Book review: Visions of Health

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Visions of health- Understanding Iridology

By: Bernard Jensen and Dr. Donald V. Bodeen

First off I have to say this book was really easy to read.  It had very good section the history and background of iridology. Usually in this section I just skim the information- but in this book it was actually interesting to read.

I like that it is breaking it down for you so that even an average person can look into their own eye and get an idea of their weaknesses and strengths.

I also really like the encouragement to seek wholistic care- in treating the person as a whole and not just treating the disease.

It also outlines the importance of a healthy mind or outlook on life. You have the power to change your attitude and outlook on your life for the better.

I love the photos to accompany what is being discussed. I am a visual person so I love to have that to visualize what I am reading.

This is more of a book to wet you appetite and get you started in your study of iridology. Because although it gives you an idea of where to look and what to look for- it does not discuss the treatments to repair the weaknesses you see. Although it does concentrate on the importance of bowl health and how it affects the rest of the body- which is that a healthy bowel will promote health in the rest of the body. So I suppose that if you heal the bowel and promote heath throughout the body that would be considered a treatment for healing the weaknesses that you may have. I think this is really important because it is something that we don’t really think about.

Overall I think this a book that I would like to add to my library for reference.

I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in iridology and wants to learn more. Especially since it is easy to read - as opposed to an all facts “text book” style book.

Green Festival

Well for my Halloween weekend there were no parties (for me)…but on Sunday I took a walk down to the LA convention center for the Green Festival.

I really like going to expos and getting all the pamphlets and getting the opportunity to speak with other people on things that greatly interest me. In this case- green living- raw foods- fermented foods- solar power…and all things good and natural.

Since I don’t want to max out my blog with an overview of EVERYTHING- I will give a highlighted version of things that really interested me.

-Dharma Rescue: I think I stood at this booth for about 20-30 minutes talking to the wonderful Liana. I think this is my new favorite rescue group. Not only do they take in older and special needs pets- but all are fed a raw or homemade diet and all conditions treated holistically and naturally- with a practice of no vaccinations. If you can make a donation! I am seriously going here next time I adopt!

-Nutivia: So far I really like the products from this company. And I plan to order from them in the near future. But what I feel head over heels in love with was the Coconut Manna. My mouth waters just thinking about it! I could easily buy it by the case- and I love that is it is all organic products!

-Cal Earth: The only reason I really stopped by here was because I am already committed to building and living in one of these homes some day. So I wanted to stop by and see if they had any information that could help me. Instead I got side tracked talking to someone who actually built and lives in one. I did however pick up a flier for their seminars on building.

-Winston A. Price Foundation: I was first draw to this booth because I saw the campaign for raw milk info. But I got into speaking with a really nice woman (I am sorry that I didn’t get her name) about raw milk and the foundation. I took some information about it and am currently reading more. But so far it makes sense- and sounds delicious and sustainable. Something that I think I could really adapt into my lifestyle.  I have since been in touch with the local chapter and am looking forward to learning more and participating. (I will try to post updates as I get them O_-)

Here is a quick quote from the site:

“The Foundation is dedicated to restoring nutrient-dense foods to the human diet through education, research and activism. It supports a number of movements that contribute to this objective including accurate nutrition instruction, organic and biodynamic farming, pasture-feeding of livestock, community-supported farms, honest and informative labeling, prepared parenting and nurturing therapies. Specific goals include establishment of universal access to clean, certified raw milk and a ban on the use of soy formula for infants.”

There were a few more things that I liked- but I will talk more about those in other posts when I get the products!

Book Review: Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

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Women’s Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine

By: Tori Hudson, N.D.

I have to say that I really like this as a reference book. I will admit I didn’t thoroughly read the entire book. Rather I read the part that pertained to me and skimmed the rest.

But what I did read (and skim) was great detailed information on how to take care of common woman health concerns.

This is a book I will definitely be purchasing for my reference shelf! I also believe it is a book that all women, particularly those interested in natural woman’s healthcare should have.

Book Review: The Healing Echo- Discovering homeopathic cell salt remedies

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The Healing Echo- Discovering homeopathic cell salt remedies

By: Vinton McCabe

Part of a three book series:

The healing enigma- demystifying homeopathy

The healing bouquet- exploring Bach flower remedies

I read this book primarily because I am really interested in alternative health treatments. It started when I saw my family’s natural health therapist and was recommended a few of these remedies. I have to say I was taking them (until I recently ran out) and I felt better taking them, more balanced, my skin was better, and my digestion as well. So naturally I am looking to study everything I can get my hands on pertaining to the cell salts.

This book gives you a great history of how cell salts came to be, very detailed Materia Medica (details on the salts and what they treat- or are best suited for), as well as a detailed “First aid” overview of symptoms/illnesses and the cell salts you can utilize to treat them.

It is a lot more involved than “Oh, I have a cold. I’ll take some Dayquil.” The cell salt you choose depends on the characteristics of your cold. Such as the color of the discharge/mucus (I know gross! But an important factor), If you are hot or feeling chilly, running a fever but cold, you are starving but food upsets your stomach, and various other factors and options that determine what remedy is best suited for you as an individual. After all we don’t always react the same way when we get a cold; the symptoms usually vary person to person.

I love that this treatment is based on who you are as an individual. I also like the way it is SO much safer than the conventional forms of treating these ailments. And in my opinion more curative in the long run. It does not just suppress the symptoms (as with conventional medicine-never allowing the body to adapt); it helps the body fight and build a strong immunity structure for the future.

The one thing I did not agree with is the authors view on not taking the cell salts in combination or as a nutritional supplement. I do have to say he does ultimately leave it up to the reader and does not push his opinion, which I appreciate. But I myself do not see the harm in taking them in combination. Although if you are judging the effectiveness of a particular cell salt you might want to take them one at a time (to be able to judge effectiveness individually).

But I will also want to say that I am not a studied professional like out author- that is just my opinion. I hope to one day in the near future study the cell salts and other forms of naturopathic care and may learn more to change my opinion- but for now I will stay with what I can feel in my own body in using the salts.

I would recommend this book for people who are interested in alternative therapies particularly cells salts. This is one of those books that has so much information for me to take notes on that I am going to have to buy it. If I were to take notes I would basically being typing out the entire last half of the book! I think it will make a great reference book to have on hand for utilizing the call salts in all aspects of health- and treating illness in the home.

First Book Post :)

Hello everyone,

So the other day I was talking to my mom about the latest book I was reading and she suggested I post a quick review on my blog. I figure I currently don’t have a lot to post about and I read A LOT! (I get all these books from my local library.) Some people melt their credit cards with overuse- I would melt my library card :P

So here you are my first book review…..

 


Amazon Link

  

Living off the Grid: A Simple Guide to Creating and Maintaining a Self-reliant Supply of Energy, Water, Shelter and More

BY: David Black

I chose this book because some day I would like to live in a more rural area off the grid. So being the type of person I am- I am researching it as much as possible. (I take notes as well and usually get asked around work what I am studying - I guess I could easily say my future.)

This book is a great read for anyone interested in living off grid, or people who want to know what they can do now to conserve in their homes. Although it is more geared to people interested in off grid living. It also cautions the few with a passing interest that living off grid is a serious change in life style and should not be taken lightly.

It covers topics like: Shelter, Energy, Water, and Waste. (Even some suggestions on off grid jobs.)

It is not a complete how to book but a great book to start with to know what you are getting into.

For me there was not a lot in it to take notes on, but I have done a lot of research on the various off grid topics already. But like I said, it would be perfect for those who have heard about off grid living and would like to learn more.

One thing I did not agree with was using a microwave in place of a convection oven to save energy. Although it might save energy it also emits microwaves that are bad for your health. (I am currently working mine out of my kitchen and into a dumpster.)

What I did like about it was it was easy to read. I also liked that it listed options on each topic that I plan to implement in my set up. Such as: Shelter-earth dome/earth bags; Water- well & rainwater collection; Energy- solar & wind; Waste- Gray water, composting, and composting toilets. I felt that it covered most if not all of the options usually available in off grid living. (Although there are new option always developing.)

Over all worth the read if you know much about off grid or are interested in off grid living.

I think that I might do a post at a later time with a more detailed look at what I would like for myself for a self sustaining future home.

Till later…..