The other day, the Publicity team was provided with 24 Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Now, I don’t know about you but my willpower is pretty much non-existent and nothing was going to stop me from having one. As I munched away happily, not minding that I’d stained my favourite winter jumper with 4 blobs of jam, I suddenly thought that it was a very good thing that ‘I shall never eat a Krispy Kreme doughnut ever again in a million years’ had not appeared on my list of New Year resolutions (of which I’ve broken every single one).This then led onto a discussion about making resolutions in general and how, quite frankly, they are very hard to keep. Perhaps it would just be easier to make a few simple ‘New Year, New You’ promises instead? No outright food bans, just one or two personal goals to keep the path to enlightenment in full view for the rest of the year.

This January, we’re publishing some truly fantastic New Year, New You titles. Whether you’re looking to get fit and healthy or you’re interested in exploring your spiritual side, make sure to take a peek at our books below to help keep you on the straight and narrow.

* * *

The Hypnotic Gastric Band by Paul McKenna

Paul McKenna, Ph.D. has helped millions of people successfully lose weight, quit smoking, overcome insomnia, eliminate stress, and increase self-confidence. He is Britain’s bestselling non-fiction author, having sold 3 million books in 3 years, and his TV shows and live appearances have been watched and attended by hundreds of millions of people in 42 countries around the world.

His new book, The Hypnotic Gastric Band, offers readers the chance to experience a psychological procedure that can help to convince the unconscious mind that a gastric band has been fitted, so the body behaves exactly as if it were physically present.

Along with the book, the system contains a hypnosis CD and an instructional DVD to provide complete support for physical and psychological change whilst you lose weight. There’s no physical surgery, no scarring and no forbidden foods. Just follow all the instructions and let Paul help you lose weight.

The Dude and the Zenmaster by Jeff Bridges & Bernie Glassman

Jeff Bridges is one of the world’s most popular actors and his unforgettable performance as The Dude in Coen Brothers film, The Big Lebowski, made him a cult hero. His remarkable career as an actor, performer and songwriter has brought him an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Critics Choice award. Away from the spotlight, Bridges is a dedicated practitioner of Zen Buddhism and for more than a decade has been close friends with Zen leader Bernie Glassman. It is Glassman who has helped guide Bridges’ lessons on the path to enlightenment and the two have spent many hours discussing life, love, the movies, creativity, happiness and death.

With wit, charm and profound insight, Bridges and Glassman discover the Zen in iconic scenes and lines from The Big Lebowski. With honesty and humour, Bridges explores how his Zen practice and his life experience inform one another as he discusses his loving relationship with his parents, his marriage, his highly successful career and his warm connection with his fans.

The Dude and the Zenmaster is a brilliant book for those who have practiced Zen for years as well as others who are keen to learn more about Buddhism, Spirituality and Philosophy in general.

Everyday Light by Martha Stewart

From the Queen of American cookery comes a fabulous collection of recipes – all 500 calories or less, and all big on flavour!

Martha Stewart knows it’s not enough for home cooks to prepare tasty weeknight meals in a flash – they also need to be healthy and appealing for the whole family. Martha Stewart’s Everyday Light features delicious, low-fat recipes that are made with accessible ingredients, and each recipe is accompanied by beautiful colour photography to keep you inspired and cooking light every day of the week.

The recipes, which are organised seasonally, include salads, soups, stews, main courses, easy sides, desserts, and more. You’ll find slimmed-down favourites, such as Beef Chilli, Chicken Parmesan, and deceptively skinny Chocolate-Chunk Brownies, plus new delights such as Spicy Chicken Stir-Fry with Peanuts and Salmon Burgers with Yoghurt-Dill Sauce. With basic low-fat cooking techniques (stir-frying, cooking in parchment, grilling), tips on the 10 best ways to boost flavour without adding fat (including marinades, dressings, herbs and spices), and simple tools for low-calorie cooking (cast-iron skillets and grill pans and steamer baskets), Martha Stewart’s Everyday Light helps you cook the kind of delicious, healthy food you really want to eat!