One week till Thanksgiving! Are you traveling? Staying at home? Between planning for travel and prepping for the BIG Turkey Day, I’m hoping the Thanksgiving break will allow some much needed downtime. For that reason, I’m listing my favorite health focused books. Why don’t you curl up with a blanket, hot tea, and one of these new books and dive in!
Each of these books has opened my mind and broadened my approach towards how I care for myself and my family. I hope you enjoy!! XO

First Up is Kid Food by Bettina Elias Siegel.

This book really spoke to me!! It totally encompasses my motivation for starting my Instagram page Happy Dinner. I’m a mother first and foremost, and I’m concerned about the food culture we’ve created for American children. The concern over the abundance of highly processed junk food among the culture of our children is real and one that needs all of our attention!!!!! The author does a great job providing parents a wide angle view of how we feed kids in America today and how we can improve. She provides practical, real life tips, that when implemented, each of our children will benefit from.
My hope is that many of us read this book and reverse the downward spiraling direction of “kid food” in American culture.

I was shocked by one survey finding that children influence over 95 percent of parents’ grocery purchases! What happened to “Mama knows best? Along these same lines, many of today’s kids are snacking on processed food ALL DAY! No wonder they aren’t hungry for a real meal when you sit down for dinner! Lots of points to ponder y’all!

Inflammation Spectrum by Will Cole

I’ve been dealing with increased inflammation the last couple of months, so the timing of the book release couldn’t have been better! In this book, Dr. Will Cole examines how inflammation is at the root for almost every ailment and how every single thing you eat or drink is either FEEDING inflammation or FIGHTING inflammation!! “The Inflammation Spectrum is about learning to love your body enough to nourish it with delicious, healing foods. Its insightful quizzes and empowering advice will put you on a path toward food freedom and overall healing”.

I took the Inflammation quiz and tested pretty high in all of the inflammatory assessments {EEEK!!}. Testing highest in the Brain and Nervous System assessment. To head back towards balance, I plan to take part in the Elimin8 come January! The Elimin8 is somewhat of an elimination diet removing 8 of the top inflammation inducing foods: grains, dairy, added sweeteners, inflammatory oils, legumes, nuts and seeds, eggs, and nightshades and alcohol! It sounds a little like Whole30, but longer {sigh!}. Thankfully, the book provides a meal plan with delicious recipes and really encourages you to focus on all the amazing foods you can eat as opposed to worrying about what you can’t eat. I’ll report back on my progress early next year! Let me know if any of y’all want to join me on Elimin8! in January?

Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual by Michael Pollan

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants“. The best food mantra ever written!! Eating well doesn’t have to be as complicated as we make it! This book is a nutrition bible of sorts that brings clarity and simplicity to the ever changing, conflicting health advice {seemingly everywhere!}. The objective of the book is to provide simple practical tips to help you make the wise decisions when fueling your body! Like, if something has more than 5 ingredients you probably shouldn’t eat it. Or–if your Grandmother wouldn’t recognize an item as food, it probably doesn’t belong in your pantry. Basic stuff that is so easy to forget!

Daring Greatly By Brene Brown

I’m late to the game on this book, but I’m so happy it’s found the way to my nightstand! I have “perfectionist” tendencies, and the book revealed to me that perfectionism and shameful self-talk from your ego comes from fear and a need to control. {Hello! Hand fully raised high over here!!). Brene will guide you to examine your feelings, your deep dark secrets and lead you to release them! By leaning into vulnerability, we can grow and truly live happier more meaningful lives! I hope to live lighter, with a lot more love in 2020!

Anyone seen the Netflix special Brené Brown: The Call to Courage? It’s on my watch list!

You are a Badass by Jen Sincero

Speaking of 2020, in case you have extra time to start thinking about your New Years goals this week, You are a Badass will give you just the kick in the butt you need to stop dreaming small and start living large! The book has a realistic, tough love style broken down into five parts. You Are a Badass will help you identify and change your self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors that get in the way of leading the life you want! “Create a life you totally love and create it NOW”.

You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay

This one is Deep Y’all! It’s written by Louise Hay, the Godmother of Self Help who has dedicated her life to empowering people to reach their full potential. I’ve had this book for a good twelve years and it gets better and better each time I read it. {Especially since becoming a Mom! There is a chapter describing how she believes children spiritually pick their parents in order to learn a particular lesson. The thought literally makes me weep!}.

You Can Heal Your Life is not a book you will breeze right through. There are realizations, reflections, releasing of negative emotions, affirmations, and activities that will begin to change your thought patterns towards self love, self acceptance and acceptance of others and hopefully begin to change your life.

Have a magical Thanksgiving Y’all! I’m so grateful for you!!! I’m taking a week to slow down and be with my family and I hope you are doing the same! See y’all in a week! XOXO