Hands on Health by Paula Youmell
by Val Silver
Hands on Health: Take Your Vibrant, Whole Health Back Into Your Healing Hands by Paula Youmell is a common-sense easy reading casual-style book with the main focus on good whole food nutrition in helping you take control of your health. Much of the book's wisdom comes from her learning and experience over the years, both as an individual and holistic healer.
I met Paula when she was the speaker at a book fair and found myself in the company of a kindred spirit. What especially caught my attention was her opening comment that although she believes that healing emotionally is of the utmost importance, the way into healing for many people is through the physical. She spoke of the healing continuum, and how what we put into our bodies moves us in the direction of disease or health. And as we know, the food we put into our bodies plays a big role in the type of health we create.
After hearing Paula's talk, I was eager to read her book and to share it with you.
Some of the main points of Hands on Health are:
*Our bodies are microcosms of the earth.
*Let food be our medicine.
*Eat quality, whole foods often. (Although she does confess to making whole-grain donuts as an occasional treat!)
*Focus on the wholeness of individuals and health, not a disease and covering up symptoms.
One chapter that is particularly fun in the book is 50 Ways to Love Your Fruits and Vegetables.
Here is tip #7: Add beets, carrots, squash, and parsnips to pancakes and waffle batter. I even add spinach, kale, collards, etc. to my kids’ pancakes. They used to call these “green” breakfast pancakes, Shrek pancakes, now they just label them as Mom’s wacko healthy foods. (My tip: pumpkin is also yummy in pancakes, cookies, and bread, and very healthy. Amp it up with spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves for an antioxidant boost.)
Paula includes several recipes in Hands on Health, some of which make me happy because they are so easy, like this one. Whip up this 5-minute recipe as a tasty accompaniment for raw vegetable dipping and salads. (I am definitely going to make this!)
Ranch Dressing
1 cup plain yogurt
½ tsp. each: chives, parsley, dill
¼ tsp. each: garlic and onion powder
1/8 tsp. sea salt and black pepper
Mix ingredients well and enjoy!
Paula also discusses a variety of wellness topics including sleep, exercise, toxins, and kindness to round out her whole-person approach and ends on a light-hearted note:
Paula’s End Note:
Health and healing are not about perfection. It is about listening
to yourself, your inner wisdom, and giving yourself what you need to balance body, mind, and soul.
May you find your true inner wisdom, your true balance.
To sum it all up, a statement well said by my dear friend, Rob Sachno: “Life is interesting, entertaining. Don’t take it seriously, that’s the secret.”
Perhaps that is the secret!
Related Site Pages: Guide to Physical Wellness
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