Books

Recommended Readings...and why

You may be frustrated to notice that there is not 100% agreement between these well-qualified authors of these well-researched books on topics such as the right kinds of fats to eat, the role of medications, etc.  Nutrition, biochemistry and exercise physiology are unfolding sciences. Humans are biochemically unique. There is not only one right answer.  Bear with them.

DIET

The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler.  A fascinating book about the science of appetite, how sugar, fat and salt override our innate appetite regulating mechanisms, how the food industry knows and capitalizes on this, and what you can do about it both politically and personally.

You on a Diet, by Dr. Mehmet Oz.  If you’re wondering why you are hungry all the time, this book will explain why and what to do about it.  Excellent resource for understanding the role of weight on chronic illnesses.  Provides tools for managing your cravings as well as overall health, and gives behavioral strategies for managing you.  (Also, check out the website, RealAge.com, to see how your current lifestyle choices are creating your real, physiological age.)

Picture Perfect Weight Loss, by Dr. Howard Shapiro.  Spectacular picture book of calorie comparisons.   If this doesn’t get the point across, nothing will.  I show these pictures to everyone!

Living the Low Carb Life, by Johnny Bowden.  Well researched, clear explanations of the history and science of healthy eating.  Reviews most of the popular diet programs and explains the principles behind them.  Great handbook as a resource for products, websites, etc.

The Rosedale Diet, by Dr. Ron Rosedale.  A diabetes pioneer, Dr. Rosedale explains of the role of leptin and other hormones in weight management, and the science of how to dramatically reduce blood sugar, cravings and weight.  Includes recipes and menus

The Schwarzbein Principle by Diana Schwarzbein.  Deals with healing broken metabolisms, burned-out adrenals and poor insulin sensitivity.  Includes extensive menus with varying levels of carbohydrates.

The Paleo Diet by Dr. Loren Cordain.  Compelling examination of our hunter-gatherer ancestry and how the dietary changes of modern man are contributing to today’s chronic diseases.  Includes meal plans and recipes.

The Fat Resistance Diet by Dr. Leo Galland.  Presents the current science concerning the lifestyle causes of inflammation – the underlying factor in most chronic illnesses.  Explains how weight itself is affecting the very hormones that regulate fat storage and appetite.   Provides menus, recipes and resources.

Eat Fat, Lose Fat , by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon.  Presents tons of research on the whole history of the misguided cholesterol and fat recommendations of the last several years.  Explains their opinion of what constitutes good and bad fats.  Includes recipes and meal plans.

The Hamptons Diet , by Fred Pescatore, MD.  Excellent science supporting his opinion of what constitutes adequate and appropriate fat consumption from the former medical director of the Atkins Center.  Includes interesting and innovative recipes as well as meal plans.

Nutrition Made Simple , by Robert Crahyon.  Still one of the best basic handbooks for reliable, concise nutrition information.

Nourishing Traditions , by Sally Fallon.  Provides explanation of as well as recipes and menus from the traditional diets of ancient cultures that have kept them chronic disease free for generations.

Your Hidden Food Allergies Are Making You Fat , by Rudy Rivera, MD, and Roger D. Deutsch.  Explains the signs, symptoms, and science of delayed food intolerances and their role in many common complaints such as fatigue, migraines, IBS, sinus congestion, skin problems, and arthritis.

BEHAVIORAL HELP

Younger Next Year and Younger Next Year for Women , by Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, MD.  Want to be really encouraged to take better care of yourself?  This book provides both humorous encouragement as well as serious science to get you off your duff and get some vegetables in your mouth!

Younger You , by Eric R. Braverman, MD.  Similar to Younger Next Year, but with more science and resources provided.  If you are over 50, do yourself a favor and find out the facts about how much the quality of your next 30 years will be impacted by the choices you are making today.

Thin Tastes Better and The Thin Commandments Diet , by Stephen Gullo, PhD.  Both books provide excellent behavioral tools and suggestions for the individual who is ready to take action to help themselves.  Lots of valuable strategies and catchy mantras.

Life Strategies , by Dr. Phil McGraw.  Say what you like, Dr. Phil knows how to logically and rationally place the responsibility for change squarely back on the shoulders of the only person who will ever be able to help you…you!

BRAIN CHEMISTRY

The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure , by Julia Ross, MA.  How to use nutrition and natural supplements to deal with the brain chemistry of addiction.  Lost of good science.  Includes questionnaires to help you begin to understand your own brain chemistry.  Examines foods commonly eaten today and their disastrous effect on your body’s chemistry.

Seven Weeks to Sobriety , by Joan Mathews Larsen.  Truly the pioneer in using nutrition and supplements to address the biochemical basis of addiction.  It is from her original work that much of the additional research comes.

KIDS

Feed Your Kids Well , by Fred Pescatore, MD.  Great explanation of the science of low carb eating.  Focuses on what constitutes adequate and appropriate dietary fat.  Talks about his own history growing up as an overweight kid in a traditional Italian family.  Provides menus and recipes.

Dr. Sears’ L.E.A.N. Kids , by Dr. William Sears.  As well as the science of healthy eating for kids, provides lots of behavioral and parenting coaching to assist you in moving your kids in the right direction.

Chew On This , by Eric Schlosser and Charles Wilson.  Everything you never wanted to (but probably should) know about the fast food industry and your kids.

Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert is a wonderful book to share with your children, both in story and in deed, encouraging them to get their hands in the dirt, be excited about nature, and view produce positively all at the same time.

Why Should I Eat Well? by Claire Llewellyn is a little picture book told by and for children with explanation of the benefits of eating well.

Eating the Alphabet by Lois Ehlert is a beautiful picture book with the alphabet portrayed in beautiful watercolors of fruits and vegetables.  Fun to take to the produce aisle with your kids and teach the kids the alphabet and colors while picking out fruits and vegetable to try at home.

EXERCISE

Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes , by Theresa Tapp.  A truly unique and comprehensive exercise program unlike anything else on the market.  Works on deep muscle for:  balance, strength, alignment, flexibility, lymphatic drainage, sugar burning, etc.  You name it, this program addresses it.  Book includes sample DVD.

Smart Exercise , by Covert Bailey.  Still the best at explaining complicated exercise biochemistry in simplistic and interesting ways so that even the most lay lay-person can understand and be positively influenced by it.  A few years old, so there is more new information that it couldn’t cover at that time.

How to Eat, Move and Be Healthy! , by Paul Chek.  Extraordinarily comprehensive resource on healthful eating and exercise.  Helps you analyze many aspects of your physiology so that you can tailor your diet and exercise to maximize individual potential.

SPIRITUAL

Everyday Grace by Marianne Williamson.  Wonderful 2-3 page vignettes on getting through each day, hour by hour, mood by mood.  Very direct and down to earth.  Based on the teachings from A Course in Miracles

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff , by the recently deceased Richard Carlson.  1-2 page elaborations on stress relieving statements.  No matter how much I assumed I would already know what he was going to say, he has a special and unique slant on his points that always gets me thinking.  Can’t wait to get my copy of the “best of”, called The Big Book 0f Small Stuff .

Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give and Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life , by M.J. Ryan.  A gift from a client that I again mistakenly assumed wouldn’t contain anything I hadn’t already heard. But it does have a unique slant from some unusual sources.

Until Today! : Daily Devotions for Spiritual Growth and Peace of Mind , by Iyanla Vansant.  Another client recommendation that I have thoroughly enjoyed for morning readings.  Several different spiritual sources are represented.  Sometimes comforting, always thought provoking.

The Language of Letting Go , by Melody Beattie.  These readings are all about “courage to change the things I can”, and knowing that that is really only me.  Great for helping with the idea that, as the Desiderata says, “no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”

Each Day a New Beginning , by Hazelden Publishing.  Daily readings for women dealing with any kind of addictive behavior.  Never gets old.  Touchstones is the male version of the same book.

Illuminata by Marianne Williamson.  Prayers for everything focusing on how I want myself to be in any situation.  Insightful prose as well as down-to-earth prayers for the real life stuff.  Based on the teachings from The Course in Miracles.