Book Blog

How many times have you heard the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day?” If what we eat in the morning is key to how the rest of our day will unfold, why do so many of us put so little effort into our breakfasts? According to an article published in September 2011 by the American Diabetes Association, skipping a morning meal . . . more »

Sometimes cooking something delicious and healthy after a long day of school, work or taking care of the family can be a real hassle. But before you reach for your phone to order pizza, why not plan ahead and make something everyone can enjoy in one of the handiest tools ever created for the kitchen: the slow cooker! Slow cookers (a.k.a. crock pots) are an . . . more »

I think we can all agree that some of the best, most flavorful food in the world originates from the multitude of cuisines found in Asia and its surrounding islands. From Chinese to Japanese to Thai food and more, the list goes on and on of delicious culinary treasures that anyone regardless of their nationality or ethnicity can enjoy. The only problem? Though generally quite . . . more »

Who doesn't remember that joyful feeling we experienced as a child opening a fresh Twinkie, finishing off a circus train shaped box of animal crackers or licking your fingers to get the last little bits in a bag of Corn Nuts. Those special snacks always inspire a nostalgic feeling for days past, and, unfortunately, remind us of how lacking in nutrition our treats really were. . . . more »

From February 24 to March 2, the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is collaborating on a variety of activities for adults and young people– free presentations (one for adults and one for teens), an essay contest for middle and high school students, and informative in-library displays. Details are featured in February's PlaneTalk, the newsletter for PlaneTree Health Information Center. SCCLD is offering these events . . . more »

It seems like going gluten-free is the new thing to do in the world of diets and nutrition, but for those of us who suffer from Celiac's Disease, gluten sensitivities or wheat allergies, it's more than just a fad. But with all of the gluten-free products available out there, where do you even start if you're just beginning on your life without wheat? If your . . . more »

In The Long Walk, Brian Castner writes about his three Middle East deployments while in the Air Force, during which he became commander of an explosive ordnance disposal unit. He and his squad endured the extreme tension and danger of bomb removal in an active combat zone. Castner now lives near Buffalo with his wife and four sons, but the memories of war still linger. . . . more »

February 14th might be the day of love, but for so many of us it seems to be more like the day of indulging on candies, cookies, cake and chocolate. Want to celebrate Valentine's Day without ruining your diet? We have some books that can help you! Check out the list below for some healthy alternatives to the traditional Valentine's Day goodies and reserve your . . . more »

Have you been watching ABC's new hit show The Taste? If you have then you know that the premise of the show is that four succesful chefs, Ludo Lefebvre, Brian Malarkey, Nigella Lawson and Anthony Bourdain, selected unknowns to compete in a battle based on blind tastes. Each week, the up-and-coming chefs will prepare food and be eliminated if what they cook isn't up to . . . more »

Brian Castner served three tours of duty in the Middle East, two of them as the commander of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit in Iraq. Days and nights he and his team—his brothers—would venture forth in heavily armed convoys from their Forward Operating Base to engage in the nerve-racking yet strangely exhilarating work of either disarming the deadly improvised explosive devices that had been discovered, . . . more »