Mid-January is just about the time when reality intervenes and we start to lose momentum with our New Year’s resolutions. Your enthusiasm to adopt a healthier lifestyle was at an all-time high on January 1st. But you (and your family) could use some assistance the other 364 days of the year to make good on your promises. Time for reinforcements. The following may help:

Rhythm for Life: The Prenatal Belly Dance Workout DVD is a great way to mix it up when it comes to your prenatal exercise regimen. Choreographer and mother of two Suzanne Caesar takes you through gentle stretching exercises to ease pregnancy discomfort zones and build core strength. She also leads you in “firm & sexy” movements to condition thighs and hips, meditation and the highlight - Latin belly dance fusion, a low-impact dance routine. If nothing else, the sensual dancing will remind you that, even pregnant, you’ve still got it! Available at marchofdimes.com.

Bean Appetit elevates food to a true art form … literally. It shows you and Junior how to make a keyboard sculpture sandwich out of bread, honey, chicken, apples and yogurt; a palm tree using chicken, spinach and pineapple; and a dragonfly from whole wheat pita, turkey and fruit. The point of the book is to have fun and celebrate food and nutrition - a departure from recent kids’ cookbooks which advocate “hiding” and blending in the healthy stuff. Hence, the emphasis on presentation (food sculptures). Bean Appetit also includes games (”Bean-go”), activities plus amusing convo topics to encourage family dinner discussion. A great way to develop healthy eating habits. Playing with food encouraged. Coming late February. Available for pre-order at amazon.com.

Warning: This book is for a highly organized and disciplined cook. The premise - cook once a month, create enough dinners for 30 days and save money. Choose from recipes for lime-grilled mahi-mahi, gnocchi with turkey ragu, Texas-style lasagna and much more. Mary Beth Lagerborg and Mimi Wilson’s book is divided into various cycles, with each cycle listing a menu chart, pantry list, shopping list and recipes. There are even gluten-free, summer and gourmet cycles. Available at amazon.com.

For the lowdown on many of the most popular diet programs, visit UB sister site moneywatch.com. Diet Plan Review: Best Ways to Lose 20 Pounds gives you the skinny on each diet and even breaks down what it will cost you per pound lost.

POSTED IN: Books, Food, UrbanBaby Picks