Books To Move You Forward on Your Mission
Posted by Charity on Aug 1, 2011 in Books | 0 comments
These are some great books to get you started. They range from cookbooks to parenting books and some simple-to-read humor books for good measure. I love easy and I love honest. These all fit that description!
If you like what you read, check out our link to these books on our store page!
http://abetterbodyafterbaby.com/store/
1) Fitness Food by Dr. Susanna Holt
If you love books with great photos and simple preparation, this is the book for you. It was prepared and written by a dietitian who explains each dish’s asset to your body and what it can best be used (i.e. for after a workout or if you are looking to lower your sugar intake). Intended for those interested in better sports performance, it is also great for those looking to better their choice of fuel for the body. It is simple, to the point, and has a nice variety of dishes.
2) Cooking Light Salad by Cooking Light
If you are like me you grew up eating very basic salads. Iceberg lettuce with cut carrots and cucumber… perhaps a not-so-ripe tomato thrown on top for added color. This book changes all of that for you. From Taco Rice Salad to Watercress Salad with Blue Cheese and Praline Salad, this book takes the boring out and infuses salads with flavor. (All while keeping whole nutrition in mind). You’ll never think of salads the same again.
3) The Primal Cookbook by Mark Sisson
When my training for my first triathlon my tri-coach-cousin told me to “do away with grains”. I thought he was insane. But, after researching and talking with others about the level of toxicity a high-grain diet can bring to you body, I started looking for ways to lower my grains considerably. This book helped. Albeit a bit more than most would ever venture to try as a lifestyle, Mark Sisson has done a nice job of creating yummy food without grains. There’s no rubbery “diet” food involved – real food that is really good. It’s a great jump-start to lowering the “bad” (read: simple) carbs out of your meals.
4) Cooking for Isaiah by Silvana Nordone
You ever wonder why gluten allergies and intolerances are on the rise? Me, too. So, after some research on wheat and other gluten-laden grains I decided to take gluten down to a minimum in my diet. But I love, love, LOVE to bake. Enter “Cooking for Isaiah” – a fantastic book written by a contributor to the Rachel Ray show. It has wonderful recipes that my family had no clue were gluten free and it adds a nice mix to the normal grain-heavy S.A.D. diet we are all accustomed to.
5) Simply Thai Cooking by Wandee Young
Most Westerners add salt or sugar to food in order to add flavor. However, too much of either are known to cause problems for the body. Not to mention mute your taste buds and limit them from enjoying the actual flavors of food. By contrast many Eastern cultures add spices and even some healthy fats to flavor their food. They also use a variety of different foods that are good for the body – including coconut milk and fresh vegetables. One way to add in more variety and “spice up” your everyday meals is to get a great cookbook that explores different, non-westernized food. Thai food is one of my favorites (Panang curry is one of my number one choices when I get Thai… and is still the one sauce I am seeking to find the perfect recipe for). This cookbook promises to be easy to incorporate into your weekly meal planning, even if the pictures are not as frequent as I like. Just beware that there may still be some fried foods to avoid on regular basis, but, all-in-all, it’s a great way to spice it up and let the exploration of new foods begin!
6) Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
Given my tight schedule, I am more of a magazine reader these days, but this book is great for anyone with less free time. Mrs. Jankovic herself is a mother of five, including one set of twins. She is no stranger to messy houses and busy schedules. Yet she finds time to share her bits of wisdom with us, the reader. Loving the Little Years is to the point and in no way judgmental. However, it calls you as a mom to let go of some things you may hold up as a banner of pride (a hyper-organized house, for example) and welcomd in the ida of pastoral Motherhood (the type of mom willing to put down a task at hand deal with the hearts of your children). It’s challenging, funny and honest – the three things I love in any book. It’s a delightful read for any mom, especially one with multiples.
7) King Baby by Jim Gaffigan (CD, stand up or book)
I love to laugh and it sometimes feels so rare when you go through the “Groundhog Day” existence of your routine. But when my husband got King Baby by Jim Gaffigan on CD I laughed and laughed. Hilarious! I highly recommend him – and, if you are more of a reader, there is a book version. For the most part he is very clean and rarely swears – and the few times he does are not over the top or intended to shock. He’s just good, smart fun.
8) Crazy Janet by Bob Borwick
If you are a working mom or have ever worked a job in your life, this book will bring laughter to your belly. Compiled by one of Janet’s co-workers (and husband of ABBAB contributor, Kelly Balch) Crazy Janet captures actual things said by Janet in the years the author, Bob Borwick, worked with her. She is a bit nutty, a bit off-color at times, and always honest. (Not unlike several relatives I can think of off the top of my head). No matter what you think about what she says, you will love Crazy Janet. And you’ll love the fact that this book is an easy read (so you can work your laughs in with no problem).
(Additional Books Suggestions … from our head of PR, Marie Morache):
9) Julia’s Kitchen Wisdom: Essential Techniques from a Lifetime of Cooking by Julia Child
I think every woman should have this book in her kitchen! It outlines the basics of everyday cooking techniques: The difference between blanching/ boiling/ steaming vegetables and the length different types of vegetables should be in the water; how to sauté, broil and roast meats; how to make all the basic breakfast eggs; making bread and more! Easy to reference, meticulously tested in Julia’s kitchen, a must have for your kitchen!
10) Taking Charge of Your Fertility, 10th Anniversary Edition: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement and Reproductive Health by Toni Weschler, MPH
This book is extremely helpful in learning about your female body. Although it is a thick book, it is very accessible. It gives you a thorough understanding of your monthly cycle and fertility awareness. You will learn how to observe your body, understand the intricate process it goes through every month, and how to best care for it while trying to get pregnant.