I remember watching Oprah one day and listening to her interview of this author. She recounted how the Gratitude Journal had made an impact in her lifI remember watching Oprah one day and listening to her interview of this author. She recounted how the Gratitude Journal had made an impact in her life, opening her eyes to the wonder and abundance all around her. I have learned so much from this book. Ban Breathnach takes us on a journey to our past. With the tools she has provided, we excavate the landscape of our history to uncover hidden treasures. The compilation of quotations throughout the book is another of my favorite features. A rich repository from some of the most insightful and inspired minds, broken down into a gentle daybook. If you are looking for something to enhance the quality of your days and fill your quiet moments with the musings of old souls, this might be the book for you. ~Tiffany J.
It’s never fun to get a diagnosis, so knowing your problem is a big help for your spouse and your doctor.
We’d like to think doctors are in the know onIt’s never fun to get a diagnosis, so knowing your problem is a big help for your spouse and your doctor.
We’d like to think doctors are in the know on everything. The body is really complex, so they know much, broadly but thinly. Understanding these diseases gives you a leg up on your long-term prognosis.
The book is quite interesting. I was diagnosed with Colitis two years ago and never got much of and education about the disease.
C&C for Dummies is a big rush of information across numerous disciplines including diet, vitamins, discussions of how the body stores energy, prevention, surgery, and explanations of how your body works – among many more.
Your spouse may wish to read it as well, if only to keep you inside the lines on your diet. -Tom L. ...more
A slew of longevity books hit the markets over the last few years, each with interesting specifics about what can be done to extend the clock on our lA slew of longevity books hit the markets over the last few years, each with interesting specifics about what can be done to extend the clock on our lives. Attia expands on these earlier writings in two ways. First, he perfectly frames the iterations of our healthcare system - 1.0, 2.0, and now 3.0. Additionally, he looks at numerous specific recommendations (drug trials and human demographics for health conduct) but also takes a long hard look at two behaviors that are the core of best practices for a long, healthy life - diet and exercise.
American healthcare is now in the midst of 2.0, which treats symptoms once they arrive. Sick care extends a sick life, but not by much. Attia knows that early intervention into visible problems much earlier in life leads to less sick care and a longer and extended healthy life healthcare 3.0. The main challenge of 2.0 is that it may extend lives by many years, but those years will still be sick years. Instead, 3.0 extends lives with unhealthy years, focusing early on issues produced by poor health behavior and early recognition of sickness indicators.
The picture drawn of the maturity levels of healthcare may be the most important message to the patient. If your current care is via a 1.0 or 2.0 doctor, and even if you are relatively young, finding a 3.0 doctor could extend the healthy years of your life by a couple of decades. -Tom L. ...more
This is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious Bias is a nominee in the 2023 Grand Canyon Reader Awards "tween" category. ThisThis is Your Brain on Stereotypes: How Science is Tackling Unconscious Bias is a nominee in the 2023 Grand Canyon Reader Awards "tween" category. This book is for people who want to change the way they view the world. It is filled with lots of research on your brain's biases and how to change the way you act with others. People who like anything related to neurology, the study of human behaviors, or experimental research will find this book super interesting and eye-opening. - Sid, Teen SPL Volunteer
Zachary Levi’s journey to better mental health is candid, heartbreaking, yet hopeful.
Like many of us, Levi has suffered through bouts of anxiety and Zachary Levi’s journey to better mental health is candid, heartbreaking, yet hopeful.
Like many of us, Levi has suffered through bouts of anxiety and depression enhanced and triggered by trauma. He narrates personal experiences that left him emotionally helpless, depressed and losing his faith and trust in God. He recounts his worst times and how he combats his demons by understanding his search for approval and love from others needed to become approval and love of himself.
At the end of the day, Levi is an authentic soul who shares his mental health journey in hopes to encourage and be a light for others. Truly inspiring with glimmers of wisdom such as, “If you are acting as a conduit of light and love… then you are doing your job.”- Sara S. ...more
Breathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere by Kira Willey and illustrated by Anni Betts is inspired bBreathe Like a Bear: 30 Mindful Moments for Kids to Feel Calm and Focused Anytime, Anywhere by Kira Willey and illustrated by Anni Betts is inspired by Kira Willey’s audio CD Mindful Moments for Kids. The book is divided into sections to allow the reader to be calm, focus, imagine, make some energy, or relax. These exercises offer excellent opportunities for emotional development and emotions management for children who are still coming to understand their own feelings and emotions. Some of my favorite exercises include “Hot Chocolate” (be calm), “Be a Bumblebee” (focus), “Imagine You’re a Tree” (imagine), “Bunny Breath” (make some energy), and “Get Your Grumpies Out” (relax). I demonstrate how to use these during storytimes focusing on social and emotional development, and they are a big hit with children and caregivers alike. While I usually prefer to go through these types of breathing exercises with my eyes closed, I can guarantee that will be difficult for new readers once they see these enchanting illustrations which make this book feel like an absolute work of art. Give this book a try if you're interested in adding some more mindful moments into your day. –Christina B....more
We so often encounter stories depicting the harsh realities of body image issues and eating disorders, but few of those stories cast a male as the maiWe so often encounter stories depicting the harsh realities of body image issues and eating disorders, but few of those stories cast a male as the main character. With "The New David Espinoza," author Fred Aceves offers readers a glimpse into the world of male body building, body dysmorphia, and steroid use. David Espinoza is not only bullied for his slender frame at school, but a video of him changing in the locker room while being slapped by a fellow student goes viral in the most negative way imaginable. This devastating experience inspires David to dedicate his summer months to putting on as much muscle as possible, but slow progress and a desperation to leave his "previous self" behind eventually leads David towards some tempting shortcuts with extremely high costs. Books from unique perspectives touching upon underexplored struggles are always appreciated, and readers of this novel might also enjoy "It's Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini, "Heroine" by Mindy McGinnis, and "Skin and Bones" by Sherry Shahan - Christina B.
The New David Espinoza by Fred Aceves narrates the story of a high school senior's transformation from zero to hero, which ends up being not as glamorous as anticipated. Motivated by a viral video of him getting slapped by a bully, David decides to begin a workout journey to create a better version of himself in order to stop the bullying and earn respect. This quickly turns south as he wrestles with the query- how far am I willing to go to get what I want? David toes the line with his new obsession every day, not looking back. This didactic YA novel deals with heavy themes of mental health and drug abuse and illustrates how seemingly instantaneous a life can shift when dealing with these issues. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read. - Adelina G., SPL Teen Volunteer...more
Obsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD comes across as a traditional young adult fiction novel about a 15-year-old girl’s journey to find a mental heaObsessed: A Memoir of My Life with OCD comes across as a traditional young adult fiction novel about a 15-year-old girl’s journey to find a mental health diagnosis and learn to live with that diagnosis, but Allison’s story is made all the more impactful because it is true. Allison, a sophomore in high school who focuses on her academic achievements and living up to her social expectations, lives what some might consider an ideal life. That all changes when a vivid nightmare where she develops and dies from brain cancer triggers the abrupt onset of her OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). Allison’s obsessions and compulsions escalate quickly with devastating consequences to her academics, relationships, and well-being. Not only is Allison convinced that her delusions are true, but others make excuses for the peculiar changes in her behavior resulting in postponed diagnosis and treatment. Allison’s fascinating memoir goes a long way in educating readers about mental health, OCD, and available mental health resources. – Christina B....more
Southwest Medicinal Plants is an excellent book on wildcrafting (harvesting plants from their natural or wild habitat primarily for food or medicinal Southwest Medicinal Plants is an excellent book on wildcrafting (harvesting plants from their natural or wild habitat primarily for food or medicinal purposes) across 8 states in the southwest. Each specific plant described includes: how to identify plant species; it’s medicinal uses; where, when, and how to wildcraft; and even provides tables for each plant specifying herbal preparations from the plants for teas, tinctures, lotions, and juicing and poultices when applicable.
You will find that many plants which you may consider weeds are actually medicinal herbs. -Anna Q. L....more
Informative, stylish and lovely. Patrovich presents the healing components and nature of crystals, gemstones and stones explaining why these natural bInformative, stylish and lovely. Patrovich presents the healing components and nature of crystals, gemstones and stones explaining why these natural beauties contain and emit restorative energies. Though she mentions her skin care line often, the reader also receives elixir recipes for at home care, incorporating said gemstones and crystals with resources as where to find them. This is a great resource as an introduction to the benefits of crystals, gemstones and stones or natural skin care.- Sara S....more
“Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction” challenges trendy pop-psychology notions of how the brain works to uncover the underlying“Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction” challenges trendy pop-psychology notions of how the brain works to uncover the underlying truths behind addiction. The book is eminently readable for the lay person, even riveting at times, despite technical descriptions and jargon that require a little more focus. Autobiographical details are included, but this book is not an addiction memoir. Examples from Grisel’s own experiences serve to add depth to what is a precise and clear-eyed look at both the way addictive substances interact with the brain as well as how cultural and individual experiences create, affect, and complicate a person’s lifetime potential for addiction. - Anja P....more
What is important to us when we’re sick? What kind of medical treatments are acceptable and when is treatment too much? These are the kind of questionWhat is important to us when we’re sick? What kind of medical treatments are acceptable and when is treatment too much? These are the kind of questions palliative care physicians like Sunita Puri ask patients. They aren’t easy questions and it’s not an easy profession. Sunita Puri’s engrossing memoir mixes her journey to becoming a palliative care physician with stories of her life growing up as the child of immigrant parents. The juxtaposition between her parents’ approach to life, aging and dying sometimes contrasts sharply with that of her patients and their families. Puri interacts with a variety of patients during her journey, from those who believe they will survive what has brought them to the hospital to those who are tired of the journey and just want to rest. We feel for her patients, both young and old, as they grapple with questions about what they want from life and the meaning of a good death. It’s a book that raises questions about what we would do in the same situation. I like Puri’s writing style. She does a great job of alternating stories of her patients and parents with musings on what she wants from her life. I highly recommend this book for people who like medical memoirs and also for those who want a good biography. - Lynn H....more
If you’re a fan of the bizarre or medical mysteries, this is the book for you! Thomas Morris pulls together little known, unusual and sometimes scary If you’re a fan of the bizarre or medical mysteries, this is the book for you! Thomas Morris pulls together little known, unusual and sometimes scary medical stories from the period between the 17th and early 20th centuries. Gathered from medical journals and other sources, these tales show the ways doctors tried and even sometimes succeeded to cure people in the days before antibiotics and modern surgery. Some cures are precursors to more modern treatments, while others are blind alleys (pigeons to treat convulsions, anyone?) Morris provides the history of the doctors involved and helpfully footnotes the modern names for body parts and cures for the reader, which I liked. He also lets us know what happened to the patient afterwards if that information is available. I found it fascinating and a reminder of why I don’t want to live in the olden times. -Lynn H....more
Unf#ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers written by Dr. Faith G. Harper is a satisfying and eUnf#ck Your Brain: Using Science to Get Over Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Freak-Outs, and Triggers written by Dr. Faith G. Harper is a satisfying and eye-opening read. The book begins by explaining the basic functionality of the brain and some brain chemistry. Essentially this book is about trauma and how the brain is rewired by trauma. Dr. Harper explores anxiety, anger, addiction and depression and what is happening between the ears when we are experiencing these feelings. Each chapter ends with different techniques, exercises and suggestion to help you navigate these issues. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, this book is lighthearted, witty, fun and above all…informative. I highly recommend this book if you or someone you love is dealing with a trauma. - Thomas B....more
“Woah!” Not gonna lie, reading this book had me feeling like Neo when he first witnesses Morpheus jump from one Sky skyscraper to another. Michael Pol“Woah!” Not gonna lie, reading this book had me feeling like Neo when he first witnesses Morpheus jump from one Sky skyscraper to another. Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind is one of the most entertaining and fascinating books I have read in a long time. Michael Pollan is known for thoroughly immersing himself into the whatever subject matter he is researching for a book. He continues his painstaking attention for detail in his latest book. How to Change Your Mind is a deep dive into the contemporary history, cultural relevance and medicinal applications of psychedelic plants and chemical compounds. The first half of How To Change Your Mind is an exploration of how the Western Worlds came to the awareness of psychedelic plants and chemicals. Pollan begins with the discovery, or better yet the rediscovery of these powerful substance, first by the scientific community soon to be followed by intellectuals and explorers. Pollan puts together a fantastic tour of how these substances were studied and the wide range of medicinal applications, one being a tool to aid in addiction recovery from substances like alcohol and heroin. Michael Pollan’s writes about the tumultuous downfall of psychedelic compounds with the emergence of the counter culture of the 60’s and 70’s. With fear reverberation through the halls of government power and panic cascading through the general public, all research of psychedelics where not only canceled but the idea became taboo and scrutinized. Pollan writes how It took decades to reestablish trust allowing the academics to once again relaunch research The 2nd half of the book follows Michael Pollan as he goes on his own journey experimenting with just a few of these psychedelic compounds by seeking out self-proclaimed shamans, medicine teachers and healers who have extensive experience with using certain psychedelic substances in the underground. Pollan explains how each experience left him with far more questions than answers. Reliving past traumas, accepting the inevitability of his own mortality or feeling an overwhelming sense of oneness are just a few of the results that his experiences left him with. Feelings many other travelers before him have reported on in a myriad of other research and publications. How To Change Your Mind is informative, thought provoking and challenging as Michael Pollan lays out a perspective of reality that most may never even be aware of let alone consider. I highly recommend this book on its novel and entertaining subject matter alone. - Thomas B....more
We don't need restrictive fad diets to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep it simple with ingredients that are healthy, fresh, local and familiar. ThatWe don't need restrictive fad diets to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Keep it simple with ingredients that are healthy, fresh, local and familiar. That's what I came away with after reading Wild Mediterranean. Ms. Metsovas a clinical nutritionist describes in an easy to comprehend fashion some of the latest research with regard to gut health, which in the last few years has shown up on the general publics' radar. Our microbiome, the bacteria that live in our gut, is a major player when it comes to our mental and physical well-being, and a gate-keeper for the prevention of many diseases. Her advice: follow a Mediterranean-style diet which research over the years has shown provides some of the best disease-free longevity benefits. Mediterranean cuisine focuses on fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats and, to round it out, good old EVOO or extra-virgin olive oil. I really enjoyed reading Ms. Metsovas book which also includes recipes with easy-to-find ingredients and preparation, some of which I tried and were delicious. As Hippocrates said back in the 3rd century BC, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Enjoy! - Amy O....more
This story is Susan Klebold’s account of her experience after her son Dylan, along with his friend Eric Harris, committed the Columbine shootings, wheThis story is Susan Klebold’s account of her experience after her son Dylan, along with his friend Eric Harris, committed the Columbine shootings, where they went to their high school, killed 13 people and injured many more, and then killed themselves. In this book you see how she struggles with the loss of her son and the horrors he committed. Her experience is definitely a heartbreaking one. Not only must she grieve for her son, but she must also face what he did and her feelings of guilt over what she might have missed. She talks about her shock and horror not only over losing her son but the people he hurt. Especially heart-breaking is her talking about not realizing how troubled and hurting her son was and how she wishes she could go back and get him help. A big part of her story is her understanding that what happened to her son could happen to everyone. Mental illness does not discriminate and it may not always be apparent when somebody is struggling. She now works to promote suicide and mental health awareness, and it is inspiring that out of such horror came a commitment to help others. This book is not an easy read, due to the hard subject matter, but it is definitely interesting and important.- Madeline C....more
Do you gaze wistfully out the small window from your desk, bathed in recirculated air, annoyed by your coworkers' incessant chatter and wish you were Do you gaze wistfully out the small window from your desk, bathed in recirculated air, annoyed by your coworkers' incessant chatter and wish you were bathed in sunlight on a blanket of grass instead? Well, you may be suffering from Nature Deficit Disorder! Florence Williams takes a look at why we long for babbling brooks, chirping birds and the outstretched arms of mighty trees. For starters, greener areas of urban landscaping have less crime rates, blood pressure and heart rates tend to lessen with the company of a natural environment, creativity flows, and feelings of awe from nature tend to make people more generous. This is a relevant look at our need for nature and a great reminder: go outside. Often! –Sara S....more
I'll preface this review by "outing" myself as someone who has long enjoyed a good self-help book that elicits at least one "Ah HAH!" moment from me! I'll preface this review by "outing" myself as someone who has long enjoyed a good self-help book that elicits at least one "Ah HAH!" moment from me! After discovering this title in the library and flipping through it, I soon found I couldn't put it down. It outlines wonderful tools for dealing with intrusive thoughts many/most of us have, be they very dark, shocking and frightening (and the authors deal with these quite a bit in this book), or simply nagging anxieties that we can't seem to shake, even though we might tell ourselves they're irrational or illogical. The authors explain how we wind up getting tangled up in them, and then how to just let go. The key phrase for me was: "Neither thoughts nor feelings are facts". Let that one sink in; it's quite freeing, isn't it? - Jess O....more
If you are like me, and did not know what a Telomere is, the Telomere Effect is fascinating. From the Greek telos (end) and (meros) parts these are anIf you are like me, and did not know what a Telomere is, the Telomere Effect is fascinating. From the Greek telos (end) and (meros) parts these are an essential part of human cells that affect how our cells age. Explained as the caps at the end of each strand of DNA just like the plastic ends of shoelaces, longer telomeres = longer life. The usual guidelines of healthy eating, limiting sugar, exercising, and keeping stress low has proven to keep telomeres longer and therefore the person healthier. There are also a number of socioeconomic factors affecting our telomere length, too. Though we have known about healthy lifestyle benefits for a long time, the science behind it is fascinating. Blackburn won the Nobel Prize for her discovery. -Lisanne E. ...more
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