Weeknight Winners, Family Dinners

WEEKNIGHT WINNERS, FAMILY DINNERS by Jack (a former chef) and Emmy (child development expert) Zhang offers “Kid-Approved, Adult-Loved Recipes” in an interactive, appealing format. Sample recipes include “Spinach Egg Drop Soup,” “Easy Peasy Chicken,” and “Chinese-Style Baked Fish.” The cookbook is divided into sections on Mains, Noodles, Soups & Stews, Salads & Sides, Snacks, and Sweets. Booklist comments, “The Zhang's family-friendly book is designed with recipes that are quick to get on the table… They aim to help readers tap into the curiosity of children and help their families connect.” The Zhangs do seem to put kids front and center, sharing conversation starters and often highlighting steps that younger family members can contribute (e.g., line the pan with foil) as a recipe is prepared. Aside from recipes, they also include very helpful sections on “Language and Curiosity in the Kitchen” and on “Ten Ways to Get Your Kids Excited about Food.” This seems like a wonderful resource for young families (especially those who enjoy Asian ingredients) although the photos in the preview are black and white and nutrition information is not included. More ideas are available on the Zhangs’ YouTube channel, Cooking with Levi.

The Whole30 Fast & Easy Cookbook Revised

THE WHOLE30 FAST & EASY COOKBOOK REVISED by Melissa Urban is beautifully illustrated and filled with a variety of delicious recipes grouped by cooking method (e.g., sheet pan, slow-cooker). This updates the New York Times 2017 bestseller edition with 35 new recipes. As the title promises, they generally can be prepared fairly quickly and are not overly complicated; plus, they use ingredients from a variety of cultures. A couple of examples include Cashew-Crusted Chicken and Wilted Kale Salad, Harissa Turkey Loaves with Tomato-Ginger Gravy and Cumin-Roasted Carrots, or Slow-Cooker Shakshuka with Artichoke Hearts. This cookbook is worth a look BUT a great deal of space is devoted to explaining the Whole30 movement and encouraging readers to limit (or eliminate) consumption of many foodstuffs in a manner consistent with that program. Honestly, that aspect felt too complicated for me, but I do look forward to trying some of the recipes which Melissa Urban suggests.

Healthy Living High-Protein Cookbook by Toby Amidor

HEALTHY LIVING HIGH-PROTEIN COOKBOOK by Toby Amidor really has appeal for its “Easy Low-Carb Recipes for Strength, Energy, and Metabolic Health.” Amidor, a leading dietitian and recipe developer, follows through on the promise of easy – most recipes have relatively few ingredients, almost all readily found in your pantry (and sample shopping lists are included), and many recipes are freezer friendly or made in one pot. The cookbook is divided into two parts with the first covering Why Protein Matters, Building a Protein Rich Life, and then Cooking and Planning for Protein Success. The second, longer, part contains recipes which are grouped into fairly classic categories like Breakfasts, Fish and Seafood Mains or Poultry and Meat Mains, but they all have a High Protein focus including the ones on Smoothies and Shakes or Snacks and Sweets. Amidor’s biography says that she “believes that healthy and wholesome can also be appetizing and delicious” and recipes like Chicken, Pepper, and Mushroom Scramble or Salmon Salad Stuffed Pita reflect that thinking. With an eye towards improving their diets, readers will be genuinely excited to try many of her suggestions, including a Broccoli, Cauliflower, and Farro Casserole, Rotisserie Chicken Wrap, and Wild Blueberry Power Smoothie. All recipes have nutrition and calorie information included; plus, meal prep storage suggestions and times are listed. Although, each one does not have an accompanying picture, many photos are interspersed and are close-up, tempting, and colorful.

For those interested in more recipes, you may also wish to have a look at Well-Plated by Erin.

The Invincible Brain by Majid Fotuhi

THE INVINCIBLE BRAIN by Majid Fotuhi offers “The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life.” Booklist describes this text as “informative, practical, and inspiring.” The conversational tone, clear outline, and customization certainly contribute to that perception. A widely published and interviewed researcher, Fotuhi is an adjunct professor of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins’s Mind/Brain Institute, an adjunct professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at George Washington University, and the medical director of NeuroGrow Brain Fitness Center. He writes repeatedly and clearly about the five pillars of brain health (Fitness, Sleep, Diet, Mindset, and Training) and how to measure and increase them in a systematic way, encouraging his readers to focus on the area(s) where they want or need the most improvement. In order to get a benchmark assessment of brain function, Fotuhi provides direction on creating a brain portfolio and lists forty questions dealing with physical conditions, health habits, and socializing that “will bring to your attention things you may not have thought about, or help you realize there are things you have been tolerating that you could do something about.” He then suggests resources and weekly interventions which can change over the course of his twelve-week program. THE INVINCIBLE BRAIN has also been praised by fellow doctors/writers like  Sanjay Gupta, David Perlmutter, and John Ratey (Spark). Have a look.

Freeze Fresh Meal Prep by Crystal Schmidt

Soon-to-be-released FREEZE FRESH MEAL PREP by Crystal Schmidt offers “160 Meal Starters and Make-Ahead Dishes for the Freezer.” The photos are lovely – very colorful and appetizing. The recipes themselves are relatively straight-forward, and Schmidt includes many comments offering helpful advice (e.g., type of containers to use for freezing). I did think this type of cooking might require a bit of a mindset shift.  Honestly, I would rather cook and freeze a complete meal for some future time than cook, freeze, and still have to prepare a meal (even something as simple as Sloppy Joes) based off the frozen “starter.” It is worth a try, though, and Schmidt nicely splits this cookbook into categories like soup starters (full of nutritious vegetables and usually requiring a blender), meal starters, vegetable side dishes, and pie, crisp, crumble and cobbler fillings (based on fresh, seasonal fruit treats). A few sample recipes? How about Versatile Roasted Cherry Tomato Sauce or Egg Roll in a Bowl? Booklist called FREEZE FRESH MEAL PREP “perfect for beginners. … This is a must-have for readers who enjoy eating fresh, homemade meals that cut down on prep time.”

Eat Your Ice Cream by Ezekiel J. Emanuel

EAT YOUR ICE CREAM by Ezekiel J. Emanuel offers “Six Simple Rules for a Long and Healthy Life.” Emanuel, a bioethicist and professor at the University of Pennsylvania, focuses on avoiding self-destructive risks; developing and valuing relationships; staying sharp mentally; eating in a healthy manner; exercising (including grip strength and yoga); and sleeping well. Those categories are probably not a surprise to anyone who picks up this text, although specific findings of the many studies he cites might be. What is refreshing is Emanuel’s encouragement to do one’s best which is not always the best, as he freely admits by including several self-deprecating anecdotes. He further states, “Our goal should not be to “outlive” as many people as possible. Instead, the goal should be to live a healthy and fulfilling life” and hence his emphasis on the “more important” social and psychological components as well as physical ones. Emanual touches on topics like the importance of willpower, lifestyles in the Blue Zones, and “intentionally trying new things that use different mental functions.” These could include trying new recipes or writing an autobiography for your grandchildren. He writes, “My suggestion is to be like Ben Franklin. Ask yourself: what can I do that will be useful, engaging, mind expanding, and helpful to the lives of others?” Hopefully, the overlapping nature of these wellness aspects is becoming clearer, too. Interested? The Wall Street Journal recently published a short excerpt from EAT YOUR ICE CREAM. The text itself could benefit from some brief chapter summaries, but the research is significant; approximately twenty-five percent of the book is devoted to bibliographic notes and references.

Heal Your Gut, Save your Brain by Partha Nandi

HEAL YOUR GUT, SAVE YOUR BRAIN by Partha Nandi was published last Fall by the Mayo Clinic Press. This is a very accessible and informative work. Written by a gastroenterologist and clinical associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University, it first describes gut health and its importance. He then elaborates on the “Five Pillars:” nutrition, movement, community, spirituality, and purpose which impact overall well-being. Nandi also devotes several chapters to Strokes, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, describing for each how gut health contributes and how one can change the course of the disease, as well as suggesting a few applicable recipes. While many of his comments (e.g., more omega-3 fatty acids are associated with lower risk; more animal fats are linked to increased disease risk) echo other resources about good nutrition, those with pre-disposition towards one of these diseases may find his comments helpful, especially as an incentive to take early action.

The Official MIND Diet by Martha Clare Morris

THE OFFICIAL MIND DIET by Martha Clare Morris outlines “A Scientifically Based Program to Lose Weight and Prevent Alzheimer's Disease.” The majority of the text is about the science behind the diet; there are chapters on research and benefits of specific foods.  In terms of application, there is a toolbox section which suggests tracking your consumption, using a calendar for reminders, and menu planning.  Only about twenty-five percent is devoted to the sixty or so recipes which are included. Morris led a team of researchers at Rush University Medical Center and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to develop the MIND Diet. Her daughter, a professionally trained chef, has worked with a registered dietician to compile this text and includes recipes with nutrition information for dishes like Veggie Hash with Eggs or Smoked Paprika Chicken with Seared Green Beans. However, there are NO pictures in this section of the preview (despite its appealing cover). The final ten percent of the book contains notes, references, and a poorly formatted six week at a glance chart. As valuable as this scientific and health information may be, my impression is that readers who are interested in exploring this diet will largely be convinced of its merits and be more interested in trying to develop motivation to prepare some of the recommended foods. I am tempted to look instead at titles like MIND Diet for Beginners (with 85 Recipes and a 7-Day Kickstart Plan), The 30-Day Alzheimer's Solution, or Blue Zones Kitchens. They seem to have many more appealing images and less text and tasks.

100 Ways to Change Your Life by Liz Moody

The new book 100 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE by Liz Moody really surprised me – in a good way. I liked its emphasis on really creative, doable tasks. There are many specifics; for example, Moody suggests creating a rule of three or mapping your day to your energy in order to be more productive. In another sections, she comments on how to be happier (e.g., do something for someone else) or how to feel calmer (e.g., use action as an antidote to anxiety). Her focus on science and research is very helpful, too. In the section on reduce your pain, Moody frequently quotes Dr. Rachel Zoffness (a psychologist and author of The Pain Management Workbook) and the importance of looking at biological, psychological, and social factors. Moody points out that “playing with the idea of a pain recipe and a pain dial starts to illuminate the many factors at play in the experience of pain, and while not all pain is within our control, it's illuminating and wildly empowering to begin to discover just how much is.” With so many great ideas and references to additional resources (roughly ten percent of the book is notes), 100 WAYS TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE would be a great book to browse or to consider as a gift. Liz Moody is the host of the top-rated The Liz Moody Podcast where, like this book, she shares interviews with experts and explores “The Science of Leveling Up Health, Happiness, Relationships & Success.”

Zingerman's Bakehouse Celebrate Every Day

If you have never been to Zingerman’s Bakehouse in Arbor, Michigan, you absolutely must go (and eat!). In the meantime, have fun sampling delicious recipes from a brand new cookbook, ZINGERMAN'S BAKEHOUSE CELEBRATE EVERY DAY by Amy Emberling, Lindsay-Jean Hard, Lee Vedder, and Corynn Coscia. The four authors each adopted a season in order to include “A Year's Worth of Favorite Recipes for Festive Occasions, Big and Small.” The photographs by E. E. Berger are stunning – and there are more of them (roughly a hundred) than recipes (about 80) so this is a visual feast as well as one sure to please the palate. Recipes are detailed with fairly lengthy ingredient lists, but the results are so creative and special, that it will truly be a joy to experiment with the ideas here. Examples include Key Lime Pie, The Works Grilled Cheese Sandwich, or Hot Cross Buns for Spring and Blueberry Buckle or Fresh Fruit Tart (plus a couple of Paella choices) for Summer. Fall may be my favorite with Bavarian Soft Pretzels, Kickin’ Butternut Soup, Pumpkin Cheesecake and Michigan Double Chocolate Cookies, but Winter has plenty to offer, too: Pfeffernűsse, two versions of King Cake, and West African Peanut Stew or Zingerman’s Deli Chicken Pot Pies. And that is just a few from each season – don’t they all sound yummy?

Piecemeal by Kathryn Pauline and Lidia's Latest ...

PIECEMEAL by Kathryn Pauline describes “A Flexible Repertoire of Effortless Meals in 124 Recipes” and it truly is flexible. Pauline offers a unique method for trying new recipes. She suggests 30 basic components (e.g., caramelized tomatoes; garlicky mushrooms, or roasted grapes) and then, for each, offers an idea for 3 recipes. Of those, one takes 5 minutes to prepare, one about 15 minutes and the last, maybe 30 minutes or a little more. One example is smoky eggplant which could be used in Baba Ganoush, a Ricotta Frittata, and Chicago-style deep dish pizza. Pauline continues to emphasize experimentation by offering easy backup plans, including additional recipes for what she calls essential foundations (e.g., buttermilk biscuits, kale, and almond brittle). Plus, she offers two tables of contents; one divides components by type (e.g., vegetables, meats, sauces, fruits) and lists their potential uses while the second version offers a more traditional division (breakfast, soups, mains, and so on). I am looking forward to trying her ideas for coconut shrimp, turkey spinach meatballs, and cinnamon apples. The accompanying photos are excellent – colorful and appealing throughout.  Nutrition information is not provided, but Pauline stresses fresh ingredients and spans a variety of cuisines (e.g., German, Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, Polish, Thai and more).  PIECEMEAL received a starred review from Booklist. We will likely be purchasing this new title for use by our cooking class students, but this inventive cookbook merits a place on your shelf at home, too. 

LIDIA'S FROM OUR FAMILY TABLE TO YOURS by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali offers “More Than 100 Recipes Made with Love for All Occasions.” This latest cookbook from a prolific author will likely appeal to her many fans. However, the recipes do not seem especially healthy. Nutrition information is not provided; quite a bit of frying is recommended, and a fun appetizer like Spicy Crispy Roasted Caulifower still requires an entire sick of butter. Perhaps Lidia’s target audience is really an established, confident cook since other recipes are somewhat complicated (see Asparagus with Lemon Sauce) and throughout the authors assume a level of knowledge and sophistication from their readers (did you know that Grana Pandano is similar to Parmigiano Reggiano?). 

For easier meal ideas I plan to investigate instead 100 Easy Dinner Recipes for Right Now from The New York Times. 

Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken

The recent New York Times bestseller, ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE is written by Chris van Tulleken, a BBC television and radio broadcaster whose relevant credentials include a medical degree from Oxford, a PhD in molecular virology, and a position as an associate professor at University College London. In addition, van Tulleken is willing to experiment with his own body, allowing ultra-processed foods to account for 80% of his daily calorie intake for a month. Afterwards, he gained weight, slept poorly, and became more anxious while noting “ironically, food often felt like the solution rather than the problem.” Van Tulleken splits the text into five sections, with background on what we are eating, ideas about control and addiction, physical and psychological reactions to these products, as well as associated costs and possible solutions. With approximately 10 percent devoted to notes, this text is full of facts about nutrition, physiology, and ingredients – many are disturbing. They may not be enough to change strong habits or combat the addictive qualities of these processed items, but they will definitely have readers looking at food labels in a new way. ULTRA-PROCESSED PEOPLE, about “The Science Behind the Food That Isn't Food” (more like “an industrially produced edible substance,” per one scientist van Tulleken interviewed), was a Next Big Idea Club selection for June 2023. For interested readers, related texts include 2015’s The Dorito Effect, 2013’s Grain Brain (updated in 2018) and 2021’s Metabolical.

New cookbook titles ...

THE ULTIMATE MEDITERRANEAN DIET COOKING FOR ONE COOKBOOK by Kelly Jaggers includes “175 Healthy, Easy, and Delicious Recipes Made Just for You.” Jaggers is clearly passionate about preparing food; she is the author of several cookbooks, a cooking instructor, personal chef, and caterer. And it’s a good thing, too, that the recipes are great because that cover could be so much more appealing, right? This new cookbook is part of a series (others are on Baking for One and Cooking for One) and Jaggers divides it into fairly standard sections such as breakfast, side dishes, seafood, poultry, and desserts. She includes nutritional information for each recipe and also has some beautiful pictures (a sampling of which appears in the look inside feature at amazon). In general, the recipes seem to meet the promise of being healthy and relatively easy. I am excited to try the Frozen Fruity Yogurt Bark (only 4 ingredients).    

SIMPLY TOMATO by Martha Holmberg offers “100 Recipes for Enjoying Your Favorite Ingredient All Year Long.” SIMPLY TOMATO received starred reviews from Booklist (“consider this the tomato Bible”) and Publishers Weekly (“an indispensable resource for tomato lovers”). It is a unique book for the more experienced cook and is filled with mouth-watering choices. Holmberg has been very creative; for example, she includes eight tomato soups, three of which are variations on gazpacho. Numerous salads (like Sungold Cherry Tomato and Summer Corn Salad), pastas (Penne with Blasted Cherry Tomatoes, Fennel, and Salami), and both main and side dishes are featured as well as snacks (like Grilled Cheese with Sun-Dried Tomato and Smoky Red Pepper Mayonnaise), drinks, and tarts or pastries. Nutritional information is not provided and not every recipe has a picture, but tomatoes are so easy for the home gardener to grow that this cookbook will offer many fun ideas for experimenting during harvest season and beyond. 

Diet, Health, and New Cookbooks

I took a quick look at several food-related new books recently; they are from a number of publishers and cover a variety of more niche topics so I am posting them together in case one is of particular interest to you.

That said, who doesn’t love pasta? And AN A-Z OF PASTA by Rachel Roddy provides stories and commentary on 50 types of pasta, with, as the subtitle notes “Recipes for Shapes and Sauces, from Alfabeto to Ziti, and Everything in Between.” Roddy, an award-winning British food writer, says, “The idea is the 50 stories, arranged alphabetically according to the first letter of the shape, are like pieces of a jigsaw…” The relatively few pictures look scrumptious, like the one for baked macaroni with meatballs and eggplant (Maccheroni ‘ncasciati), although I did not see any nutrition information in the preview. In general, the recipes use numerous ingredients so this may work best for more experienced cooks, but some are marked very quick (e.g., butter and parmesan fettuccine) or quick (e.g., Carbonara). In addition to the delicious food, fans of pasta are sure to enjoy the details – like Penne being named for its slanted cut thanks to an 1865 patent on a diagonal cutting machine - revealed in the descriptions. AN A-Z OF PASTA received a starred review from Booklist. 

MIND OVER BATTER by Jack Hazan is subtitled “75 Recipes for Baking as Therapy.” Hazan writes quite a bit about his Syrian Jewish family members and obviously shares numerous favorite recipes, including his own experience making and selling challah. It all sounds delicious, and frankly, I think if I had more patience and somewhat different expectations that I would like this book more. I was honestly hoping for less stress through easier recipes. Pictures are quite colorful and have me thinking about giving Pesto Pull-Apart Bread or Choose-Your-Own-Scone a try. Since these are baked goods, they tend to be on the sweet side and nutritional information is not included. Hazan, a licensed psycho​therapist, also includes information on self-care, mindfulness, and healing exercises. MIND OVER BATTER is a unique cookbook, especially if you enjoy baking. 

EAT TO BEAT YOUR DIET by William W. Li describes how to “Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, and Live Longer.” Li is a physician, scientist, and author of over one hundred scientific publications in leading journals. He outlines a program to improve your metabolism by carefully choosing what you eat and eating less and more slowly at certain times of the day. The text focuses more on the theory of what and when to eat, but Chapter 12 includes a sample meal guide and recipes like Berry Walnut Breakfast Cookies, Artichoke Egg Scramble, or Pasta Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Olives. Unfortunately, the preview did not contain images (always a favorite part of cookbooks) or nutrition information. Addressing a topic of interest to everyone, EAT TO BEAT YOUR DIET appeared on The Wall Street Journal non-fiction best seller list and for those who are interested, this link leads to a short video interview with Dr. Li as shown on Good Morning America. 

THE EVERYTHING ONE POT MEDITERRANEAN COOKBOOK by Peter Minaki offers “200 Fresh and Simple Recipes That Come Together in One Pot.” That is a style of cooking that I appreciate and there are many, many great choices here: Risotto with Shrimp, Mushrooms, and Asparagus; Cod with Raisins; Skillet Lasagna; even making Sun-Dried Tomatoes yourself. Minaki blogs about “Greek food and more” and embraces Greek (e.g., Scallops Saganaki) and other cuisines in his latest book with recipes like Moroccan-Style Chicken with Green Olives and Lemon or Spanish-Style Chickpeas with Cod. THE EVERYTHING ONE POT MEDITERRANEAN COOKBOOK contains sparsely illustrated sections for skillet dishes, sheet pans, Dutch ovens, Slow Cookers, Instant Pot and casseroles. Yummy! Nutritional information is provided and readers will have a hard time deciding what to try first.

New Cookbooks

THE EVERYTHING DASH DIET MEAL PREP COOKBOOK by Karman Meyer, “200 Easy, Make-Ahead Recipes to Help You Lose Weight and Improve Your Health.” The publishers of this soon to be released cookbook note that “Studies show that the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet can help lower blood pressure in just two weeks.” That, of course, is exciting and as a result there are numerous cookbooks offering DASH Diet recipes, some of which we have reviewed like DASH for Weight Loss and The DASH Diet Mediterranean Solution. Meyer, a registered dietitian nutritionist with fifteen years of experience in the nutrition and food industry, offers recipes across a variety of categories and includes a two-week meal plan. I am looking forward to trying some like Sweet Potato Breakfast Pie, Beef Tenderloin and Roasted Vegetables, or Pork Chops with Sautéed Apples and Shallots. The cookbook itself would benefit from more color photos, although nutritional information is happily provided.  

THE DON'T PANIC PANTRY COOKBOOK by Noah Galuten, “Mostly Vegetarian Comfort Food That Happens to Be Pretty Good for You.” Galuten and his wife are developing an interesting brand based on their pandemic experience; he is a chef, James Beard Award-nominated cookbook author, and host of the YouTube cooking show Don’t Panic Pantry. Their attitude towards cooking is refreshing, saying that all of us “are negotiating constantly with two different versions of ourselves: the one who wants to be healthier and the one who wants to be excited, or comforted, by the food we eat.” As a result, Galuten’s recipes involve quote a bit of noodles, pasta and beans, but they are easy to make and generally good for you. He provides plenty of “basics” like soup stocks, smoothies, and salad dressings from which to choose. I might try suggestions like Turkey Meatballs or Turmeric Tomato Salad with Fried Herbs. More pictures and adding nutrition information would be helpful.

A couple of other cookbooks that I will be investigating in the new year include Jamie Oliver’s One: Simple One Pan Wonders (to be released soon) and The Well Plated Cookbook by Erin Clarke.

Stress and Anxiety in the New Year

THE STRESS PRESCRIPTION (Seven Days to More Joy and Ease) by Elissa Epel (co-author of The Telomere Effect) is part of a series; other titles, also written by experts in their respective fields, include The Love Prescription and The Sleep Prescription. Epel is the director of UCSF’s Aging, Metabolism, and Emotion Center and serves on scientific advisory committees for the National Institutes of Health and the Mind & Life Institute. In this primer, she encourages readers to “read a chapter a day or a chapter a week” and offers one new skill (e.g., Embracing Uncertainty and Openness) per chapter. Epel provides a great deal of reassurance and plenty of personal examples, but not as much practical advice as I had envisioned. To me, there was simply too much emphasis on her own stories (e.g., running out of pipettes due to supply chain issues) and less on helping readers to really adopt some lifestyle practices. A positive element is that her suggested activities “need no special equipment, and at most take five to ten minutes.”  That short timeframe may make her recommendations attractive and “do-able” for readers.  Almost twenty percent of the book is devoted to a listing of further reading and resources and extensive notes.

HOW TO CALM YOUR MIND by Chris Bailey is about “Finding Presence and Productivity in Anxious Times” and is also published by Penguin Life. Like in his earlier work, Hyperfocus, Bailey offers suggestions primarily for adult professionals. He notes, for example, “When you see everything you do through the lens of the accomplishment mindset, everything in your life looks like something you have to get done. In this way, an accomplishment mindset compromises how much joy you experience each day, as you alternate between periods of productivity, as well as guilt.” Bailey acknowledges investing in self-care through activities like meditation, exercise, getting a massage, and/or adopting a better diet, but he advocates doing more to reduce chronic stress, burnout, and anxiety. Bailey uses personal experiences to illustrate his points; plus, over ten percent of the book lists notes, including references for numerous scientific papers, which support his contentions. 

Concerns about stress and anxiety apply especially to young people; on a related note, see the article in today's Wall Street Journal from the Weekend Interview about "Jonathan Haidt on the ‘National Crisis’ of Gen Z." It is a sobering piece.