Back to Books

I think I've mentioned this before, but I've always loved reading. I actually learned how to read from my grandma, before I even went to school. It quickly became one of my favourite pastimes, and it has stayed that way for my entire life so far.

Last year around February though, I realized that I wasn't reading many books anymore - almost any, actually. I had a couple of them started months prior but they were just gathering dust on my nightstand. Sure, I was going through plenty of articles, blogs, and other online content every day, but it didn't feel the same as sitting down with a book, turning page after page, and getting lost in a good story. And I really wanted to change that. Easy to say, but hard to do: with a hectic schedule, where I was rushing everywhere and felt like I didn't even have enough time to sleep as much as I needed to, I wasn't sure how I was going to bring reading back into my life. I was so exhausted most of the time that I didn't think I would be able to successfully add even one additional task to my already-filled-to-the-brim days, no matter how much I enjoyed it.

I knew that, whatever I would come up with to help me get back into reading books had to be really simple. I wanted to set a daily challenge for myself, but I knew that I normally don't do well with them; I almost always abandon them several days (maybe weeks, if I'm really trying) in. So, in addition to being simple, this challenge also had to require as little willpower as possible.

I decided to try this: every single day, I would read one page from a book every night before going to sleep. While reading just one page wouldn't get me too far even in a year, I just wanted to establish a habit of reaching for a book regularly again. Of course, if I felt up to it, I could read many more pages in a sitting, but I knew that reading just one page wouldn't take longer than a few minutes so, no matter how tired I was, I didn't have an excuse not to do it. To make it even simpler, I didn't even care if the next day I remembered what I read, and I gave myself permission to re-read that same page as many times as it took to "make it stick" in my brain.

While in the back of my mind, I still didn't fully trust that I would follow through long-term, I actually surprised myself. While there were some days when I didn't read at all, those days were few and far between. Instead, most days I read several pages, which motivated me even more. Of course, since I read mostly at night, right before going to sleep, there were also several days when I struggled to stay awake for that one page, but I still kept at it for close to a year.

I did eventually stop keeping track of whether I was reading every single day, but not before the challenge fulfilled its purpose. These days, since my schedule is very different from what it was a year ago, I don't always read every day anymore, but I do read regularly, usually for larger chunks of time.

Looking back, I'm so glad I did this. Although it was a very small and simple challenge, it had a big impact on me. For one, it helped me confirm for myself a concept that I learned as a student at IIN and that I use with my health coaching clients: as founder and teacher Joshua Rosenthal explains, if we aren't following through with a goal, that is because the goal just isn't small enough. It doesn't have to do with an inability to follow through or a lack of desire to reach that goal, but rather the goal itself is too big and too overwhelming - it needs to be smaller.

Beyond that, it helped me to think about goals in a different way: start small - so small that you have no excuses to not do it - and then build on from there. It's a great reminder that every big goal is made up of small steps just like this, and I am definitely the kind of person who needs this reminder constantly. So often, what keeps me from going after the things I want is starting, so if I can make that first step as small and non-threatening as possible, I know that I can do so much more of what are now just dreams.

Needless to say, I've been thinking of other areas of my life where I can apply this valuable lesson, but I'd love to know, is there anything you think that it can help you with as well? Is there any aspect of your life where you really need to start small if you are going to make any progress at all?

Book Breaks

At the beginning of the year I told myself that, since school is over and assigned readings are out of the picture, I could - and would! - start catching up on my own never-ending list of books to read for pure pleasure. However, between becoming a puppy and kitten parent, job searching, and now working full-time, even halfway through the year, I haven't yet started reading as much as I would have liked. So, to change that, lately I've been finding ways to incorporate more book time into my days, sneaking it into morning and evening commutes, into work breaks, and - my favourite! - into lazy weekend afternoons. Right now, I'm making my way through three different books:

The Vicomte de Bragelonne by Alexandre Dumas. (Fiction.) I read all the Three Muskeeters books and each time I wanted more, so picking this one was a no-brainer. I enjoy it in big part because I like following the journey of these characters and seeing how time and life experiences have changed them, but also because I love reading stories that happen in different historical times. Although the book has been on my nightstand for quite a while now, whenever I do get a chance to read from it, I enjoy every minute.

Water by Marq de Villiers. (Environment.) When I wrote a project on water scarcity back in college - and did a great deal of research for it -  I came across this book and it's been on my radar ever since. I never managed to delve into it until the beginning of this year, but since then, I've been slowly making my way through it. It's going a little slower than I had expected as I find that parts of it are not quite as easy to grasp, but I'm learning a lot and I'm determined to keep going until I finish it.

Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. (Economics.) This is another book I had on my reading list for a long time. It was recommended by one of my university professors, and I even bought it from a used book store a couple of years ago, but it sat unopened on my bookshelf until last month, when I was craving something new and different. I have barely started it, but I love it so much that it's brought back my enthusiasm for reading and I'm making my way through it faster than I have any other book in a long time. The author looks at economic data to study everyday things and to show how the world works, something that I find really interesting.

I'd love to know, what are you reading right now?


*Disclaimer: The links used in this post are part of the Amazon Associates program.

Raw For Real

I first came across the concept of raw food a few years back, while I was browsing through the book section on Amazon (one of my favourite ways to kill some time!). I was able to read the first few pages of a raw food book, and I was quite fascinated. I had never heard of this approach to eating, and it seemed extreme but interesting. Now, a few years later, I'm still thankful that this was the way I was introduced to it, rather than through one of the many articles that criticize it as being just another fad diet. In fact, since then I've learned so much more about the principles behind it by reading a few books on the subject; one of them was Raw Food for Real People by Rod Rotondi.

I found this book to be a great introduction to raw food. It covers all the basics in a simple, understandable way, and it includes quite a few recipes, some of which are raw (& healthy!) alternatives to traditional recipes like onion rings, Caesar salad and even pizza and apple pie. Though for the time being I'm not looking to eat only raw food, I do want to include more of it into my meals, and this book helped me feel more comfortable with - and less overwhelmed by - all the different processes and approaches to food that are required, like soaking, sprouting, and dehydrating.

In a few words, I'd recommend this book for anyone who is curious about raw food without knowing much about it, and would like to be introduced to it in a gentle, inclusive and understanding way.

A few of my favourite words from the book:

"My grandfather fed his family of thirteen children largely out of the garden his family tended and with the animals they raised."

"[...] when the gods get together for dinner, I don't think they do drive-through burgers. It is a cornucopia of vibrant, colorful and life-filled fresh foods that I see the gods eating [...]"

"Whom we eat with and what we eat are major determinants in who and what we are."

Disclaimer: The book link used in this post is part of the Amazon Associates program.

Reading List

I consider myself a bookworm. Ever since my grandmother taught me how to read when I was just 5 years old - before even going to school - books have made me happy. A trip to the book store or the library is always a welcome detour from other mundane errands. A couple of summers ago, when I spent a month in New England with my cousin's family, we visited a rather vast and well-stocked used book store - a great resource for filling up bookcases the eco-friendly (and affordable!) way. On that trip, I picked up mountains of used books and brought them home with me.

To be completely honest, the number of books that I have read for pure pleasure (read: that have not been assigned to me at school) in the past few years is embarrassingly low, not for lack of want but rather for lack of time. This year though, I resolved to get back to reading more, especially more fiction books. So I thought this would be a good time to share a few of the books whose pages I am planning to get lost in during 2012.

Disclaimer: The links used in this post are part of the Amazon Associates program.

• The Original Illustrated Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
• Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
• A Room Of One's Own by Virginia Woolf
• Marie Antoinette: The Journey by Antonia Fraser
• Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley

Wishful Thinking

As I'm trying to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, I'm finding out that making the right choices for both myself and the planet is not as hard as I had anticipated. I love reading and finding out new things about living green and healthily and then later applying this newfound knowledge into my own life.  Whenever I come to the realization that the things I'm craving for - to eat, wear, read or consume in any other way - are actually eco-friendly, and not intentionally so, it makes me very happy. So today I wanted to share a few such things that are on my mind these days.

Homemade bruschetta - which I learned how to make from my cousin-in-law last summer - is something that I prepared quite a few times while in Italy because it was quick, easy, and a perfectly light meal on those hot Italian summer days. This particular day when I took the pictures, I enjoyed it alongside a hard-boiled egg, which made for a wonderfully healthy lunch.

• Before going into the oven for a little while •

• Image via Ecouterre •

Naked Fashion by Safia Minney - founder of People Tree - is a book that I found out about just a few days ago from Ecouterre, and one that I would love to add to my growing collection of eco-minded books - here's hoping that Amazon will make it available for purchase soon - even though I haven't finished all the books on my summer reading list just yet. Looking through the contents table (available on Amazon) it looks like it is quite a comprehensive book on the subject, filled with a great deal of information as well as a variety of perspectives from notable people in the industry.

Green Reads: Summer List

I learned how to read when I was 5 years old, before I even went to school, and though these days my reading material consists mostly of school-related books, I still consider myself a bookworm at heart. I love browsing through endless shelves of books - real or virtual - in search of the next title. Literature is what I love most and classics are undoubtedly my favourites, but I also like reading about the real-life issues that preoccupy and interest me. Sure, there is a lot of information on the Internet, but I still think that books are far superior in terms of information reliability.

Along with a few literature classics, these are the eco-minded books on my summer reading list:

The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery 

This was the book that ignited my passion for the environment. It is a really good book that describes much of the environmental damage that our planet has suffered, and "paints a picture" to which I believe no reader can remain indifferent. Unlike many such books though, the author ends on a positive note, with a rather substantial chapter about potential solutions and ways to help, that leaves one motivated and ready for action.

Water: The Fate Of Our Most Precious Resource by Marq de Villiers 

The worldwide water crisis is one of the main environmental issues that I’m concerned with, and this book is part of the reason why. After reading only a couple of chapters for a school project and much later picking it up from a used book store, I am looking forward to reading it carefully and getting a real sense of the magnitude of the problem - as well as, hopefully, a better idea of how to help improve the situation.

Naturally Healthy Skin by Stephanie Tourles

After The Green Beauty Guide and Eco-Beautiful, this book seemed like a great next choice from the area of green beauty - something that I’ve taken quite a bit of interest in during the past few years. About halfway through it, I’m enjoying the accessible writing and the motivating and informative content. The author almost seems like a big sister who wants to share her knowledge with her readers so that we too can be on top of our skincare. She takes into consideration all ages and skin problems, and her advice goes beyond beauty products when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle.

• Photographs via Tower Books (1 & 2) and Amazon •

Disclaimer: Amazon Afilliates links have been used in this post; in other words, if any product is purchased after following these links, I will be compensated with a small percentage of the sale value (& will be very happy and grateful).

A Floral Bouquet

Ever since I put together an array of floral-patterned items (here), I have been smitten with anything flower-related - including, yes, the plants themselves. That's why I'm excited for all the trees to turn green again and flowers everywhere to bloom as the temperatures keep climbing steadily. In preparation for that time, which doesn't seem to be too far away, I decided to browse through The Art of Flower Arranging by Jan Hall and Sarah Waterkeyn for some inspiration.

I picked up this book on my trip last summer (this one), from a used book store, and though I put it back the first time I saw it, I just couldn't resist leaving without it since I knew my mom would enjoy it just as much as I would.

All the arrangements in the book mix colours so brilliantly, but an all-yellow bouquet along with a soft-pink-and-white mix are at the top of my list.

What I love most about this book is the innovative approach to arranging flowers. I like the idea of using all types of recipients - even ones that aren't meant for holding flowers: from spice racks and teapots, cups and saucers, all the way to a pair of rain boots - and I think they add that much more to the appeal of the flowers inside (it's more eco-friendly too!).

A bouquet or two of flowers does wonders for a book case!

As it turns out, dried flowers can be just as beautiful as fresh flowers, and the idea of framing a mirror or making a summer wreath with them makes me want to try my hand at drying some this summer.

Organic Goodness

I first looked over Melissa's Everyday Cooking with Organic Produce cookbook during my trip this summer. Just flipping through its pages at the time, I found a few recipes that I would have loved to make right then and there. What I find to be very refreshing about this book is its layout which is unlike any other cookbook I've seen: each chapter is dedicated to a certain fruit or vegetable and, in addition to the recipes and quick serving suggestions, there are also tips on buying and storing the produce, along with information about the different varieties that it comes in and about the time of the year in which it is available.

I was very happy to purchase the book a few weeks ago, and I can't wait to cook a few recipes from it once I get some time off. A plate of Risotto with Sugar Snap Peas and some Chocolate Cupcakes with Grapefruit Smooches sound especially alluring right about now!

I Am...Eco-Beautiful

Although Julie Gabriel's The Green Beauty Guide is still very much my "bible" for everything beauty-related, I'm constantly looking for new sources on the subject. A while ago, I fell upon Lina Hanson's book, Eco-Beautiful: The Natural Guide to Beauty and Wellness and while it was the beautiful picture that attracted me to it in the first place, its table of contents proved that beautiful photography is not all that it has to offer.

Apart from being written on the same subject as Julie Gabriel's work, there aren't many similarities between the two books. That isn't to say however, that I didn't enjoy this latest find. In fact, it has made its way in my favourites list, and for a number of reasons. Most importantly, I like that the author emphasizes on the idea that beauty comes from within and that what we put in our bodies is just as important as - if not more so than - what we put on our bodies. In addition to that, the makeup looks that she demonstrates are easy enough for even a rookie like me to master. Last but not least, she doesn't forget the boys, dedicating an entire chapter to their grooming needs. And yes, the photography inside the covers is just as beautiful.

The Bible

Green beauty is not easy to navigate. With so many skincare products that promise a perfect complexion and makeup in hundreds of beautifully tempting shades, it is very easy to ignore their harmful effects on both our own health and that of the environment. Complicated ingredient lists, marketing tricks and accessible prices make it even easier for us consumers to overlook the all-natural branch of this industry. However, we do this at the expense of our well-being and of the world we live in.

Julie Gabriel is very much aware of these facts and in her book, The Green Beauty Guide, she clearly explains why green beauty is the way to go – with lots of scientific documentation that is very well put together and shocking enough to make us think twice about our choices. With the numerous warnings, tips, safe choices and recipes that she provides, she ensures a smoother sailing. Her book is truly a go-to resource for all of us who decide not to fall prey to the cosmetic giants anymore and take charge of what goes onto our skin.