Hello, my wise Plante Lifers!

This month, we’ve been talking about new beginnings. A fresh start to anything is exhilarating, but it can also be confusing and downright scary. Sometimes, you just need a little advice from people who’ve been there and done that.

That’s why I love to pick up a good book and check in with some of my favorite life coaches and mindset experts. You may think the “self help” section is a bunch of woo-woo, but nowadays, personal development gurus are legit empire-building boss babes and savvy social scientists.

Even if you feel cool as a cucumber about trying something new, there’s no harm in hearing a different perspective or an inspiring story. After all, we’ve established that the beginner’s mindset is all about being curious.

So get ready for a literary pilgrimage to help you make positive changes across the board—in your physical, mental, spiritual and financial health. Here are my TOP 5 MUST-READ BOOKS to kick start your next inner adventure!

–
Material Girl, Mystical World: The Now Age Guide to a High Vibe Life by Ruby Warrington

Ruby Warrington is my jam!! If you’re looking for a modern-day guide to spirituality this book is it. As the founder of the popular website The Numinous, she’s created a radical roadmap to understanding your mystical side and gives you the tools to help you along your spiritual journey. From astrology to meditation to healing crystals to doing your dharma right—Ruby connects the New Age to what she’s dubbed “the Now Age”—an awesome upgrade on cosmic thinking, applying modern-day spirituality to everyday life for all of us women who know that a closetful of designer shoes can happily coexist with a deeply meaningful life. She shows us that it is within our power, right now, to create a life that is both intentional and fabulous—while also contributing to a major shift in global consciousness.

And what I love best—she breaks everything down into easy to digest chapters and shares fun, anecdotal bits from her own hilarious experiences. It’s a super fun read, and if you haven’t checked out The Numinous, get on it!

---

Body Belief: How to Heal Autoimmune Diseases, Radically Shift Your Health, and Learn to Love Your Body More by Aimee E Raupp

Aimee is an acupuncturist and herbalist with over 15 years of clinical experience treating autoimmune disorders and managing her own. Autoimmune disease occurs when the body begins attacking what was once considered normal, healthy tissue. Aimee wrote Body Belief in response to the staggering levels of autoimmune diseases among women—over the past 40 years, the incidence of autoimmunity has tripled, affecting women 75% more than men. And the numbers are rising—I myself know at least a dozen women who are suffering from autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, IBS, type one diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, celiac sprue, lupus or Crohn’s disease.

The basic premise of Body Belief is that true healing can happen when we reconnect to our body and begin to live in sync with it again. With this connection and awareness, we can shift our body beliefs and form a more compassionate relationship with ourselves and set the stage for radical healing.

---

You Do You: How to Be Who You Are and Use What You’ve Got to Get What You Want (A No F*cks Given Guide) by Sarah Knight

Okay, truth be told, Sarah’s books always make me laugh. Usually at myself. Her advice is simple — you do you! As women especially, we are so prone to putting everyone in our lives before ourselves, that we end up totally depleted. It’s way past time to put your happiness first—and understand that you being your most joyful, grounded, connected self is a gift to everyone around you. So, stop letting other people tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, or why it can’t be done. And do not worry, you can do this without losing friends and alienating people. I mean seriously, sign me up.

---

FOOD: What the Heck Should I Eat? by Mark Hyman

Let’s get real for a minute, with all the conflicting information out there on what to eat and which diet you should follow, it can be confusing as hell! Even as a health coach, I am constantly testing out various diets and meal plans just to understand how each one works for me, so I can then adequately explain it to my clients.

Here’s the real deal according to Mark Hyman: “Focus on eating real, whole food. Eat the food that God made and leave the food that man made. Avocados, tomatoes and broccoli are foods that don’t need a nutrition label. If your food has a bunch of unidentifiable ingredients on the label, skip it. Eating well is as simple as that.”

This book also covers what I like to call VITAL FOODS. Yes, I’m talking about the foods that really feed us. Mark refers to the 8 components that make us feel good — nutrition, exercise and movement, purpose, mindset and practice, community, spirit, emotional health, and relationships. Ah yes, a man after my own heart!! You’ve heard me say it before, now say it with me, JUST EAT REAL FOOD!!

---

Judgment Detox: Release the Beliefs That Hold You Back from Living A Better Life by Gabrielle Bernstein

Gabby is back and better than ever. I love this book. I often write about releasing ourselves from our judgements—for real, we are we our own worst critics! We often hold these mis-beliefs and judgements to be true which leads to playing small and staying stuck, holding us back from becoming the bad ass beauties we are truly meant to be!

Judgement Detox is packed with wonderful wisdom, guidance and step-by-step processes to help us release the beliefs that are holding us back from living the life of our dreams. Gabby provides an interactive process that blends various spiritual principles, like lessons from A Course in Miracles, Kundalini yoga, Emotional Freedom Technique (aka Tapping), meditation, prayer and various other metaphysical teachings.

“When you shift your energy from defensive judgment to free-flowing love your life gets awesome. You’ll attract exactly what you need, your relationships will heal, your health will improve and you’ll feel safer and more secure. One loving thought at a time creates a miracle. Follow these steps to clear all blocks, spread more love and live a miraculous life.” Yes, more please!!

–

LOVE + radical reading!