cover image THE GURU'S GUIDE TO SERENITY: A Me-Time Menu of Celebrity Stress Reducers

THE GURU'S GUIDE TO SERENITY: A Me-Time Menu of Celebrity Stress Reducers

Laurel House, Sharon House, . . Morrow, $24.95 (256pp) ISBN 978-0-06-057237-2

For everyday folks who don't know how to relax, here's a collection of suggestions from professional spa owners, therapists, chefs and others who provide services to Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Richie and other celebrities. The authors, a mother/daughter team of "Hollywood insiders" (Laurel's the West Coast editor of Fit magazine; Sharon is a publicist), examine how celebrities and their gurus transform their homes into the perfect places to soak in bathtubs, perform or receive spa treatments such as facials, practice yoga, meditate, cook healthy food, make art and crafts, knit, garden and exercise. Thankfully, readers need not own a Beverly Hills mansion (or boast a Tinseltown pocketbook) to follow their recommendations. For example, spa and pool designer Tag Galyean, who has created oases at some top American luxury spa resorts, contributes simple and inexpensive recipes for morning and nighttime baths requiring basic oils like rosemary and lavender. Manhattan's Glow Spa, where Ivana Trump is a regular, provides formulas for a Virgin Gorda Mango Body Polish and Chocolate Fondue Facial Mask. Readers seeking to hear celebrities' direct thoughts on stress-reducing techniques will be disappointed; the authors mainly just list stars who indulge in various relaxing practices. But the guru advice is so detailed and practical, it makes up for the lack of actual celebrity input. B&w photos. Agent, Matthew Guma. (On sale Dec. 14)