BOOK REVIEWS

by Marilyn Helton

"Anna was striking. At 72, she was radiant and beautiful despite the wrinkles, the dependency on a wheelchair for mobility, and even the recent loss of a grandchild. Her tenderness and comfort with herself radiated to others beyond the cloak of an aging body. She did not dwell on the fact that she was unable to keep up with the rest of the group nor that she needed help with some of her diabetes self-care tasks. Her focus was on living the moment, enjoying the view, and experiencing a new adventure. Her acceptance of herself enabled her to go beyond any external limitations and events imposed on her."

Thus begins the first chapter of "Women & Diabetes," written by Laurinda M. Poirier, RN, MPH, CDE, and Katharine M. Coburn, MPH.

This beautifully painted illustration of health, wholeness and fulfillment reminds us that it is possible to live a rewarding life as a woman with diabetes. The predominant message throughout this encouraging book is that our state of wellness is determined by much more than the absence of illness.

"Women & Diabetes" speaks to women with any chronic disease, and especially to those of us who face the special problems of women with diabetes. Specifically, how diabetes (and the emotions that attend it) can complicate a woman's other natural concerns, like PMS, lactation, pregnancy, child raising, sex, and menopause. I especially liked the section on "Diabetes and Your Body, Mind & Spirit," which exemplifies how to listen to your body, as the tool you use to relate to the world; how your mind works in harmony with your body and spirit to make sense of it all; and how the spirit in which we feed our souls determines what frame of reference we give to our chronic condition. Poirier and Coburn show us in detail how it's possible to become whole, spiritually, emotionally, physically and socially, just by having to live with the daily challenges of diabetes.

"Women & Diabetes" acquaints us, in every chapter with REAL WOMEN who have REAL PROBLEMS. We all find bits and pieces of ourselves in the stories of Anna, Sara, Lucy, Brenda, Dorothy, Loretta, Hannah, and more. We are all different, yet we are all the same by virtue of our condition. By learning to listen to our bodies, feed our souls, deal with fear, create joy and affirm what we believe in, each reader, with or without diabetes, comes away with a special gift for herself. Highly recommended.

"Women & Diabetes," by Laurinda M. Poirier and Katharine M. Coburn, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1997, $14.95 ($13.95 ADA members). Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for Item #4907-01.

"Caring for the Diabetic Soul: Restoring Emotional Balance For Yourself and Your Family," published by the American Diabetes Association, 1997. So many good books on diabetes from an emotional perspective: the thoughts, feelings and fears that must be faced every day by every diabetic, are finally beginning to surface in our bookstores and libraries. "Caring for the Diabetic Soul" is one of them.

Having diabetes presents more challenges than successfully managing your food intake. Stress, depression, parenting, self-blame, self-esteem, anger and just plain coping with an unpredictable, yet permanent condition, makes up the heart of "Caring for the Diabetic Soul." A quick read with many helpful ideas for coping with the psychological challenges of the disease, it includes a significant chapter on "Testing your Attitude" (Who is responsible for your diabetes? Your attitude can make all the difference). Solutions and simple exercises for relaxation are included, as well as what to expect from a diabetic support group, and how to start one of your own.

Each chapter of "Caring for the Diabetic Soul" was written by professionals whose lives have been touched in some way by diabetes—nurses, counselors, professors, doctors, and parents. Their personal experiences will touch you, too. Recommended reading.

"Caring for the Diabetic Soul," American Diabetes Association, 1997, $9.95 ($8.95 ADA members). Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for Item #4815-01.

"The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh Book," by Ruth Glick, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1998. This reviewer is already familiar with other cookbooks Ms. Glick has authored or coauthored, including "100 Percent Pleasure" written with Nancy Baggett (Rodale 1994), and "Skinny Italian Cooking" (Surrey 1996). Not only were the foods delicious, the recipes were healthy! ("100 Percent Pleasure" was also named one of the 12 best cookbooks of 1994 by "USA Today".)

"Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh" features a large chapter filled with flavorful salads, ready to grab when you need an afternoon pick-me-up. You can prepare them ahead and keep them for several days in the refrigerator. Glick set a goal to expand consumption of vegetables and fruits (to five a day) by including them in a wide array of recipes throughout the book, and she has obviously succeeded!

Judicious amounts of reduced-fat and fat-free dairy products, such as Neuchatel (light) cream cheese, fat-free sour cream, and reduced-fat mayonnaise are recommended in many recipes, and her recipes, using tub-style margarine (defined as having no more than 4.5 grams of fat per tablespoon) are delectable. The author does include recipes using sugar, honey or molasses for sweeteners, since diabetes researchers have taken a closer look at sugars and concluded that, when counted as part of a regular meal plan and consumed with other foods, a moderate amount of sugar does not harm blood glucose control in people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

Other special features of the book include recipes for one or two, as well as parties and crowds; snack ideas for hard-to-please kids (this is a very imaginative chapter); nutrient analysis, preparation times and exchanges with every recipe.

"The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble and Nosh Book," by Ruth Glick, published by the American Diabetes Association, 1998, $14.95. Call 1-800-232-6733 and ask for Item #4622-01.