Recommendations from The Wellness Endeavor
Over the last decade or so, I have read and researched a lot on health and weight loss. And because these topics continue to be so important in my life, I try to read and learn as much as possible.
The fact that I work in the health care industry makes all the information I come across even more interesting. Though I admit it can be confusing and intimidating to navigate all the info that is out there.
During this educational process (which I realize will be lifelong!), there are many resources that I have found to be informative, interesting or even just inspirational.
Below, I list some of the resources that have been particularly helpful to me, and ones I still use today. While I don’t necessarily adopt — or agree with — everything from every book or website, I have learned a great deal from each. And many of the things I have learned have been incorporated into my wellness endeavor and this blog.
To make it easier, I have broken my recommendations into the following sections:
Recommendations
- Books
- Health / Nutrition / Wellness
- Inspirational / Motivational
- Websites & Podcasts
- Foods & Products
I hope readers find them just as helpful in their health and weight loss journeys as I did. Since this is a wellness journey, not a destination, this list will keep changing.
Book Recommendations
Health/Nutrition
1. The Complete Guide to Fasting: Heal Your Body Through Intermittent, Alternate-Day and Extended Fasting
Written by Jimmy Moore and Jason Fung, MD, this is an informative, thorough, and well-researched book on fasting. Dr. Fung is a nephrologist who specializes in treating patients with obesity and related metabolic diseases. As mentioned above, Jimmy Moore is a leading figure in the low-carb and ketogenic communities.
Together, Jimmy and Dr. Fung write convincingly about how fasting can be used to improve health, regardless of health status or nutritional approach. This is where I learned about fasting three days a week, which is what I use in my own wellness endeavor.
2. The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles
Many of you may have heard about Terry Wahls, MD and her incredible TEDx talk, which I highly recommend. Dr. Wahls is a practicing physician who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) which continued to worsen despite conventional treatment. She worsened to the point of needing a tilt-recline wheelchair.
After extensive research, Dr. Wahls discovered a nutritional approach based on food nutrients and Paleo principles that helped halt and reverse her MS. Once wheelchair-bound, she was able to start walking and ultimately ride her bike several miles a day — a truly inspiring story. This is also the first time I learned about Functional Medicine, which focuses on treating symptoms and restoring health using the body’s natural healing capabilities.
3. The Art of Fermentation: An In-Depth Exploration of Essential Concepts and Processes from around the World
It is written by Sandor Ellix Katz, who is considered considered to be the guru of fermentation. When I became interested in fermentation several years ago, it was my first purchase and continues to be a valuable resource. It discussed what fermentation is, how it works, and how it can be applied to many food groups. Additionally, it talks about food as a whole and our relationship with it. And how that relationship is so vital to our health.
4. Keto Clarity: Your Definitive Guide to the Benefits of a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet
Written by Eric Westman, MD and Jimmy Moore, this is one of the first and most authoritative books on the ketogenic nutritional approach. As I started researching and experimenting with this approach, this book was very helpful. Dr. Westman is a physician who specializes in treating obesity and he directs the Duke Lifestyle Medicine Clinic. He is one of the leading experts in using a low-carb approach to treat obesity and the related disorders. As mentioned above, Jimmy Moore is another leading figure in the low-carb and ketogenic communities.
5. Fermented Vegetables: Creative Recipes for Fermenting 64 Vegetables & Herbs in Krauts, Kimchis, Brined Pickles, Chutneys, Relishes & Pastes
This is one of my favorite books on fermenting, which I love and do regularly. It is one of the best “why” and (maybe more importantly) “how-to” books out there. Authors Kirsten and Christopher Shockey ferment much of the products from their farm in the Northwest and provide us with their best recipes using a huge variety of vegetables.
Fermentation is a great way to improve your health and nutrition — and it is easy to do, inexpensive and promotes conservation. (As a bonus, I’ve discovered that fermented vegetables make excellent health & low-cost gifts!!)
6. Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health
Written by Jo Robinson, this book was an eye-opener about the current state of our vegetables and fruit. Before reading this, I didn’t realize how much our produce has changed through modern day ‘farming’ and manufacturing. The loss of vitamins, minerals, proteins, phytonutrients and flavor is astounding. Literally breeding the medicine away as she puts is.
The good news is that there are easy ways that we can choose, prepare and store our fruits and vegetables to recapture some of their lost nutrition. The book is easy to read, well-organized, and provides great charts of advice for each type of produce. I would recommend this to anyone who eats fruit or vegetables:)
Inspiration
1. Suddenly Skinny: A Weight Loss Survival Guide
Websites/Podcasts Recommendations
1. Living La Vida Low Carb
Jimmy Moore is one of the most well-known members of the low-carb/ketogenic community. After losing 180 pounds on a low-carb diet, Jimmy further improved his health through a ketogenic approach. He is incredibly knowledgeable about health and nutrition and has interviewed and worked with internationally recognized leaders in the field. He also has a mission to spread the word about lifestyle change and healthy living.
In addition to his website Living La Vida Low Carb, Jimmy runs the longest running health podcast The Living La Vida Low Carb Show with Jimmy Moore. He has also authored several books on this topic that are worth reading (see below).
2. Mark’s Daily Apple
Mark Sisson is one of the leading authorities in low-carb, Primal/Paleo living. He started his blog Mark’s Daily Apple in 2006 and it includes an incredible amount of well-researched health and nutrition information. He has also authored several books including the very popular The New Primal Blueprint and sells various products that support a healthy lifestyle.
Mark also has a huge blog community is very informative and helpful in their comments and questions. For ongoing health and weight-loss inspiration, there is a whole section devoted to success stories, of which there are many. One of my favorite aspects is that you can search for specific types of success stories. As examples: weight loss in a certain age group, improvement of certain health conditions, etc.
Food/Product Recommendations
NUCO Organic Coconut Wraps: I discovered these wraps at my local organic store, and I love them. They have a nice mild flavor and are great filled with vegetables, almond butter or meet/poultry. Making portable meals, like my lunch for work, is now so much easier.