JoAnna M. Lund was the author of many books, including Healthy Exchanges Cookbook, HELP: Healthy Exchanges Lifetime Plan, and Make a Joyful Table. A graduate of the University of Western Illinois, Lund founded Healthy Exchanges, a company that published a monthly newsletter, booklets, and inspirational audio and videotapes. She became a recognized spokeswoman for healthier eating, landing features in the New York Times, People, and Forbes, appearing on radio shows, and starring in her own cooking show, JoAnna Lund's HELP Yourself. Lund died of breast cancer in 2006.

Barbara Alpert is the author of No Friend Like a Sister, 30 Minutes to Mealtime, Another Potful of Recipes, Baking with Splenda, Cooking Healthy with a Pressure Cooker, Cooking for Two, and The Love of Friends.