, "pink kiddie" ice cream and chocolate cupcakes. (my toddler is in heaven already!) There's even cinnamon bread with an orange icing so I can make cinnamon buns!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Suzanne! This really is food families can eat!

How would you like to drink red wine, eat rich chocolate, suck down creme brulee and still wear size S or M?

Wouldn't you love to have a thick porkchop smothered in mushrooms with creamy sauce? Or how about fried chicken wings with bleu cheese dip?

But no you can't eat any of this because you are (pick one or two or more) counting calories, counting points, drinking weight loss shakes or whatever.

Well guess what? You can eat rich fatty foods. (Fat is your best friend on this diet!) You can drink wine. You can eat chocolate, cheese, and other foods you may have given up in order to lose weight. You really CAN have your steak and eat it too!

The secret is Somersizing. Somersizing is a method of eating foods in certain combinations so your insulin levels stay on an even keel and fat is not stored. When you eat this way, you can enjoy creamy sauces, steak, and cheese and not gain weight.

"Suzanne Somers Fast & Easy" is a book by Suzanne Somers that explains this weight loss method and how it works. This book like her previous books explains in detail how to "Somersize". And like her previous books it continues to refine and develop the program. I feel that many of Suzanne's original ideas were based on the work of French weight loss guru, "Montignac". There are so many similarities in his diet and hers. But many diets are based on others and Suzanne has greatly developed the plan.

In this book Suzanne recaps the weight loss method and then gives information on how to make the program work faster and easier! To make the weight loss faster, Suzanne suggests eating fewer meals with carbohydrates. To make meal planning simpler, Suzanne includes a number of family friendly foods that are quick to prepare that everyone will enjoy. There are over 100 new Somersized recipes in the book.

"Suzanne Somers' Fast & Easy" also includes information on supplements to take to enhance health and weight loss. The book has an extended question and answer section.

Her books are carefully written with a lot of detail. The photographs are lavish. She makes the "diet" a sensuous pleasure.

"Fast and Easy" begins with an introduction by Michael Galitzer MD praising Suzanne's work. He discusses why he thinks her plan is safe and effective.

Next the book gets into Somersizing information. With Somersizing you don't have to worry about counting points or calories, you just combine correctly. Suzanne explains all the combinations. Exactly what you need to do to lose weight. She also tells you how to "cheat" once you have lost your weight.

When I started on the program it was like manna from heaven.

I never dreamed I could nibble on cheese, eat full fat dressings and suck down mousse and lose weight! But I did and so can you, if you follow the Somersize rules.

Most of the weight loss information is a repeat from her other books with some surprising updates. She now says a potato a few times a week is ok for level 2 (the level after weight loss). She also covers in detail, healthy habits to develop as a family.

The section on health supplements is written by Paul Schulick. Schulick is President of a company that will be making supplements for Suzanne. Some of the ingredients in her supplements like green tea and cola nut contain caffeine (a no no for Somersizing) so I am not sure how they will fit these in with the Somersize program.

The next chapter deals with frequently asked questions. Most of the questions deal with the nitty gritty of Somersizing, if certain foods are allowed, differences between level one and level two etc.

Suzanne has a lot of products she sells at her website and at a home shopping site.

Suzanne's products include salad dressing mixes, a bread maker, jam, creme brulee (my favorite) chocolate truffles, pasta sauces and more! These are all available as a convenience to the avid Somersizer. And Suzanne refers to their availability frequently throughout her book.

Another section in the book is the extensive recipe section. A lot of family favorites here. Mac and Cheese, Fish and Chips, Pinwheels, Chicken Nuggets and Taco Salad. More sophisticated fare is also included. Scallop Kabobs, Chilantro Lime Grilled Tuna and Raspberry Meringue Cake.

She also includes recipes for her Somersize secret sauce, ketchup and tartar sauce. These are items she sells at her website. I have been buying the delicious secret and tartar sauce and now can make them for much less.

The last section of her book includes a summary of the program for quick reference. An index is included so you can easily find information or a recipe.

Though food combining is not the way most of us are used to eating, it appears that it can be very effective for weight loss. Members of the Somersize list I am on have lost hundreds of pounds! And it's obvious that the lowfat diets Americans are following today are not working as obesity rates are higher than ever. Once you get used to the Somersize method, it becomes second nature. Many people, like myself prefer to give up some starches in exchange for the rich, creamy delights we can now enjoy.

The food combining is described in detail in her book, but a summary is below.

1. Eliminate all Funky Foods.

2. Eat Fruits alone.

3. Eat Proteins/Fats with veggies.

4. Eat Carbos with Veggies and no fats.

5. Keep Proteins/Fats seperate from Carbos

6. Wait three hours between meals if switching from a Pro/Fats to a Carbos meal or vice versa.

7. Do not skip meals.

The book is nicely bound, with lovely photographs and clear typesetting. I do think the cover could have been better. On the cover Suzanne is jumping in a black bathing suit. The back of the book includes a full index and a handy reference guide.

The bottom line is if you want to decrease your "bottom line" and you are tired of low fat diets that leave you hungry and deprived, if you want to try a lifestyle plan that offers plenty of support in the form of books, her website and yahoogroups,

if you want to eat rich, healthy foods till you are satisfied and feel fit..then you should check out Somersizing and Suzanne Somers' Fast & Easy!

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on this program...I just sort of follow along...she has been very successful, losing 30+ pounds in a year and lowering all of the "bad fat/cholesterol" levels in her blood while raising the "good colesterol" levels, lowering blood pressure, and generally just feeling a lot better.

I watched her effortlessly lose weight...and finally thought that I'd better start doing something, too! Once I started this program I learned that it isn't truly "effortless" but it is easy enough to follow, and is the first diet program where, if you eat out often, you have a fair chance of finding a good meal that still meets your needs.

We both find it difficult to get the "carbos" meal into the daily routine...so usually have puffed wheat, shredded wheat or grape-nuts for breakfast. (The upper midwest is a poor place to live if you're looking for whole grain breads without sugar added...but there are some cracker/breads that have no added sugar or starch, so work pretty well.)

I love bacon and eggs...so this diet is right on target!

Giving up caffeine and my daily beer was hard...but I don't miss either (well, maybe the caffeine) most of the time, now that I'm "over the hump" and broken the habit.

For people new to the diet plan, remember when buying food in the store to read the ingredients list, not the nutritional panel, when determining what, if any, sugars/starches have been added. Once I got that through my thick skull I found a lot more food that fits into the program.

Since January, 2003, I've lost 24 pounds...I was wearing 36" waist pants (and kept having to pull them up because my belly sagged over the waistband)...now I'm wearing the 32" slacks that I last wore in February of 2000 (and they were TIGHT back then!)

So...nearly 60 pounds gone between us! If you're thinking of this plan, go for it. But I encourage you to commit, wholeheartedly, to following it for at least a month. And don't cheat! Read the labels of all food products...don't "just assume" (as others have pointed out, things such as pickle relish, catsup, barbecue sauces, marinades, etc. nearly always have a lot of sugar in them. And a warning flag should always go up when you see a product is advertised as "fat free" or "low fat" (such as salad dressings, etc.) because they for sure have starch and sugar added!

Good luck

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I purchased this book in 12/02 and followed the "Somerisize" eating plan for the past few months. For those unfamiliar with the plan, Somersizing is a hybrid of controlling carbs and food combining.

THE GOOD: The food is delicious! There are outstanding recipes for onion rings, flourless pancakes and Coq Au Vin (chicken in wine.) The food is diverse and full of flavor.

THE BAD: Cooking these fantastic dishes is not cheap. Eating fresh meat, chicken and seafood really adds up. Also, without a deep fryer, the onion rings aren't as good. The Coq Au Vin will take hours without a pressure cooker. You could make her ketchup from scratch (over an hour of cooking time) or buy two bottles from [the website] for [$$]. There are plugs all over the place for everything from Somersize marinara sauce to Somersize coffee ice cream. Without her pricey products, the cooking is not nearly as Fast and Easy. It is the book's biggest flaw.

THE UGLY: I followed the plan quite strictly for two months. I jogged four times a week. I lost less than 8 pounds. I found for myself, eating tons of eggs, heavy cream, olive oil and beef was too many calories for my body. For many people like myself, the only way to lose weight is to take in less calories than are expended. It's not as chic as Somersizing but it has been a thousand times more effective.

That said, this book has helped lots of people lose weight. I'd never say it's not for everyone. I firmly believe there's no single path to dropping pounds. If you've been thinking about cutting sugar and starch from your diet this may be for you. Just be careful, you could really put a dent in the family food budget making a lot of these treats.

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Suzanne Somers' latest book is the best yet, I think. The recipes are better, faster and easier and the book is full of useful information. Not to mention that this kind of diet does work and is much easier to adhere to. What I didn't like was the fact that this book is used to sell certain items at her website, such as somersweet, which cannot be found anywhere else. However, as revealed in another review, that can be rectified by using other ingredients.

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Endangered Minds: Why Children Don't Think And What We Can Do About It

I would highly recommend this book to both parents and teacher alike. Healy maintains an interesting writing style throughout the text, and actively engages her audience. While I do feel the text is rather long, it doesn't dissolve into random banter. The book stays focused until the end, providing many provoking lines of thought. For instance: Since the introduction of standardized schooling over a hundred years ago, the rate of literacy has radically declined. How did we go from a nation of unschooled but highly literate people, to a nation of overschooled and illiterate people? Such illuminations, beg discussion.

If you are an advocate of letting your children watch "good TV", like PBS, this book will be a hard pill to swallow. I read it years ago, and loved it. I occasionally go back and reread a passage or two.

She discusses brain development in children at great length. She cites some of the studies that indicate that children who view Sesame Street on a regular basis, express shorter attention spans than those who do not view such programming.

I liked much of the in-depth physiological brain developmental information.

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Healy's basic premise in this book is that human minds undergo actual physical changes with external stimuli, with different kinds of learning and stimuli producing different effects. She also attempts to show that while the human mind is pretty plastic, it is not infinitely so in that some physical characteristics of the brain are more or less fixed by the time the child reaches adolescence.

With this premise, she attempts to relate how a juvenile mind constantly exposed to fast-paced but unmeaningful visual stimuli (the average TV show) is not prepared adequately to face the demands of school. Thus the worsening of reading skills of today's schoolkid, the increasing prevalence of ADHD and tuned-out kids, or kids who just don't think.

Her arguments are often backed with scientific research, although a good amount of the evidence is anecdotal where scientific data is lacking, mostly gleaned from neuro-scientists and educators with strong suspicions. Her case on the whole is rather strong and convincing.

The solution in short for parents: good ol' fashioned reading and spending time on meaningful communication with your kids, and turn off that TV! Okay, at least severely limit TV-time, since Healy does name a couple of suitable children's shows (Sesame Street is NOT recommended!).

I would recommend this book for parents and educators.

For parents, if you REALLY care for your kids, and are willing to make sacrifices for them. Otherwise don't read this book.

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What is amazing about this book (and I am referring to the first edition) is that it describes Generation-X. This book was originally published in 1991, which means that it dealt with children who lived in the eighties. In fact when you read what the children were like in those times (I was one of them...in fact I graduated from High School the year the book was published)and then you relate it to what is written about Gen-X you find an incredible parallel. Has indeed the dominance of television in the first MTV culture (Gen-X) created a generation of people who are not able to truly utilize higher-level thinking abilities? When you compare Healy's work with what we see today it seems that Healy was indeed onto something when she originally wrote the book.

But the book continues to be timely in that television, and "busy" parents, have not disappeared. The influence of both continues to occur, but what do you expect from Gen-X parents who grew up with this?

As one who not only ministers to youth, but has also taught in elementary education and has friends who are teachers, I can tell you that this book is still on target. The scary thing to me is that I think the "restless" nature of kids today is much worse than the past. I believe that ADD and ADHD are "problems" that have developed primarily out of a "television" culture and a culture of "hurried" parents. And until parents start to limit their children's television viewing and spending more time interacting with them, playing with them, and allowing them to be children, the problems will not disappear! I am a parent so I know the challenge!

This is a great book! Every educator and parent should read this!

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The difficulty I had with this book is the impression I got that the author did research on a variety of areas relating to brain development and then loosely connected these areas in broader sections. I got lost in some of the data and conclusions, and would sometimes forget what the point of a given section was. She seemed to take too many different directions to prove her point, as opposed to having information that built upon itself.

Having said that, I did find many of Healy's conclusions important, e.g., what is taught in school today is not what is important, but what is easy to measure. She also educated me on the importance of "Whole-language" learning for children, which I don't necessarily agree with and is controversial in my state, Massachusetts. Concerning television, she devotes a whole chapter to condemning Sesame Street. I agree with this assessment, but thought the subject was better exposed in Marie Winn's "The Plug-In Drug" mainly because the latter described the marketing techniques employed by the program.

My favorite chapter was the last, where she explores the future of human brains. Some provocative food for thought is mentioned like: "now, with a flood of data available, the educated mind is not the one that can master facts, but the one able to ask the winnowing question."

The detriment of television on developing children is difficult to prove, I'm learning from reading this book and other similar material. The lack of research on the effects of television is alarming to the author and to me. She has convinced me that television does affect brain development and needs to be better understood. But even the steps to proceed to more understanding are not being taken, which is suspicious.

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ABC's of Activities for Alzheimers

Amira C. Tame has written yet another life saving tool! I am a fan of Ms. Tame's work. I ran into Ms. Tame at a professional convention some time ago and lucky for me she was the key note speaker...I learned so much that day and I that's when I bought her (first) book in order to practice her techniques on my grandfather. My grandfather improved dramatically he actually responded very well to the activities! I am delighted that Ms. Tame wrote another book! And this book is filled with new activites and techniques that continues her passion for improving life! I can't stress how extremely effective her activities are. I tell anyone I know that has a loved one with dementia about Ms. Tame's books infact I bought these books several times as gifts for friends that "didn't know what to do anymore" and they are thankful for the endless activities and techniques that Ms. Tame educates the reader with because THEY WORK!

Bravo! We would love to see even more of her work!

This book is a great resource for tayloring the therapeutic session for a client/patiant with alzheimer's disease. I have already used the techniques suggested in this book during the treatment sessions in order to increase the client's attention to task, improve independence with functional tasks, and increase strength and endurance in the upper and lower extremities. In addition to the tremendous use I obtained from this book, it is a great read.

Zanobia Rababeh,MPT

Physical Therapy Clinical Specialist in Neurological Rehabilitation and Recovery

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Amria Tame's book on ABCs of Activities for Alzheimer's Disease is very well written and will be extremely helpful to the person afflicted with the disease, their loved ones, and care givers. The book is well organized and offers the reader with proven techniques to enhance the quality of the Alzheimer's patient's life. The author includes personal stores of her work with persons with dementia, including one of my Aunt Sophie, who greatly improved her enthusiasm for life under her tutelage. The activities and methodologies provided in the book are easy to understand and apply. The author also includes a selection of poetry throughout the book which aptly enhances her message.

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