Fresh off the press: books on fast pain relief, and more �� check out these books for the information you want. - book review

Instant Relief

BY PEGGY W. BRILL, WITH SUSAN SUFFES; BANTAM; $14.95

IF YOU SUFFER TWINGES OF MUSCLE pain even when you haven't been to the gym, you'll want to check out these imaginative alternatives to over-the-counter pain relievers. Brill, a physical therapist, urges you to try a few of her 100 easy exercises to "take control of your discomfort." The clearly illustrated movements are organized by problem areas, and Brill explains that the first exercise in each group is the most effective for most people. When a tension headache strikes, for example, you first try the tongue press and then move on to the ear tug and the scalp glide. The exercises include hints on how to perform them discreetly in confined spaces like an office chair or coach-class seat, which will make this slim book of instant therapeutic movements a welcome addition to many cubicles and carry-on bags.

--Karen English

Breaking the Food Seduction

BY NEAL BARNARD, M.D.; ST. MARTIN'S PRESS; $24.95

It's no joke: You actually could be addicted to chocolate or cheese. Barnard, founder and president of the Physician's Committee for Responsible Medicine, explains that during digestion certain foods release mild opiates that set up your biochemistry to keep you sneaking back for more. To escape this seduction, Barnard has designed a seven-step program that includes a low-fat, blood-sugar-balancing vegan diet, daily exercise, and social support. To get you started, he offers a three-week kickstart program, and to keep you involved, he provides a whole host of enticing recipes with healthy ingredients that he promises will give you that satisfying cheesy or chocolatey taste without igniting the urge to binge. If you're willing to go cold turkey and completely give up seductive foods, this is the book for you.

--Adina Davis

Recipes from America's Small Farms

EDITED BY JOANNE LAMB HAYES, LORI STEIN, AND MAURA WEBBER; VILLARD BOOKS; $16.95

Fresh fruits and vegetables take center stage in this collection of delicious-looking recipes, all of which were donated by farmers, high-profile chefs like Alice Waters, and other members of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) movement. CSA allows people to buy shares in local farms in return for regular deliveries of fresh produce. But this book is not an ordinary cookbook--it teaches you how to pick and store your produce, too. In a chapter called "Luscious Leaves," for instance, you'll learn not only the best seasons for harvesting each of your favorite salad greens, but also some new ways to make sure they stay crisp until your next dinner party. If you're like me, you'll hardly be able to resist filling your plate with produce when you read through savory recipes like Asparagus Soup with White Truffle Cream.

--Sheera Frenkel

COPYRIGHT 2003 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group