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by John Calabrese, Huntington, NY
Dr. Case covers an epic amount of ground educating us about the flaws in conventional medicine, the brainwashing of both doctors and patients, the corporatization of the field (via pharmaceutical companies), skewing of research methods and data, and how the irresponsible use of money is truly one of the most “infectious diseases” ever. Reading like a dynamic mystery novel, Thugs, Drugs, and the War On Bugs takes you on a fascinating journey through the history and current state of medicine and its relationship to healing. The “20 Steps to Perfect Health Checklist” alone is worth many times the cost of the book. As do all good integrative practitioners, Dr. Case does not flatly turn his back on current medical practices. But he does “suggest that we use drugs, surgery, and radiation only when they are absolutely called for.” If we did this, the number of people killed by iatrogenic (medical) error, would plummet - so he advocates for much more patient responsibility and effort for their overall well-being. Trying to describe the full value of this book in a short review is almost impossible. Buy it, read it, give it. Get the facts on what good medicine really is. Understand what the conventional medical establishment is and isn’t. Empower yourself - and therefore your health - with knowledge.
In the spirit of psychiatrist Viktor Frankl’s classic Man’s Search for Meaning, psychologist Eric Maisel does an outstanding job of reminding us that suffering can create purpose instead of merely pain. Shedding conventional thinking, Maisel also shatters the notions of labels, while suggesting that they may inadvertently reinforce unwanted states of mind. Does depression really exist as it is generally accepted? Is it a “mental illness” or a terribly uncomfortable set of symptoms due to underlying, unexamined, unresolved beliefs that affect thinking, perceptions, behavior, and even brain chemistry? Why is it important to understand that sadness can be treated as a map to selfacceptance, and therefore an easing of depressive symptoms? Rethinking Depression might also have been named “Rethinking Therapy,” as Maisel chides the more traditional - and less interactive - approaches to counseling and psychiatry, along with the tendency to prescribe rather then guide. This is a detailed map for moving through and past depression, including how the chapters are named (hint: it’s extremely motivating!). Rethinking Depression makes a near-solid case for drastically revamping how we look at and deal with depression, both individually and clinically. It is a must-read for anyone suffering with chronic unhappiness.
THE TAO OF
MOTHERHOOD Inspired by the Taoist teachings, and ancient Chinese wisdom of Lao Tzu, Vimala McClure has produced a wonderfully poetic, beautifully formatted handbook for applying the mahuvidya, or sweet knowledge of the spiritual path to one of the most daunting, and most profound challenges many women will face in this lifetime: motherhood. In what she describes as, “The conscious process of perceiving the unity of all things, of trying to understand deep within oneself that everything is sacred,” McClure offers the perfect blend of insight and philosophy into a myriad of these ancient teachings, and applies them seamlessly into any number of the struggles that may arise within our roles as modern day parents and caregivers. Beautifully written, McClure illustrates the simplicity of the Tao that is so often blurred by the complexities of life. A must read for any parent searching for peace, comfort and surrender within their role, but who also must be willing to go within to find it. Reviewed by Erica Settino
THE SEXY VEGAN COOKBOOK:
Extraordinary Food From an
Ordinary Dude Over the last couple of years, I have had the pleasure of reviewing numerous vegan and vegetarian cookbooks, so when I say that Patton has managed to produce a stellar, standout, multi-faceted reference tool for anyone interested in joining the vegan revolution, I hope you’ll believe me. The fact is this book is chockfull of things that are just plain good. Good fun, good sense, good resources, good delivery and, of course, good food. Really good food. This is the stuff that will undoubtedly convince your vegan nay saying friends and family that a diet free of animal products is not only the best choice for your health, the environment, and the lives of billions of animals, it is also creative, fun and absolutely delicious. And what’s really cool are the barcodes next to certain recipes that the reader can scan with their cell phone, and instantly watch Patton demonstrate preparing that particular dish. So, along with being well-written and well-executed, it’s innovative, which aids in the simplicity of the reader’s transition to becoming their most healthy, happy and sexy vegan selves. No more excuses, people. It’s time to jump on the vegan train! Reviewed by Erica Settino
Out of the Woods - Healing Lyme Disease - Body, Mind & Spirit Reviewed by Lonny Brown, Hancock, NH www.LonnyBrown.com
Dr. Kenneth Liegner to the IOM on Lyme disease
John Calabrese is the Editor-at-Large at Creations Magazine and has a private counseling practice in Huntington, NY. |
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