Editor's Picks

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE PLANET: THE NON-POMPOUS, NON-PREACHY GRIST GUIDE TO GREENING YOUR DAY edited by Brangien Davis & Katharine Wroth (Skipstone, $15) Got a penchant for puns and a drive to save the world? Then chances are you’re already a regular reader of environmental humour website grist.org. If not, you’re in for a treat, in the form of this snappy little book. Are microwave ovens the most efficient way to cook food, and are they safe? Is it healthy to swim in chlorinated pools? And which types of sex toys are best for the planet? Amusing tidbits are scattered throughout (turns out superhero The Green Hornet, with his gas-guzzling Chrysler, is anything but green).

HELP IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD: WHY DOING IT ALL IS DOING YOU IN by Peggy Collins (McGraw Hill, $17) We all know—or perhaps may even be—a “self-sufficient”: that harried (but always cheerful!) mother of four who single-handedly holds down a high-powered career, sits on the board of three non-profits, cans her own organic tomatoes, drives her parents to medical appointments, and still somehow finds the time to direct the neighbourhood choir. But what’s wrong with this picture? Collins, a Fortune-500 speaker, claims that though independence is highly prized in our culture, it’s not healthy when taken to the extreme. In an engaging style based on her own experience, she shares tips on how to swallow your pride, ask for a hand, and begin leading a life of interdependence.

THE CLEAR SKIN DIET: HOW TO DEFEAT ACNE AND ENJOY HEALTHY SKIN by Alan C. Logan and Valori Treloar (Cumberland House, $30) Acne: it’s not just for teenagers anymore. Over the last 50 years, the skin problem has increased among adults—particularly among women. But why? Naturopath Logan and MD Treloar find that diets high in meat, milk, and sugar may aggravate acne, while those that incorporate fruits, veggies, fish, and berries can clear things up. The book includes detailed recipes and meal plans, as well as compelling information on why stress reduction, keeping fit, and probiotics can keep your skin glowing. Now you’ve got one more great reason to boost your intake of fibre and green tea.