The Top10 Health Books of 2013 | The Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans LLC

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“Be careful about reading health books.

You may die of a misprint.”

-Mark Twain-

Getting healthy is all about knowledge. Yes, there’s conflicting advice and yes, it takes time and patience to change old habits, but reading up on the latest information and insight into nutrition and holistic health is one of the most powerfully effective things you can do for your mind, body, and spirit. And per Mr. Twain, just cross your fingers there’s not a misprint.

Curiosity and an open mind are key to learning any new skill, and nutrition is no different. The following books are my favorite health and wellness reads of 2013. And by that, I don’t mean that they were published this year, only that I finally got around to reading them sometime over the past 12 months and I highly recommend them.

The Top 10 Health Books of 2013:

1. Food Rules by Michael Pollan

This New York Times #1 Bestseller lays out a set of straightforward, memorable rules for eating wisely. Eating doesn’t have to be complicated, and the brilliant Mr. Pollan keeps it simple and clear.

2. Beauty Detox Foods by Kimberly Snyder

Addressing everything from weight loss, skin health, feeling great and looking amazing, Kimberly walks you through various foods, how they support glowing health, and recipes to help you incorporate her clean eating principles on a daily basis.

3. Clean Gut by Dr. Alejandro Junger

This book is all about the importance of the digestive system and why gut imbalance is the root of all health problems, excess weight, and even mental and emotional imbalance. Dr. Junger is a wealth of knowledge regarding the body’s intricate system, dispelling advice on how to rebalance your gut and reclaim your health.

4. The Open Focus Brain by Les Fehmi and Jim Robbins.

An interesting read about the power of the mind,  Dr. Les Fehmi claims that many of us have become stuck in “narrow-focus attention” that holds us in a state of chronic stress. To improve these conditions, Dr. Fehmi explains that we must learn to return to a relaxed, diffuse, and creative form of attention, which he calls “Open Focus.”

5. 8 Weeks to Optimal Health by Dr. Andrew Weil

I love Dr. Weil. He was one of my guest lectures at IIN and there’s always something to learn from his approach to functional medicine and integrative health. This book covers a week-by-week, step-by-step plan that will keep your body’s natural healing system in peak working order. It covers diet, exercise, lifestyle, stress, and environment–all aspects of daily living that affect health and well-being.

6. Food and Healing by Annmarie Colbin

Annmarie Colbin was one of the people to explore the link between diet and health. It’s a lengthy read, but she explores various dietary systems, including low-fat, food combining, and alternative medicine.

7. Nourishing Wisdom by Marc David

Written by the founder of The Institute for the Psychology of Eating, Marc explores the emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives in relation to our eating patterns. This book combines the principles of nutritional awareness, personal growth, and body psychology.

8. GAPS by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride

The connection between autism, dyslexia, depression, A.D.D., and schizophrenia and how it relates to food and digestive health is explored in this in-depth and insightful read.

9. The Blood Sugar Solution by Dr. Mark Hyman

I can’t sing enough praises about Dr. Mark Hyman. I reference him and his work in functional medicine almost weekly. This book is a simple yet thorough exploration of food, blood sugar, and the importance of reducing inflammation in the body in order to promote balanced, optimal, long term health as well as the prevention of chronic illness and disease.

10. The Dark Side of Fat Loss by Sean Croxton

In this book, the founder of undergroundwellness.com sheds light on obesity, healthcare, and the fallacy of scientific approaches to weight loss. Sean’s ideas and opinions are straight forward and different from mainstream nutritional thinking, which I appreciate. And I strongly support his acronym J.E.R.F. = Just Eat Real Food!

So that’s the list. If you have any recommendations, please share. I love to constantly digest various thoughts and approaches to eating, nutrition, and holistic health.

And if anyone’s looking for last minute gift ideas for that health and fitness lover, pick up one of these reads for a gift that’s sure to please!

Looking for extra support and clean eating information after the holidays? Registration for Eat Clean Health’s ‘New Year, New You Detox’ is just around the corner! Registration opens on December 26th and this whole foods, 7 Day Clean Eating program launches on Monday, January 13th. Program details and registration information will be posted soon, and if you’d like to be updated personally, contact Jodi and she’ll add you to the email blast.

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