Book Reviews

BOOK REVIEWS

by Marilyn Helton

Once in a while a book reviewer will receive an outstanding, healthful, informational cookbook, with fantastic recipes. I found all of these ingredients in "The Phytopia Cookbook: A World of Plant-Centered Cuisine."

Written by Barbara Gollman, a chef-trained registered dietitian and former medical microbiologist, and Kim Pierce, an award-winning "Dallas Morning News" food journalist who's been studying and writing about cooking for almost 20 years, this dynamic team has combined a powerful combination of research skills, training and practical experience in bringing "The Phytopia Cookbook" to market.

If you've heard of antioxidants, you've heard of phytochemicals, the powerful compounds in plants which are believed to have the potential to slow aging, boost immunity, prevent, slow down or even reverse cancer and strengthen the heart and circulatory system. "The Phytopia Cookbook," filled with recipes of tantalizing tastes, textures, aromas and colors, is a wonderful new resource for those of us interested in eating less meat and more plant-based foods. Each recipe includes a complete analysis, including dietary fiber and calcium counts. Although the Dietary Exchanges are not included, everything else is there to help you decide if the recipe will fit into your eating plan. And, if you're interested in the "science behind recipes," flip to the back of the book for a cook's tour of the chemical compounds found in plants. Fascinating, delicious reading. Highly recommended!

It's been scientifically proven that people who actively manage their diabetes and keep their blood glucose levels under control through proper diet, exercise and medication are far less likely to suffer from complications. "My Doctor Says I Have A Little Diabetes" is a great guide for those of you who have type 2, non-insulin dependent diabetes.

Authors Martha Hope McCool, an RN and certified diabetes educator, and Sandra Woodruff, a registered dietitian and well known cookbook author, guide the recently diagnosed through the basics of diabetes and diabetes care. Written in plain and easy-to-understand language, accompanied by excellent charts and illustrations, I can't think of anything not covered in this book. There are chapters on diabetes medications, choosing the right eating plan, dealing with high and low glucose levels, preventing complications, sickness, travel and more. The new perspective on using a little refined sugar in recipes is also given a fair and objective evaluation.

For those of you who don't know anything about the Glycemic Index (a method of ranking carbohydrate-containing foods according to their potential to raise blood sugar levels), the authors bring a simple-to-understand perspective. This book is very affordable as well as informative; highly recommended for ALL type 2 diabetics. "My Doctor Says I Have A Little Diabetes," by Martha Hope McCool, RN, CDE, and Sandra Woodruff, RD; (c)1999;

Avery Publishing Group; softcover; 138 pages; $9.95. (To order, call toll-free: 1-800-548-5757.)

"Sweet Invisible Body: Reflections on a Life With Diabetes," is a brilliantly written account of a life simultaneously spent healthy and sick, by author Lisa Roney. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before her 12th birthday, Roney takes us on a fascinating journey, each segment told from a different perspective, as she writes her way through day-to-day realities in living with diabetes, from childhood to adulthood.

Roney shares her intimate journey with diabetes, a disease which has directly impacted the choices she's had to make in every aspect of her daily life. She reveals the usually hidden consequences of living with diabetes, and how it can erode self-esteem, induce feelings of vulnerability, influence sexual choices and lead to a heightened awareness of mortality. It's impossible not to recognize oneself in one or more of her descriptive portrayals of living with this insidious disease.

Written biographically, with wisdom, warmth, insight and humor, "Sweet Invisible Body" reads like a novel. You won't be able to put it down until the last page has been turned. "Sweet Invisible Body," published by Henry Holt and Company, Inc.; $23.95; scheduled to be released in August, 1999.