BOOKS
Radiant Body Restful Mind: A Woman’s Book of Comfort
By Shubhra Krishan (New World Library, $14.95)
With a bright outlook and an engaging style, Krishan thoughtfully provides you with an excuse to treat yourself more kindly. Here are dozens of ways to lighten your load when you’re feeling overstressed and overwhelmed. Learn how to steal little “crumbs” of time—five minutes here, five minutes there—to form a whole “loaf” of personal time each day. (You do have time for one minute of deep breathing, don’t you?) Find smart, simple ways to make your home a “sanctuary,” feed your body, relax and revive your mind. One of the nice things about this book is the wealth of material it contains. It goes beyond hints and helpful suggestions to delve into why these physical and mental exercises are important, and how to make them work for you. This is a solid, balanced book with an Indian influence: sensitive and sensible.
— Leslie Gilbert Elman
The Artful Vegan: Fresh Flavors from the Millennium Restaurant
By Eric Tucker with Bruce Enloe; Desserts by Amy Pearce (Ten Speed Press, $24.95)
I thought the term “vegan fine dining” was an oxymoron. This collection of 140 recipes from the chefs at San Francisco’s Millennium Restaurant proves me wrong. Its “fusion” of organic ingredients and haute cuisine will delight vegans who are aching to break into some wild culinary territory. How about a three-potato torte topped with rosemary-pistachio pesto and a “Gruyère” made from cashews and tofu? Or perhaps the Portobello Carpaccio over Carrot and Parsnip Fettuccine with Raw Pumpkin Seed-Ancho Chile Pesto? Prepare your taste buds! It’s unlikely that they’ve ever encountered the mix of flavors you’ll discover here. (Chilled Tomato and Watermelon Soup indeed!) This is not a beginners’ cookbook and the more exotic ingredients might be tough to find if you don’t have an organic and/or Asian grocer nearby. But if you’re an adventurous chef with a vegan soul this book is for you.
— L.G.E
The Pilates Edge: An Athlete’s Guide to Strength and Performance
By Karrie Adamany and Daniel Loigerot (Avery, $18.95)
Pilates body conditioning was originally developed to train boxers, gymnasts, and dancers. While you might not be stepping into the ring or onto the balance beam anytime soon, you can still use Pilates to improve your performance and form in almost any sport you pursue. This book, written by instructors from Studio 308 Pilates in New York, covers core movements that strengthen and tone the abs, lower back, and buttocks. Then it outlines routines geared toward specific sports including golf, skiing, tennis, and running, which develop specific ranges of muscles but neglect others. Pilates fills that conditioning gap, strengthening underused muscles and reducing the risk of injury. The principle makes sense and there’s a long list of professional athletes who swear by its effectiveness. This could lead to a new level of conditioning for you or the athlete in your life.
— L.G.E
CDS
Midnight Flower
Drala (Dharma Moon, $15)
Drala, the two-man team of guitarist David Nichtern and bansuri flute player Steve Gorn, take their cues from Eastern philosophy and yoga. Both studied music and spirituality in India, and Nichtern’s wife is Cyndi Lee, founder of New York’s OM Yoga Center. So, it’s no surprise that the album’s five tracks follow a yoga practice arc from the drifty warm-up of “Child of Illusion” through the livelier extended jam of “Moment to Moment” to the meditative “Home Again.” Joining Drala this time is Indian vocalist Falguni, whose trilling and intonation add authenticity to the title song. The smoothly percussive “Seven Yogis Spinning” proves that Drala can groove when they want to. And a sixth, bonus track, “Only Love (Can Save us Now)” from Falguni’s upcoming solo release, has a more mainstream flavor and leaves you on a high note.
— L.G.E.
