BOOK REVIEWS

by Marilyn Helton

Greetings and welcome to the debut of the VOICE Book Reviews, bringing you news of the latest publications on diabetic care, cooking, and coping strategies. In this issue we're reviewing two new releases from Chronimed Publishing: "When Diabetes Complicates Your Life (Revised Edition)," and "Daily Bread: A Daybook of Recipes and Reflections for Healthy Eating."

"When Diabetes Complicates Your Life (Revised Edition)," by Joseph Juliano, MD, is a book which has been brought back, due to increasing demand, since it went out of print less than two years ago. The Revised Edition is now available, with new chapters on vitamins, herbs, supplements and the latest research, including the new findings from the 1993 Diabetes Control and Complications Trial.

Dr. Juliano, a type 1 diabetic, blind since 1984 due to the complications of diabetes, speaks to the reader, with compassion and sincerity, of his own experiences with the disease. Through his personal story, Dr. Juliano sensitively expresses the diabetic's feelings of fear at the initial diagnosis, through the accelerating symptoms of complications, to (in his case) the loss of sight.

Although the major focus of this book is on chapters such as "Nerves and Circulation," "Kidneys," "Eyes," "Measuring Glucose," "Insulin," "Meal Planning," and "Exercise", this writer feels that Dr. Juliano's shining moment is best expressed in his final chapter, "Brain Power and Positive Thinking." It is beautifully written, an example of the courage and dedication this compassionate endocrinologist and research scientist has brought to his lifetime of working to understand the disease. Soft- cover, ISBN: 1-56561-127-6, 114 pages, Chronimed Publishing 1998, $12.95.

If you're looking for a quintessential, all-around diabetic cookbook and daily common sense health & nutrition advisor, "Daily Bread: A Daybook of Recipes and Reflections for Healthy Eating," by M.J. Smith, RD, is the book for you! Ms. Smith's "Daybook" is filled with practical food ideas, menu ideas and quick recipes. There is a page for every day of the year, and each day is packed with check lists and health tips to keep you on a sound nutritional track. Her spiritual thoughts will give you inspiration to help you cope with the daily challenges of diabetes.

"The Daybook" is divided into six bimonthly themes: "Comfort & Renewal" (Jan/Feb); "Nurturing Our Commitment to Healthy Changes" (Mar/Apr); Celebrating our Connections" (May/June); "Taking a Full Breath of God's World" (July/Aug); "Gathering A Harvest" (Sept/Oct); and "Thankful Celebrations" (Nov/Dec). I highly recommend this book as much more than "just a cookbook." Use it as a treat for yourself or a perfect gift for anyone you love. Hardcover, ISBN: 1-56561-113-6; 384 pages, 365 recipes, Chronimed Publishing 1997, $19.95.

To purchase either of these books, ask at your bookstore, or call Chronimed; telephone: 1-800-444-5951.

Marilyn Helton is the editor of "Cinnamon Hearts~The Art of Living A Winning Diabetic Lifestyle," a positive-power newsletter for diabetics and their families. Subscriptions to "Cinnamon Hearts" newsletter are available for $18/Year (USA); $20 (Canada); and sample issues are available for $4 Each (USA); $5 (Canada), by writing to Cinnamon Hearts DLE, PO Box 578340, Modesto, CA 95357-8340.