I’ve provided this list of favorites because they have played a powerful part in my healing and wellness journey. But by offering these recommendations, that doesn’t mean I endorse every point in every book or believe each thing is right for you personally. So if you look into anything cited here, I beg you to do so with the Lord as your guide. I believe He will direct you to right resources that will best fit your individual needs.
I know there are a million options, but these are the ones I’m loving right now.
LINKS ARE IN ITALICS:
I believe the key to feeling good, healing addiction, and calming inflammation is in keeping your blood sugar and insulin levels balanced (everyone needs this, not just diabetics!). My favorite Instagram account is Meredith Mann’s @thepeachiespoon (SO many great recipes and a non-diet, Christian perspective). I can’t recommend this lifestyle highly enough!! Here are some other great Instagram accounts that teach blood sugar balance: @emilycorneliusnutrition, @type2diabetes.nutritionist, @daniellehamiltonhealth.
Dr. Benjamin Bikman’s work in the area of obesity and insulin resistance has been invaluable to me. If you like learning the science behind it all, check out this video on YouTube that he gave at the 2024 Metabolic Health Summit called Fat: Why It Matters and What to Do About It, or this video titled “Fat Accumulation & Female Metabolism As You Age.” I also really love his book (listed below) and his Instagram account.
Andrew Huberman’s podcast on “How Sugar & Processed Foods Impact Your Health” is absolute GOLD (I linked the YouTube version). He interviews Dr. Robert Lustig who I’ve followed for years, and they cover just about everything. Yes it’s long, but a game-changer if you’re willing to take the time to listen.
Karalynne Call’s Instagram account @just.ingredients is absolutely wonderful. She offers so much helpful information on shifting to a whole food lifestyle (and she’s a mom of 6 so she understands how to do this with a family). I love her content, and several of her products have become staples for me. (She also has a podcast!)
If you’re looking for a program to follow, I like Clean Simple Eats (created by JJ and Erika Peterson). Their main focus is balanced macros. You can find CSE on Instagram, their website has some wonderful products & cookbooks, and they have an app (CSE+). NOTE: CSE offers a ton of treat recipes that do include better ingredients. But if they end up flaring your sugar addiction (meaning you want to binge on all their treats), you may need to find a different path.
Brittany Williams‘ Instant Loss cookbooks & website are whole food and mostly gluten & dairy free (great for those with food allergies). I’m not much of a cook, so I love that her recipes are fast, easy, budget-friendly, and taste great. Her cookbooks can found here, here, and her new budget-friendly one here.
100 Days of Real Food with Lisa Leake is another fantastic resource. She includes lots of super easy recipes that work well for families. She also has several cookbooks by the same name–here, here, and here. Or check out her new Meal Planner.
Momables is helpful for any parents trying to feed their families better nutrition. Kid and family friendly, tons of great recipes, and even help with meal planning and picky eaters.
For any who struggle with gut health, autoimmune, or thyroid issues, I always send people first to Dr. Josh Redd‘s Instagram that’s packed with great information. Dr. Josh Axe’s website is another good resource, as is his book Eat Dirt. I also LOVE Dr. Will Cole’s book Gut Feelings for a holistic approach to healing, and also his book on resetting your gut, Inflammation Spectrum. Finally, Danielle Walker’s book Food Saved Me is enlightening (and also her website and Instagram). NOTE: Elimination diets & food sensitivity testing are often used to uncover foods that flare these issues, but check out this article and this article for several important things you need to watch out for if you decide to go this route.
Dr. Lara Briden is doing some wonderful, much-needed work in the area of women’s reproductive health. I highly recommend her first book, The Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods, and also her new book, Hormone Repair Manual: Every Women’s Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40. Here’s her website,and you can also find her on Instagram.
I know the world of hormone therapy can be complicated, so I’ll just share that I’ve had wonderful results over the last several years by using the bio-identical hormone creams from Smoky Mountain Nutrition. When asked about it, I just tell others to pray about it and research it and see if it feels like the right path for them. 🙂
For more recommendations including supplements, health & pain relief products, and even my favorite online trainer, see these two YouTube videos where I outline all the wellness things I can’t live without (links included):
PART 1
PART 2
FOOD, DIETING, HEALTH, & WELLNESS
Full: Food, Jesus, and the Battle for Satisfaction by Asheritah Ciuciu – If I could only recommend one book on this topic, it would be this one. My favorite thing is that Asheritah makes the food struggle a spiritual journey, not just a physical one. I especially love her focus on learning to hunger for Christ instead of our favorite treats, and finding the ultimate source of satisfaction through Him instead of a salty or sugary counterfeit.
The 40-Day Sugar Fast: Where Physical Detox Meets Spiritual Transformation by Wendy Speake – In this powerful book, Wendy captured exactly what I experienced in my own journey out of sugar addiction. Like Asheritah, Wendy puts the focus on Christ, not food–especially turning to Him for help and strength to overcome. She also hosts a yearly sugar fast with thousands of Christian women in this Facebook group.
The Sugar Addict’s Total Recovery Program by Kathleen DesMaisons – This was the program that revolutionized my life & eating back in 2005. Dr. DesMaisons not only discusses the emotional & physical effects of sugar addiction, but outlines a powerful plan to balance the brain chemistry in a way that calms sugar cravings and heals the body naturally (I did tweak it a bit to fit me). Her revolutionary book, Potatoes Not Prozac, was also recently revised and updated, and covers similar information.
Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease–and How to Fight It, by Benjamin Bikman is FANTASTIC on insulin resistance and blood sugar balance. With our modern diet of processed carbs, studies are showing that a BILLION people in the world now have prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, but most don’t even know it (diabetesatlas.org). This book explains not only the causes and effects of our modern-day diet, but offers recommendations for how to stabilize our insulin levels, thus avoiding not just diabetes, but weight gain and all kinds of chronic disease.
The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss by Dr. Jason Fung – This is powerful for any who have Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. The science laid out by Dr. Fung on how our eating patterns affect the body is truly mind-blowing. I also love his second book, Life in the Fasting Lane. For me, some kind of fasting (adapted in a personal, Spirit-led way) can really help balance the body and add a spiritual component to your health journey.
Sugarproof: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar That Are Putting Your Child’s Health at Risk and What You Can Do, by Michael Goran and Emily Ventura – This incredibly eye-opening book talks candidly about sugar’s influence on children, and offers clear ways you can start making some powerful changes. They’re also on Instagram.
Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not Food by Lysa Terkeurst – Lysa hit a homerun with this Bible study. Based on her own personal struggles, she walks you through the process of turning to God to find the support and strength to break free from an attachment to food. (Lysa also just condensed this same content into her new book, I’ll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Satisfaction.)
I Deserve A Donut: And Other Lies That Make You Eat by Barb Raveling – This book is a gospel-centered, biblically-based look at emotional eating. Barb uses over 150 Bible verses and 37 sets of questions to help you identify thought patterns in your mind that need to be broken, and shows you how to reframe those thoughts to focus on God rather than food. (Barb also has some other wonderful books on emotional eating and Christian weight loss here and here.)
Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach (4th edition) by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch – I love how this book helps get us back to a healthy, normal relationship with food, especially by honoring our body’s cues. I only have one hesitation with their advice: if we listen to all our body’s cravings, sometimes they will mislead us. My body was addicted to sugar, so my cravings didn’t need to be honored–they needed to be healed. Aside from that, I love the foundational principles in this book. (See my video here for more on this.)
Addiction and Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions, by Dr. Gerald May – I soaked up every single word of this amazing book. Beautifully written and incredibly insightful, Dr. May explores the deep issues of attachment that fuel our addictions, and how to find healing for our soul through our Savior’s grace.
Orthorexia Nervosa: Overcoming the Obsession with Healthful Eating by Steven Bratman, M.D. and David Knight – This insightful book by a holistic physician shows that even healthy eating can become a dangerous obsession – thus the importance of finding a place of balance. (I also love this article by Christian writer Leslie Ludy that beautifully teaches the same concept.)
CHRIST-CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH:
Get Out of Your Head: Stopping The Spiral of Toxic Thoughts, by Jennie Allen – I’ve recommended this book more times than I can count. Such a powerful message in helping us conquer the adversary’s influence over our minds. Jennie shows us how to interrupt the spiraling thinking that destroys our peace and wrecks our lives. PLEASE GET THIS BOOK if you struggle with any kind of toxic thinking (fear, anxiety, doubt, insecurity, etc.).
Get Your Life Back: Every Day Practices for a World Gone Mad, by John Eldredge – John is hands down one of my very favorite authors. In this book, he offers several life-changing suggestions to help us reconnect to God amid the chaotic busyness of our daily routine. Each page felt like a breath of fresh air, restoring my soul and enlarging my perspective. A truly powerful read. (Other books by John that I love: Beautiful Outlaw, Sacred Romance, Captivating and Resilient.)
Finding Spiritual Whitespace: Awakening Your Soul to Rest, by Bonnie Gray. This is one of the most moving books I’ve ever read. So raw and real and refreshingly candid. Bonnie talks very openly about how the Lord helped her find rest, not by slowing down her life, but by healing her from the inside out. A true gem for any who are seeking a deeper relationship with the Lord.
It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way: Finding Unexpected Strength When Disappointments Leave You Shattered, by Lysa Terkeurst. It’s hard to understand why God would allow certain things to happen in our lives – especially when He has the power to change them. Through poignant personal experience, Lysa really helped shift my perspective, build my faith, and lessen the pain of such moments.
For a Christ-saturated view from a really gifted therapist, I’ve been deeply blessed by the work of Dr. Dan Allender. Dr. Allender incorporates gospel concepts and principles into therapeutic practice with amazing grace and penetrating insight. Right now my favorite book of his is Redeeming Heartache: How Past Suffering Reveals Our True Calling. I also highly recommend Bold Love and The Cry of the Soul: How Our Emotions Reveal Our Deepest Questions About God. If you have experienced sexual trauma, you may also want to prayerfully consider his powerful workbook, Healing the Wounded Heart: The Heartache of Sexual Abuse and the Hope of Transformation.
CODEPENDENCY, PEOPLE PLEASING, & RECOVERY FROM DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY DYNAMICS
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents, by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD. I’ve gifted this or recommended this book so many times. It’s PHENOMENAL. The focus isn’t on blaming or shaming parents – it’s about understanding how to cope with unhealthy family dynamics or family members who are unwilling or unable to acknowledge that those dynamics exist. She shares clear, applicable tools to help readers navigate different kinds of complex family relationships.
From Bondage to Bonding: Escaping Codependency, Embracing Biblical Love, by Nancy Groom – I think I’ll be reading from this one for the rest of my life. If you (or your family members) struggle with codependency, this is a MUST READ. I can’t get over how perfectly Nancy describes the damaging view of codependency and outlines a Christ-centered path to healing.
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are, by Lysa Terkeurst. Boundaries are so important, but hard to learn for some of us. It can almost feel selfish for someone seeking to be Christlike. I loved how Lysa walks you through the process of setting boundaries–and even saying goodbye when needed–in a scripturally sound and Godly way.
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend – Written from a Biblical perspective, this book was a Godsend to teach me how to set boundaries in a Christlike, healthy way. I’m still trying to process all the insightful & empowering information to help me overcome my people pleasing tendencies.
The Christian Codependence Recovery Workbook: From Surviving to Significance, by Stephanie A. Tucker – Packed with sound counsel on the recovery process, Stephanie is a gifted teacher who can help us move from the bondage of codependency to true and lasting freedom in Christ. She also has YouTube videos to go with each of the chapters. Her follow-up book, A House That Grace Built: Moving Beyond Codependence to Embrace God’s Design for Love, Intimacy and Wholeness is wonderful as well.
FOR AN LDS VIEW: Therapist Douglas Dobberfuhl’s books have been incredibly helpful for me. Relying heavily on the scriptures & gospel principles, he shares insights and gently walks his readers through the process of healing and restoration. Depending on your personal needs, I highly recommend Healing the Codependent Heart, Overcoming Addiction: A Twelve-Step Companion Guide, Breaking the Chains of the Past, and The Miraculous Power of Charity.
FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING A FAITH CRISIS (I like to call it a “Faith Journey”)
The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our “Correct” Beliefs, by Peter Enns. This book is SO GOOD!! I’d have every person of faith read it if I could. If you’re finding yourself in a place where your old thoughts and beliefs about religion aren’t working anymore, Pete will walk with you (with quite a bit of humor injected) and show you that you don’t need to see doubt as a crisis, but as a God-sent opportunity to take you to an even deeper level of trust in Him.
The Night is Normal: A Guide Through Spiritual Pain, by Alicia Britt Chole. Alicia has a way of writing that penetrates into the furthest corners of my heart. This book was one of my lifelines (along with the scriptures) to carry me through some incredibly hard experiences recently. Her profound words gave me hope and the ability to understand some deeper questions in my faith journey.
Faith After Doubt: Why Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What To Do About It, by Brian McLaren – I wish we felt more free to talk about our faith questions in our religious communities. McLaren beautifully illustrates how doubt is not the enemy of faith, but an invitation to a deeper walk with God. His 4 stages of faith development are incredibly powerful and enlightening.
FOR AN LDS PERSPECTIVE:
I really love Kurt Francom’s new book, Is God Disappointed In Me? Removing Shame From a Gospel of Grace. Kurt is the creator of Leading Saints, where he’s doing great work asking some much-needed questions and bringing a fresh perspective to church culture. In this book, Kurt breaks down so many misconceptions that we’ve adopted in our church, and he uses pertinent scriptures and analogies to circle back to Christ’s grace again and again. I think the second half was my favorite. 🙂
I love Emily Belle Freeman’s Christ-centered focus in all her books. Same with her social media content. (Here’s her Instagram but I’m guessing, if you’re LDS, you probably already follow her.) Some of my favorite books of hers are Even This, Closer to Christ, and Grace Where You Are.
If you are LDS, please, please read Richard Ostler’s book, Listen, Learn, & Love: Improving Latter-Day Saint Culture. I believe our church culture has a long way to go to become who we need to be as disciples of Christ. In a very tender and gospel-honoring way, this book points out specific places where we fall short and how we can change for the better. It impacted me deeply. I also love his other two books (found here and here.)
I’ve been blessed by the work of LDS philosopher and author Adam Miller. My favorite books of his right now are Grace Is Not God’s Backup Plan & An Early Resurrection: Life in Christ Before You Die.
I’ve adored the writings of former BYU scholar M. Catherine Thomas for more than two decades. Her books are more dog-eared and marked up than almost any others I own. If you’re ready for a deep dive, try The God Seed, Spiritual Lightening, or Light in the Wilderness.
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