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What was the last book you read? I love this question and I always enjoy talking to people about their favorite books. In all honesty though, I have been neglecting my love of books for a while. My excuse to be too busy really doesn’t count as I seem to have enough time to watch Netflix. So I actually started listening to audio books while running, cooking or cleaning. I know it’s different than reading, but I love how I can combine my love of books with my daily life and chores. Ever since I downloaded BookBeat*, I have literally listened to six books in about two weeks. And I realized that it is something I missed dearly.
Of course I listened to some romantic audio books such as the “Save you” series by Mona Kastens or the latest Jojo Moyes novel. But I’ve also listened to five great books on health and nutrition, which I will tell you all about in this post. If you don’t know BookBeat yet, you’re in for a treat. The app from Sweden is available in multiple languages (German and English for sure) and includes tenthousands of audio books. By signing up to one of their subscriptions, you can listen to as many audio books a month as you want. And if you don’t feel like listening anymore, you can cancel your subscription anytime. I have really been digging this app during my morning run or recipe photo sessions. At the end of this post, you’ll find a code that will give you one free month of unlimited audio book fun.
Here are the 5 books on health and nutrition I have been loving lately:
Beyond the Pill by Dr. Jolene Brighten
After getting off the pill about 2 years ago, my body has changed drastically. I have lost a lot of weight, I struggle with hormonal acne and lack of appetite during PMS. Not something I had to deal with while I was on the pill. Since I listened to a podcast with Dr. Jolene Brighten a few weeks ago, I simply had to listen to her book, too. I was just too happy when I found it in the BookBeats-App. While I haven’t done Brighten’s 30 day- program yet, I soaked up all of the information about hormones, the adrenals and thyroid, fertility, endometriosis, PCOS and acne. Definitely one of the most interesting books on health right now. Big recommendation!
Favorite quote:
„Progesterone is the hormone that helps you feel chilled out and calm and in love with your life. When that is too low, women will want to either a) run into the woods and never be seen again. Or b) murder anyone who gets in their way. Or c) do both.
Eating animals by Jonathan Safran Foer
This book is one of those must-reads when you are thinking of going vegetarian or vegan. While the author claims that his book is not a pladoyer to vegetarism, I think it is. I don’t know when I ate meat for the last time, but it’s been a long time. Foer guides the reader through the history of mass meat production, and even joins activists during a nighttime break-in at a mass chicken farm. Even though I have watched all major documentaries, this book had been on my „must read“-list for a while. Can’t recommend it more!
Favorite quote:
“Humans are so far away from animals these days.”
Gut by Guilia Enders
The medicine student Guilia enders changed the way we talk about our gut. No, let me rephrase this. We would not be talking about the gut if it wasn’t for Guilia. At least in Germany, the author’s bestseller has shaped the conversation about overall health and well-being. Of course I have read this book probably three times, I listened to it again because the new edition contains a chapter about the brain-gut-connection. You must listen to this book, people, if you don’t know why the gut is so important for holistic health.
Favorite quote:
„When it comes to wonderung, anger or stress, the tentative answer is: our gut can be involved with about 10 to 15 percent. It sends information about our inner world to the brain that can be worrying or disturbing.”
The China Study by Colin Campbell
This book was the very first book I read in 2013 after changing my diet back in 2012. It’s a book all about scientific proof for the benefits of the plant-based diet. Since I started a plant-based diet in order to beat my high blood pressure, this book was my bible back in those days when veganism was still weird for many people. It had been a while since I last read it, so listening to it again, was like stepping back in time. Eating mostly plant-based is part of what I stand for now, and this book definitely strengthened my decision to stay plant-based. While it can be quite scientific at times, it’s still one of those ground-breaking books and a must for everyone interested in holistic health.
Favorite quote:
“Too often, scientists focus on details, ignoring the larger picture. For example, we put all our hopes and efforts into a single isolated nutrient, whether it’s vitamin A for cancer prevention or vitamin E for preventing heart disease. “
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat – Mastering the Elements of Cooking by Samin Nosrat
I loved this book! As someone who has been taught how to cook by her grandmother and mother, I don’t have any professional culinary background. I just did everything the way my mom or grandmother told me. Reading Samin Nosrat’s culinary book has taught me so, SO much! After reading the first chapter „salt“, I was hooked. Nosrat shares so many amazing tips that will transform your cooking!
Favorite quote:
„That snack eaten while my curls dripped with sea water and salt crust formed on my skin always tasted so good! Without a doubt, the pleasures of the beach added to the magic of the experience. But it wasnt until many years later working at Chez Panisse that I understood why those bites had been so perfect from a culinary point of view.“
If you can’t wait to listen to these books, too, then you’re in for a treat. BookBeat is giving Heavenlynn Healthy readers one free month of unlimited audio books! To access it, all you have to do is:
- Go to https://www.bookbeat.de/himmlischgesund
- Set up a BookBeat account in just two steps. When you sign up via the website above, the free month will already be added to your account.
- Download the BookBeat-App in the App-Store or Google Play Store.
- Get instant access to countless audio books including the ones mentioned above. Note that not all books may be available in your chosen language.
The trial subscription lasts for one month during which you can listen to as many audio books as you want. After the trial month, you can chose any of the subscription plans starting at 14,90 Euro a month. If you no longer want to listen to audio books, you can cancel your subcription anytime. Go ahead and give it a try!
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