Resources

In order to reach optimal health, we must take care of ourselves. Eating well, exercising our bodies and our minds, and reducing stress levels can all help us to live better lives. On this page I want to provide useful links to online resources which can help us to take care of ourselves, and make the world a better place.

Meditation/Mindfullness

Here are some links to apps that can be very helpful with getting started and maintaining a meditative practice.

Best Rated Free Meditation apps

Best Rated Meditation apps

Insight Timer

Headspace

This next link was brought to my attention by a fabulous group of young girl scouts who having been studying mindfullness and mediation. It's a great webpage with all sorts of information to help anyone who is just starting off on this path. My thanks and appreciation to Olivia, Hailey, and all these wonderful and inquisitive young gals!

Travel Seat Arena

The following links will take you to sites that deal with Binaural and Isochronic Beats. These are sounds that are used to help us create a specific brain wave pattern to help us relax, sleep, focus and concentrate, meditate, or energize us. The first couple links will provide you with some basic information regarding what these are and how to use them. The information after that will take you to sights where you can purchase recordings/apps for download.

The Science of Binaural Beats

Where to Buy Binaural Beats

Isochronic vs. Binaural Beats

Best Binaural Beats App for IOS

Best Binaural Beats App for Android

BOOKS/PHILOSPHY

There are several books I would like to recommend. These have to do with various philosophical approaches to living your life.

Let's face it. Stress, irritation, frustration, anger, anxiety, and depression are incredibly common for many people in this country and the world in general. The following resources are geared to help us gain the knowledge necessary to change our thought processes and start practicing a different approach to our lives, an approach that helps us to greatly reduce or eliminate much of the stress we experience in our day to day lives. Remember our mental health and our physical health go hand in hand.

First are two books by Eckhart Tolle. "The Power of Now", and "A New Earth". I am more familiar with "A New Earth" and it has become a go to source as a reminder of how ego and the "voice in our heads" constantly work to disrupt our true lives. This text also provides effective strategies to avoid those pitfalls and get back to truly living life in the moment.

Another must have book in my view is "The Little Book of Stoicism" by Jonas Salzgeber.

This book covers the most important aspects of the incredibly practical Stoic philosophy, and does so in an extremely approachable manner. An easy, concise, and very informative read. This along with "A New Earth" are my two favorite resources for philosophical guidance.

If you find yourself in your car a fair amount, I recommend getting these books on audible so you can listen as you drive.

Another good book is, "No time to Lose", by Pema Chodron. This book is a more difficult read as she breaks down and explains, in more modern terms, the seminal work of the ancient Indian sage, Shantideva, called "The Way of the Bodhisattva". This classic text is cited by many modern spiritual teachers including Pema Chodron, The Dalai Lama, Eckhart Tolle, and Thich Nhat Hanh just to name a few.

A Guide to the Good Life William Irvine

Stoicism and the Art of Happiness Donald Robertson

How to be a Stoic. Massimo Pigliucci

WORDS OF WISDOM, INTERNET STYLE

The Stoic Gym

The Daily Stoic

Principles of Stoicism

Lions Roar

Tricycle

Reflections of Life

I really enjoy the Reflections of Life videos. They are well produced, with honest thoughts from real people about the meaning and purpose of life. They are positive and life affirming vignettes and are highly recommended.

Lions Roar and Tricycle are both great online magazines which deal specifically with the Buddhist Philosophy.

The first 3 links all deal with Stoicism. I highly recommend the Stoic Gym and the Prokopton newsletter that is associated with it. It's all free, though there is a paid version which provides you with a daily practice to guide you along.

Eating Well

It has been said that food is medicine and I believe that to be true to a large extent. But the confusion around food and what is good for you and what is not is makes our choices as to what and how to eat difficult. The links below will hopefully lead you to a place of clarity and simplicity when it comes to this all important topic.

GOOD READS

I base this information on some of the books I have read and found to be useful. As time goes on I will continue to add to this list. If you have any suggestions as to books you might recommend, please share those with me and I will add them to the list.

These first three books are written by Michael Pollan. The first book should be in every household, and the material within taught to every child in school. It is compact, to the point, and really says it all. The other two books are for people who like a more in-depth approach to learning about food. They are equally as poignant, but definitely more in depth.

"Food Rules"

"In Defense of Food"

"The Omnivores Dilemma"

"Folks, This ain't Normal" Joel Salatin This is a great read. Informative, humorous, and a bit irreverent, Joel Salatin speaks with intelligence, humor, and passion about his farm and the state of our food system as a whole.

COOKBOOKS

I would highly recommend any of the cookbooks by "America's Test Kitchen". If you're unfamiliar, this group of folks takes a recipe (which can be as simple as Mac and Cheese, or as complex as making a beef bourguignon, and tweaks the recipe to ensure great flavor while making the dish fool proof to prepare. (important when I'm the chef!) They have a variety of recipes in each book (Appetizers, main dishes, salads, deserts etc). And they also have great cookbooks for vegetarians or for cooking for just two people.

America's Test Kitchen Note that you can watch all the current episodes of the show online without a subscription. There is a free trial in which you can view all the site has to offer. Try it out and see what you think.

I bounce around a lot in terms of online recipe sites. I will however try to come up with some favorites and post them here soon.

MOVIES/SHOWS

Food Inc. Simply a movie everyone must see.

Forks over Knives Watch the movie here.

Fat Sick and Nearly Dead This show is about the benefits of juicing and how it can positively affect our health. Watch the movie here.

I'll have what Phil is Having This series is just plain fun. A series about good food and good people that's a joy to watch.

Supersize Me! Watch what happens to Morgan Spurlock as he endeavors to eat only fast food at McDonalds for 30 days.