American Adults Average 12 Minutes With Spouse, 9 Hours With Media

Review By Susan Schenck

We are overwhelmed, we are exhausted, we have insomnia, we have huge appetites for food but none for sex. We experience substance abuse, headaches, anxiety. The author maintains that our modern world has put us in a “menacing form of stress that closely resembles post-traumatic stress disorder” such as what has been observed in war veterans. She calls this “superstress” and gives us a “super solution” through this book.

The Superstress Solution (Random House/ 2010) is divided into 3 parts, and each part has a brief summary at the beginning.  Real life case studies are sprinkled throughout the book to make it more interesting and see how people can heal, change, and relax. (One woman couldn’t even go an hour without checking her Blackberry  5 or 6 times—even at night, checking her email.)

The first part of the book explains what stress is and how it affects your body. There are various kinds of stress, with environmental, work, relationship, social and spiritual sources. Four hallmarks of stress are listed: It is compounded; you can’t get a handle on it anymore; life has lost its luster; and “anxious is the new normal.”  Friends, family, day-to-day hassles and job duties are factors that tip us into superstress. And as the author states, “Our parents and certainly our grandparents probably wouldn’t recognize what we call parenting as anything they’d ever done—that’s how all-encompassing the job has become.” This section also discusses the hormones of stress, the physical results, and gives case studies. We are also given an in-depth test of 9 pages to access our stress level.

Part II provides us with a smorgasbord of stress busters. The “pathways to peace” chapter gives us several mindfulness activities such as meditation, the “relaxation response,” focused breathing, affirmations, as well as the less conventional aromatherapy. If you want to hire someone to help you relax, there is also acupuncture, massage and reflexology.

There is an entire chapter devoted to food, which I was happy to find since I believe nutrition plays a huge part in physical and mental well being. In this chapter you will discover superfoods as well as “good mood foods” to enjoy, and “bad mood foods” to avoid. There is also a chapter on sleep and exercise, as well as one on the importance of optimism appropriately called “Mind over Superstress.”  

There is  also a chapter on the importance of social connection in which the author laments on how we have become a “nation of loners.” (The typical American adult spends 12 minutes talking to his/her spouse, yet nine hours a day involved in some form of media!) The section ends with a chapter on the importance of a spiritual life or finding meaning in your life.

Part III lays out a 4-week superstress solution plan which includes some nutrition, supplements, journaling, calming activities, and more. The final chapter defines 5 stress profiles and additional refined advice accordingly.  The following appendices appear at the end: menus for 14 days and a detox diet.

This is a great book for educating us on stress and proper, practical, doable solutions to it. No matter how much you may think you know about stress, you will nonetheless find some interesting tidbits, such as how cortisol peaks at 9 AM, causing most heart attacks to occur between 6 AM and noon; potato chips dehydrate the brain; kids given more attention are less stressful as adults; men produce 52% more serotonin than women; 38% of depressed adults are deficient in folate; and much more!

Roberta Lee, M.D., is vice chair of the Department of Integrative Medicine, director of Continuing Medical Education, and co-director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at Beth Israel's Continuum Center for Health and Healing at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. Dr. Lee attended George Washington University Medical School and is one of the four graduates in the first class from the Program of Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona conducted by Andrew Weil, M.D. You'll find the author online at www.superstresssolution.com

Susan Schenck is author of The Live Food Factor

Michael Jackson: In The End...Be True To Yourself

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.

Kids Pick Review: Nana, What's Cancer?

By Shelly Burns

What a great little book for children who have loved ones with cancer!  More and more children today have loved ones battling cancer, have survived cancer, or who have passed away from cancer, but they don't always understand what their loved one is going through.  This book is a great conversation starter for young ones, or an independent read and then discussion point, for older children.  I'm so glad there is a book that puts cancer into terms that children can understand.

Nana, What's Cancer? (American Cancer Society/ 2009) is a beautifully illustrated book that poses a new question about cancer in each chapter.  They are actually questions that children would have and they are answered in a story-like way that is easily understood.  Some of the questions include:  "What causes cancer?", "Why are some cancers worse than others?", "Do animals ever get cancer?", and "Do children get cancer too?"  Altogether, there are 12 questions, each answered in 2 or 3 pages of text and pictures.  In the text, there are bold words, which are further explained in the glossary at the back of the book.

The author, Beverlye Fead  is a cancer survivor, and the co-author  (Tessa)--her granddaughter, was 8 years old when they started writing the book.  Tessa actually had the idea for the book, because all of her grandparents had cancer and she wanted a book that would explain it to children.  Kudos to her for her idea!!  The illustrator, Shennen Bersani, is a cancer survivor also.  The pictures she created for this book are very realistic.  She took actual photos of Beveryle and Tessa and recreated them in her illustrations.  They are just beautiful!  You can see expressions and emotion in each one.

I was very impressed with this book and will be passing it on to my 6-year-old granddaughter because we just recently learned that her mawmaw has colon cancer.  I think my step-daughter will be glad to answer some of her questions with this book.   I hope that you will consider purchasing it for someone you know.

Beverlye Hyman Fead's winning battle with cancer was the subject of her memoir, I Can Do This: Living with Cancer, Tracing a Year of Hope (published by Wellness Program of S.B.C.C., 2004). She lives well and actively with stage IV cancer-writing, painting, traveling, and spending time with her husband and five grandchildren. She is a Legislative Ambassador and Hero of Hope for the American Cancer Society. She has been honored by the Israel Cancer Research Fund of California and received the Courage Award from the Sarcoma Foundation of America. Beverlye's passion is to raise money for research, to share her story, and to offer hope and encouragement to all those on their cancer journey. You'll find the author online at beverlyehymanfead.com

Tessa Mae Hamermesh, now 11, is dedicated to helping other kids understand the realities and effects of cancer and to inspiring people to help defeat cancer once and for all.

Shennen Bersani is a children's book illustrator who brings a unique blend of realism and heartfelt emotion to her art. She is able to depict an exceptional likeness of her subjects, while letting their natural warmth and personality shine through in every image. You'll find the illustrator online at www.shennen.typepad.com

40% Of Americans Will Develop Cancer, MD Anderson Redefines Screening

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.

You Matter: The Butterfly Effect By Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews--

No project I have ever done in my life has affected me so profoundly as the research I did a few years ago on The Butterfly Effect.  Working with the United States Air Force at the time, I was charged with finding “proof of the value of an individual life.”  At that time, the military as a whole was just discovering that suicide had become more prevalent within their ranks than with the civilian population as a whole.

The answer for which I was searching was way beyond encouragement.  What if, I thought, the average, ordinary person walking around was offered proof—convinced beyond the shadow of a doubt—that his life mattered immeasurably?  More than that, I wondered, is it possible to prove that every single action we take . . . also matters?  Forever?

The notion seemed preposterous (even to me) but with a library card in my pocket and Google as my friend, I set forth on what became the most important search of my life. 

I began with a detailed investigation into a doctoral thesis written in 1963 by Edward Lorenz.  In it, he theorized that a butterfly might flap its wings, moving molecules of air into motion that in turn moved other molecules of air, eventually becoming able to shift weather patterns on the other side of the world.  Of course, in 1963, the theory was ridiculous.   And the New York Academy of Science said so.

It wasn’t until the mid-90s when physicists, working in concert around the world, authenticated the Lorenz hypothesis.  Commonly called The Butterfly Effect, it has now been granted the status of a law.  Lorenz’s broad strokes on the evolution of chaos theory have now been named The Law Of Sensitive Dependence Upon Initial Conditions.

With that as a firm starting point, I found true stories such as Joshua Chamberlain and his improbable charge at Gettysburg.  I discovered connections between Norman Borlaug, a man credited with saving from famine over 2 billion people, and a little boy who had been mentored by George Washington Carver.  I uncovered stories about Carver himself, his childhood, and the incredible link a simple farmer’s action provided that made possible all of Norman Borlaug’s work—a hundred years into the future!

All this knowledge—this proof—affected me deeply.  I began to be more effective in my daily life as I understood just how important my actions were and how incredibly valuable every person is with whom I come in contact.

I use this proof and these stories almost every time I speak and have never ceased to be amazed at their impact on people.  

That is why I am most excited to share with you my newest book. The Butterfly Effect has been a long time in the making.  It is a beautiful hardback, with full color graphics on every single one of its 109 pages.  My complete proof of just how much an individual life matters is written in simple, easy to understand detail.  The stories of Chamberlain and his charge, Borlaug, Carver, and the farmer—it is all here. 

In addition, there is a DVD included in the back of every book.  The DVD contains a three-minute movie about The Butterfly Effect and a ten-minute version of me presenting the story to a live audience!

Simple Truths Publishing has created and priced this book so that you can give it as a gift to every person on your Christmas list.  If there is anyone to whom you want to express gratefulness or someone who needs encouragement—someone who needs to hear, “You matter”—this is the gift for them!

I am very proud of this particular piece of work and very excited to finally be able to offer it to you!

About Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews is a best-selling novelist and an in-demand corporate speaker for the world’s largest organizations. He has spoken at the request of four different U.S. presidents and at military bases worldwide. He has written The Traveler’s Gift, The Lost Choice, Island of Saints, The Noticer, Return to Sawyerton Springs and The Butterfly Effect. Find him online at www.andyandrews.com

You Are Still Here: There Is HOPE

Author Andy Andrews, Alabama Gov. Riley Reopen The Gulf State Park Pier

16.5 Million Americans Felt Depression

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.

Book Review: From Darkness To Light By Lynn Christopher Roby

By Susan Schenck

This is the inspiring autobiography of a woman who is a survivor of nearly everything: childhood molestation, alcoholism, drug addiction, having 4 boys in her early 20s, divorce, and finally—a brain aneurysm that nearly killed her! She begins her story with the brain injury, and the long road to recovery and rehabilitation. At some point she could barely talk and was very confused. She was tormented with great pain, had speech problems, and tremendous depression. She describes in detail the horror of her condition, the unique “brain pain” and even itching deep inside her brain, which of course could not be scratched. She became very discouraged, and the lack of compassion of doctors did not help her spirits. (On p. 26 she gives advice to doctors on how to interact more sensitively with patients.)

On top of everything, the medications only made things worse: “There were medications they could give me, but the side effects for me were horrendous. I hated taking these drugs because they would make me crazy. I was already trying to cope with a serious brain injury, and these medications wreaked further havoc with my mind.”

Finally, her attitude turned around with yoga. The breathing techniques helped ease the pain without drugs. This exercise gave her the physical and spiritual help she needed to let go of victimhood and self pity, wasting energy in thoughts of, “Why me?” She also discovered organic foods and supplements to be helpful in speeding the healing process: “The wrong kinds of foods slow down healing and make matters worse. But by eating healthy organic foods, along with the supplements, I could slowly but surely feel my strength return and I knew I was on the road to recovery.” In addition, acupuncture was very useful in recovery.

In the next couple of chapters, the author tells about her earlier life of addiction, and how it affected her children, as well as her recovery.  The author realized that healing from the aneurysm, she could also utilize the 12 steps that she used to recover from addiction. There are four chapters which cover the 12 steps and how she used them in her healings, both from addiction and 25 years later, in the continuing healing process. She discusses the steps, and believes anyone (not just an addict) can profit from delving into them.

The author went on to be a healer herself, an addiction counselor and yoga teacher—with a wonderful second marriage to her best friend. (The book contains photos of her, her husband, sons and dog.) Lynn is a classic example of a “wounded healer”—someone who has been through all kinds of pain (emotional as well as physical) yet through courage and persistence, healed herself and learned to heal others. A great and inspiring book for anyone going through physical therapy, speech therapy, therapy after a stroke or brain trauma, alcoholism, addiction, or even someone who is stuck in issues of having been molested. If Lynn can heal, so can you!

Lynn Christopher Roby is a Certified Kripalu Yoga Teacher and A LifeForce yoga practitioner. She continues to study at The Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Stockbridge, MA. She is also a Masters level Addictions Specialist as well as a Reiki Master. She and her husband are the founders and owners of The Gettysburg Holistic Center, a therapeutic sanctuary located in beautiful, natural surroundings just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

From Darkness to Light, My Journey Back From a Brain Filled With Blood (Outskirts Pres/ 2009) by Lynn Christopher Roby

Book Review: The Law of Forgiveness By Connie Domino, MPH, RN

Susan Schenck is author of The Live Food Factor

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.

Book Review: I, Alex Cross By James Patterson

 By Tina Avon

I am a huge, huge Alex Cross/James Patterson fan! and I was thrilled beyond belief to read this newest Alex Cross book.

The story opens with Alex celebrating a birthday at home with his family and girlfriend Bree (this is something I never quite understood - the need for the author to ALWAYS give Cross a girlfriend). Unfortunately, Alex gets "one of those calls" during his party and finds out that his niece (daughter of a brother he had not be close to in adulthood) has been found dead. When Alex arrives at the scene, he is told that they only have "remains," that his niece was actually killed and then put through a grinder of sorts - Alex is stunned and vows to find the killer.

As it turns out, Alex's niece was a high price call girl who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time - meeting the wrong person. We discover that Alex's niece worked for a high end and exclusive brothel, located in an out of the way location and managed by a man without a conscience.

In the midst of all this, Alex's beloved Nana falls very ill and must be rushed to the hospital. Alex now finds himself torn between being at his Nana's side AND finding his niece's killer.

Alex will spend much of the storyline playing catch up. It seems that although he does have some leads, the killer is always one step ahead, somehow untouchable and as the storyline develops we will soon find out why this killer is so protected.

This book is good and the suspense is pretty consistent. I like that Alex does not miraculously get all the answers quickly in this one and I like that he is highly conflicted for the most part. This is well written - using Patterson's usual quick and easy chapters. I, Alex Cross (Hachette/ 2009) is well written and for fans of Alex Cross, this one makes me feel as though I understand him just a little bit more than the last book.

What does not work for me is the emphasis on Nana in all of the books, but particularly this one. I mean, Alex seems surprised when Nana gets ill and may die - all I can say is "Alex, she is 90!!!! Maybe it's time you came to realize that she will not live forever." I find that Alex's constant protecting and worrying about Nana is getting a little old. I can truly understand the importance she has for him, but this book is 50% about her and frankly, it got a little boring after a while. I keep trying to figure out why Patterson feels the need to always give Cross a crutch (he calls it family support, but it does not feel that way to me). Between his Nana and his round of girlfriends, Alex does not seem to be able to rely on himself for anything!

Still, I, Alex Cross is about the main storyline of mayhew and murder and, as always, Patterson does a great job! I have to say that the "discovering of the murderer" was a tad of a letdown - after building up the story - Patterson just kind of announces who the murderer is (I never suspected until the very end) and that's it. There are no huge confrontations between Cross and the murderer and it felt a little flat.
I still love Patterson and Alex Cross and this book is a thrilling read. I am still not sure why Patterson chose to call this one I, Alex Cross, but who cares? It's an Alex Cross book and I am thankful.

Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol Carries Noetic Science Out Of Occult's Shadows

Book Review: The Devil's Queen By Jeanne Kalogridis

Copyright © 2006-2010, Basil & Spice. All rights reserved.