Over the last year, reading levels have increased by 35% worldwide. With the rising reading numbers and new year in full swing, we wanted to share some books that have made a difference in our lives that might have an impact on you too. These books focus on the themes of wellness, meditation, nutrition, and natural medicine. Read below to find Dr. Kizzy's recommended reading list for 2021.
The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle is a book that illustrates every moment one spends thinking and worrying about the future or past is a moment lost. All one has to do to live genuinely is to be in the present moment, the now. The Power of Now offers strategies and roadmaps to start living every minute as it comes.
"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the NOW the primary focus of your life."
The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer explains how one can untangle your true self from your ego, how to harness your inner power and then expand beyond that truly. The Untethered Soul paints a picture of allowing yourself to float through life like a river, instead of blocking or creating resistance. It explains the art of surrender and how one can use that to harness their true power.
"There is nothing more important to true growth than realizing that you are not the voice of the mind- you are the one who hears it."
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is a guide to personal freedom. This book outlines 4 "agreements" one should use every day to live a happy and fulfilling life. This book eliminates self-limiting beliefs that lead to suffering and scarcity.
These agreements include:
1. Be Impeccable with your Word
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle is the sequel to The Power of Now. This book illustrates the crazy place we call home, Mother Earth. This book shows us that we have the power to save it by taking a look into our minds and detaching from the ego, which will lead to practicing acceptance at a personal and global level and pure enjoyment of life.
"The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but your thoughts about it."
Tiny Habits by Ph.D. BJ Fogg explains the real power of implementing small changes into your daily routine and how these little habits come together to make your life better. Often we try to make multiple large changes at once, and they do not stick. But by implementing small changes over some time, you are more likely to tap into your true potential.
"After you put your feet on the floor in the morning, immediately say this phrase, 'It's going to be a great day.' As you say these seven words, try to feel optimistic and positive."
Food Rules by Michael Pollan describes simple rules to live by to live a healthy life. The Standard American Diet (SAD) sets many Americans up for failure in their health. This book teaches simple, straightforward guidelines on how to navigate eating for health.
"Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."
The Disease Delusion by Jeffery Bland focuses on functional medicine and treating the illness rather than the symptoms. Chronic illness currently accounts for about 3/4 of the average American healthcare costs. Western medicine serves its purpose in acute situations, but the average person's quality of life has not reached its full potential. Dr. Bland outlines why chronic diseases such as diabetes, IBS, arthritis, obesity, etc, are common today. He also offers science-based mechanisms that can relieve some of these common conditions.
"There are many stories locked into our genes. Some of these are health tragedies while others are health miracles."
Why Zebras Don't Get Ulcers by Robert Sapolsky outlines how stress can have effects on sleep, addiction, mood, and overall physical health, as well as the impact spirituality can have on managing stress. Sapolsky explains that when we stress or worry, our body resorts to a fight or flight response, just as an animal does. But stress for animals will go away when the stressor is gone. With humans, we are frequently under stress, emotional, physical, financial, spiritual; and being in a constant state of fight or flight can negatively impact our health. Ulcers, for example, are frequently a symptom of chronic stress.
"A large percentage of what we think of when we talk about stress-related diseases are disorders of excessive stress-responses."
Total Meditation by Deepak Chopra dives deep into the practice of meditation and the profound benefits it can bring. Total Meditation explores how meditation can positively affect one's mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health—outlining how to wake up to new awareness levels that cultivate peace in all areas of life. This awareness will help an individual develop a sense of clarity, ease the mind's suffering, awaken the body, and transform. This book is excellent for those who want to dive deeper into their meditation practice and create a more fulfilling existence. The book incorporates new research on meditation and provides daily practices.
"Meditation is the progressive quieting of our mind until we reach the source of thought, which is wisdom traditions are the realm of our soul and spirit. In this domain of awareness, there is infinite creativity, synchronicity, the power of intention, and freedom from limitations."
Beyond the pill by Jolene Brighton ND, specializes in educating women on the pill's real impact. Over 11 million women in the United States are currently taking birth control, and about 60% are taking it for non-contraceptive reasons. The pill is a widely prescribed quick fix for many symptoms. Jolene focuses on educating the reader on locating the root cause of their hormonal symptoms and finding their way to discover pain-free menstrual cycles.
"When you're anxious, your body wants you to move so that you can relieve tension and counteract the effects of cortisol. Big muscle movements like jump squats, lunges, and kicks can help you move through anxiety and reduce stress."
Cookbooks
Eat Feel Fresh by Sahara Rose
A plant-based, Ayurvedic cookbook. Ayurveda is an ancient science that believes food is divine medicine with immense power to heal. But foods that work for some might not work for others- nutrition is not a one size fits all kind of thing. This book adds a vibrant take on Ayurvedic, gluten-free, and vegan recipes.
The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook by Mickey Trescott
An allergen-free approach to helping manage chronic illness. This book focuses on providing nutrition and lifestyle-based solutions by removing potential triggers and a big focus on healing the gut. This book describes the autoimmune protocol, provides recipes, a four-week meal plan, and grocery lists that best support managing chronic illness.
Digest This By Bethany Ugarte
This book is for those suffering from gut-related issues, such as IBS, and are finding no solution from conventional healing methods. This book provides delicious recipes that eliminate gut irritants and focus on nutrient-dense, easily digested foods. Digest This provides a 21-day gut reset along with a maintenance plan to keep your gut healthy!