This past year has been an interesting one in the health and wellness sector. From the Penn State employee revolt of the university’s wellness program penalty to the ongoing debate of the Affordable Care Act to the growth of evidence that our dietary recommendations are inadequate (the last item being the understatement of the year).
The state of wellbeing in the US continues to suffer immensely from political powers that be, companies and organizations with a financial stake in selling their products, and the constant barrage of misinformation. Thus, it’s rough out there!
One way I’ve found to make sense of the health frenzy is to reflect on books, articles or other events that made an impact on me over the last year. There are lessons to be learned and areas of commonality among the selections chosen. My hope is they provide some common sense guidelines towards vibrant health for the New Year.
Finally thanks to all who have taken the time to read my blog over the year, much appreciated! Let’s journey on together to 2015.
Book highlights of the year (see the why below)
- The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat & Cheese Belong in a Health Diet, Author Nina Teicholz
- Death by Food Pyramid: How Shoddy Science, Sketchy Politics and Shady Special Interests Have Ruined Our Health, Author Denise Minger
- Surviving Workplace Wellness: With Your Dignity, Finances and (major) Organs Intact, Authors Al Lewis & Vik Khanna
- What Gap?-A Communication Toolbox, Author Jessie Gordon
Blogger/Writers/Organizations that continue to keep me inspired
- Zöe Harcombe
- Gary Taubes
- Weston A. Price Foundation
- Jimmy Moore (Livin La Vida)
- Denise Minger (Raw Food SOS)
- Al Lewis (The Health Care Blog)
- Slow Food San Francisco
- Dr. Malcolm Kendrick
Where do we go from here?
If there is anything I’ve learned in my decades in the health and wellness sector it is “keep it simple.” The more overwhelming or complicated a situation feels the greater the likelihood inertia sets in. Combatting prodigiousness means create your own personal support system, find a simple set of guidelines that work for you, be accountable to yourself and turn the noise off.
Thinking ahead towards 2015
On Food
I think Denise Minger did an excellent job in her “take home kit” from the above-mentioned book. (Highly recommended reading and there is more to the list!)
- Eliminate or drastically reduce your intake of refined grains, refined sugar & high-omega 6 vegetable oils
- Secure a source of those precious fat-soluble vitamins (shellfish, fish, eggs, high quality dairy, bonne marrow, organ meats or cod liver oil)
- Stock your diet with nutrient dense items (from the plant & animal kingdom)
On Exercise
- Work on your posture (aka core strength is imperative)
- Move as much as possible throughout the day (at home & work)
- Commit to exercise that gives you energy (not to lose weight)
On Spirit
- Schedule zone time
- Get outside on a regular basis
- Turn off the TV
Why those books?
There is so much to say about all of these books and the high quality of journalism presented. I applaud their efforts and ability to inspire. I also believe the nutrition authors; Minger and Teicholz, owe much gratitude to Gary Taubes. His seminal work Good Calories, Bad Calories set a precedent of excellence in nutritional research. He also challenged the status quo on “nutritional advice” as does Sally Fallon and the Weston A. Price Foundation.
All of these authors challenge conventional thinking be it Lewis and Khanna on workplace wellness, Minger and Teicholz on diet or Gordon on communication. The diverse authors demonstrate years of experience, common sense practicality with a high dose of reality.
I challenge you to experiment, not only in reading these books but also, in how you think about your own health. Critical thinking combined with common sense can go a long way towards making smart choices on all things wellness concerned.
“A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.”
Nelson Mandela
Wishing you all the best for 2015!
KLH
I especially like common sense approach,especially when it comes to eating nutrient dense foods. I am optimistic the public will like going back to their childhood foods filled with eggs, whole milk and fruits and veggies in their original form rather than from blender. All one has to do is have Krisna in their home for one week-end and you”ll soon learn, as I did, that the food sources I had in -house, were rejected time and time again. As a result, I am more mindful of where my food is coming from and what form it takes as I am about to ingest. Pilates is my physical therapy at $20-$40 weekly and my back pain is a thing of the past. Did you say I can get a Y membership for a whole month with that kind of money? Guess I’ll go with what I learned in my home, quality over quantity and you get what you pay for.