SNEAK PEEK: The Real Skinny

Tired of fad diets and diet books that don’t deliver on their promises? Here, finally, is THE REAL SKINNY on weight loss! According to registered dieticians and founders of the popular TV show and website “Appetite for Health” Julie Upton and Katherine Brooking, the key to successful weight loss is actually quite simple: If you’re like most people, you have a bevy of “Fat Habits” that you repeat day after day that are causing the number on your scale to nudge higher and higher.  Simply exchange these “Fat Habits” with “Slim Solutions” and you’ll be on your way to the svelte physique you’ve always longed for.

In The Real Skinny: Appetite for Health’s 101 Fat Habits & Slim Solutions, the authors polled leading dieticians around the country to show readers how they can exchange the 101 most common Fat Habits with Slim Solutions that will work for them, for example:

• Friends and family can negatively impact your eating habits. This book shows you how to keep a meat-and-potato-loving man happy while slashing your calorie intake at the same time.
• The way in which your kitchen is organized and the size of your dishes can influence your weight. Here, you’ll find steps to downsize serving dishes and reorganize your refrigerator and pantry to promote healthier choices at home.
• It can be difficult to maintain healthy eating habits when you have a busy, on-the-go lifestyle. The authors’ “menu decoder” will help you pick the best plates at the most common chain and ethnic restaurants.

In The Real Skinny, Katherine Brooking and Julie Upton provide real-life, practical steps for you to kick your Fat Habits once and for all.

Read an excerpt HERE.

You can pre-order this book (coming out April 4) at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, IndieBound.

TRANSCENDENCE: New York Times bestseller in Paperback

“Dr. Rosenthal’s Transcendence brilliantly addresses the importance of mental resilience—and much more. It reveals, in a most readable and enticing fashion, the need to access – through a simple, time-tested meditation technique – the silent core of our own Being; and it recounts the unprecedented, scientifically documented, wide-ranging benefits that naturally ensue. “~ Mehmet C. Oz, M.D., excerpted from his foreword to Transcendence

“Dr. Norman Rosenthal’s Transcendence is the best-ever book on Transcendental Meditation: accessible and substantive, engaging and scientific, practical and profound. A very enjoyable read that can change your life, for good.” —David Lynch

“…a uniquely compelling introduction to the art and science of Transcendental Meditation. Dr. Norman Rosenthal’s book will propel TM into the mainstream where it belongs.” ~ Russell Simmons

For many, the term Transcendental Meditation (TM) conjures up images of the Sixties and of the Beatles and their association with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. But TM isn’t just a fad from a bygone era. One need look no further than the scientific research establishing the health benefits of TM to see that this is a tool with life-changing potential.

Norman E. Rosenthal, M.D., a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and the psychiatrist who pioneered the study of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), has experienced the benefits of TM firsthand. In TRANSCENDENCE: Healing and Transformation through Transcendental Meditation (Tarcher/Penguin paperback; Aug. 30), he offers an accessible and eye-opening guide to the science behind TM, exploring its effect on the brain and how it can help combat our nation’s number one killer: stress.

Weaving the latest clinical research together with personal accounts from numerous TM practitioners – including celebrities like Russell Brand, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Martin Scorsese, Moby, Laura Dern and others – Dr. Rosenthal shows how beneficial TM can be for a broad spectrum of people, including:

• Children and adults with ADD, as well as those of us who are combating the ADD of everyday life (“which is becoming more and more ‘normal,’ given the way our lives are flooded with stimuli”).
• The 1 in 7 soldiers returning from Iraq or Afghanistan who suffer from PTSD.
• The 30% of Americans who have hypertension and/or who are at risk for cardiovascular disease (TM not only helps you bounce back faster from a stressful event, pg., 76, it can actually help reverse the progression of cardiovascular disease).
• Those suffering from bipolar disorder or depression.
• People with anxiety-related disorders.
• Parents or schools looking to bring their kids some calm and focus (schools that have experimented with TM found that it leads to a significant drop in the number of fights in school as well as higher attendance, self-esteem and GPA scores).
• Anyone searching to boost their creativity or live a longer, healthier life.

From the incredible body of research, it’s clear that TM can have a tremendous impact on our quality of life, but Dr. Rosenthal never advocates that it be a cure-all. Rather, in this comprehensive and highly readable book, he shows how the practice, like exercise or smart nutrition, should be an essential part of a broad program of healthy living.

Read an excerpt from TRANSCENDENCE! (122)

Or order your copy from:
Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble
IndieBound

Upcoming: TOXIC FREE

While we know that our cleaning supplies, beauty products, and food contain some chemicals, we’re often too busy to research their effects or analyze the fine print on warning labels. We choose convenience over caution, yet often wonder which products really are dangerous? How are they affecting my health? Are there safer, natural alternatives?

Debra Lynn Dadd has been studying these questions for decades.  Labeled the “Queen of Green” by The New York Times, Dadd has dedicated her life to identifying and eliminating the toxins lurking in our homes.  She shares her wealth of knowledge in a new guide: TOXIC FREE: How to Protect Your Health and Home from the Chemicals That Are Making You Sick (Tarcher / Penguin paperback, September).  Dadd’s comprehensive work is a Bible for green living. She identifies all the harmful chemicals found in everyday products – from sweeteners and shampoo to candles and clothing. Compiling dozens of scientific studies, she details the devastating effects of each toxin on our health and our environment.

Yet Dadd’s tone is not one of panic. Like a wise neighbor eager to help, she shares a simple, natural solution for each and every household problem. For life outside the home, she outlines steps we can take to mitigate the health effects of pollution and minimize our contribution to it. Additionally, she dedicates a section to our body’s detoxification system; helping us understand how we process toxins and ways we can strengthen our liver, kidneys, lungs, and more.

Pre-order the book now…
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IndieBound.com

5 Scary Facts About School Food

In her documentary Two Angry Moms, Amy Kalafa uncovered the alarmingly unhealthy  food being served in America’s school cafeterias each day.  Her upcoming book, Lunch Wars: How to Start a School Food Revolution and Win the Battle for Our Children’s Health, empowers parents to make a change. Looking at the facts below – it’s time to get reading and start the war!

• By their own assessment, our government determined that American schools are flunking lunch: A 2007 School Nutrition Dietary Assessment concluded that the vast majority of schools in America exceed USDA guidelines for the quantities of saturated fat, total fat and sodium in school lunches.

• The surplus beef and poultry that the USDA offers as free commodity items to our school systems are held to a lower standard than fast-food chains like McDonald’s.  In the past decade, the USDA paid $145 million for pet-food grade “spent-hen meat” that went into the school meals program.

• The average dollar amount spent per school lunch nationwide is a mere $1, 25 cents of which is spent on milk. Factor in the minimum number of calories that school lunches need to provide our children with that remaining 75 cents, and it’s easy to see why many cafeterias wind up offering cheap, high-calorie foods like Pop Tarts, chocolate milk and pizza.

• Even free water is not a given in many school lunch rooms across the country: As bottled water brings in revenue for schools—not to mention the food management companies that supply them with goods to sell in cafeterias—many schools’ water fountains have fallen into disrepair.

• The kids who DON’T buy lunch at school are healthier—and they perform better academically: A 2008 study found that children who bought lunch at school were at an increased risk for being overweight. The study also found that students with a higher consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fruits and vegetables performed better on a standardized literacy assessment, independent of socioeconomic factors. (Science Daily, Mar. 22, 2008).

Ready to join the school food revolution? Pre-order the book now…
Amazon.com
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Borders.com
IndieBound.com

Upcoming: SECRETS OF DRAGON GATE

Dragon Gate Taoism, a 700-year-old tradition which incorporates Buddhist and Confucian teachings, revolves around the concept of alchemy. Not the turning of straw into gold, but rather the turning of the physical body into a spiritual force. Once the physical essence develops that spirit, it can synchronize with the energy of the universe.

The path to spiritual alchemy has been passed down through 14 generations to Dr. Steven Liu. Along with student and co-author Jonathan Blank, Liu shares his wisdom in SECRETS OF DRAGON GATE: Ancient Taoist Secrets for Health, Wealth, and Happiness. This complete guide provides a wonderful introduction to the philosophy of Dragon Gate. In addition to lessons, the book outlines 72 specific practices to help readers work toward spiritual alchemy – the process of uniting with the forces of nature to gain power. This comprehensive array of Taoist exercises will help readers….

• Achieve overall health. A Taoist approach to breathing, eating, and exercising promotes lasting wellness.
• Improve their sex lives. Dragon Gate students have been utilizing sexual yoga practices for centuries to improve intercourse and strengthen their spiritual connection to their partner.
• Manifest their desires. Taoist techniques can help readers set goals and bring them to fruition.
• Control their energy through breath. Breathing is the most important Taoist practice. By focusing it, students can maximize their potential.
• Recall and direct their dreams. Dream yoga helps us remember our dreams and use them to connect with the divine.
• Reduce stress and improve memory. The Dragon Gate meditation practices will help students manage and maximize their mental capacity.

In revealing the time tested practices of a mysterious and ancient tradition, Secrets of Dragon Gate provides a transformative wellness guide for readers intrigued by Eastern wisdom.

Start reading the book now….
Amazon.com
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IndieBound.com

About the Authors

Dr. Steven Liu was born in Taiwan in 1959 to a family deeply devoted to the principles of Taoism. Grandson of Taoist masters and Chinese medical doctors, Dr. Liu studied Taoist chi gung, healing, and martial arts meditation. In his 20s, he met White Crane, the thirteenth Master of the Dragon Gate school of Taoism – centered on inducing the spontaneous and free flow of chi and the development of numerous Taoist art forms including meditation, martial arts, dream yoga, feng shui and the 5 Taoist Arts. Dr. Liu studied with Master White Crane for many years, passing through a series of rigorous trials to become the 14th generation master of the system.

Jonathan Blank is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, high-tech entrepreneur and martial artist with over 25 years experience studying numerous martial art forms and the eastern philosophy upon which they are based. In 1996 Jonathan met Dr. Liu and has been studying Dragon Gate Taoism from him ever since. He also currently serves as the Western Liaison for the Shaolin Temple in Los Angeles. Among Jonathan’s critically acclaimed films (as writer, producer, director) are Sex, Drugs & Democracy, Anarchy TV, and Collecting America. Jonathan has also written numerous screenplays and articles.

New Release: TEN THOUSAND JOYS & TEN THOUSAND SORROWS

” There is not much we can do about aging or Alzheimer’s, but, as Hoblitzelle reveals here, accepting the condition in which we find ourselves can be a far more positive approach in the long run.”
–His Holiness, The Dalai Lama

“This beautiful book is unlike any other personal account of living with Alzheimer’s disease that I have ever read. After thirty years of practice in this field, it changed the way I think about Alzheimer’s disease.”
–Paul Raia, VP, Clinical Programs, Alzheimer’s Association (Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter)

5.3 million Americans currently suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. This diagnosis transforms not only their lives, but the lives of the 10.9 million unpaid caregivers and family members responsible for them. As our population ages, these numbers will increase, leaving more families devastated and confused.

Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle has endured the struggles of caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, but rather than let the disease consume and define this phase of her life, she chose to take a more proactive approach. She and her husband Harrison (known as Hob) made a pact upon his Alzheimer’s diagnosis to negotiate his illness consciously and lovingly, anchored by their Buddhist practices. In Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows: A Couple’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s , she shares an intimate account of their journey. In detailing the final phase of their marriage, Hoblitzelle explains how the couple’s unique approach provided them with extraordinary peace, comfort, and courage.

The most important lessons from their journey are highlighted in the reflections and suggestions sections that close each chapter. Together, these sections are certain to be a valuable guide for those impacted by any disease. Hoblitzelle’s advice includes the communication strategies that helped her and Hob explain his illness to others, the activities that helped her handle the stress of caregiving, and the meditations the couple used to connect.

An incredibly wise and uplifting journey, Ten Thousand Joys & Ten Thousand Sorrows will inspire families and caregivers dealing with crisis by showing them a positive way forward.

About the author: Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle is a writer, teacher, and therapist. She has devoted her professional life to integrating Buddhist practices with Western medicine. She now lives in Massachusetts and Vermont.

TEN THOUSAND JOYS AND TEN THOUSAND SORROWS
A Couple’s Journey Through Alzheimer’s
By Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle
Tarcher/Penguin paperback, $16.95
On Sale: September 30, 2010
978-1-58542-827-4

Order the Book, HERE:

Amazon.com

Barnes&Noble.com

Borders.com

IndieBound.com

FUN FACT: What Is Your Body Trying to Say?

Reiki is a healing technique that helps direct your body’s energy through the palms of the hands. Expert practitioner Penelope Quest explains Reiki and its techniques in her new book, Reiki for Life. She outlines the underlying issues that may explain pain in various body parts. If you’ve been struggling to diagnose the cause of your pain, see what Quest has to say.

• Left side of the body: Represents our feminine side and our inner journey, as well as creativity, imagination and spiritual and psychic issues.

• Right side of the body: Represents our masculine side and our outer journey, as well as money or job issues, or other practical, physical and material concerns.

• Eyes: Show how we “see” the world. What are you not prepared to see? Are you looking at things from an unhelpful perspective?

• Ears: What is it you are unwilling to hear? Are you avoiding listening to your inner guidance?

• Throat: Communication issues. Have you swallowed your anger and hurt? Are you expressing your feelings? Are you telling the truth?

• Shoulders: Are you carrying too many burdens? Do you always put yourself last in your list of priorities? Is you life too stressful?

• Arms: Who or what are you holding on to? Are you afraid to let go? Who or what would you like to embrace?

• Hands: Associated with giving (right hand) and receiving (left hand), and the details of life. What issues or situation can you not handle?

• Back: Associated with stored anger and resentment, feeling unsupported, and trying to be perfect, as well as money issues and indefinable fears.

• Chest (heart/lungs): Relationship issues, self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness, suppressed emotions, feeling smothered or controlled by others.

• Legs: Associated with progress through life, fear of change, fear of the future, and family or parental issues. Who/what is holding you back?

• Knees: Linked with stubbornness, inflexibility and indecision. What decision are you afraid to make? Are you being obstinate over something?

• Ankles: Do you need to change direction? Is you life unbalanced?

• Feet: Associated with security and survival, reaching our goals or completing tasks, fear of taking the next step and being “grounded.”