Rules and Tools!

Who doesn’t love Bob Harper, Biggest Loser’s wonder trainer? If you are ready to make a change, he provides 20 steadfast rules for weight loss. Some of them are common sense suggestions, others are tried and true choices made by contestants on the show. Bob also includes four weeks of meals suggestions and many delicious recipes. One thing is for sure, if you stick to these standards changes for the better will come your way. Check out The Skinny Rules: The Simple, Nonnegotiable Principles for Getting to Thin by Bob Harper. DB

Sugar Nation

Sugar Nation: the hidden truth behind America's deadliest habit and the simple way to beat it by Jeff O'Connell is a shortcut to a better life. Jeff is a journalist that has specialized in health and fitness as a writer and editor. He knew nothing about type 2 diabetes until he found out that his estranged father had lost a leg to the disease. At his physical a week later he discovered that diabetes was possibly also in his future. He began a mission to hold off diabetes as long as possible by doing research, conducting interviews, and using his own body as a guinea pig to better understand blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. This was a great read and anyone following Jeff's suggestions is likely to become healthier as a result.      SAL

An Edible History

97 Orchard, by Jane Ziegelman, is a fascinating book! It is the story of five immigrant families who lived in one New York tenement building. I especially enjoyed reading about the women of different nationalities and how they coped with carrying water up flights of stairs for cooking and bathing, carrying babies up those same flights of stairs, and then shopping for groceries and carrying those up the same stairs. Then, to top off their days, these German, Irish, Italian and Jewish women cooked the food for their families. Some of my ancestors were German so I was interested in the recipes the Germans relied on each day.

Bagel or McMuffin?

As we enter the season of family, friends and food, you might worry about packing on the pounds. Fear not--the authors of the Eat This, Not That! series have just released an updated and expanded edition to help you fight an expanding waistline. You don't have to give up all those delicious restaurant snacks during your shopping breaks...just make wiser choices. (Hint: choose the Egg McMuffin over the Bagel!)