Customer Reviews

The Healthy Balance for Body & Soul (LifeBalance)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Prevention is so much better than healing because it saves the labor of being sick. ~Thomas Adams

Cynthia Culp Allen and Charity Allen Winters have written a book about their love for God and their love for spiritual renewal through a reenergizing of the mind and body. While most books seem to put an emphasis on exercise routines and eating plans, the authors have added a new level of spirituality. The authors shed new light on Proverbs 31 and yes, there are many references to Christianity throughout the text.

"Both Charity and I want to become beautiful, healthy, balanced women of God, both in body and soul." ~Cynthia

The authors both struggled with various illnesses and spiritual temptations and show how an overemphasis on spirituality and an imbalanced attitude in regards to food can be detrimental. The authors make the point that you can go to church and yet totally neglect your body. Is your body not the temple of God? Cynthia and Charity describe how they struggled with their own illnesses to the point where they knew a change was needed.

Both authors seem to have read many health books and while their focus is on health, they also are concerned with the cancer of the soul and why we should all be concerned with our spiritual health. They also discuss things like gossip, forgiveness and commitment to spiritual principles. In the midst of all this, they also discuss aromatherapy, journaling, exercise routines, herbal teas and supplements for health.

To say this book is overflowing with ideas is an understatement. The authors also talk about future books they are planning or writing.

I think this book will be most appreciated by women who love God and who want to live a holy life dedicated to improving body, soul and spirit. Not only are the authors trying to live a life in accordance to Biblical principles, they are trying to encourage more women to also live a similar lifestyle.

If you are not interested in the spiritual part of this book, there is still much to learn and I found I was even more motivated to buy a Vita-Mix than ever before. I know I feel better when I eat a lot of salads and my energy level soars when I avoid certain foods, but I was not aware of why this was the case.

Throughout this book I found many helpful solutions. If you are interested in a low-salt diet, then there are ideas for a variety of salt substitutes. If you have yet to discover the benefits of Grapefruit Seed Extract, Green Tea or a number of antioxidants, then this book will show you why these items are essential to your health.

Are you struggling with depression, low energy levels, complete fatigue, weight problems or illnesses you know you have but doctors don't seem to understand? Then this book can be helpful in many regards. If you love to cook, you will find a few recipes. Although, I must say I hope the authors write a detailed cookbook for all of us who enjoy step-by-step instructions.

While the authors do at times border on spiritual exuberance (upbeat x 10) in their writing, this book could give many women hope. At times it is good to indulge in a little positive thought even if you are feeling slightly grouchy at the time. It can at least awaken our hearts to the possibility of joy.

For any woman struggling with PMS, bladder infections, abdominal pain or intense sugar cravings, this book can provide some insight into how you can wage a battle against candidiasis. The authors provide lists of medications and show you how simple lifestyle changes can improve your health.

I was actually surprised the author recommended artificial anything, including sweeteners. I find Stevia to be much more tasty than anything artificial. Even after reading this book, I'm not convinced that fat is the enemy, I still think it is carbohydrates in too high a quantity. I've also read that fructose is more damaging than sucrose. You might want to read The Metabolic Plan for more information.

Here are some ideas for your shopping list for health. I had all these supplements before reading this book. See individual reviews (with my own research) or research the following online:

All One Nutrition Totally Fiber - powerful herbal extracts and cleansing

GeniSoy Soy Protein Shake - Delicious and nutritious, protein your body needs

All One Powder Multiple Vitamins and Minerals Dietary Supplement - High Potency

Emer'gen-C Lite with MSN - mix into fruit juice or blend with aloe juice and orange juice

Nordic Natural's Complete Omega - Needed for proper brain function and overall health

Olive Leaf Extract - ancient remedy

Uva Ursi - cleansing

Nutrition Now PB8 Pro-Biotic Acidophilus For Life - Contains FOS

Grape Seed Extract - Antioxidant

North American Herb & Spice Oregamax - Oregano for health. This is the ancient Hyssop spoken of in the Bible.

Women's Phase II Candidastat Dietary Supplement - Contains Oregon Grape Root, Milk Thistle and Grapefruit Seed Extract.

Solaray CranActin Cranberry Extract - helpful for healthy urinary tract

Dr. Michael Pinkus Nu-Zymes - Concentrated Multiple Food Enzyme Supplement

This book can be an inspirational guide to health

or even encourage you to reach for high spiritual goals.

To Your Health,

~The Rebecca Review

This book is amazing!! Cynthia and Charity share a lot of amazing advice for the physical as well as the spiritual. I know that I will never feel the same. Physically I've felt better than I have in a long time and there has been a spiritual renewal in my life as well. Thanks guys! A definite must read!!

I just finished reading this book and the guidelines for health seem so sensible. I am excited about putting this to use in my life... thanks for the boost, Cynthia and Charity!

I would recommend this book to anyone in ill health or wanting to maintain the good health they may already have. These girls really care about soul, body, and spirit. It has some good recipes to get you started. I purchased the book for my daughter, but it has helped me tremedously in my own search for good health. JWD

I originally wanted to read this book because of her magazine advertisment with a Vita-mix. I ordered a Vita-Mix and I thought she'd give many tips and experiences using the Vita-Mix for improving her health. Well was I wrong! The advertisment was very misleading. She didn't mention the Vita-mix at all (that I could find) except in the recipes and the most of her health plan was mixed with quotations from the Bible. I didn't buy the book for a Bible lesson. If I wanted a Bible lesson, I'd buy books on Chrisitanity. She even has an address to write to so you can learn more about the Bible in the back section.

There are many people who are not Christian who are looking for a healthy food plan. They are happy in there own religions and don't need her to preach to them. She should have kept religion out of her book, and stuck to the point of healthy eating, but I get the feeling she'd having nothing much to write about if she didn't. I felt like she was trying to convert me through-out the book. Her plan was nothing exceptional and mostly low carb with heavy meat eating. Didn't the Bible preach vegetarianism?