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Happy Spring!

Hope this weekend has brought some sunshine your way ;)

I love this time of year, and how it's perfect for sitting in the sunshine with a good book. Or curling up with the dog on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Recently I've been checking out a bunch of wonderful books about health and wellness topics. Some of my favorites:

chakra healing
healthy foods
finding a balanced lifestyle
overcoming depression and anxiety
routines to help with clear skin
new ideas for yoga sequencing

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Which one of these books would you like to check out?

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7 Health and Wellness Books for Spring

The 10-Minute Yoga Solution by Ira Trivedi

This book offers a simple introduction to yoga and provides some basic routines that can help you focus your practice in just 10 minutes a day. I liked the sections for "yoga for workaholics" which features neck rolls (yes! I do these all the time at work!) and also the one for "yoga for energy." Some of the descriptions are pretty short, so you may need to ask a teacher at your studio for more guidance, but especially if you've already taken some classes and feel comfortable with getting in and out of poses safely, this is a great book to try.

The author, Ira Trivedi, was part of the team that led the first international yoga day celebrations at Rajpath in India, which created the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest yoga class in history. She also is the founder of Namami Yoga, an NGO which supports underprivileged children, and the creator of Om the yoga dog.

The Beauty of Dirty Skin by Whitney Bowe, M.D.

Ooh, this book! Dr. Bowe is a dermatologist who shares a wealth of knowledge about the connection between the gut and the brain in this book. She spells out the connection between the microbiome—the balance of healthy microorganisms that inhabit your body inside and out—and skin health.

As someone who has dealt with stomach issues before, I will definitely be using this book as a resource. I love the realistic advice she provides about dietary recommendations, exercise, meditation, sleep, skincare, and probiotics. Plus, the book ends with chapters on a three-week program to get your skin glowing, plus meals and masks to help your skin.

Here's one face mask, in case you want to try it! As Dr. Bowe says, this one is great for people who can't tolerate scrubs or exfoliating formulas, including those with eczema, acne or rosacea. The oatmeal gently removes the dead cells on the surface to reveal glowing skin underneath; melting the coconut oil results in the best consistency.

Oatmeal Coconut-Oil Power Mask for Sensitive Skin

1 TBSP coconut oil
3 TBSP rolled oats
warm water

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave or on the stovetop. Place the oatmeal in a small bowl and slowly pour enough warm water to create a pastelike consistency. Add the coconut oil and mix well. Apply the mask to clean skin and exfoliate by gently rubbing in a circular motion. Leave the mask on for 15 minutes. Rinse with cool water and pat dry. Moisturize as usual.

Can't wait to try this one!

I've Decided to Live 120 Years by Ilchi Lee

I found the title of this book very intriguing, and was excited to check it out. I like the author's simple writing style and the way he manages to explore deep, complex topics with simple methods.

Here was one of my favorite quotes, early on in the book:

Finding Your True Self

Lives that are true to ourselves -- those are the lives we really want. To live a life true to yourself, though, you must discover what in the world that self is. You have to find your true self so you can say, "This is who I really am." This is the necessary first task for changing direction from a life lived for success to one lived for completion.

And, on the following page:

The soul is not simply a theoretical concept. It is energy and a feeling. The soul is the energy in our hearts. Have you ever suddenly felt the loneliness of your existence or a thirst for the essence of your being? These are messages sent to us when the energy of the soul seeks to awaken. When that energy is activated, we feel it as pure love, empathy and compassion. The energy of the soul, that feeling, is the essence of your being.

This book is filled with great ideas, and great tools for achieving peace, improving mental and physical health, increasing energy levels, sleeping better at night, and letting go.

You are Not Alone: A Heartfelt Guide for Grief, Healing and Hope by Debbie Augenthaler

This book will release on May 1, 2018 and I was lucky to receive an advanced copy. Debbie's story is inspiring, and I felt proud of her for the vulnerability she shows in sharing the story of losing her husband and how she got through that experience. The book is filled with incredible ideas and insight about how to cope with loss, how to move forward when you are grieving, and how to help others if they are going through a hard time.

I love that Debbie gives us ways to feel 'normal' even when things feel upside down. The book is in itself like a heavy sigh of relief, just being able to read about and think about death without it being taboo or too difficult or uncomfortable to talk about. "Take the time you need to cocoon," she reminds us. "Be patient with yourself. Do what you need to do as you heal."

I think a book like this will be really helpful at certain times in my life, to read again and reflect on when I am going through a loss. I'll definitely keep it on my bookshelf, both for myself and as a precious gift to share with friends and family at the times when they need it most.

From Anxiety to Love by Corinne Zupko

I. love. this. book. ;)

Corinne guides us through a wonderful exploration of how to recognize fear and release anxiety, sharing her own experiences and offering valuable tools. I'll share her video here, since she says it best...

Corinne's calming voice comes through in her book as much as it does in this video, and I love how she writes in a practical, intelligent, and empathetic way.

I'll definitely be returning to this book again and again in the weeks and months to come, and I hope to share another post about panic attacks inspired by this book, so stay tuned for that one.

Nourish by Heidi Schauster

Calling all emotional eaters and anyone who has struggled with dieting on and off over the years... you need this book!

In this easy-to-follow guide, Heidi offers some awesome tips for how to trust your body and to eat with love and common sense.

Here was one of my favorite passages:

"If we don't take the time to listen and actually hear what our bodies are trying to tell us -- hunger, fullness, pain, tiredness, restlessness, cravings, nervous flutterings, other sensations -- we miss out on a form of communication from which we might learn so much. This communication truly helps us to make decisions that bring us to live more abundant, full, and meaningful lives...

I've learned the hard way (and so have many of my clients) that the most loving act you can offer those you care about is to love, respect, and care for yourself first. IN doing so, you bring freedom and spaciousness for connection, compassion and the blossoming of deeper, more caring relationships."

How beautiful is that?!

This book would be an awesome gift for anyone you know who is feeling frazzled, who struggles with emotional eating or weight loss, or who could just use some reminders about self care.

Chakra Healing for Vibrant Energy by Michelle S. Fondin

I absolutely love what Michelle has done with this book. If you're brand new to learning about the chakras, these chapters can offer you a wonderful introduction and a wealth of knowledge. And if you are more familiar with the chakra system, but want to learn more and expand your understanding of how they are related, and how you can find peace by exploring your own energy, get this book!

In my experience with the chakras and with Reiki, there is always something I can be working on-- always an area in my body and spirit that needs balance.

A book like this can be a powerful tool for clearing those blockages and discovering how to find balance.

Michelle moves through each chakra with a full chapter on its background, what ailments might be produced if the chakra energy center is out of balance, how to recognize imbalances in yourself, how to heal the body with yoga, how to use affirmations, and how gems and colors are related to each chakra.

As she says in the introduction, "The chakras have a magical quality to them. When you begin to read about them and learn about each one, you will feel yourself getting healthier."

Simple as that!

Healing is just around the corner, if we are willing to embrace it, and this book helps you do just that.