Healthy Living Books – Reviews Page

This Healthy Living Books Reviews Page contains a growing list of our favorite Healthy Living and Healthy Thinking books!

Healthy living means healthy bodies, healthy babies, healthy thinking and healthy food. We have found the books on this page to be valuable resources to build a healthy life. If you eat healthily, but your thinking is unhealthy, you’ll never be happy. We’ve reviewed these awesome books to help us live healthy and happy lives.

HEALTHY BODIES

Prescription for Nutritional Healing By James Balch and Phyllis Balch

Prescription for Nutritional Healing is an absolute necessity if you’re interested in learning about natural approaches to healing for many common ailments. It is one of the first reference books we consult whenever a health issue comes up.

Of course, we must use common sense when dealing with medical issues.Tthis book should be only one of the many you consult. Used in conjunction with the care of an MD or Naturopath it can be extremely valuable.

We have referred to its various chapters numerous times over the years while improving our family’s health. We’ve used it to research alternative remedies for issues like Asthma, digestive problems, Lyme’s disease, styes in the eye, joint pain and others. It is very practical in explaining the benefits of vitamins and minerals in our bodies.

It also discusses different cleanses we can utilize and various herbal therapies that help to remedy common ailments. This book is revised every few years, so you can be sure that the information it contains us up to date and accurate.

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Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs By James J. Rybacki Pharm.D. and James W. Long, MD

The Essential Guide to Prescription Drugs is an incredibly valuable research source. It has been used for more than twenty-five years by readers interested in obtaining as much information as possible about the medicines they take. This book is revised each year and provides a wealth of information that can help you control or lower your prescription and medical costs.

It also provides specific information regarding the benefits versus the risks of each medication. It also talks about all the different names of each drug, principal uses of the drug, how the drug works, and precautions for those over the age of 60.

If you or a loved on regularly takes prescription drugs (and more than 50% of us do) you’ll want to see the research that is in this book. Knowledge is power. You’ll find yourself asking your doctor probing questions about alternative drugs and ways to save money.

Another great resource is the annually updated guide from Consumer Reports, “The Complete Guide to Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs.”

HEALTHY BABIES

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding La Leche League

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is published by Ballentine Books and promotes La Leche League International. The organization is a lifesaver for those women who want to breastfeed their babies, but don’t have anyone who can mentor them through the process.

Some philosophies in this book and through La Leche League are things we aren’t comfortable with, so do your research and follow your convictions. This book is a great resource for mom’s who are committed to breastfeeding their infants.

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The First Three Years of Life By Burton L. White

The First Three Years of Life is an excellent resource for new parents or parents of young children. White discusses every developmental phase that a child experiences during the first three years. The author has spent over 30 years observing and doing scientific research with children and parents.

Topics covered include motor and sensory motor skills, socialization, language, visual development, emotions, and toys. As young parents, we were amazed at the accuracy of his recommendations. Several of these recommendations seem to be counter culture or at least counter to the commonly accepted parenting methods.

For instance, White advocates allowing one-year-olds to play with ping pong balls. Safety experts may gasp, but White explains that young children will spend hours playing with the balls. Ping Pong balls fit easily in their hands and while some kids may try to put the ball into their mouths they usually won’t be able to accomplish it. If you have a child with a larger head, you may need to test this idea for safety.

We would “read ahead” of our children’s development to be prepared for their next phase.

HEALTHY MINDS and THINKING

Keeping our minds healthy and thinking what is true is one of the best recipes for a happy and productive life. We’ve found these books to be powerful additions to our mental health and well being.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.

The Body Keeps the Score is an amazing resource to help untangle and understand the effects that Trauma can cause and how to overcome it or at least minimize triggers and pain.

The Body Keeps the Score is a powerful and thought-provoking book that explores the impact of traumatic experiences on the human body and mind. In it, the author provides a comprehensive look at how trauma affects different aspects of our lives and what can be done to help those who have experienced it.

Drawing on his 30+ years as a Psychiatrist, he covers a wide range of topics, from the science of trauma to the effects of trauma on the brain and body, to the various treatments that have been developed to help people recover from traumatic experiences. Dr. Van Der Kolk draws on his extensive experience working with trauma survivors to offer insights into the ways that trauma can impact every aspect of a person’s life, from their relationships and work life to their physical and emotional health.

One of the book’s most striking themes is the way that traumatic experiences can cause our bodies to react in powerful and often unexpected ways. Dr. Van Der Kolk explains how trauma can affect our ability to regulate our emotions, disrupt our sleep patterns, and impact our physical health in ways that we might not expect. He also discusses the various treatments that have been developed to help people recover.

Four of the main ways to help your mind and body recover from trauma are:

1. Singing Out Loud
2. Yoga
3. EMDR
4. Role Playing (Acting)

He also says that talk therapy, biofeedback and other types of therapies and some drugs can be effective, but he prefers the four methods listed.

The Body Keeps the Score is not just a book about trauma, however. It is also a hopeful and empowering book about recovery and resilience. Dr. Van Der Kolk offers practical advice and guidance for those who have experienced trauma, as well as for the friends, family members, and caregivers who support them. He provides insights into the ways that we can help people heal from traumatic experiences, and offers guidance for building resilience and developing healthy coping strategies.

In conclusion, The Body Keeps the Score is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of traumatic experiences on the human body and mind. Whether you are a survivor of trauma, a care provider, or simply someone who wants to learn more about the topic, this book is an invaluable resource. It is well-written, engaging, and provides a wealth of information and insights that are sure to be of value to anyone looking to better understand the impact of trauma and what can be done to help those who have experienced it.

The Hidden Link Between Adrenaline And Stress by Dr. Archibald Hart

The Hidden Link Between Adrenaline And Stress is an eyeopening book.

“I’m stressed,” has become the mantra of many of us as we work harder and try to cram more into our already overbooked days. Dr. Archibald Hart is Senior Professor of Psychology and Dean Emeritus of Fuller Seminary. He has made a lifelong study of the detrimental effects of stress on the human body.

We heard him speak years ago on the topic of “Hurry Sickness.” He caught our attention with his simple explanations and common sense solutions. This book is written from a faith-based perspective. The advice on the value of sleep, how to relax and how to pace your life is practical and beneficial no matter what your background.

Dr. Hart believes that recognizing the thoughts and events that trigger our body to secrete adrenalin are so important. He also believes that learning to manage our responses goes a long way to healing the damage that stress can cause on our bodies. If you have too much to do every day or are regularly “stressed-out”, this book will help put life in perspective. Click here to see more of Dr. Hart’s books. 

As of 2014, Dr Hart was the Dean Emeritus and Senior Professor of Psychology, Department of Clinical Psychology at Fuller Seminary in California. His two daughters, Dr. Sylvia Hart Frejd and Dr. Cynthia Hart Weber counsel, speak and teach on healthy relationships and stress. 

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It’s All Your Fault — 12 Tips for Managing People Who Blame Others for Everything by Bill Eddy

It’s All Your Fault — 12 Tips for Managing People Who Blame Others for Everything is an eye-opening and empowering resource for dealing with difficult people.

Chances are at some point in your life you’ll encounter a high conflict person (HCP). An HCP will take things you say and misinterpret them, blame you for everything and can easily convince others that you are off your rocker. Oh, you’ve experienced this too?

Bill Eddy is the president and co-founder of the High Conflict Institute. He is an attorney, therapist, mediator and public speaker. He provides seminars on mental health issues for judges, attorneys, and mediators.

This book is incredibly powerful for three reasons. First, Bill takes all of the psychological terms and makes them understandable to the common man. Then he describes high conflict behavior in a way that makes it easy to identify. Lastly, he tells lots of true stories, making the concepts easy to grasp.

Bill Eddy doesn’t tell you how to “beat” the other person in an argument. His whole focus is to help you understand what drives the high conflict person and how to protect yourself and live without lowering yourself to destructive behavior.

This book is a very valuable tool as our society becomes more dysfunctional. It’s also available in Spanish. It is available at Amazon and at HighConflictInstitute.com. Bill’s website has lots of other resources for family and professionals dealing with HCP.

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The Sociopath Next Door by Martha Stout, PhD

The Sociopath Next Door is an eye-opening and empowering book. Have you ever been betrayed by a friend or church member; ever struggle with a particular person at work; ever wonder why relating to a certain family member always brings conflict? If so, this book is for you. The first part of this book is so insightful. Due to our faith-based beliefs, we disagree with the last four chapters, but there is still good information for helping you deal with the difficult people in your life.

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30 Days to a Simpler Life by Connie Cox and Cris Evatt

HEALTHY FOOD

Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew

The book, Square Foot Gardening got us questioning the concept of long rows of plants, over planting and thinning. Mel looks at gardening from the perspective of a small family rather than a mass-production farm. Who wants to have to thin out seedlings? Mel suggests planting individual seeds in pre-defined, one-square-foot sections.

He gives specific instructions for different kinds of plants and even has diagrams to help in your planning. Your seeds will go much further than ever before. He also talks about soil, location, the sun, what and when to plant, vertical growing, tools and much more. Using his methods will save time and increase your enjoyment of gardening.

This book is a must for anyone who loves to garden or is just considering starting out. His website contains informative videos and a wealth of information about his gardening method. Visit SquareFootGardening.com

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Complete Book of Edible Landscaping by Rosalind Creasy

Complete Book of Edible Landscaping is an enjoyable book that not only gives detailed information about what to grow and where to grow it, but it also lets you know which varieties will grow well in each climate.

If you want your landscaping to be more than rows of garden vegetables, this book is for you. Instructions are given on planting, pruning, and regular maintenance. This is a must for anyone who likes to grow edible fruits and vegetables.

Growing fruit and nut trees, as well as fruit bearing bushes, can take less time than tending a vegetable garden and still provide a massive amount of food for your family.

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The Edible Flower Garden By Rosalind Creasy

The Edible Flower Garden focuses on plants that perk up recipes and turn a plate into a painting – a dining and visual joy.

If you think these things are only for gourmets or House Beautiful magazine readers, think again. Anyone who picks up this book will be tempted to try to grow and sample at least a few of the over forty varieties of edible flowers she presents. Our first introduction to edible flowers was at friends home where they served a salad made of lettuce, spinach, mandarin oranges, nuts and nasturtium flowers.

It looked colorful and tasted delicious. The photographs in this book are so beautiful you’ll want to start planting right away. Her section on salads presents recipes that look like wildflower meadows.

As with her other books, she has a reference section where she catalogs each variety of flower and how to best grow it. She also gives a myriad of ideas and recipes on how to use each flower in your culinary adventures.

Other books she has authored on edible gardens include The Edible Herb Garden, The Edible French Garden and Edible Landscaping. If you want more inspiration, visit Rosalinds’ website it’s awesome!

If you have a favorite Healthy Living book that isn’t listed, please mention it in the comment section and we’ll consider it for this page.