Plant Spirit Shamanism: Traditional Techniques for Healing the Soul, by Ross Heaven and Howard Charing (Destiny Books, Rochester, VT, 2006), $16.95.The effects of Western medicines last only as long as the course of drugs continues, "whereas plant medicines lead to a permanent change through the relationship you establish with the essence of the plant." Shamans explain the reason for this difference: "It is the spirit of the plants that matter, not their chemical properties." … [Read more...]
Preserving Food, and Gentle Birth Choices
Preserving Food Without Freezing or Canning: Traditional Techniques Using Salt, Oil, Sugar, Alcohol, Vinegar, Drying, Cold Storage and Lactic Fermentation, by Deborah Madison and Eliot Coleman (Chelsea Green, White River Junction, VT, 2006) $25.While kiwi from New Zealand and apples from Washington offer tasty convenience year around, the cost to both our wallets and the environment (in the form of fossil fuels for shipping and energy for refrigeration) remains staggering. Instead, many choose … [Read more...]
Traveling, Sound Healing and the Challenge of Chaos
THE PACKING BOOK: SECRETS OF THE CARRY-ON TRAVELER, by Judith Gilford, Ten Speed Press (Berkeley, CA, 2006) $12.95Whether you are trekking at high altitudes, spending three weeks in European museums, traveling with kids or on an overnight business trip with displays, handouts and a laptop, Judith Gilford shows you how to pack everything in a single, manageably sized suitcase with an optional second bag. Focusing on carry-on travel because it is easy, convenient and popular, The Packing Book … [Read more...]
Eating Healthy, Listening to the Body and Recovering from Loss
Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine, by Elson M. Hass, M.D. (Celestial Arts, 2006), $39.95Leaving no area of nutrition untouched while answering the mystery of how to put it all together to create a healthy diet for an energetic and well-balanced life, Elson M. Hass, M.D., brings the planet to your plate with the updated edition of Staying Healthy with Nutrition. Accessible enough for every bookshelf, yet detailed enough for use by health … [Read more...]
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips & Extreme Spirituality
Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips, by Kris Carr (Skirt! Books, 2007) $17.95Wearing her cowboy boots through everyday of the scans, biopsies and batteries of test and re-tests, Kris Carr proves that she is indeed just the gal to give cancer a makeover. Part scrap book, part journal and bursting with color and energy, Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips guides you through "Cancer University" thirtysomething style. With the intimacy of a chat with your best friend and the liveliness to perk up even the most … [Read more...]
Hope, Iridology and the Japanese Art of Self-reflection
Hope, Human and Wild: True Stories of Living Lightly on the Earth, by Bill McKibben (Milkweed Editions, 2007) $15.In the face of global warming and rapidly increasing world poverty, engineers offer token solutions like solar cars and windmills that maintain both our comfort and economic growth rate. Instead, Bill McKibben advocates for a sustainable future by becoming a "civilization living closer to the limits set by its place." But can we as Westerners addicted to our convenience, … [Read more...]
Removing Clutter, Finding Compassion and Letting Go
Clutter Junkie No More: Stepping Up to Recovery, by Barb Rogers (Conari Press, San Francisco CA, 2007) $12.95.Feeling constantly overwhelmed? Tired of trying yet another organizational system that promises to transform your life? Have trouble setting realistic goals and accomplishing them? Is your living space constantly a mess, no matter how much you clean? Not all that different from alcohol or gambling, clutter can be used to keep the world out by staying overly busy-or junk can be piled up … [Read more...]
Walking Away from our Fears, Just Like That
Walking Your Blues Away: How to Heal the Mind and Create Emotional Well-Being, by Thom Hartmann (Park Street Press, Rochester, VT, 2006) $12.95Can it really be this simple? Just walk for thirty minutes and your traumas, fears, embarrassments, concerns and creative blocks will just melt away? Thom Hartmann emphatically answers "Yes!" After all, how did our ancient ancestors cope with witnessing a wild beast devouring their friend? They walked back to the village with the images racing … [Read more...]
Books on Love, Healing and Science Inform us about Who We Truly are
Perfect Love, Imperfect Relationships: Healing the Wound of the Heart, by John Welwood (Trumpeter Books, Boston, MA, 2006) $19.95.First comes attraction, then wooing, followed by making love and maybe even marriage, but with each successive stage your longing remains unsatisfied. So you try having kids or try to change your partner and you land in couples therapy or Tantric sex workshops hoping to find a way to quench your longing, your never quite satiated desire for the perfect love in which … [Read more...]
Jeffrey’s Journey, Self Hypnosis, Wonderful Ways to be a Family
Jeffrey's Journey: Healing a Child's Violent Rage, by Debbie Jefferies and Larayne Jeffries (Quick American-Publishers Group West, Oakland, CA 2005) $12.95At the age of seven, Jeffrey had been asked to leave every school he had attended, treated by sixteen different doctors, prescribed at least sixteen different psychotropic drugs, and admitted to inpatient mental care three times due to his oppositional defiance. No facility in the state of California would accept a child at his young age for … [Read more...]
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