My “Get Healthy” Reading List

I’m on a serious mission: to get healthy without relying on doctors.

It’s not easy, but it’s waaaaay better than waiting five months to see a doctor and then that doctor tell you there’s not much he/she can do.

I’m not discounting doctors completely. I’m keeping all my appointments and looking for a new rheumatologist who will look at me as a whole person–not just one or two of my many symptoms.

In the meantime, I’m making some major progress on my own.

I stopped drinking diet coke, added a lot more raw foods into my daily diet, cut out junk food, and started practicing yoga with a little meditation. Look at me go! I also force myself to exercise even on the days I feel like poo. Not crazy Arnold Schwarzenegger weight lifting or anything–just walking my dogs, but this alone has made a huge difference.

Even when I feel like crud, if I get outside and walk my dogs, the rest of my day is better. I’m less stressed, my body aches less, and my sickness is less likely to envelop me completely.

Like I’ve said before, I’m a researcher which means that the UPS guy is dropping books off at my door pretty much daily. I’m open to learning more about ANYTHING that’s going to help me feel better.

So far, I’ve read:

1. The Last Best Cure by Donna Jackson Nakazawa

I highly recommend this book to anyone suffering from a chronic disease. You’ll laugh. You’ll cry. You’ll learn more about chronic disease than you have from any of your doctors, and you’ll probably get excited about the things you can do on your own to get healthier.

2. The Ultimate pH Solution by Michelle Schoffro Cook

This should be a must-read for every human being. If you want to take charge of your health and prevent disease, get yourself a copy of this book and study it.

I’m in the middle of reading:

3. Real Happiness: The Power of Meditation by Sharon Salzberg

For this book, you read a new chapter each week and practice the different types of meditation. I have NEVER been a meditation person, and I always said, “I’ll NEVER meditate. It’s just not for me.” But, here I am, meditating. And, you know what? I think it’s helping. If you’ve never meditated and want to start a practice, this is a great book for that.

4. The Tapping Solution by Nick Ortner

I just finished the intro and first chapter of this one, and I’m still a little skeptical, but I’ve seen this book all over the internet recently and decided to give it a shot. I’ll let you know more when I know more.

5. Unleash the Power of the Female Brain by Daniel G. Amen

I haven’t gotten far in this one either, so I can’t tell you whether or not I recommend it. But, I’m excited to delve into it!

Still on the reading waiting list:

6. Practically Raw by Amber Shea Crawley

This isn’t one I’m going to read, because it’s a cookbook. But, I haven’t tried any recipes, yet. This coming week, my husband and I are going start testing them out. I purchased this book, because I’m looking for fun raw recipes. I like cooked food, because that’s what I’m used to. But, the more I try raw recipes, the more I like them. I’m attempting to eat at least a 60% raw diet, and so far, it’s going really well. I don’t feel deprived, and I’m having fun experimenting with new recipes.

7. The Autoimmune Epidemic by Donna Jackson Nakazawa

I can’t wait to dig into this one. I want to learn more about autoimmune diseases and why they seem to be so rampant. I already know diet plays a big role. So many of us are eating a standard american diet which is completely unhealthy and lacking nutrition. But, I’d like to know even more. That’s why one this one made it to my reading list.

Do you have any suggestions for me to add to my “get healthy” reading list?