There are certain kinds of books that just make you want to crawl under a blanket, sip tea and become friends with the author. By the time you finish the book, you’ve got a new relationship. Even if the author never knows who you are, you know you’re friends. She’d like you and you’d like her. Finishing the book is a little sad because that connection is gone.

Joan Ranquet is that kind of author. I picked up her book Communication with All Life: Revelations of an Animal Communicator because I was interested in reading about animals and the work she does with them. I got so much more than that.

Ranquet’s words offer more than just the observations of an animal communicator. Communication with All Life is a funny, authentic, spiritual, centered, and informative book about animals, awareness, health, and the deep and important role you play in your companion’s life. In addition to the many stories and examples from her clients and their pets, the author gives sweet examples of her own learning process with her animals to convey this as well.

This book doesn’t try to prove whether or not someone can communicate with animals, though there is one section describing telepathy. Communication with All Life recognizes that there’s a connection, a oneness of all things. And that any part of that oneness can tap into any other part of that oneness. In fact, Ranquet occasionally references other authors like Abraham-Hicks, and applies some of those teachings to our relationships with our pets. She does this with ease and practicality. No woo-woo stuff here.

As I re-read the book for this review, some sections said identical things to what Eckhart Tolle and Oprah are saying in their web seminar…

Animals’ ability to just be and not question their existence makes them seem more spiritual. We humans are so far away from “just being” in our everyday life. If it isn’t bills, it’s taxes; if it isn’t taxes, it’s what color to paint the bathroom; if it isn’t the bathroom, it’s forgetting to send off an RSVP for that party…it’s always something. As a result, there are miscommunications and breakdowns in our behavior. Or we have unclear ideas about how to proceed when our pets get sick. Ultimately, the depth of love that animals express to us is so profound that there are no words to explain it.

Sometimes the greatest thing you can do - even if you don’t necessarily belive that it’s communication per se or that you get any secret messages from your animals - is to just “be” with them and connect on that level of One Mind… Sometimes that’s all they’re waiting for.

Ranquet also suggests the very thing I wrote about in my last post: that our thoughts, our beliefs and the pictures we hold of our pets have great power. She suggests that if you’ve rescued a dog, you eventually let go of the “sad story” about the dog’s past abuse. Stop telling it over and over again - which only keeps that energy alive. (There is also one section called “The Myth of Multitasking.” Her dog, Olivia, teaches us why it’s not a feasible things for humans to do!) Ranquet also teaches readers how to tap in and listen to their own pets.

Much of the advice of the book is geared towards us humans creating a mind and an environment that is clear and peaceful and connected. The book is not just about healing animals. It’s about healing ourselves. The animal stories are amazing. I can honestly say that just reading the book created a little more harmony and connection between me and my furmily.

Any of my readers who have pets will love this book. That’s why I’m writing about it. I love to share my little discoveries with my friends. This is one of those discoveries. And you, dear reader, are my friend.

Two true stories:

1 - I read this book over a cloudy drizzly weekend. Every time I sat down to read it, all of my pets (3 cats and a dog) would gather round as if they knew what I was reading. They would all scrunch up beside me as I read. It was almost like a purr and love fest surrounding the book. I could hardly move for all the bodies!

2 - When I got back from the grocery store, Atticus (my cat) was on the coffee table lying across the book, looking very much in love with it. I took the hint and sat down with him to read.

The Most Fun New Book About Creativity

The Creative License by Danny Gregory. Why do I love it? It makes creativity fun and practical and do-able. So many books on creativity (especially the ones you find on business blogs) are so inaccessible and so mental and so un-fun. This book is fun. If you are a seven on the enneagram, you’ll especially love it. (Ruth, this means you.)

The Best Christmas Gift

My nieces think I’m a big famous rock n’ roller. And I so love seeing my poster on their wall next to Hillary Duff that I just can’t find it in me to let them know that there’s a slight difference in our record sales numbers.

Anyway, I gave my niece Virginia a stuffed bear two years ago. She named it Clarence and it became her main bear. THE bear. And so last Christmas all she wanted was clothing for Clarence. (Apparently, stuffed bears aren’t comfortable in the buff in this new millennium.) I went all over the place trying to find clothing for a bear. I went to many craft places and got a whoppin’ headache from the Christmas-flavored-everything filling the air. I then wandered through TJ Maxx, stopping briefly to pick up a Buddha figurine and wondering how tacky it would be if I actually bought a Buddha at TJ Maxx.

But then Lo, the angel of the Lord appeared before me and told me about…

(Insert theme from “2001: A Space Odyssey” here.)

WWW.BUILDABEAR.COM.

And at Build-A-Bear, I actually spent seventy dollars on clothing for a stuffed bear. I do not lie. First, I got Clarence the Pink Sherpa-Look Coat with Faux Fur and the matching Pink Sherpa-Look Boots. (My husband wanted me to get the army fatigues, but I didn’t. I figured any bear named Clarence who’s wearing a pink sherpa-look coat and matching pink boots, is probably not getting into the army any time soon, at least not with the current administration at the helm.) I also got Clarence some killer overalls for when he’s not out pimping in his pink coat. And boxer shorts. And summer pants. And a “Virginia is for Lovers” t-shirt.

It all came in a cardboard wardrobe with little cardboard hangers. And Virginia has spent many mornings this year getting Clarence dressed before school. Apparently, there is much dialogue involved in this process. My brother says it’s very cute. I am a proud aunt.

The Funniest Picture of my Dog

My dog sits in the front seat of my car and waits for me when I get groceries. When I get back to the car and put them in the back seat, this is how she watches me. I took this picture with my phone, and it never fails to crack me up.

The Coolest News Item in Years

I’ve never been on any kind of archaeological dig. And I’ve never done any kind of deep sea diving. The closest thing to diving I’ve ever experienced was when I was a kid. My doctor had this fish tank in his office with the shipwreck treasure chest in it. I was mesmerized by that treasure chest and spent many long daydreams in that tank pulling up that treasure chest. So, this little tidbit in the news has had me completely enraptured.

The Most Beautiful Christmas CD

Harry Belafonte’s To Wish You a Merry Christmas. Harry Belafonte’s voice is my favorite voice on the planet besides Don Williams. I love Harry Belafonte, and this album is just gorgeous.

The Most Surprising Discovery

I got a spam email today‚Ķ from God. And what I didn’t know before today is that God has a last name. Apparently, it’s “Washington.” The email was from God Washington. I had no idea what God’s last name was. I thought God was kind of like “Madonna” or “Sting.” I wonder if he was related to George.

The Hippest Independent Movie

My new agent mailed me a copy of a DVD called Independent America. What a great little documentary. I highly recommend it for all of you non-corporate folks. I am all for supporting local businesses. I don’t necessarily believe that a business should be supported strictly by virtue of the fact that it’s local. Service, value and vision must be high priorities. I’m lucky to live in a town that has so much of this local goodness to offer.

The Best Thing About Facilitating Retreats

The group of women from my October retreat have stayed together in a Yahoo Group. Everyday since the retreat, I get to read of money made, progress made, new job offers, support for health issues, getting rid of clutter, eliminating energy drains, and deep gratitude for their community. I am so honored to be a part of this and to have facilitated this group. And this isn’t an ego thing at all because they’re the ones who have taken what I taught and run hard with it! I’m inspired to see what changes each of us can bring about by taking small steps and facing fears. (The next retreat is for late February. I’ll be updating you on that soon!)

So, there’s a party. I’m getting ready. I’m wearing this great muted-orange loose-knit long sweater over a camisole and jeans. I put on make-up and my cool wedge-y heel sandals. My hair is a mess, as usual. Oh well. I’m ready to go. My husband is waiting downstairs. I stand in front of the mirror. And just like every single night like this of my life, I hear my mother’s voice‚Ķ

“Is THAT what you’re going to wear?”

Is it me? Or does this happen to anyone else? No matter how old you are, or how long it’s been since you’ve lived in your parents’ house, those words will follow you around like lint for the rest of your days!

I never felt like I knew how to dress. I knew what I liked on other people. I knew the styles that appealed to me. But being the artist type, I couldn’t figure out how to budget for fashion when I knew nothing about it. So, I just threw on jeans and an old sweatshirt most of the time. (My favorite is a Boston College sweatshirt that I bought in about ‘91. It’s tattered. I still wear it a lot. In fact, my assistant looked up at me as I was heading out to Nashville for my last photo shoot, and she sighed and said, “Are you going to wear your Boston College sweatshirt for the photos?” Wouldn’t you know it? She and my mom are the same enneagram number.)

I just figured that other people were lucky. That other people were born knowing how to do it. How to dress. Or that they had some kind of professional help. So I resigned myself to jeans and sweatshirts.

I also had this weird idea about “dressing nicely.” I used to think “dressing nicely” was about looking the way my parents would want me to look. I always assumed that if I started “dressing nicely,” I’d have to shop at Talbots, and wear those thick scratchy short jackets with the big gold buttons. And the stiff high-waisted pants and boring flat shoes. Or if not Talbots or Ann Taylor, it’d be the very drape-y clothing of the Asheville elite‚Ķkind of Eileen Fisher meets Stevie Nicks. And I just knew I couldn’t go there either. I don’t do scarves well.

Then, when I was on the road one time, I saw an episode of What Not To Wear. (The American version. I hear the British version is better, but I haven’t seen it. I don’t have a television!) What Not To Wear became this thing I secretly loved watching in my hotel rooms. I was certain that if I were ever on that show, I’d be one of the women who ends up weeping in the dressing room. I never liked shopping.

That’s all changing now. And I know this might seem like a superficial thing to write about in my blog that’s all about taking risks, and living consciously, and being creative, and following your passion‚Ķ

But it’s not superficial! It’s actually the opposite. It’s like when I learned Quicken. That simple step gave me back so much of the energy I had wasted in worrying about my business finances. Once you get how to think about your clothing and your closets and all the mysteries therein, your energy is freed up for the things that you are good at. And when you feel good about what you’re wearing, you aren’t tugging at your ass or your collar or your sleeves. You’re not looking around to see if anyone is noticing how crappy you look, or getting thoroughly thrown off when you bump into someone you used to date.

The other thing about dressing well for your type is about intent. I know that I raised all kinds of holy ruckus among my readers in my last posts about giving up coffee, but the foundation of all of these posts is intent. My intent is to live consciously and with clarity in all that I do. So, giving up coffee aligns with that for me. I also want to be inspiring and encouraging and abundant and healing. I don’t feel like I’m any of those things if I’m so confused in my own fashion sense that I can’t muster up any more energy than a sweatshirt and jeans‚Ķ

In this pursuit, I’ve discovered some books out there on this very topic. My friend Marty told me about them. (She may be hell on a cell phone, but she’s a fabulous dresser.) I’m letting you know about my three favorites because I’m going to assume that there are lots of you out there who hear the “Is that what you’re going to wear?” voice.

Brenda Kinsel, Brenda’s Wardrobe Companion: A Guide to Getting Dressed From the Inside Out.

Brenda Kinsel actually has four books. I suggest you visit her website and see if any of the others appeal to you instead of, or in addition to this one.

I like Brenda’s Wardrobe Companion because it takes sort of an Artist’s Way approach to wardrobe. It goes deeper than the other two books below. She assigns writing exercises in each chapter, and she even has you do a vision board. The idea is that you do lots of work on your own insides, and you get very clear before you head out to shop.

Brenda Kinsel is a very compassionate fashion consultant, and her writing style is delightful and real. She understands (unlike the bitchy duo on What Not To Wear) how wounded many women are around body image and clothing.

She says, I’ve heard every reason imaginable why women think they can’t have a great relationship with their wardrobes. Well, maybe not every reason. Maybe you’ll have one I haven’t heard of yet. It doesn’t matter. You can bring me bushels and bushels of reasons why you can’t have what you want, and I will bring in semi-truckloads of reasons why you can.

She also has a theory on pricing that mirrors my own. She discusses the value of paying full price for something you really love, and that you’ll wear again and again, versus buying stuff on sale that you don’t love. This book will make you feel like you found a friend who is dedicated to helping you have an easier time of dressing yourself and finding your style.

Jesse Garza and Joe Lupo, Nothing to Wear? A Five-Step Cure for the Common Closet

This is a simple and straightforward book. I like it a lot. It’s similar to Brenda Kinsel’s book in that you do some of your own writing and exploring to define your own style before you do anything else.

The two authors name five different style types‚Ķ Classic, Chic, Whimsical, Bohemian, and Avant-Garde. Readers take a test to determine their type. (Many women are a combination of two styles. I’m Bohemian-Chic. That is, when I’m not wearing the Boston College sweatshirt. Unfortunately, Self-Employed-Frump is not one of the styles listed. Damn!)

(Here’s the value of taking the test. I had originally thought I might be “Whimsical,” but one of the examples they gave of “Whimsical” was Kate Hudson. Now, I met Kate Hudson backstage at a festival where I was performing. She was about 8-and-a-half months pregnant, and she was wearing a purple thong, which was very visible blossoming up from under her Ultra-Low-Rise, Only-in-Hollywood Maternity pants. (And I might add, it was, indeed, whimsical!) Needless to say, I did not test as “Whimsical.”)I’m sure there are people for whom this is no-brainer clothing stuff. But it was a big eye-opener for me. Garza and Lupo provide lots of little tips about clearing out your closet and arranging your closet and buying new items. Again, things I never thought about.

Be warned about one thing: Garza and Lupo mention being okay with your body type. It’s sort of an after thought. But it’s there. However, all of the illustrations depict impossibly skinny girls (like, skinnier than the cast of Friends skinny) looking very elegant. That got a little tiresome.

Even so, I highly recommend this book.

Kim France and Andrea Linett, The Lucky Shopping Manual: Building and Improving Your Wardrobe Piece by Piece

Written by the Editor-in-Chief and Creative Director of the popular Lucky Magazine, this book is a reference guide. It’s got lots of how-to advice. It moves chapter by chapter through each clothing item (pants, skirts, shirts, etc), and tells you how to match things up, how to do it on a budget and ways to accessorize. There lots of pictures which makes it easy to flip through and reference. It’ll probably be dated within a few years though!

The combination of these three books has been good for me. They’ve helped me learn to think about my clothing, instead of just reacting emotionally to the idea of shopping. It was a little daunting at first, especially after I realized that I loved nothing of what I owned. But I’m starting to get it. And I’m starting to get good at it. Much to the dismay of my Boston College sweatshirt. (It likes to be worn.)

This is a list of the books I refer to during the retreats I facilitate. Though much of what I teach comes from my role as an artist and performer, a surprising amount of my philosophy comes from my role as a business owner. And of course, the biggest stuff comes from being in no role at all, just being fiercely committed to living in a conscious way and allowing each moment to be the teacher it is. These books are a reflection of all of these pieces and parts, and these writers have been some of my favorite teachers on this path. Each link will take you to amazon.com where you can browse and read reviews.

I read slowly. I know there are lots of people out there who burn through four books a week. I’m not one of them. My feeling is that if this book is based on someone’s life work, then it deserves my full attention. I’ve only recommended my favorites. If you want to add any to the list, please post your thoughts in the comments section at the end of this post! Thanks!

Note on Audiobooks

Many of these books are even better in audio format. I include a mention of that in their description. Since I travel a lot, I have listened to many of these books rather than read them. My favorite audiobook source is Audible.com. They have a great one-year rate, and then all the other books you buy are discounted. You download the books onto your computer and move them into whatever format you want…CD, iPod, MP3. Click on the pretty link below to find out more.

Another Note:

I purposefully did not include any fiction on this list. That is another list for another day!

WRITING AND CREATIVITY

Henriette Klauser, Write It Down and Make It Happen

I loved this book when I read it. Klauer’s enthusiasm for writing is enough to get you inspired right there. I have to admit, I didn’t do a lot of the exercises, but by the time I read this, I was already doing music full-time and was using many of her techniques. (Especially the one about carrying a small notebook around with you for all your ideas. I still do this.)

Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way, The Vein of Gold, Walking in this World

Almost everyone I know has heard of the Artist’s Way. It was a ground-breaking work on creativity and art. I’ve written in my blogs several times about Morning Pages. They were Julia Cameron’s idea. Thousands of people now do them regularly. These books are still an inspiration to me. (I often read the section called “Time” in The Vein of Gold aloud during workshops when participants complain that there’s not enough time to follow their passion.)

Natalie Goldberg, Writing Down the Bones, Wild Mind

I was in a writing class and we used many of the exercises in Natalie Goldberg’s books. I loved doing them. Occasionally, I still do the timed-writing exercises in writing workshops I teach now.

Brenda Ueland, If You Want to Write

In a past blog, I wrote about my shift from post-college misery into being a performing songwriter. What I didn’t mention was that, at that time, I started writing letters to God in my journal admitting that I had this bigger dream of being a writer of some sort. (I was too scared to admit it to anyone else!) Pretty soon after I wrote those entries, I wandered into a bookstore near Dupont Circle and this book was sitting on the counter, screaming to me. Looking back, I think it was one of those “meant-to-be” things. Brenda Ueland became the wise voice of the wild creative spirit — a voice that I had no idea even existed. This book was published in 1938, and still inspires and encourages.

Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird

Oh, how I love Anne Lamott. This may be my favorite book on writing. A classic. And very funny. Anne Lamott is so willing to be seen. And because of that, she lets us all be a little less embarrassed by our own craziness. If you can find the audio version, Anne Lamott is a great reader.

Stephen King, On Writing

Whenever I recommend this book, people always say, “Really? Stephen King? Are you sure?” Yes, I’m sure. Get the audio version of this book because Stephen King reads it himself, and he’s just fabulous and funny. He doesn’t comfort you or help you get over your fears. Stephen King pretty much assumes you’re over your fears and gives you the best way to proceed from there. Yes, he talks about all the stuff — rejection, bad reviews, writer’s block — that writers deal with, but he wants you to get over it. He wants you to just write. Even if you’re not a writer, this is a great listen. It’s entertaining and like all truths, it applies to everything. He can be a bit of a hard ass here and there.

Paul Zollo, Songwriters on Songwriting

A must have for the songwriter’s bookshelf. A series of interviews with the best of the best. Paul Zollo is a one-of-a-kind interviewer.

Anna Deavere Smith, Letters to A Young Artist

I still consider myself a young artist, so I read this in about two nights. It’s a short book. Anna Deavere Smith is one cool babe with some great insights on living the artist’s life. (For those out there not familiar with her one-woman-shows and Broadway bio, you may remember Smith as also appeared as Nancy McNally on West Wing.)

PERSONAL AND SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Don Richard Riso & Russ Hudson, The Wisdom of the Enneagram

The enneagram is a tool from the Sufi tradition. Many people compare it to the well-known Myers-Briggs test, in that it allows you to find a “type” for yourself ( in this case, there are nine numbers). But the enneagram goes deeper. It is a spiritual tool and a way of breaking out of destructive patterns that you’ve set up for yourself. It helps you figure out your “type” and then encourages you become aware that this is actually who you are not. It sees these personality types as facades we’ve set up for ourselves, our own defense system. This is my favorite book about the enneagram.

Debbie Ford, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers

A must read. This is short book packed with wisdom, authenticity, and spirit.

Lenedra Carroll, The Architecture of All Abundance

I’ve referred to this book more than any other in my blogging so far. Lenedra Carroll is the mother of pop-singer Jewel. What an amazing book she has written. Unlike most books in its genre, it’s written in a very non-linear fashion. I absolutely love this woman and her approach to business and life.

Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

A classic. I highly recommend this book. I had seen it on people’s shelves since about the first week I moved to Asheville. It took me eight years to actually read it. But it was worth the wait. Besides, I don’t think I would have been able to get it had I read it any earlier. The line in my song Right Outta Nowhere, “She’s got a great big dream and a history of playing small” is a reference to this book. Marianne Williamson says “Your playing small does not serve the world.”

Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now, A New Earth

If you got no other book on this list but A New Earth, you’d be fine. It’s the best book I’ve ever read on this topic. It’s one thing to hear the idea of “being present” and “living in the now.” It’s a whole other thing when someone can walk you inside yourself and point to the parts of you that don’t want you to be present and show you how to recognize their stories, and dramas and tricks. I’ve listened AND read this book twice. The Power of Now was a great book, and lots of people prefer that one. But I think A New Earth goes a whole lot deeper.

Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies

Not a single workshop of mine goes by without reading a passage from this book. Those who have never read it seem to relax into its authenticity instantly as they laugh out loud at Anne Lamott’s brilliant sense of humor and depth of spirit. By sharing her own rich and painful and funny life experiences, she inadvertently gives us all permission to be imperfect and powerful at the same time.

Parker Palmer, Let Your Life Speak

Whenever I meet someone who knows Parker Palmer’s work, they always get the same joyful look on their face when you mention his name. They sigh and say, “Oh, I just love him.” Parker Palmer is a Quaker, and his writing and work and refections are immersed in that energy of peaceful deliberation and stark vulnerability. This is a powerful book. I remember reading it aloud to my friend Kathy when she came on a road trip with me. It’s a quick read. Great for life transitions and times of confusion.

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love

I love this book so much I don’t know what to write. This just came out in 2006. Get the audio version because Elizabeth Gilbert is a fantastic reader. She walks the perfect line between being your best friend and your new guru. I laughed out loud, and (as I listened a lot while making dinner) I stopped dead in my kitchen and cried my eyes out. This is a beautiful and perfect book written by a beautiful and perfect woman. You must must must read this at some point in your life.

OFFICE, BUSINESS, ORGANIZING, AND OTHER THINGS CREATIVE-TYPES AVOID

Cheryl Richardson, Take Time for Your Life

This book is all about addressing the HOW of your life before addressing the WHAT. Cheryl Richardson is wise and soft and strong in her coaching and writing. This book is similar to The Artist’s Way in that it lovingly gives tools and writing exercises for improving your life. It also challenges readers to live more consciously by setting boundaries and taking time for themselves. I refer to this book throughout my blogs. Get the audio version as well. It’s a little different from the book and Cheryl is a gentle and compassionate reader. (Can you tell I love this woman?)

Stephen Covey, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

The title of this book used to make me cringe. I thought it was so smarmy and, well, kind of Republican. Here’s the deal though: It’s an amazing book. Once I finally got over myself and read it, I was blown away. It’s the real thing. If you’re an artist who complains a lot about having to deal with the business side of your work, then this is for you. It is a beautiful and enlightened approach to business, self-discipline, and time management.

David Allen, Getting Things Done

I’ll admit it. I don’t normally love the idea of recommending books with stiff looking guys on the covers in their suits and ties looking like they’ve never experienced a single emotion beyond efficiency. (Efficiency is an emotion to these guys!) But I am also a little weird in that I’ll read these books with a curiosity that most creative types couldn’t muster. This book is jammed with good stuff. I’ve used a few of the ideas just to help me with my procrastinating side. I plan to write a companion book called “Getting Nothing Done,” with a picture on the cover of a guy in shorts and a t-shirt lounging in a chaise and staring at a river.

Jack Canfield, The Success Principles

Another great one like Stephen Covey. Still, we’ve got a guy in a jacket on the cover. No tie, though. That’s a step up! This is a great book and is packed full of very real wisdom, not just surface-y hype.

Karen Kingston, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui

Read more about this in my post called Creating Order. This is a great book about recognizing the energy of clutter and finally letting it go.

Julie Morganstern, Organizing From the Inside Out

Hands down, my favorite book on organizing. Great for creative types and artists. Really basic and easy steps for getting rid of the clutter and finding space for your stuff and developing systems for your work and life. Great audio version, too.

POSITIVE THINKING AND INTENT

Every book on this entire list has something in it about intent, and about monitoring your thoughts and changing them. The books (and DVD) below are more boldly written, and fearlessly state that you have the power to create your life. (This is an idea that, for some reason, brings out the most resistance and anger in people. I say get out of your comfort zone and read one. If nothing else, you’ll be a little less miserable.) Since the topic is similar in all of these books, I’m not going to write a review of each one, but these are my favorites.

Marc Allen, The Millionaire Course

Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention

Esther and Jerry Hicks, Ask and It is Given

Louise Hay, You Can Heal Your Life

This is a classic. Be sure to get the newest version with the beautiful pictures on every page.

What the Bleep Do We Know - DVD

Masaru Emoto, The Hidden Messages in Water

MISCELLANEOUS

Wayne Muller, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives

Pema Chodron, Comfortable with Uncertainty

Diane Ackerman, A Natural History of the Senses

Such a great read.

Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance

When I’m strung out from travel or working too hard, I love to curl up in bed and read a few passages.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Christiane Northrup, Women’s Bodies. Women’s Wisdom.

I love love love Chris Northrup. This is a must-have book. Or, listen to her tapes. She’s a compassionate and lovely teacher.

Bruce Lipton, The Biology of Belief

Geneen Roth,When Food is Food and Love is Love
Geneen Roth’s primary message is about healing eating disorders and compulsive eating. Since I blogged on my own experience with bulimia, I’ve gotten many emails from people asking more. Please get Geneen Roth’s books. She’s amazing.

Bob Flaws, The Tao of Healthy Eating

BobI am a great believer in the Traditional Chinese Medicine approach to eating. Chinese medicine was the first alternative approach that helped me heal my eating disorderLINK. This is a simple and small book. It’s not at all rigid or harsh, the way some books on eating can be.

Please add your own book recommendations in the comments section…