Diet Books

All breast cancer patients should read this while going through treatment. The stories provide hope during a difficult time in a woman's life.

Once again, Barbara Delinsky's updated version of her original UPLIFT book provides survivors and their loved ones with courage, hope and humor about a dreadful disease that strikes one in eight. As a survivor and contributor to her latest effort, I am in awe of the women who shared their experiences with such insight and candor. Thank you, Barbara, for championing this cause. Stay well, my friend.

This book is a "must read" for anyone who has a family history of breast cancer, is currently undergoing treatment for it, is a survivor, or is close to anyone who has breast cancer or has survived it.

Breast cancer, while predominantly a "female disease" does strike men (it also strikes transgendered individuals, especially those on female hormone regimens).

The need for a book with a title like "uplift" becomes apparent when we stop and think about the place of the female breast in modern culture. Mass media and many aspects of our culture fixate on breasts in such a way that many women feel defined by their breasts. Consequently, breast loss can have a profoundly diminishing effect on a woman's self image.

In some locations, the emphasis on breasts has become extreme. I live in Kansas City, which is second only to Hollywood for the number of breast augmentations done per year (both in actual numbers and per capita). In the late 1990s (while in KS), I had a girlfriend who was so striking that my buddies referred to her as "that goddess."

But she didn't see her incredible beauty. She agonized over the fact she was small-breasted (an A cup). Not only was she beautiful, she was intelligent, articulate, and entertaining. If you had a list of the 1,000 most desirable characteristics a woman could have, you could check off one after the other in her case.

Despite her looks, brains, and personality, she was immensely insecure. She even chewed her nails down to the quick. The problem, in my opinion, was she succumbed to false comparisons that left her feeling she was somehow deficient because she wasn't carrying around huge levels of silicone, saline, or adipose tissue on her chest.

One time, she asked, "What do you see in me?" I was so stunned by the question, and so incapable of knowing even where to begin, that I couldn't reply quickly. She took this as confirmation that she wasn't "woman enough" and said so. That's about on par with saying Lance Armstrong isn't "biker enough." Yet, this idea dominated her self-image. She typifies what many women go through, even without breast cancer. Imagine the feelings after losing a breast or two.

How could this woman, with so much going for her, become emotionally impoverished over what is basically a minor cosmetic attribute? Especially when, only a few generations ago, women in America bound their breasts in an effort to hide them? That's a good question. It's one to think about.

In the meantime, think about how devastating it must be for most women to lose a breast or both breasts. That is one of the many issues facing women with breast cancer. Men with breast cancer don't face that particular issue, but they share all of the other breast cancer issues with their female counterparts (including, for most men, the loss of hair).

Of course hearing "You have cancer" is devastating to anyone. While cure rates today for most cancers are high (if the cancer is caught early), we still think of it as "the deadly disease." Most of us want to survive, so we avail ourselves of modern medicine in an attempt--one that is usually successful--to beat the cancer. But the process is grueling, painful, scary, exhausting, and risky. With breast cancer, there are additional emotional pressures--especially for women.

Uplift takes us through every stage of the breast cancer victim's long ordeal, and it even follows up with survivors five years after. The book is essentially a well-organized collection of thoughts of people who made the journey, along with some thoughts contributed by those who traveled with them. Delinsky's commentary helps the reader keep those thoughts in perspective, and she does an excellent job of prefacing the material in each section.

I don't know how much material Delinsky actually sifted through. But the result of her labors is a mix that is variously uplifting, instructional, and insightful. There's nothing sappy or boring in any of it.

For example, how do you feel after reading this excerpt from a woman who talks about hiding her bald head from her husband of thirty five years. She'd let him see her only in a wig or turban (towel wrapped around her head after a shower). The pressure apparently got to her one day, after she let him in the bathroom:

"...but suddenly I decided to just take the stupid towel off my head, and I immediately started to cry. Mike held me, smiled right into my lashless eyes, and said, 'So what?' And I thought the best I'd ever heard was 'I love you.'"

Uplift brings real power to people who are fighting breast cancer, whether on the front lines or in a supporting role. Those who've read Uplift can stride into this ferocious battle, this fight to the death, with greater calm and a deeper well of reserve to draw from. Those who are in supporting roles will not have to clumsily grope their way through, but can instead understand how to be a powerful ally to the person they don't want to lose.

Most books have one or two strong chapters that stand above the rest. I can't say that about Uplift. It's all strong. It's all good. It's all worth reading again.

Unfortunately, I won't have the opportunity to re-read my copy any time soon, because it is going to a breast cancer survivor and then on to make its rounds. Yes, the borrowers will eventually buy a copy for their own bookshelves, but my copy will be gone for quite some time.

It looks like I'll have to pony up for a second or third copy, so I have one on hand. But that's not all bad, either: all of the author's proceeds will be donated to breast cancer research.

This book is organized well. Each topic has its own chapter so women going through one procedure don't have to hear stories about other procedures. (Sometimes, less or more.) The various entries provide advise, support and realism that only real breast cancer patients and survivors can. It was like having my own personal support group between the covers of this book at any time I needed it! A great tool for women going through treatment. It also provides insight to friends and family that want to know how they can help their loved ones. Lots of good practical ideas!

As a breast cancer survivor myself, my observation is biased. The book is actually a handbook for women going thru treatment, and beyond. I only wish this book had been available 15 years ago when I was going thru treatment. But its here now, and I certainly would recommend it for anyone going thru treatment, or as a gift for a friend or family member to give to a loved one going thru this very emotional disease. 5 stars isn't a good enough rating....but it's the best one you have.

Holick's book, and his articles helped me find out why, after staying indoors for ten years, due to depression, MY WHOLE SKELEFeeling Good: The New Mood Therapy Revised and UpdatedTON AND ALL MY MUSCLES ACHED. I went to a MD and found out I had NO vitamin D3 in my body, and over 100 tiny fractures. I'm on D3 therapy (50,000 I.U.s a week). I just purchased a UVB lamp. I feel so good, now. I'll be basking in the sun all year long. Thank you Dr. Holick, and keep fighting the good, and right fight. By the way, the writing is clear, tight, plain, and nicely organized. Dr. Holick, you changed my health and life.

Dr. Holick's work needs to celebrated for revealing an extremely important aspect of the human condition, i.e. we are not exposing ourselves to enough UVB to produce sufficient amounts of Vitamin D. As mentioned previously, this work does not need go into more scientific depth. It is not a work in biochemistry. It is a work which challenges people's thinking and the expectations of a pharmaceutical industry. It is criminal that a professor that has stated his objective scientific opinion would be removed from his position by a biased department chair. Is anyone saying to go out and cook ourselves in UVA all day every day? Are the people defending the pharmaceutical protocol prepared to explain what early versions of sunblock actually did to help INCREASE rates of sun cancer? You can look at this from either perspective, secular or non-secular. We evolved in the sun or this is a system the Lord created. We don't need more talking heads telling us not to do what the DATA supports that we should do. Bravo, Dr. Holick, for your lifetime of work, starting from UW to BU.

Dr. Michael Holick is considered a pioneer in the field of vitamin D.
I consider the recent advances in vitamin D research one of the major breakthroughs in the entire medical field. Vitamin D is ultimately converted to a hormone that affects the entire body. If you think that vitamin D is only for the bones and you only need 400-600 IU a day as your multivitamin bottle and the US government tell you, then you are still living in the 1950s. Vitamin D has receptors in the bones (increases bone density), muscles (enhances muscle strength and power), lymphocytes (without adequate vitamin D they go wild and attack different organs and tissues, causing autoimmune disorders),
blood vessels (relaxes the arterial walls and lowers blood pressure by ~ 2-4 mmHg), heart muscles (prevents thickening of the heart ventricles), myelin (prevents multiple sclerosis), prostate, breasts, colon, pancreas ... (preventing cancers of these organs)...... brain cells (prevents degeneration of brain cells), skin, hair follicles (nourishes the hair and skin) ... etc. When your vitamin D level is inadequate, the body loads your bones with water (instead of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus(, the result is stretching of your periostium (lining of your bones) which results in excruciating pains in the shins, wrists, ribs, and the breast bones. These nagging pains and aches do not go away with anything except with vitamin D.
When your muscles lack vitamin D, you get very weak and very tired. Your quadriceps muscles become so weak that they cannot carry you without supporting yourself with your hands when rising from a sitting position, you have difficulty climbing stairs, difficulty reaching objects over your head. Elderly people will have constant pains and aches, they have to use walkers, and they lose their balance and fall, since their quadriceps cannot give them a sense of balance.
To add insult to injury, vitamin D level is outdated in almost every lab in the USA, most doctors do not check the level, some check the wrong type of vitamin D (there are 2 types). The new knowledge has not even made it into the curriculum of medical schools, and most medical students are not even aware of it. The US government still preaches the old daily requirement of vitamin D.
The daily requirement of vitamin was recently updated to 1000 IU a day, which is still inadequate.
Dr. Holick's book will teach you how to understand vitamin D for your overall health, how much of vitamin D you need, and how a safe exposure to the sun-without overdoing it- will ultimately give you vitamin D to liver healthier (and even longer).
Dr. Holick's recent review suggests that women who are vitamin D deficient have a 253% increased risk for developing colon and rectal cancer, and women who ingested 1500 mg/d calcium and 1100 IU/d vitamin D for 4 yr reduced risk for developing cancer by >60%.
I have been applying the new vitamin D research studies to clinical patient care in my office since 1999.


Shirwan Mirza, MD

Lightweight introduction to UV and vitamin D. No slight intended to Dr Holick who has been and is a key researcher on vitamin D and is presenting important health information to the public. But this book is like a friendly conversation between a well-informed doctor who is giving essential information to a lay audience, but he assumes they don't want much detail. If you have read a few web-pages about vitamin D, you may already know everything here - vitamin D RDA is too low, many people are deficient, deficiency is associated with a number of illnesses, sunlight exposure will give you what you need but don't get sunburned, supplements can also help but are inferior to sunlight because you need to determine appropriate dosage. The book has repeated information, padding (sentences along the lines of 'countless poets and songwriters attest to the enjoyment of sunshine'), while some things that could have been described in depth - like vitamin D toxicity from supplements (or potentially from diet I guess) - get short shrift. If you don't know much about vitamin D and want a high-level introduction, it's fine. If you wanted more detail or science, skip it.

This is an easy to read book that has scientific research that convinced me that we all need vitamin D to prevent many of the health problems that are prevelant today. The author writes that vitamin D is best absorbed from natural sunlight and shows how this balances with the problem of too much sun which causes skin cancer. There is alot of skin cancer information in this book also. I highly recommend this book!

Kudos to Anne Fletcher as she once again does what she does best, weaving weight management best practices with personal testimonies. In Weight Loss Confidential, Fletcher explores the world of the overweight and obese adolescent.

The book not only provides unique insights for parents and medical care providers, but the inspiration for teens BY teens is what sets the book apart from others on the topic, giving a slightly new meaning to "peer pressure."

A wonderful, quick, and captivating read! This book belongs on the bookshelves of teens, families, AND healthcare practitioners! "Weight Loss Confidential" is a great "how to" manual for teens who want to lose weight, and the book also serves as a source of motivation for teens who are ready to change. "Weight Loss Confidential" can also serve as a fantastic tool for medical and nutrition professionals who work with overweight youth. "Weight Loss Confidential" complies a myriad of pertinent data, quotes from teens, nutrition and exercise advice, effective weight loss programs, and up-to-date research. Finally, the book is a timely and much needed resource as pediatric overweight rates continue to climb. "Weight Loss Confidential" is simply fantastic...Buy it today!

-April Rudat, MS Ed, RD, LDN, author of the upcoming book, "OH YES YOU CAN BREASTFEED TWINS"

Loved this book. Very clear and easy to read, we just started incorporating the ideas but I have high hopes for the process. It keeps things realistic which is a nice change.

This writer has done her homework. Weight Loss Confidential is well researched. In a compassionate voice, Anne Fletcher shares the real-life experiences of teens who have successfully lost weight and kept it off. Very inspiring for teens, their families and those of us who work with people struggling with their weight. In this book, we see what is possible. Overweight teens can and do learn to feel better about themselves and take better care of themselves. You'll learn their strategies for success - make a rule not to eat out of a bag or a container, swap sodas and sports drinks for water and other zero-calorie drinks, practice restraint, not deprivation. Lots of strategies for you whether you're a teen, a parent or a health professional.

I bought this book because my granddaughter is becoming overweight and I want to help her and my daughter to work on this problem. I am an RN and yet the information in this book was priceless because despite what I know and understand medically, the information on what works for the teens by teens could not be learned in nursing school. I have completed the book and have sent it on to Arizona from Texas so that my daughter and granddaughter can read it. I also took some of the information on keeping a daily journal and portion control and have lost 5 pounds since purchasing this book. I would recommend this book to all ages. The book also lists many other references for children and obesity problems.

My son is a Cub Scout and when we found this book at our local library, it was a "must have". The Scouts play fun part in the book! --- Great illustrations, fun to read, and super funny...

This book is a different version of "The Boy who Cried Wolf".I think all ages and both genders will enjoy this book. I suggest you read this book if you want a good laugh!

I am in love with this book. It is super funny and a nice twist on the traditional tale. My son (2.5) doesn't get how funny it is yet, but he will.

This is a funny book that is great for parents to read. Young children will most likely not understand the humor, but sometimes it's okay for the parent to get a kick out of a children's book, too. The pictures are very cute. I'm glad I got it.

This twist on the fable, The Boy who Cried Wolf, is great fun to share with kids. The young wolf does not appreciate his mom's cooking. He is tired of sloppy does, three-pig-salad and lamburgers. He really wants some "boy" for dinner but his dad tells him they are hard to find in the woods these days. Over the next two days, little wolf cries "Boy!" in an attempt to get his parents to comb the forest for the non-existent meal and therefore delay dinner. Later, when an entire boy scout troop comes marching through the forest, the little wolf cannot get his parents to look, even as one creeps into their cave and sits on their sofa.

I've been practicing yoga for many years and always relied on classes for inspiration. YOGA FOR WOMEN is the first book I've ever found that has inspired me to practice at home. The explanations are so well written and the visuals are very clear that it's easy to design your practice to fit your specific needs rather than relying on an instructor. A wonderful guide for women of all ages!

I truly love this book. In fact, I ordered copies for gifts to friends. The illustrations and instructions are easy to follow. I really enjoyed the side notes

atfirst i thought there are only less number of asanas.but later i recognized if we practice those asanas expecially women we can enjoy life

As a yoga instructor I'm often asked about which books would be helpful. I just gave this one to a woman friend that expressed an interest in finding out more about yoga.

I especially like the emphasis on accepting your body, what it can and cannot do, and also the section on breast care. The photos in this book are outstanding and the poses are carefully explained. I also appreciate the models...they look like my yoga class!! Different!!

The book arrived quickly and in the expected condition; I could tell it was used but very clean. It's just what I needed to continue my yoga home practice. Thanks you all!

Sue

The book's title might be "Learning How To Do Yoga Without Turning Yourself Into A Pretzel. No doubt, Mastering the Basic is a better choice for the book's title. The trick to doing yoga is knowing the preliminary moves that eases one into the posture without strain or exertion. This book does just that with illustrations and concise easy to follow text printed next to the illustration.

Make no mistake about it, yoga can become "entwining" but this book stops short of that. From the most elementary posture one progresses to more complicated postures in what seems effortless. The result is, "Hey, look what I can do.".

Therefore knowing what to do and how to do it makes all the difference in the world in sticking with your yoga practice and this book does exactly that. If you ever wanted to learn how to do yoga this book would be a big help in getting you started down that path.

I am reviewing the DVD which has two programs: Flexibility Strength and Balance and Deepen & Strengthen.

This dvd is great for beginners. You are lead through a series of warm-ups that are basic to all yoga moves. You learn how to move and hold the body which is essential for a good yoga foundation. There are two sessions. I prefer the Flexibility session to the Deepen and Strengthen.
The 2nd session makes you hold the positions for long periods. The young woman demonstrating the moves is Amazing! This is probably "old school" for many people, but without the foundation, you might as well just be exercising. Not for every day use, but great when I don't feel like twisting my spine into a pretzel.

I feel this book does what it says, covers the basics. It's easy to read and the pictures clearly show each pose. There is more to read than expected, and it is all beginner-friendly & not over-kill at all. A good book that provides exactly what it says it will.

This Hatha Yoga manual is authentic, clear, thorough, precise and well illustrated. For each posture, there is at least one illustrative photo. All the postures are scientifically sequenced. As a Yoga student of the same tradition, I recommend this book to all Yoga students and teachers without reservation.

I love this book, I used it 10 years ago to stop smoking. It guided me through the process of understanding why I smoke, and helped me to understand the role that smoking played in my life, and how smoking served some need (for me, squelching emotion and creating distance from people). It also helped me anticipate what it would feel like to be an adult non-smoker, which was scary because I had never been one! You have to do the internal work before you can quit successfully, to understand where you are, how you got there, and why you want to change. It has to be your own choice for your own reasons. Then, it's easy. Believe me.

This book was a GREAT help to my Mom in her struggle. It detail's a very different kind of approach to quitting smoking. It doesn't throw crap down the reader's throat but rather allow a little leeway, understanding the difficult struggle ahead.

Good strategies for anyone willing to listen to them.

It is not a "STOP SMOKING NOW!" book, neither is it a self-help book, rather an informative, helpful little guide in breaking down each individual smoker's habit, helping them slowly, but surely, gain the willpower necessary to finally quit smoke.

Since she finally quit, It's been several Month's. Her mood has changed a lot, she seem's happier, less nervous and easier to accept difficult challenges.

I quit after 15+ years of smoking. I read this book 2 times before quitting and then stopped 2 years ago and haven't looked back since! I was the most addicted person I know. I mailed my book to one brother who used it to quit. (We both are just amazed by this) He mailed it to my other brother... We shall see!!! I would buy these for any smoker I know. I feel like Ms Rogers gave me a new life! You should see how healthy I look! No more sore throats or headaches.

I was so physically and psychologically addicted that I really believed there was no way I could ever quit smoking. I had tried everything: patches, smoke-cessation groups, cold turkey, etc. Finally, I read this book one summer, made lots of notes, kept the charts that are suggested, made myself a diary of why I HAD to quit and all the other wonderful psychological helps suggested in the book. I got all fired up and ready to go. It then took patches and after that the nicotine gum and about 1 1/2 years of antidepressants and..... I'm free!!! and feeling fantastic! I did this in February of 1996, so next February will be 10 years. I know that I never could have done it without this book. I'm buying it now for a friend. Try it. It will help you to succeed.

This really is a great book. I read it nearly eight years ago and quit smoking after 20 plus years smoking like a fiend. Sadly, after seven years smoke free and losing a parent to lung cancer, a few months ago I began smoking again. I ordered this book and have been working through it, and find it as good as last time I read it. I am having a hard time working through the problems associated with getting up the motivation and willpower to quit - without enough motivation, forget it! - but this is the best book I've found to give great, practical advice and the steps to achieve success. Starting smoking again is the worst thing I could have done. Almost immediately, the cigarettes had their evil, addictive tentacles wrapped around me. A good lesson in never having even ONE!!! I do wish she would update the book again, the last version being over ten years old. I think it's out of print now, but can be found used on amazon. The advice is still great. Good luck!!!

There was far more information in this book than just weights. The author really has put a lot of effort into creating a rounded book filled with relevant information. I'm very happy with this.

I decided to purchase dumbbells instead of renewing my gym membership, so I was looking for fresh ideas for home workouts. This book has a lot of compound exercises that are great at breaking up the monotony of the usual sets. The challenge of learning new techniques brings such a breath of fresh air. I intend to buy her book of stability ball exercises as well since I've found this book so valuable.

I liked this book. Never would believe this fitness pro was ever 40 pounds overweight, she looks perfect. Nice photos of proper form. Moves I never would have considered. A good sturdy bench is also a good addition to utilize this book's moves. Gave that persoanl trainer type instruction on form that I needed.

I LOVE this book! It gives so many different workout options. I have never seen so many good ideas incorporated into one exercise book. It even gives recipe ideas for healthy eating. The illustrations are very helpful and it is very easy to interpret how to do each exercise correctly. I'm just a beginner but this is the right tool for advancing.

This book is really great. There are a ton of exercises broken down by body part that can perform in the privacy of your own home with very minimal equipment. It is clear, concise, informative and very well illustrated. I definitely recommend it.

The informative book contains well over 1000 pages of good reference material. The book discusses the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and prognosis of certain conditions and it contains about two thousand full-color illustrations that let you see disease symptoms up close, understand the anatomy, and view treatments. It also comes wtih a CD-Rom that explores different body systems. I think this is agreat book for the average person to buy, read and have around the house. The more information we get and the more we know about our bodies, diseases and anatomy, the better off we are in general.

The colored pictures are extremely useful. It shows you exactly what each illness is like. This is the best home medical reference available.

This book is worth owning and I am glad I have it. It is not a substitute, obviously, for seeing a doctor nor is it a substitute for solid research on the internet. But for basic problems, the information is good.

After my son was born, the doctors noticed some abnormalities with him. With each passing week, his problems were being reevaluated. I could read in detail the information on each new assumption made by his doctors. I usually use the internet to research such things, but found it more comforting to read these descriptions, review the pictures, and even readup on related topics.

There are also very helpful charts that you can use to try to narrow down the causes of your medical problems. I plan to use this for my 10 year old daughter as well as myself.

I have over the years purchased the FOUR top rated home medical guides in my quest to find the best. By best I mean the one that meets all of my families needs. I tried to be as unbiased as possible in examining all four books, concentrating my efforts by comparing them for organization and content. Sadly all four have their own shortcomings. All provide solid a reference for home/family health. But some are far better than others. I rated all based on a max. of five stars possible. I compared all as to content and completeness of info provided. Actually comparing the info provided for various illnesses and diseases.

NUMBER ONE
I can not say enough about this book by far the best of the best at 4.65 stars. The nearest competitor came in at 3.9 stars. Very good graphics (color) and photos. Lots of extras, including contacts and web sites to further info. Very well organized and lots of info. Is by far the most complete and most comprehensive.

This came in very handy for me when I took Tamalyn's "Starmaker" workshop last summer. She is a very thorough teacher and I'm glad that she points out some movements that are often overlooked by many dancers -- students and teachers alike.

The photograph demonstrations are very helpful when it comes to teaching proper alignment, particularly in the section on floorwork. Her main focus is on executing the movements properly to prevent injury and overall I think that's the key to being a strong, healthy, powerful dancer.

Tamalyn breaks down everything here and it is the best of the best from one of the best. She gives all the information you need to build a great foundation. Recommend this to anyone wanting to learn!

It was an okay book. I guess I was looking for a book about proper form and technique, and this was NOT it.

I've just started lessons and am very happy to be taking the course with Tamalyn Dallal. Her book tells the beginner everything they need or might want to know from the differences in style from country to country to the basic moves so clearly depicted and described. It is in a friendly conversational style that she shares her twenty-five years of experience. It is packed with helpful hints from dress to music which is great for someone just starting out. Tamalyn really earned her spot as one of the country's most respected dancers and it didn't come easy to her. They told her she couldn't do it but she remained determined and now is not only a great dancer but an inspiration to others, having turned out quite a few top bellydancers. You can feel her passion with such quotes as "If I feel like I can't shimmy any longer, I look up at the stars, take a deep breath, and my shimmy gets stronger." There are interesting insights for example when she speaks of softness as being one of the most beautiful qualities of belly dancing But the best thing about this book is its simplicity and clarity. The movements are broken down into easy-to-follow steps with totally unconfusing photo's and descriptions under each stage of the move. She also mentions variaitons and has concise descriptions on bringing it all together. A beginner can easily follow and understand what they are doing. It would also be an excellent guide for teachers. I have Dolphina's book and although the pictures are in color (in this book they're black and white) and they have arrows pointing in different directions the photo's don't meld as well with the text and it's more difficult to do. This is a perfect book for newcomers to the dance. There's a helpful guide on how to build up your skills. Mostly it's a very approachable book to read and refer back to. Tamalyn is not only talented as a dancer she is a talented writer too. She's also a very nice person and a great teacher, which comes through in in her writing.

This book is really really wonderful.

I found the movements broken down clearly, the photos were also very helpful even though they are in black and white. I don't think photos need to be in colour.

As a bellydance instructor, I recommended my students to get this book as it is has all the basic movements and also gives you background and culture of the dance.

As an instructor making lesson plans, this book helped me as it has all the foundation movements as well as the step-by-step break down of each movement.

Very well done.