Environment
- The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, by Michael Pollan.
Traces the history of four meals- industrial (fast food), industrial organic (think Cal-Organics), Pastoral Farming (happy animals living the healthy lives) and foraging (animal and mushroom hunting). A book I think everyone who intends on eating in their lifetime should read. Or at least read the first section on industrial food. It will change the way you look at processed food. - Empty Harvest, by Dr. Bernard Jensen (arguably the leader in modern holistic nutritional).
Discusses the effect of quality soil on food and effects of mass single crop farms on the environment. Most powerful statement in the book: “No civilization has ever lived beyond the health of its soil, and only by the most artificial means have we stretched this rule and extended civilization
Inspiration
- Vegetable, Animal, Miracle, By Barbara Kingsolver
This book will make you want to run away from the city, move onto a farm and live off your land. Or at the very least, inspire you to go to your local farmer’s market and buy fresh produce and start cooking. Great recipes and resources included in the book. - Eat, Pray, Love, by Elizabeth Gilbert
Warning: Do not read this if your current relationship is in any sort of rocky state as it will motivate you to leave. This book reminded me that I am not trapped in any fate and have the power to do just exactly what I want with my life. A beautiful story though some were disappointed with the ending. - Kitchen Table Wisdom: Stories That Heal, By Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.
This should be required reading for anyone and everyone working in any capacity of the health care system or if you or anyone you know is suffering from any disease. Will make you laugh and cry and ultimately inspire compassion and hope.
- Vipassana Meditation, William Hart as taught by S.N.Goenka
Even if you never partake in this type of intense and challenging mediation, it will inspire you to live a life full of more love and the anecdotal Indian stories that proceed each chapter are inspiring unto themselves. - Siddartha, by Herman Hesse
This book should be read at least once per year to remind us all to keep it simple. - Creative Visualization, Shakti Gawain
Meditation isn’t for everyone, but this book offers a broad spectrum of meditation techniques- some being mental exercises and others physical tasks that everyone is sure to find one they can manage and that will inspire them to keep quiet just a little bit and look inside. - Jonathan Livingston Seagull, by Richard Bach
A book about a seagull who chose to move away from his flock in order to achieve his full potential despite being told he couldn’t do. A reminder that we mustn’t allow ourselves to settle for anything less than striving to achieve our fullest potential
Health, Wellness & Nutrition
- Perfect Health, by Deepak Chopra
A very clear and inspiring book that helps inspire us to discover the inner voices within ourselves to heal, transform and create a balanced state in all physical and psychological levels. - Quantum Healing, By Deepak Chopra
Discusses the very issue that perplexes the scientific medical community- the abolity we each have within ourselves to both create disease and seemingly miraculously cure our own disease.
- Allergies, Disease in Disguise, by Caroline Bateson-Koch
Discussion on allergies, the insane toxic load we are all carrying, leading to an increase in allergic reaction, what signs and symptoms we should look out for and ultimately what these seemingly harmless reactions will do to our immune system and total health over the long term. - Healing With Whole Foods; Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition, Paul Pitchford
Healing principles of food based on Asian traditions with great recipes and healthful uses of various foods as medicines. - Prescription For Nutritional Healing, Balch
A book everyone should own if they have any desire to try and address health concerns naturally.
Before ordering any of these from Amazon- go check out your local book shop and see if they carry any of them. And please feel free to make your own recos or post comments on any of these that you have read.
