AT THE LIBRARY

December 26, 2008

Healthy Living

The New Year usually brings many resolutions to improve health. The library offers a variety of books on healthy living and here are a few.

BETTY CROCKER’S LOW-FAT, LOW-CHOLESTEROL COOKING TODAY, by Betty Crocker

The term "healthy eating" can make some people think tasteless food, too much time in preparations, or giving up their favorites. Just because everyone should eat a diet low in fat and cholesterol doesn’t mean that taste needs to be sacrificed. This cookbook presents over 100 recipes that the whole family can enjoy.

The first section explains the different sources of fat and cholesterol and how to read the numbers. All of the recipes are accompanied by color photographs and are divided into sections on appetizers, types of meat, main dishes, sides and desserts. Other helpful features include a week’s worth of menus, charts of the calorie, fat and cholesterol content of many foods, and substitution chart.

This book is available at the Main Library.

MAYO CLINIC FITNESS FOR EVERYONE, edited by Diane Dahm, M.D. and Jay Smith, M.D.

Getting and staying fit can provide a variety of health benefits beyond clothes fitting better. It can improve sleep, balance, control high blood pressure, and strengthen bones. This book provides a good starting point and advice for all ages and physical conditions on how to get motivated and start a new fitness lifestyle.

Joining a gym can be an option, but not always necessary. There are many exercises that can be done at home. There is a helpful fitness guide included here with more than 150 illustrated exercises with easy directions. Other sections include staying motivated, nutrition, and exercising with medical conditions.

This book is available at the Main Library and Carnation Mall Branch.

WHAT TO EAT, by Marion Nestle

As grocery stores have increased in size, doing the weekly shopping has gotten a bit more complicated. In this book the author takes readers on a tour of the American supermarket and shows how to eat wisely and well.

The chapters of the book are divided into different parts of the store, such as produce or dairy. Each section touches on issues and provides advice for shopping in those areas. Also included are the marketing practices of big food companies and how to read complex food labels. Information is given on wild and farm-raised foods, organic foods, pesticides and the environment, and frozen vs. fresh.

This book is available at the Main Library.