Books | Life In Balance

The Heal Your Gut Cookbook: Based on the GAPS Diet

by Liz B | Apr 15, 2016 | Books, Diets, Digestive Issues, GAPS Diet, Products I Recommend

This is my all-time favorite cookbook thus far. I purchased it because with all of the strange, persistent bloating, the constipation, and stomach upset that I’ve had for the past year or so, I knew I needed something that would be soothing and anti-inflammatory for my stomach.

This book is based on the GAPS diet. I had heard about the GAPS diet before in doing research in how to treat a variety of stomach conditions. The full GAPS diet is very strict and can be difficult to follow. All ingredients have to be pure and wholesome. I haven’t fully submitted myself to it yet, but based on what I know now about gastrointestinal issues, I believe in its efficacy.

I’ve learned that most G.I.-related problems are hard work to treat, plain and simple. That is, if you really want to get to the bottom of it. They often require a permanent change in your diet which might mean giving up things you’re attached to. It can take a long time to adjust.

I’ve enjoyed the journey, though, because I’m interested in doing what’s best for my body, and I know I don’t have to compromise on foods I love, because there are plenty of amazing, healthy dishes you can make. I had already cut down coffee to one cup a day and added coconut oil to it, I had eliminated any fatty foods altogether and made sure most of what I ate was easy to digest. But, I needed more good recipe ideas. I really felt that soups that were dense with nutrients would help my stomach, and this cookbook is full of those.

Having Digestive Issues Too? Check out this article I wrote a while back →

Regardless, this cookbook is awesome whether you have G.I. issues or not. The recipes are healthy, straightforward, unique, and most are relatively easy to make. You’ll just want to put effort toward making sure you get wholesome ingredients. When you do, you really feel how healthy what you’re eating is!

Ginger Turmeric Tea… Yum!!

I make the Ginger Turmeric tea out of this cookbook at least weekly now. It’s simple. Just purchase fresh ginger root and turmeric, peel them and slice them up. Boil some water, throw some slices in of both (about half as much turmeric than ginger), 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (I use unrefined, virgin organic coconut oil for consumption), and honey if desired. That’s it! Just don’t go crazy on the turmeric and ginger, because you don’t need much!

Interested? Check out the book here

Note: The above link is an affiliate link; if you purchase this book through Amazon, I get a small commission that helps to support this blog. However the book is solely recommended based on my own experience with the book.

Recommended Book: Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman

by Liz B | Feb 18, 2014 | Books, Products I Recommend

This book has been around a while, and it is by far the best self-help book I’ve ever read. I found out about it in high school from my psychology teacher, who made us purchase and read it in the class. It intrigued me at that time, just enough for me to want to read it again. And I did, now eight times over.

The book goes through the story of a college student and top gymnast who stumbles across a gas station where an old man works the night shift. The old man does enough to introduce the idea to Dan that there may be more to life than what he is currently living, just through his words and actions. The visit to the gas station awakens and triggers something in Dan – but at the time, Dan can’t put his finger on it. The old man ends up becoming Dan’s mentor and spiritual guide.

What’s so great about it is it takes eastern philosophical concepts and presents them in such a way that anybody can relate to. Part of the way it does this is that it doesn’t put the concepts and lessons in the book under any label, except for just general wisdom. This is good because it will allow more people to be receptive to its message instead of the message possibly being tainted by any pre-conceived notions of Eastern philosophies.

On top of that, it’s an easy read, and it’s really funny.

One important thing I learned about it is that at first the book may seem completely far-fetched, if you are new to spirituality and Eastern concepts. The more you learn about yourself and life though, and the more better you develop a spiritual connection, the more truth you see in the book.

For all these reasons and more this book has a special place in my heart!

Purchase from Amazon Here →

P.S.–I hate to say it, but I did see the “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” movie too, but I personally don’t think it matches up to the book. It isn’t terrible, but I think all the goodies you can get out of this come from the book and not the movie.