I know this is the second time I have recommended this book but there is a reason why. It is brilliant. The very foods we are told not to eat because they are apparently bad for us and the environment. Nina brings us through what I will call a crime scene. The academic world that brought us the guidelines of nutritional advice. This is one of those books that when you get to digest it as part of your health journey you will not be disappointed. I have such respect for what Nina has put together here. A major piece of the puzzle of how we are all subject to the social experiment of nutrition advice. Food fads, diets and dogma along the way have been successful by sidelining the very foods that nourish us. Folk are waking up to it though. They smell a rat. And rightly so. The same playbook is used to convince us to adopt other health advice. This book was an eye opener for me… thank you Nina! 

​Anne Maher

These Intangible Things by Eilís Haden-Storrie

This book has come onto our shelves recently from Banner Books. Timely as it echoes an awakening to the wide scope that is health. An interesting read…! 
 
The World Health Organization has recognised mental, physical, social and – to some degree – spiritual health as being key components of our wellbeing. Today, more than one-in-five doctor’s visits are due to chronic pain. Chronic conditions are on the increase and affecting people at a much younger age than ever before. Whilst pharmaceuticals and surgery can enhance our lives and survival rates of many illnesses, the Western medical world is struggling to deal with the 95% of diseases that have little if anything to do with our genes. In order to address this, we need to look beyond physical symptoms and explore what is going on with regard to our minds, our social connections and perhaps even our deeper spirit. Are there elements of our past which might give us clues on how best to do this? Without casting off our clothes and dancing naked under the moon, what can we learn from age-old and natural practices? How can we re-view our past in a measured way so that we can take what we need and leave the rest? .This book comprises of conversations with academics, health practitioners and service users, exploring our history and present day lifestyles in the light of finding a way through. Many of the conversations are held at ancient sites in County Clare – places which connect us to health and wellbeing throughout the ages.

Anne Maher

Toxic by Sally K. Norton

​You may not like to hear this one but it would be remiss of me to not bring your attention to this book. When superfoods are toxic…great! After the chocolate fest of Easter this actually may be a timely one though. What if the very foods you thought were healthy and you are consuming liberally because you believe they are good for you but were making your symptoms worse?

Those green smoothies and nut butters? Berries and potatoes? Surely not! You will be challenged to look more critically at your virtuous diet…oxalates are a topic that you must know about and this book will be a must in your journey towards health. 

Anne Maher

The Power Of The Written Word by Carl J. Ashley

Instead of a recommended read, we recommend you drop in for this book launch on Friday 11th April at 4pm in The Urban Co-op. 

Join Carl for book signings, tea & coffee plus some guest speakers (including John Loftus of Midwest Mentoring Limerick Business networking).

He works with clients all around the world and is the founder of Write Coach Ireland, and MenScape.  Carl Ashley is an advocate for men's mental health awareness and this book is intended to help anyone who wishes to write their own book and share the story of their journey.

Drawing on his lived experience of healing through writing, and navigating a path through addiction, depression, codependency, lack of self love, and more recently, the painful and difficult psychological abuse and narcissistic abuse known as parental alienation, Carl brings to light the importance of authenticity, personal identity, personal authority and accountability, as well as touching on the various hurdles, obstacles and roadblocks you can expect while discovering Your Power to Heal through Writing.

Anne Maher

The Carnivode Code by Paul Saladino

We see many customers in the Co-op who are embracing this dietary approach to positive effect. Particularly with autoimmunity as a factor. This code may not appeal to all but its gaining popularity anecdotally. Worth the read!
 
Dr Paul Saladino produced this book in 2020. That seems a lifetime ago now to be honest as we were getting to grips with making banana bread and sourdough. Our carb addiction is real and satisfying but increasingly we are learning about the downsides and high price. To swing the pendulum extremely the other side it is timely that there is increased evidence to affirm this diet for its healing properties. Get the facts and make up your own mind!
 
Dr. Saladino is the leading authority on the science and application of the carnivore diet. He has used this diet to reverse autoimmunity, chronic inflammation and mental health issues in hundreds of patients, many of whom had been told their conditions were untreatable. 

​Anne Maher

Change Your Diet Change Your Mind by Dr Georgia Ede

I listened to a recent podcast with Dr Ede on Diary Of A CEO and have recommended a listen!
 
I have heard her speak at a conference too and she is certainly someone that I admire for her work in brain health regarding the role of food… it’s a relatively new concept that our mental health is affected by food.. scratch that, it’s not new but there is increasing recognition that good food is vital for good health. What a coincidence….! Regardless! I like her approach and her messaging. Perhaps we need constant reassurance that this is possible so am looking forward to adding this book to the must reads…

Anne Maher

This month, we don’t have any new books to review, but we’d love for you to explore our fantastic book swap section! It’s a great way to enjoy some well-loved and intriguing reads without spending a penny.
Drop in and take a book that sparks your interest, and if you feel like sharing the joy, you can leave a book for someone else to enjoy. Let’s keep the love for stories and sustainability alive!

Anne Maher

The Caldesi Low Carb Christmas  Katie Caldesi

Yikes! The thought of trying to avoid sugar in the season it is may be a challenge but we bring you a cheat to help! Our recent seminar with Dr. David Unwin introduced us to the range of low carb books available and by extension we are fans of the Caldesi family! If an Italien celebrity chef  can go low carb then anything is possible! Here is the review from www.caldesi.com
 
Packed with great Christmas low-carb recipes this book is a must for anyone who's looking to cook healthy options of the Christmas classics. Ideal for anyone interested in cutting out sugar in and especially great for people following a low-carb, keto or paleo diet. Katie Caldesi is the bestselling author of a number of cookery books on the subject of the low-carb diet. She and her husband Giancarlo adopted a low-carb diet when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a condition he has kept in remission through following a low-carb and gluten-free diet.Some of the delicious, easy recipes include:

• Sausage Rolls
• Caraway and walnut baguettes
• Homity Pie'Bread' sauce
• Mince Pies
• Christmas Pudding
• Yule Log
• Egg Nog

​Anne Maher