The first is about the choices in giving birth, while the second enables choosing to enjoy the deliciously craved food of life. Please note that the first program will air this Thursday, March 4th, from 9:30 – 9:50 a.m., and the second author interview is scheduled for next Tuesday, March, 9th at 9:30 – 9:45 a.m.

And now here’s to Your Health and Well-Being:

Your Best Birth: Know All Your Options, Discover the Natural Choices, and Take Back the Birth Experience by Ricki Lake, Abby Epstein

Are you expecting or know someone who is? Then this may be the book for you! Former talk show host Ricki Lake, also executive producer of the documentary “The Business of Being Born” (which is a “must see”), collaborates with Abby Epstein, the film’s director, to provide women with as much information as possible in choosing their personal best birth method.

Your Best Birth is devoted to helping mothers “explore the full spectrum of choices you have in giving birth.” The authors define a “best birth” as “one where you feel empowered because you know all your options and are confident in the decisions you have made about your birth.” In fact they state, “we believe that you can place the health and well-being of your newborn as your highest priority and still have an optimal, empowering experience that is right for you both – whether that is in your bed, in your bathtub, in a hospital room, or on an operating table.”

Written in a conversational tone, Ricki and Abby infuse the facts with a warm and personal feeling — as if you were sitting in a café chatting with them about birth options. Some of the issues covered are: knowing your options, midwives, doulas, epidurals, c-sections, and more.

Recommendation: This is a worthwhile, quick read filled with useful resources. I wish I had this book when I was expecting. It’s terrific!

These authors’ taped interview will air on Thursday, March 4th, at 9:30 – 9:50 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fattening!: Over 150 Ridiculously Easy Recipes for the Super Busy by Devin Alexander

Devin Alexander has more than her share of impressive credits. She’s a professionally trained chef, caterer, and former chef of the hit reality TV show, “The Biggest Loser;” the host of the show, “Healthy Decadence with Devin Alexander” on FIT TV; and the author of “The Most Decadent Diet Ever!,” “Fast Food Fix,” and the New York Times bestsellers, “The Biggest Loser Cookbook” and “The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook.”

And now her latest book, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fattening!, is another winner. Why? Very simply, Devin takes America’s passion for favorite, fattening foods and turns them into them healthy and low-calorie recipes. However what’s different about this book is the emphasis on getting out of your kitchen in a flash. Devin, in essence, tackles the all-too-easy “take-out” behavior by giving busy people what they want at home. Understanding that people have cravings and want to eat foods with flavor, the author creates delicious dishes without added fat and calories. There are over 150 step-by-step, quick, easy, and non-fattening recipes and over 50 color photographs. In addition, 70% of the super quick recipes can be made with all-natural or organic ingredients.

Advice: My daughter loved the PB&J Oatmeal and I loved the fully loaded burrito pocket. So, pick up Devin’s book and get cookin!

This author will be interviewed on Thursday, March 4th, at 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

As always, please remember that all programs are archived and available for listening at your convenience.

To begin the new year, this post features two authors that focus on changing/improving both physical and mental/emotional states with their well-researched yet very practical books. Please note that the first program will air LIVE tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26th, from 9:30 – 9:45 a.m., while the second chosen author interview is scheduled for next Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:45 – 10:00 a.m.

And now here’s to Your Health and Well-Being:

Prime-Time Health: A Scientifically Proven Plan for Feeling Young and Living Longer by William Sears M.D., Martha Sears R.N.

Acclaimed pediatrician Dr. William Sears turns his attention to the “baby boomer” generation and offers a plan to improve their long-term health. Not surprisingly this requires taking control of one’s health, much like he had to do twelve years ago when diagnosed with cancer.

From that experience, Dr. Sears created a comprehensive, science based, head-to-toe program for living a long, fit life – and it worked. Now at the peak of health, Dr. Sears shares his program in PRIME-TIME HEALTH. Described as “engaging and deeply informative,” this book will hopefully motivate readers to make crucial behavior and lifestyle changes by exploring how to keep each body system healthy and delay the typical age-related problems.

Although we all know what we should do as well as not do to stay healthy, Dr. Sears explains the why and how these “should” habits and activities can easily become your lifestyle. What’s the secret? Simply put, make health a hobby!

Recommendation: Understanding is the key to good health and Prime-Time Health delivers solid information.

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, January 26th at 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain: Applying the Exciting New Science of Brain Synchrony for Creativity, Peace and Presence by Patt Lind-Kyle

The author — therapist, trainer, and longtime meditator — writes about the relationship between meditation and the brain. Her book is divided into into two sections, that begins with an in-depth scientific discussion of the anatomy of the brain, its evolution, and how our thought processes work. By using an electroencephalograph, Patt Lind-Kyle has been able to measure and monitor mind states and identify when brain waves are out of balance. And then she presents brain research that shows how meditation can reshape the nature of the mind.

In Part 2 of Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain, readers will find a detailed discussion of how using mind-training techniques can help to bring about change in their mindset and thought patterns. With the use of an accompanying meditation CD, readers are led through several meditation techniques to discover what practical benefits might be applied to them.

Although one doesn’t need to be professionally creative to appreciate the potential of what this book might teach you, the lure is there and based on scientific evidence at that!

Recommendation: Heal Your Mind, Rewire Your Brain is yet another book that explains the how and why…and makes sense.

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, February 2nd at 9:45 – 10:00 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

Please also remember that all programs are archived and available for listening at your convenience.

Interestingly enough the authors of these two books are known for their television “fame” as well, as Lisa explains:

Believe It! Be It! by Ali Vincent.

Are you a fan of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser?” I confess to be and was thrilled to discover that Ali Vincent — the first woman to win the title — had written a book. Believe It, Be It chronicles Ali’s life starting with her rocky childhood, her rebellious teenage years, and on into her thirties where she admits that she was “just kind of letting life happen to me — I didn’t feel worthy of wanting anything more for myself.”

Ali credits her mother for convincing her to try out for the show and how that one decision completely changed her life. It’s true that Ali’s writing is primarily about about life on and off the weight loss ranch, including how she has managed to keep the weight off and find joy in her life. The book is also full of helpful information, including recipes, for readers looking to lose weight. Yet it’s Ali’s change of thinking, her motivation and determination to solve her problem that might be applied to any other situation.

Recommendation: If you need to be inspired, read Believe It, Be It!

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, November 17th at 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

Family Meals: Coming Together to Care for an Aging Parent by Michael Tucker

Likely best known for his role from the 80’s series “L.A. Law”, Michael Tucker — married to fellow cast mate, Jill Eikenberry, — hadbeen enjoying the early years of retirement in a beautiful 350-year-old stone farmhouse in the central Italian province of Umbria. As we all know too well, life is what happens while we are making other plans and there were other plans for Michael and Jill. When Jill’s mother’s second husband passed away and she was at a loss to cope, the couple decided to leave their dream home to help Jill’s mother cope and go on…but not alone.

From that decision comes a beautiful, heartfelt story of a family coming together to help an elderly parent. Not only are Jill and Michael helping Lora, but so are their children, Alison and Max. Family Meals is a heartwarming and engaging memoir that explores the meaning of family. The serious issues that come along with caring for an aging parent are written about with warmth and sensitivity. It’s uplifting to see the love that blooms in times that are challenging. It’s a wonderful book.

My advice: Almost everyone could benefit by reading this book.

This author will be interviewed Tuesday, November 17th at 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on It’s Your Health radio.

However remember that all programs are archived and available for listening at your convenience.

Yet what will Lisa Davis offer in her guest blogger appearances — of at least once a month — on The Divining Wand? Simply put, a sneak peek review of several books scheduled for her upcoming shows. You’ll be able to read about them, note their LIVE airdates and hopefully “tune in” to It’s Your Health radio. However all programs are archived and available for listening at your convenience.

Now, without further ado, here are Lisa’s first two book choices:

What leads to true happiness in life? Many may answer that it depends on the individual yet, according to Todd Kashdan, Ph.D., the answer is curiosity. In his book, Curious?, he presents the message that in order to live a meaningful life — filled with opportunities for personal happiness — being curious is essential.

In fact the author believes that it’s possible to develop a sense of curiosity about anything and everything, including the most mundane. Making his case through story, science and practical exercises, Dr. Kashdan teaches the reader to become “a curious explorer” who is comfortable with taking risks and facing challenges. Rather than fear the discomfort of the unknown, being curious enables individuals to handle the unpredictable with confidence and the happiness of being successful.

My advice: Pick up Dr. Todd Kashdan’s insightful book. After all you must be curious.

This author will be interviewed Thursday, November, 5th at 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. It’s Your Health.

Every Patient Tells A Story by Jill Sanders, M.D.

As a major fan of the television show “House,” I was more than curious to read Jill Sanders, the technical advisor to the program filled with a weekly medical mystery. Forgive my naivete but for some reason it seemed as though there had to be fiction mixed in with every dire health crisis that House and his team solve. Instead this eye-opening book reveals the doctors who go to great lengths to discover the medical problem and offer a cure for the patient.

Although occasionally frightening to realize the odd array of things that can go wrong with the human body, Dr. Sanders provides mix of medical mystery stories along with the inner workings of a physician’s mind. Yes it’s cool and so is the science of the diagnoses. The reality of the stories in the book, however, are not from a Hollywood set and deal with both triumph and tragedy.

My recommendation: If you like “House,” you’ll be fascinated by Every Patient Tells A Story by Jill Sanders, .D.

This author will be interviewed next Tuesday, November 10th, at 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. It’s Your Health.

Note: Offering a variety of non-fiction books to visitors — on an occasional basis — has been The Divining Wand’s goal, please comment on how you feel about this. Thank you.