Ladies, have you had enough of the trial and error when it comes to your health? Take a peak at some of my favorite reads that have helped me better understand how my body works, so I can give it just what it needs to go through my days feeling energized and vibrant.
For those who are confused by health and food advertising, and just want to be fed some truth...
Food: What The Heck Should I Eat By Dr. Mark Hyman
I admire Mark Hyman, a Functional Medicine doc at the Cleveland Clinic, because he has finally spoken some truth amidst the loads of conflicting information being thrown at us by advertising agencies, government recommendations, and research studies regarding our diets. His book dishes up the simple facts as to what exactly we should be eating to thrive. This book really sparked my thinking on how we as consumers have the power to change the availability of our food supply by demanding healthy options. The law of supply and demand…It’s Economics 101, folks. What are you demanding for your health and our environment every time you make buy your groceries?
For those who want to kick the sugar cravings...
Body Love By Kelly Leveque
In Body Love, Kelly Leveque details her Fab Four method (protein + fiber + fat + greens). The idea behind having these four components at every meal is to satiate and satisfy your body so you aren’t feeling hangry two hours after a meal. She gives a detailed, but simple, explanation of the science behind blood sugar and how it plays a role in our hunger levels. Kelly Leveque is a celebrity nutritionist who works with clients like Jessica Alba, Jennifer Garner, and Chelsea Handler. Want to sip like the stars? There are pages and pages of Fab Four smoothies recipes that Kelly recommends as quick and healthy breakfast option. My personal favorite— the Apples and Almond Butter smoothie (page 156).
For those who want to zap the zits and get the glow...
Eat Pretty by Jolene Hart
Think of this book as the encyclopedia of “beauty foods.” Divided into four sections (one for each season), Jolene Hart emphasizes the importance of approaching skin care from the inside out by choosing to nourish our bodies with foods which naturally support a clear, glowing complexion. She gives brief descriptions of vitamins and phytochemicals, the benefits associated with each, and also examples of food sources in which they can be found. I’m a huge believer that food is medicine, and this book is an Rx for feeling and looking radiant year round.
For those who want some meatless Monday inspiration...
The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini
With everything from Artichoke to Zucchini, this book gives you the knowledge you need to slice, dice, and cook every vegetable you can (and can’t) think of. Farmer's market season is among us, and there is no better resource to help you get creative with some new-to-you vegetables! Not only are the veggies organized in alphabetical order, but you also find a breakdown of when each recipe’s ingredients are in season. Another bonus? The pictures are beautiful. My favorite recipes from The Vegetable Butcher are the Cauliflower Steaks with Red Pepper Romesco Sauce (page 94) and the Zucchini, Sweet Corn, and Basil Penne (page 333). Nom.
For those who want to go with their flow...
Women Code by Alisa Vitti
Who remembers “The Care and Keeping Of You” American Girl Doll book? It was an essential for every preteen girl. Flash forward a decade or two, and I’ll be bold enough to say Women Code is the next essential book every grown woman should have on her shelf. Maybe you’ve been thinking you were just unlucky to have debilitating cramps, acne flare ups, or migraines every 28 days. This book explains how hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate during our cycle and impact all areas of our well-being. With a little proper knowledge, this book showed me we have the ability to ease our symptoms by syncing our cycles to our lifestyles. Broken down by the four phases of the menstrual cycle, Alissa gives advice on how to align our diet, exercise, career, and even our relationships with our cycle so we can go with our flow, rather than against it.