Books make great Christmas gifts, and maybe I feel that way because I love them so much myself. And all of you, my faithful readers, don't read just blogs, obviously, most of you also love to read books like I do, only I don't get to do it as much as I'd like anymore. But I won't get all whiny right now. I wanted to share the top ten books that readers of my blog order through links on my site. They're in order, beginning with the most popular on top…
- Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon – no big surprise there! No Real Foodie kitchen is complete without it and for many, it's the beginning of their whole journey toward a more healthful life.
- Folks, This Ain't Normal
by Joel Salatin – and get this! He's coming to Grand Rapids to speak next month, and the date happens to fall right when our next Weston Price local chapter meeting is, so we're toying with the idea of asking him to pop in. Guess it depends on if we can come up with the $5000 he gets for speaking gigs…yeah, I guess not.
- Tender Grassfed Barbecue: Traditional, Primal & Paleo
by Stanley Fishman, who is the nicest guy in the whole world, in case some of you didn't know this, and he knows how to cook REAL (pastured) meats. For such a gentle-hearted man, he writes some knock-out comments around here all of the time. I'm seriously thinking of doing a “Best-of” blog post with these someday. 🙂 Here's his first book, which I pull out often: Tender Grassfed Meat: Traditional Ways to Cook Healthy Meat.
- Death By Supermarket: The Fattening, Dumbing Down, and Poisoning of America
by Nancy Deville – I haven't read this one, but doesn't just the title make you want to read it? If you have, let us know what you thought.
One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Areby Ann Voskamp – OK so it's not food related, but it did show up in my top ten list. This is another present that I ordered for myself from my sister who drew my name. Don't we all want to ‘live more fully right where we are', instead of being sucked down by daily stress? I'd heard about this book all over the place so I got a copy at the library, and then promptly returned it once I read a few chapters, knowing I needed my own so I could underline like crazy. Also, I've got a great idea for everyone in our family this year, although I doubt anyone else is going to go for it as much as I will. It might take some time for them to see the benefits, especially Kal, our 19 year old… BUT here's what I did, and if you've read the book, you'll love this. I got each of us a journal (one with pink and yellow stripes for our daughter and I, and blue and green stripes for Kent and the three boys, for you folks who are as visual as I am), and on Christmas Eve I'm breaking these babies out and asking them each to write THREE things EVERY day that they're thankful for. I could do 50 a day easily. If they end up doing this once a WEEK I'll be excited. So we'll see… Kent, if you happen to read this far into the post (I'm betting he doesn't), then pleeeease go along with this idea for me!
- GAPS Guide (Simple Steps to Heal Bowels, Body and Brain)
by Baden Lashkov – a great tool for those of you going on GAPS in 2012!
- The Magnesium Miracle
by Carolyn Dean – this book is one I read recently and as I did I found myself calling friends and family with various health ailments telling them all, “Maybe you're just deficient in Magnesium!”
Eat Fat Lose Fatby Mary Enig and Sally Fallon – A great read on the benefits of coconut oil in your diet and how it can help you lose weight!- Wheat Belly: Lose the Wheat, Lose the Weight, and Find Your Path Back to Health
by Dr. William Davis – This book is still getting a lot of attention, and yes, I know I promised you one more ‘wrap up' post on this topic, so I'll get to it soon. There's always just so much I want to post about! 🙂
- Three Paleo books made a showing near the top, so I'm including them all: Paleo Comfort Foods: Homestyle Cooking for a Gluten-Free Kitchen, Everyday Paleo, and Make it Paleo: Over 200 Grain Free Recipes For Any Occasion. All great for new grain-free recipes!
by Joel Salatin – and get this! He's coming to Grand Rapids to speak next month, and the date happens to fall right when our next 
by Stanley Fishman, who is the nicest guy in the whole world, in case some of you didn't know this, and he knows how to cook REAL (pastured) meats. For such a gentle-hearted man, he writes some knock-out comments around here all of the time. I'm seriously thinking of doing a “Best-of” blog post with these someday. 🙂 Here's his first book, which I pull out often: 
by Nancy Deville – I haven't read this one, but doesn't just the title make you want to read it? If you have, let us know what you thought.
by Ann Voskamp – OK so it's not food related, but it did show up in my top ten list. This is another present that I ordered for myself from my sister who drew my name. Don't we all want to ‘live more fully right where we are', instead of being sucked down by daily stress? I'd heard about this book all over the place so I got a copy at the library, and then promptly returned it once I read a few chapters, knowing I needed my own so I could underline like crazy. Also, I've got a great idea for everyone in our family this year, although I doubt anyone else is going to go for it as much as I will. It might take some time for them to see the benefits, especially 
by Baden Lashkov – a great tool for those of you going on GAPS in 2012!
by Carolyn Dean – this book is one I read recently and as I did I found myself calling friends and family with various health ailments telling them all, “Maybe you're just deficient in Magnesium!”
by Dr. William Davis – This book is still getting a lot of attention, and yes, I know I promised you one more ‘wrap up' post on this topic, so I'll get to it soon. There's always just so much I want to post about! 🙂Tell us, if you had to say what book you loved more than any other, what would it be? Let's have two categories: Health and nutrition books AND any other type of book. OR just tell us the best book you've read in 2011?
Emily says
I have GOT to read a GAPS book – as “The Crunchy Coach”, I feel like there’s a “gap” in my knowledge until I do.
And Joel Salatin…on my list, too. Thanks for reminding me, Kelly. 🙂
HighHopes says
I just browsed Wheat Belly in Amazon. They have been telling us that we should switch to wheat and now wheat is no good. The only thing constant is change. I always say that moderation is the key.
Nicole says
Thankyou for this list! I have read some of these but can’t help mentioning “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride as the pivotol book that changed me completely. Easy to read and very convincing. I also loved her book “Put Your Heart in Your Mouth” – disspelling the cholesterol-heart disease myth. I also have just read The Mood Cure by Julia Ross and it has changed my life too!
Amy says
Oh, another one: French Women Don’t Get Fat, by Mireille Guiliano. It’s a life changing book that teaches moderation, enjoyment of food, avoiding diets and embracing care of self. It totally changed my outlook on food, which has continued to this day (and is a big part of why I’m so anti-diet, pro-moderation).
D. says
I can put a hearty “I’ll second that” on the recommendation for French Women Don’t Get Fat. Excellent. Absolutely excellent. Full of tips and tricks and ways to see food in a healthier manner than just a way to fill the stomach.
Frances says
I just thought of one more: Skinny Bitch. I was no where on the whole foods path when I picked up this book. It changed my focus from diet to health! (Sad but true!)
KitchenKop says
Is Skinny Bitch a Vegan book? I thought I’d heard that somewhere. Just curious.
Kelly
Frances says
Love this list! I would also add Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I ended up buying the book from the library because I loved it so much. Next time I will read it with a highlighter in hand. It’s just that good!
Another one that’s not food related but pretty powerful is The Power of a Praying Wife. I’m not big on religious books, or self-help, or any of that. This book is just really useful!
Mike Lieberman says
Looks like I have more books to add to my list. I also like Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and The Crazy Makers (I think that’s the title).
ValerieH says
I got Wheat Belly from the library. I had already heard his interview with Jimmy Moore. I have been doing low carb for a long time. For me, there wasn’t anything eye opening that I didn’t hear in the interview. The key thing for me was how much wheat has changed since my grandmothers were born. I photocopied the recipes :D.
Gratitude practice is a wonderful way to end the day and go to sleep. I have a journal of 5 things I write down every night. Sometimes it was just traffic and weather. Traffic and weather can make a big difference, though! Doing this is easier than keeping a journal, which I have never been able to sustain.
Susan says
Kelly- Thank you, thank you, thank you for mentioning “Death by Supermarket”!! It is the book that started my whole journey 4 years ago. And although I think it is a must read for everyone, it is especially good for those who are hesitant to make the real food change. So if you have resistant or non-believing friends or famiy members, this is a great gift for them! By the third chapter, I was in my pantry dumping all sorts of what Nancy Deville calls “science fiction” food. If reading this book doesn’t help kick-start someone into a healthier lifestyle than they must be brain dead!! There is info on food, chemicals, health and the evil FDA. It is so enlightening on so many levels.
Just FYI- I recently read on Nancy’s website (or FB page) that her books are going to E-books as of Jan 1, so if you want an actual copy of this, go order it now! Four years later it is still something I go back to. My copy is dog-eared, worn, torn and has so many underlines throughout that it looks like a road map!
Oh, and if you are new to Nancy Deville, check out her FB or website. She looks amazing at 61 and attributes it all to butter! 🙂
Just FYI
Raquel says
I just checked out her website, she does not look 61! Is she natural or has she had work done?
Amy says
I really like Suzanne Somers’ books, Breakthrough and Knockout. She’s a huge proponent of bioidentical hormones–which I have mixed feeling on but are probably a great option for women going through menopause (although I think maca can probably help achieve many of the same benefits)–but there is so much valuable health info in there just on the medical community operates, how our medical freedoms are being infringed upon, and alternative care, as well as practical tips on detoxing, etc. She’s anti-chemo, anti-vax, pro-organics and healthcare freedom.
Christine says
Hey Kelly, I just wanted to let you and your readers know, that Ann Voskamp has an app for the iPhone called 1000 Gifts. It was free about a month ago, don’t know if it still is. Everytime you open the app, there is a quote from her book, and you can add your own gifts, by date either in text or with a pic. Check it out!
Also, did you know that she is a homeschooling mother of 6, whose family is farming in Ontario?
KitchenKop says
Hi Christine! I think about you a lot since the conference, it was so fun hanging with you there — wish we lived closer.
No I didn’t know where she lived, but knew she was a homeschooling Mom of many. 🙂
I’ll go check out the app, although, I’m a little sick of being on my phone and laptop, for this I might stick with my new notebook… PAPER! I hardly remember it, LOL!
Kel
Debbi Does Dinner Healthy says
I’ve read Wheat Belly and LOVED it. I am still “trying” to go gluten free because of it. I’ve been about 90% successful but had a bad, bad relapse just the week and I feel HORRIBLE. I was just telling myself this morning that I need to REMEMBER how awful I feel so I don’t do that again. I’m in major detox mode, starting today. That book is awesome.
I’m going to look at a couple more of these, thanks!!
Linda M says
Am half-way through “Death by Supermarket” – had to set it aside because my daughter’s getting married on Saturday. It is excellent. Let my friend (who needs a nudge in the real-food direction) borrow it. It is very succinct in its coverage of food topics. Everyone should read it!!
Alison says
Just added a bunch of these to my wish list, thanks for the list. And Folks this Ain’t Normal is one of the best, most inspiring books I’ve ever read. I will totally read it again!
Musings of a Housewife says
LOVE Joel Salatin’s books. He is hilarious, and he makes the intricacies of farming actually interesting to read about! I also really enjoyed reading the Wilderness series by Sara Donati earlier this year. And of course anything by Michael Polan is excellent. GREAT LIST! I really want to read Wheat Belly.
Soli @ I Believe In Butter says
I have Death by Supermarket on my shelf and maybe this coming year I will get a chance to read it.
One book which has been sticking with me is Growing a Farmer. Reading the story of someone being transformed from a city chef to running his own farm, and figuring out what to grow, is really eye-opening. Especially recommended for anyone who’s thinking about having their own farm or homestead.
Jeanmarie says
I’m reading Growing a Farmer right now! I’m really enjoying it. I can relate to how he just tried stuff without having any idea what he was doing…he kept trying various farming projects (vegetables, bees, apples, milk) until he figured out what worked for him.
Emily @ Butter Believer says
Holy grass-fed Polyface cow! 5k for each of Joel’s speaking gigs? I love the guy, but, geez. Makes me wonder how much he got from “Food, Inc.”…
Well, my favorite books of 2011 come in for a tie in the food/nutrition category — I’ve made very good use of my copy of Nourishing Traditions this year, which has had such a huge impact on me! And I’ve become completely enamored with Julia Ross as I have been reading “The Mood Cure.” Amazing.
Other books? Well… wow. I’m such a nutrition nerd now that I guess I don’t read anything else! You’ve sold me on “One Thousand Gifts” though. Sounds like a keeper!
Cheryl says
If you think about it, Joel probably doesn’t see as much of that $5K as we might expect. It costs him at least a days worth of work on his farm, time away from his family, likely there’s an agent that gets paid off the top, travel expenses, food on the road….
He really has done a lot for all of us with his bold and creative promotion of real food and sustainable animal husbandry and farming practices. I think he’s worth the $5K.
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
My friend, Chris Kerston, from Chaffin Orchards had him come to speak for their local chapter & he said he’s worth every penny. 🙂 (He also draws a large crowd, so we could sell tickets, but none of us have the time for the planning it would take.) I heard him at the WAPF conference in Philly last year & loved him!
Kelly
Irene says
LOVED “Folks this Aint Normal.”
“Seeds of Deception” was a real eye opener – scary.