It’s that time of year again. We’re not talking about finding a date or a dress for New Year’s Eve or watching college bowl games. January 1st is upon us and that equals a whole passel of resolutions, and the mantra that this year, you'll actually keep those resolutions. Up your chances for success by checking out the latest crop of how-to books. You’ll be healthier, happier, thinner, more organized — whatever your heart desires — in no time; that is, if you can actually read the books and stick to the suggested regimen for more than a week.
Health: “Spark” by John Ratey MD (Little, Brown and Company). Instead of working out to reshape your body or lose weight, try focusing on the other benefits of aerobic exercise. Ratey claims that you can defend yourself against a host of medical issues, such as memory loss, depression, ADD, Alzheimer’s, and addiction. Reading this might be as effective as a trainer in keeping you on an exercise schedule.
Mood: “The Happiness Diet” by Tyler Graham and Drew Ramsey (Rodale). Kill two birds with one stone and get healthy and happy. Much like Ratey does in “Spark,” Graham and Ramsey use the latest data to show how the mind is affected, this time by our diet. The book shows how the foods we eat contribute to the increasing rates of mood disorders in the U.S. It details foods that will boost our mood, and includes shopping lists, sample menu plans and happy food recipes. Just thinking about the recipes for Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Lemon Macaroons make us feel better already.