Five Minute Review: Four books for regaining health

Health is a holistic concept. It’s also something you cling to for dear life as you drive steadily up life’s hill and down the other side. Running out of gas? These four amazing books will invigorate your body, mind and heart – and perhaps even your place in the world.

The 10 Secrets of 100% Healthy People by Patrick Holford

Can anyone really be 100% happy? Probably not, but surely many of us can be a good sight happier than we are right now. Depression is a leading cause of both mental and physical illness, and it’s no doubt that positive mental conditioning can vastly improve the lives of anyone affected by a dejected demeanour.

Patrick Holford is one of the world’s leading authorities on new approaches to health and nutrition. In his latest book, Holford shares his findings on how we can thrive – not just ‘survive’ – modern life and all its challenges.

Following Britain’s largest-ever health and diet survey (with over 55,000 participants), The 10 Secrets reveals fascinating insights into the prime ways to achieve good health and happiness, offering an easy-to-follow, measurable format for everyone, from the relatively fit to those suffering from health issues.

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Five Minute Review: Four books for perfect parenting

It’s true. Parenting starts at conception. And no, it doesn’t end at retirement (sorry). This lifelong commitment certainly runs the gamut – and until our little ones fly the coop, it’s always nice to reach out for a little guidance along the way. This brilliant collection of books covers many an aspect of parenting from pregnancy through to the birds and the bees. Take heed.

Eating for Two by Kathleen Gandy

This truly beautiful book by award-winning food writer Kathleen Gandy is more cookbook than pregnancy guide, yet it also includes priceless nutritional information for pregnant mums.

Gandy reveals her Top Ten tips for fixing morning sickness and provides a highly motivational shopping list of nutrient-rich superfoods for expectant mums – those foods high in folate, iron, calcium, iodine, protein and vitamins. Gandy also advises mums on foods to avoid – and why.

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It’s an Awesome World with Dallas – WIN!

When American writer Dallas Clayton decided to write a book for his young son, he knew the book’s theme would be on dreaming big. Penning the text in 10 minutes and taking 6 months to complete the illustrations, Clayton may have chosen a big dreams theme for his story, but he surely never dreamed how big his book would become.

Truly one of the most inspiring literacy stories of the past decade, Clayton self-published An Awesome Book a little over a year ago, and began selling it from his website for US$15 a pop. Currently, his sales tally has eclipsed a mind-boggling 35,000 copies – from his website alone, and the book is still going strong.

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Q & A with Zuraida Ariffin of ZA Wealth Creation

One of the reasons women are doing so well in business is their ability to connect with clients. When Zuraida Ariffin built her business – Zuraida Ariffin Wealth Creation – around strong client relationships and personalised financial advice that focuses on the individual, she knew she was onto a winning formula. Indeed, her professional efforts were recognised when she was selected as the 2007 NSW/ACT state winner in the Financial Planning Association’s Value of Advice Award in the Wealth Accumulation category. Here, Zuraida lets us in on the fascinating elements that comprise financial success.

Why did you start your business? My training and work in the scientific arena taught me to be very thorough and look at a situation holistically. Given this, and my natural ability with numbers, it was a natural progression to enter financial planning when I decided I wanted a career change. I can use these talents to help other people and can see the results of my efforts. This gives me a great deal of satisfaction. 
 
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Five Minute Review: Four non-fiction stories to stir your heart

Occasionally we love a read that makes us think, that moves us and challenges our understanding of the world and our stance upon it. These four remarkable books may contain subject matter that is diverse – the Sahara desert, the world of endangered animals, the secrets of one of the world’s greatest literary talents and the Holocaust – but all them share something in common – passion and humanity.

Hetty by Hetty E Verolme

This remarkable, true story by Holocaust survivor Hetty Verolme has been rereleased as a ’schools edition’ in Hetty: A True Story. Originally published in 2000 under the title The Children’s House of Belsen, this new edition has been designed specifically for secondary school children, and is a powerful and profoundly moving account of Hetty’s years in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

Hetty was just twelve when she was separated from her parents and taken to the Children’s House, where she became the ‘little mother’ of the camp, taking care of other children. Although her account is sometimes chilling, young adult readers will become uplifted by this incredible story of struggle and immense courage. Read more

My no-sugar, no-wheat, no-dairy, no-alcohol Challenge – DAY FOURTEEN – last day!

Well. I made it. Two weeks of no sugar, no alcohol, no dairy and no wheat. It had its ups and downs, but it was also totally do-able, and I’m so happy I made the time to try this programme, inspired by Anna Richardson’s Body Blitz Diet*.

Today, Day 14, my last day, was a breeze. Recovered nicely from food poisoning episode (24 hours of my life wasted, thanks staphylococcus) and, much to my utter delight, I woke almost as bright, healthy and refreshed as I did on Day One of this regime.

I felt happy, enthusiastic and just… clean. I could literally feel the clean, smooth channel between my mouth and my er… exiting-area – unclogged and clean as a whistle. I felt light, in a great mood and just… HAPPY.

This regime, although it certainly had its moments, was not anywhere near as difficult as I expected it to be. When I told people about it, they made jokes about what on earth I’d exist on – air? But seriously, all I did was banish refined junk, fat and sugar. If you banish these elements, there’s plenty left to eat, and I only ever felt deprived when I… drumroll, please… craved some junk. Read more

Five Minute Review: Three Hot New Business Books

If these three books don’t fire you up and get you inspired to really work your business in 2010, then you’re probably on vacation. Anyone with a knack for business, be they conglomerate, cottage or entrepreneurial, these new releases are sure to set the business wheels in motion. Fast motion.

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My no-sugar, no-wheat, no-dairy, no-alcohol Challenge – DAY THIRTEEN – one day to go!

Was it unlucky number thirteen that did it? Today I didn’t have to worry about my diet in the least, because I spent most of the day throwing it up, not shovelling it down. Sorry to be graphic, but it’s the truth.

You may recall I went to dinner with some lovely friends last night, and how good I was? No wheat, dairy, sugar or alcohol? Well, apparently the salmon and prawn skewers were NOT good and I’ve paid for it with a sleepless night, driving the ‘porcelain bus’.

Today wasn’t much better. When Husband came home early at 5pm, I managed a lemonade icypole. You know my sentiments on how a cup of milky tea heals all? Not if you have food poisoning and want to bring it all up again. So alas, my milky tea staple was replaced with an icypole… yes, I know, I know – sugar.

I’m annoyed, yes, but what can I do? Read more

My no-sugar, no-wheat, no-dairy, no-alcohol Challenge – DAY TWELVE

Oh my God. What can a single glass of wine do to the body? I’ll tell you. A lot.

Woke feeling seedy again this morning, for the first time in days and days, and I knew it was the wine with dinner last night. Because my system has been so ‘purified’, I was also stunned at how tiddly I felt after that glass of wine last night, when it would normally take three G&Ts before I felt a little cross-eyed. Just goes to show – the more we drink – the more we become ‘immune’ and the more unrealised damage we are doing to our livers.

Quickly recovered – had a nutritious breakfast and a cup of tea (have I told you that when all else fails, you can lean on a cup of tea?).

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My no-sugar, no-wheat, no-dairy, no-alcohol Challenge – DAY ELEVEN

Okay – a little advice. Do NOT plan a hot date in the hours following a cabbage dinner.

Enough said.

Woke feeling great and not ravenously starving, as had no desire to pig out before bed last night (thanks to sating cabbage dinner).

Again, no exercise today because I had to work in the morning, then guests arrived for the night at 3pm. Did tear around house like frenzied tornado doing last minute cleaning job, so that probably equated to some form of fat-shifting movement.

Have not weighed myself in a few days. Don’t feel like I’m losing weight rapidly, but rather – steadily. Due to my age (on the OTHER side of the hill, now) and sedentary career choice, it’s unlikely I’ll shed the 5kg I shed ten years ago on a similar two-week regime. Am aiming for 2 or 3, which is a healthy reduction, considering 500g a week is the recommendation for long-term weight loss.

I cannot reiterate enough how remarkable the improvement has been in my skin. There is no facial in the world, of any kind, that could so rapidly improve skin than a regime like this, which is another reason I’m feeling pulled towards adopting this diet, or something similar, long-term. I’ve lost count of the amount of comments from people who say my skin is glowing. Lovely!

I haven’t snapped at the kids or Husband for a while now. The relief I feel over this is enormous.

Continuing on with my naturopath supplements and drinking more water. Feeling good.

Was a little naughty tonight – had a small glass of white wine with my girlfriend, whom I haven’t seen in years. Oh, and I also had some smidgens of blue cheese in a salad. But then I stopped, and I totally resisted dessert. Feel a little guilty, but then – a modified version of this regime is something I want to incorporate into my lifestyle now – and I don’t expect to live the rest of my life without a glass of wine or some smidgens of blue cheese (or dessert, for that matter).

Only three days to go. But will this be ‘the end’?

Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Day Fourteen

YOU CAN BUY THIS BOOK ONLINE AT:

TheNile.com.au – AU$41.49

Angus and Robertson Online – AU$41.95

Fishpond.com.au – AU$44.97 

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