Raise your hand if you think you’re living a healthy lifestyle? *hand goes up* Now, raise your hand if you think you could be living an even healthier one? *both hands in the air*

I always say that the journey to a healthy lifestyle is exactly that: a journey. It can take time to make changes in your life. And when you’re changing your entire lifestyle so you’ll be healthy and happy for the next 50 years, it may take more than a day.

Today, I want to help motivated you in your journey. If you’re looking for your reason why you need to change, or maybe you just want to make even more tweaks, hopefully this will encourage you to step forward. Whatever your reason, I hope you’ll find these books as inspiring as I do.

I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson* – Sugar gets a bad rep. It’s the hidden ingredient, like soy, we all seem to indulge in without a second though. But Sarah’s book shares what a life without sugar can look like. She takes the approach, like so many others have in the last 10 years, that encourages you to add more healthy fats into your diet. For many, the title alone is terrifying. Giving up sugar can seem overwhelming. However, Sarah does a wonderful job giving you the outline to make lasting changes. If you’re a sugar addict or just in need of a change, I’d highly recommend her book.

Body Love by Kelly LeVeque* – Let’s be honest. You know you weren’t getting through this without me talking about my current fave, right? As far as lifestyle books go, Kelly’s is easily my favorite. Her approach to taking back control of your life and living without restrictions is refreshing. And because I’ve talked about it so much lately, I won’t bore you again. Instead, I’ll point you in the direction of my recent review. 🙂

Cure Tooth Decay by Ramiel Nagel* – I mentioned last week in my post about what it means to be vegan. I also mentioned that it may require supplements and isn’t for everyone. One of the things I’ve realize in the past week reading this book is the why. If you’re a someone struggling with dental care or really just want to learn how to deal with cavities and mouth issues, I’d recommend checking this book out. It’s been rather eye opening to read. Will I be adding everything it tells me back into my diet? No. But will I be making some adjustments to heal my teeth and prevent further decay? Absolutely. I’m currently vlogging the journey so you’ll see it all in a few months hopefully.

It’s All Good by Gwyneth Paltrow* – If you’ve been following me for a bit now, you’ll know this book and I have a history. It was the first I encountered when I transitioned into a plant-based lifestyle. And while I think the ingredient lists can be a bit overwhelming, I do love the simplicity of the book. There is nothing crazy about the recipes that require 5 hours of prep and a culinary degree. If you’re looking to re-inspire your love for healthy foods or simply want to grow in what you cook, GP’s book is a wonderful addition.

Nutrition Stripped by McKel Hill* – I’ll admit I have mixed feelings about this cookbook. McKel is a nutritionist, blogger and now cookbook author. Her book and blog are both wonderful resources in teaching your how to apply nutrition to your life. Do I love every recipe in this book? Not at all. But I do think it’s a wonderful tool to help establish a good foundation for nutrition in your life.

So whether you’re a health care newbie or a seasoned Chalkboard Magazine reader that’s tried it all, I hope you’ll feel inspired to live your best life. It can take time and patience to make changes. Remember that you don’t have to try all the things. Find what works for you and then continue to make small changes. Before you know it, you’ll be the healthiest and happiest of your life.