Lifestyle Book Reviews
Page One of TwoDeveloping Feeds with RSS and Atom by Ben Hammersley
O'Reilly, April, 2005Trade Paperback, 253 pages
ISBN: 0596008813
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
RSS and Atom are two technologies that have the potential to
rapidly change the way we use information. RSS and Atom
feeds make it easy for people to subscribe to and stay updated with
multiple blogs and websites. Microsoft has already approved
support for RSS on Longhorn, the next upgrade of the Windows
operating system and for the next version of Internet Explorer.
RSS and ATOM by Ben Hammersley explains what RSS and Atom
feeds are and how to create them. Hammersley also explains each of the
varieties of syndication feeds in detail, including RSS 2.0, RSS 1.0
and Atom. One section describes about tools and programs for
parsing and using feeds. Another chapter in the book
teaches readers how to let people know about their feeds by
enabling autodiscovery and registering with aggregators.
Feeds are not just for blogs and news websites; Hammersely
provides a section which lists other, less conventional uses for feeds.
Descriptions and reviews of tools, aggregators and online resources
are also provided. This is an excellent book for any blogger, webmaster or
web developer looking to get feeds live on their blog or website.
Highly recommended.
The Great American Detox Diet: 8 Weeks to Weight Loss and Well-Being by Alex Jamieson
Rodale Books, June, 2005Hardcover, 288 pages
ISBN: 1594862311
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Remember Morgan Spurlock, the guy who ate nothing but McDonald's
for 30 days to see how it would affect his health? His descent into
unhealthiness was chronicled in his hit documentary
Super Size Me.
But what is perhaps the more interesting story is how Spurlock regained his health with
the help of Alex Jamieson, his girlfriend who just happens to be
a gourmet natural foods chef. Alex detoxed Morgan, and she can detox you, too.
First, she explains why fast food is so bad for you. It's not just the extra calories
that are the problem: it's the fact that even the bread in the hamburger buns isn't real
bread. Everything is over processed and chock full of unspeakable
chemicals. She moves on from chemicals to the horrors of hydrogenated oils,
the evils of sugar, caffeine, animal fats and why water is a detoxing dieter's best friend.
If you're already a Dr. Weil fan, you'll no doubt rush into your kitchen to whip up a Refreshing and Cleansing Radish Salad as soon as you hit that recipe. Everyone else should go slowly, and start with Hearty Morning Oatmeal Porridge, Orange Date Scones (wheat and dairy-free), Corn Mushroom and Potato Chowder, and the very yummy Spicy Sweet Potato Fries. Ms. Jamieson is a true evangelist for the whole foods movement, and there is no doubt that if you follow her advice, you'll be a lot healthier. And if you can't go cold turkey from Krispy Kreme, why not take it slow and work in those healthy changes a little at a time?
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