12 Terrific Health and Wellness Books

Hi everybody!

I am constantly reading books! Since I became very interested in my health and well-being, I have been devouring all of the knowledge I can to educated myself. Here are a few of my favorites! I am sure there will be another post like this to come, as I will probably forget a few! If you have some free time, pick one up, and learn how to be an even better you!

1. Blue Zones by, Dan Buettner. I wrote an entire post on this book in December. Blue Zones tells of the regions in the world in which people live the longest, most quality lives. It discovers the reasons for this great level of longevity and develops a plan in which we can implement these practices into our daily lives!

        

2. Thrive by, Dan Buettner- Thrive does the same as Blue Zones, but examines the happiest people in the world, and what about their lifestyles makes them so happy. It is very interesting in that it contradicts many of America's social norms. However, the research doesn't lie! This book will definitely make you think. 

     

3. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by, Deepak Chopra . You know this is one of my favorites. We have one law left in our review of this book! A great resource in learning how to reach your fullest potential and manifest your dreams. 

  

4. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga by Deepak Chopra and David Simon- I am reading this book right now and absolutely love it. It teaches many of the basic principles of yoga philosophy. It then applies the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success to your yoga practice. In addition, it explains the many health benefits of yoga and why it should definitely be included somehow in your wellness routine! 

    

5. Slim, Calm, Sexy Yoga by Tara Stiles- This book tells of how yoga can truly benefit our minds and bodies. It focuses on how yoga can eliminate stress in our lives, which is directly related to weight gain and disease. Yoga keeps you fit, while keeping your mind calm and centered, cultivating a sense of ease which overflows into every aspect of your life.

   

6. Thrive: The Vegan Nutritional Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life by, Brendan Brazier- I've talked about Brendan Brazier before. He is an unbelievable resource for plant-based nutrition. This book focuses on the science behind how different foods fuel our bodies. It busts any myths that vegan's are weak and malnourished. A professional triathlete, Brendan shares how a plant-based diet provides our bodies with pure and efficient fuel to live life to its fullest. 

     

7. Thrive Foods by, Brendan Brazier- Thrive Foods is Brendan's most recent book. It again offers tons of scientific nutritional and environmental information. The main purpose of the book is to provide wonderful cookbook of nutritious, performance enhancing, plant based recipes. 

         

8. The Starch Solution by,  John and Mary McDougall- This is another wonderful book on plant-based nutrition. It provides detailed scientific research and testimonials on the medical benefits of a plant-based diet and tips on how to eat towards better health. Dr. McDougall is very much connected to the group of medical professionals behind the film Forks Over Knives. 

  

9. The Happy Herbivore Cookbook- Happy Herbivore is my absolute favorite plant-based cookbook series. The recipes are easy and delicious. They are all low fat and use no added oils. Also, nutritional information is included for each recipe! Check out Everyday Happy Herbivore, Happy Herbivore Abroad , and her website too! 

10. The complete idiot's guide to Plant-based Nutrition by, Julieanna Hever- This one is pretty self- explanatory. The book provides a complete nutritional overview of a plant-based diet. It busts all of the protein and calcium myths, provides guidelines on how to cover all of your nutritional bases, and has special sections dedicated to exercise, pregnancy, and children! Great resource to have on hand. 

11. The Alchemist by, Paulo Coelho- I also wrote an early post on this book. It is a simply beautiful allegorical tale about following your dreams. It will shake any beliefs that you are not in control of your own destiny. Wonderful, wonderful book. 

  

12. Eat This, Not That Series- I wrote a post about these books in december, but never published it. Eat this, Not That educates readers about the nutritional information of chain restaurants and processed foods in America. Overall, I really advocate for a Whole Food, Plant Based diet which avoids most of these things. However, I did read these books before I became a vegan, and they were a great stepping stone in my wellness journey. The books reveal many of the nutritional downfalls of foods that so many Americans eat every day. If you do regularly go to chain restaurants and buy processed foods, this series will help you make the best choices. I hope it will open many people's eyes to what this kind of "food" really is. So, take a look, but strive towards natural, whole ingredients! 

         

Whewf! That was a lot. Whenever I feel that I need a little extra push in my wellness motivation, I will pick one of these books up again to get back on track. I hope you read a few and find your own inspiration! 

Be Well. 

Love, Julie

The Alchemist and Deepak's Law of Pure Potentiality

Being able to read books I actually want to is a luxury reserved for breaks from school work. With my very open schedule, consisting mainly of working out and Christmas preparations, I searched for books that would offer me wisdom, and further my progress on my wellness journey. Lately, the average novel has not been cutting it for me. I like to spend time reading things that will provide me with knowledge, and an opportunity for growth. Truly valuing the input of Mindbodygreen.com, I used their website for inspiration.

One of the books mentioned in its archives was The Alchemist, an allegorical tale about following one’s dreams. It was amazing. The book is so beautifully and simply written. Literally every page offers some type of wisdom. The Alchemist tells the story of a shepherd boy who decides to live out his “personal legend” after a revelation in a dream. I will not even attempt to summarize all this piece teaches, but here is a quote I feel truly sums it up:

“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. “

This seriously struck me. It’s so simple, and so true. How many people have true dreams and abandon them because they’re scared they won’t succeed. As a college senior, deciding my future, this message is all too relevant. In a perfect world, I would move out to California, become a health coach, workout and practice Bikram regularly, network with plant-based and raw communities, and inspire people to live healthier better quality lives every day, whether it is in my own practice, or in a corporate setting. But that takes more education, which takes money. Success is not as guaranteed in this as it would be in other careers. What do I do? How can I combine my dream life and what makes sense? Can they be the same thing? Scary…I know. This other quote gives me a little peace of mind.

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

This connects with a lot of the teachings of Deepak Chopra and his Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. The first law is the Law of Pure Potentiality, which teaches that all possibilities in the universe are infinite. By focusing and tuning into our true selves, becoming detached to and unaffected by other people, situations, and circumstances, we gain true and permanent power to achieve whatever we’d like. If we are grounded by other people, expectations, and situations, we are grounded by fear and temporary things.

Deep, I know.

Deepak suggests practicing the Law of Pure Potentiality by making an effort to tune into your truest self (each day)  spending time in complete silence (no reading or anything) and meditation, spending time communing with nature, and practicing non-judgment (just not judging every single thing that happens and going with the flow). Simple steps, yes, but challenging to make yourself do every day. Maybe these will help with my dilemma (and you with any of yours?)! Try them out yourself…and keep exploring his awesome book! There are seven laws after all, and I’ve only covered two!

Also, if you haven’t read it yet, I highly suggest picking up The Alchemist for a holiday read. I know, I’m giving a lot of book suggestions. Maybe make a list and tackle them whenever you have time! These two in particular have truly inspired me, and I believe everyone can benefit from them in their own way, no matter where one is in life. The messages are profound and a little overwhelming at times. Yet, life is a day by day journey. I truly believe with patience and good intentions, we will figure it all out eventually!

Be Well.

Love, Julie

Deepak Chopra's 7 Spiritual Laws of Success *Read this one til the end*

                Something I love to do is to sit down and connect with close friends. It’s amazing what can be learned from everyone’s different experiences. Often times my eyes are opened to different points of view, different possibilities, and different opportunities.  As I shared in an earlier post, my wellness journey has evolved through many stages, and my most recent focus has been on spirituality and emotional well-being. A huge break through point in this was when one of my best friends encouraged me to listen to Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.

                 

               Who is Deepak Chopra? …basically the coolest alternative medicine physician/ holistic health mastermind ever (or at least he is from what I’ve experienced so far).  He combines science and spirituality to decode the mysteries behind success, health, happiness, and well-being. In the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success he offers a spiritual approach to achieving abundance and fulfilling all desires. He defines abundance as not simply as material wealth, but as success in relationships, health, well-being, and peace of mind. According to Deepak, we have the ability to manifest our dreams with effortless ease if we use the right approach. In his book, seven laws, or processes, are outlined to help us along the way. The way in which he breaks down his methodology is so simple, given step by step. It seems easy to implement. However, I have found that in today’s society, these things are a lot easier said than done. Nonetheless, it is a challenge worth taking. It taught me how to let go of the superficial and unimportant things in life, and to focus on the things that matter. The book is an amazing eye opener about how we can change our lives for the better by tuning into our deepest selves, surrendering our constant need for control, and focusing on positivity and kindness.  Knowledge is power, and by at least learning from his lessons, we can constantly have his tricks and tips in the back of our minds, allowing us to gradually learn from and implement his practices.

                

             Okay , I did not actually read this book.

 I listened to it.

It was awesome! For about ten minutes each day, I listened to a law in peace and quiet. I highly suggest getting the audio book and letting Deepak’s wonderful, soothing voice coach you through a spiritual revolution.

               

             I decided that over winter break I would revisit Deepak’s Seven Laws of Spiritual Success. This is just an intro to him and his book. I plan to share my thoughts, experiences, and reflections on each law as I go along. In the meantime, go out and grab the book (or audiobook) yourself! I promise it will not disappoint.

             I thought I was going to end this post here…but then something came up, and I decided to tackle the laws out of order! The second law of spiritual success is the law of giving. Basically, it tells us that we get out of this world what we give to it. We and all things of the universe are one, and are in a constant exchange with one another.  If you want happiness, give happiness…etc.

Here are a few quotes  from this section:

“The best way to put the Law of Giving into operation - to start the whole process of circulation - is to make a decision that any time you come into contact with anyone, you will give them something. It doesn´t have to be in the form of material things; it could be a flower, a compliment, or a prayer. In fact, the most powerful forms of giving are non-material. The gifts of caring, attention, affection, appreciation, and love are some of the most precious gifts you can give, and they don´t cost you anything.”

“Make a decision to give wherever you go, to whomever you see. As long as you’re giving, you will be receiving. The more you give, the more confidence you will gain in the miraculous effects of this law. And as you receive more, your ability to give more will also increase.”

               

             I found this law extremely appropriate and inspiring given the current season. Recently, it’s as if the world read my mind and decided to give me opportunities to give to others unlike any of the conventional ways I have before. Usually, I give to family, friends, the usual. But these new things have been very meaningful for me. The first emerged from a note from a sorority sister at a chapter in New Jersey. A fellow sister just lost both of her parents and has no siblings, and her chapter is trying to gather as many cards and gifts as possible for her for the holiday season. I do not know this person, and will never get to see her face when she receives all of the thoughts and prayers sent her way from sorority sisters and others across the country. But that’s the beauty in it. It’s a way to give simply to give. It warms my heart to know that (as long as my mail gets there), I may contribute to a small patch of light for her in the midst of a dark time.

               

           Another opportunity came up when I learned of Dalton Dingus, a child in Kentucky who has been told by doctors that nothing else can be done for his cystic fibrosis, and that his time left here is limited. His Christmas wish this year is to receive the most Christmas cards in history, and to be recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records. So, he gets a card too! …just a small amount of positive energy that may make a difference in someone’s world.

                 

          If you can, check out the link and write a card. I hope you enjoy the feeling of giving without any expectation of something in return <3.May this be just the beginning of living in accordance with the law of giving.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/dying-kentucky-boys-guinness-christmas-card-record/story?id=17974252#.UM_-bMUzKSo

                Be Well.              

                 

               Love, Julie