Spa books do more than make you feel good for the moment. They give you the tools to feel good for the rest of your life. Whether it's information on managing your health, relaxing, cooking healthfully, or looking beautiful, these books can help set you on the path towards a happier, healthier spa lifestyle.
1. Ultraprevention
Ultraprevention is preventing illness before it happens. Mark Hyman, M.D. and Mark Liponis, M.D., Medical Directors of Canyon Ranch, argue the five forces of illness are malnutrition, inflammation, metabolism, toxicity, and oxidation. Here they offer a six-week wellness program including detoxification, nutrition, and stress management.
2. Canyon Ranch Cooking: Bringing the Spa Home
At Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires and in Arizona, people eat spa cuisine without feeling deprived. Here are recipes for slimmed-down versions Vegetable Lasagne, with easy-to-follow directions and pretty color photographs.3. Cooking With The Seasons At Rancho La Puerta
Rancho La Puerta in Mexico serves up some of the best food you'll eat at a spa. It feeds guests from its own six-acre organic farm, and has a cooking school with big names. This cookbook has s some of the best recipes from this ground-breaking destination spa, and tells stories by founder Deborah Szekeley.4. Beauty: The New Basics
Okay, how about a little beauty on the outside? This is a beauty bible that has lots of specific product recommendations in different price ranges from a former New York Times beauty editor. There are five minute skin regimens, facials, makeup tricks, and a nice home spa section.5. Secrets of the Spas
If you're a frustrated esthetician who loves playing with potions, this is the book for you. It has 75 easy-to-prepare spa treatment recipes, like the fabulous oatmeal, almond and avocado body scrub. It also tells you how to prepare aromatic baths and otherwise take care of yourself in your home spa.6. The Healthiest Diet in the World
This is a great all-around resource for healthy eating. Nikki and David Goldbeck lay down the "Golden Guidelines" to help you make better food choices, and give you lots of nutritional information and great recipes.7. Peace Is Every Step
I went through a very stressful period in life where I listened to tapes from Thich Nhat Hahn, the Vietnamese Buddhist monk. A lot. This book shows you how to use everyday events--washing dishes, eating a meal, sitting in traffic--in the quest for peace and fulfillment. (Not quite as good as his soothing voice, but better for bedtime reading next to a spouse).8. The Complete Illustrated Guide to Aromatherapy
I love this book. It's a comprehensive introduction to the fascinating subject of aromatherapy, covering history (Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all practiced aromatherapy), its practical application in massage, and specific benefits of different essential oils. It has plenty of full-color illustrations.9. Fitness For Dummies
Okay, I'll admit it. I have lots of Dummies and Idiots books. (I was even tempted to buy "The Idiot's Guide to Dummies: A Guide to Dumbing Down.") But this is one of my favorites. It is full of good advice on how to assess your current fitness level, how to plan an exercise program, how to get going -- and stay motivated. A great reference book.10. The Paradox of Choice: Why Less Is More
We've been raised to think more choice is better. But Barry Schwartz makes the case that eliminating choices can greatly reduce stress and anxiety in our lives. He offers eleven steps on how to limit choices, focus on what's important and derive greater satisfaction from life.