Health and Home

Organic home-care aficionado Warren Schultz (A Man's Garden) presents The Organic Suburbanite: A Swell New Way to Live the American Dream. With an aw-shucks retro style and enthusiasm, Schultz breaks down indoor and outdoor suburban living into manageable arenas for environmentally responsible practice. Ever wondered how to clean your stove, unclog drains, discourage pests, care for your car, disinfect counter tops or bleach clothes in ways that won't damage your health or your environment? Schultz addresses it all. His matter-of-fact approach eschews ideological discourse and gets down to brass tacks (or their recyclable, eco-friendly counterpart). B&w photos. (Rodale, $16.95 paper 168p ISBN 0-87596-860-0; Aug. 8)

Admitting that "[i]t may be impossible in the modern world to lead a completely organic lifestyle," Michael Van Straten (The Good Sleep Guide) argues in Organic Living—a lively polemic-cum-how-to—that "every person who takes a step toward organic living makes a difference." The author, who for 25 years hosted an alternative health call-in show on London's major talk-radio station, explores organic farming, eating and gardening, recycling and eco-friendly household products in the interest of health and the environment. The book should attract interest, especially given the recent uproar over genetically modified foods. Photos not seen by PW. (Rodale, $30 168p ISBN 0-87596-930-5; Aug. 8)

Also from Rodale, Alan Berman's Your Naturally Healthy Home: Stylish, Safe, Simple offers practical advice on making the home healthier and more ecologically sound. For homeowners building or substantially remodeling, Berman (Floor Magic) explores environmentally responsible design. Keeping in mind that some may seek smaller-scale changes, he addresses TVs, computers, microwaves, radiators and many other household fixtures. He also discusses fragrances, ventilation, radon, insulation and lighting, includes a list of chemicals to avoid and decodes current eco-labeling systems. Berman also reflects briefly on ways homeowners can reduce their consumption of natural resources—e.g., water-saving toilets. Those wary of ecological asceticism will appreciate Berman's calm, realistic tone and concern for comfort and elegance. Photos not seen by PW. ($24.95 192p ISBN 0-87596-931-3; Aug. 8)

"You sketch a plan on the back of an envelope, hand it to a builder, and voilà! You get your house." Not so, writes Katherine Salant in The Brand-New House Book: Everything You Need to Know About Planning, Designing, and Building a Custom, Semi-Custom, or Production-Built House, a helpful demystification of these complicated, expensive processes. Nationally syndicated newspaper columnist and architect Salant—the book stems from "Your New Home" for Inman News Features, and "Housewatch" for the Washington Post —guides readers through financing, lot selection, flooring, contracts and construction. Given that more than one million people buy new single-family homes each year, this book should find a grateful market. Agent, Loretta Fidel. (Random/Three Rivers, $16.95 304p ISBN 0-609-80583-5; On sale July 17)

Wined and (Healthily) Dined

Nutraceuticals—"foods that have medical-health benefits"—are the foodstuffs of nutritionist Marcia Zimmerman's Eat Your Colors: Maximize Your Health by Eating the Right Foods for Your Body Type. To simplify and personalize good nutritional practice, natural-medicine researcher Zimmerman (The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution) designates three digestive types—green, red and yellow (yellow eaters, for example, need more animal protein than others)—and offers a self-test for determining type. She suggests meal plans with information on phytoestrogens (which decrease breast and prostate cancer risk), polyphenols (immuno-boosters, heart-attack preventers) and anthocyanidins (anti-inflammatory treatment). The allusion to cosmetic color types will attract people who might otherwise overlook an eating guide not fixated on weight-loss. (Holt/Owl, $14 paper 300p ISBN 0-8050-6728-0; Aug. 15)

The South of France—or for cognoscenti, the Midi—isn't famous for its wines, to put it kindly. But in The Wines of the South of France: From Banyuls to Bellet, Rosemary George argues that in recent years, new growers and techniques have moved into the area, and the wine is now competitive with the world's best. George (French Country Wines) explores Languedoc-Rousillon, Provence and Corsica, examining the viticulture, past and present, of each region's towns. George is especially interested in new grape varieties, such as Syrah and Grenache. Although the book is a bit bulky to carry around, any wine enthusiast or history buff would find it illuminating on a Midi excursion. 10 b&w maps. (Faber & Faber, $20 730p ISBN 0-571-19267-X; Aug.)

Mediterranean food is delicious, easy, relatively inexpensive and—surprise!—healthy. For 50 years, doctors have observed that Mediterranean people are much less likely than those in more industrialized countries to suffer heart disease or strokes. The Mediterranean Heart Diet: Why It Works, with Recipes to Get You Started, by Helen V. Fisher (Posh Pancakes and Fancy Fritters) with Cynthia Thomson, Ph.D., R.D., attributes the region's health to lower saturated-fat consumption and plenty of whole grains, and offer easy recipes like Polenta with Tomato and Fontina. Fisher and Thomson also advocate the Mediterranean lifestyle: eating at least one meal a day with companions and more physical activity. Sadly, they neglect to recommend lolling on the beach ogling attractive Mediterraneans. (Perseus, $17 paper 240p ISBN 1-55561-281-4; July)

Gen-Y Witch

What does that hot boy really think of me? What's going to happen at the party Friday night? Aimed at teenagers, Get Psychic!: Discover Your Hidden Powers explains how to tap into psychic energy—to answer important questions, or simply freak out your friends. The author, professional psychic Stacey Wolf, provides a test for measuring one's "natural psychic ability." Questions include "Do you hear noises you can't easily explain?" and there are exercises and party games to hone psychic skills. Some will probably find this book misleading, but teenagers—especially girls—are always curious about the supernatural, and their appetite for it is heightened by TV shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.(Warner, $14.95 paper 224p ISBN 0-446-67797-3; Aug.)