Book Review - Mindfulness made Simple : an introduction to finding calm through mindfulness and meditation Forward by Elisha Goldstein PHD

Mindfulness made Simple shows you how to bring mindfulness and meditation into your daily life. Mindfulness is widely recognised for its calming, healing and restorative effects.

This book contains a step by step guide to your first meditation plus a further 5 basic and 8 advanced meditations to deepen your practice.
The book contains a number of inspiration quotes and tips. I found chapter 5 very helpful as it lists a number of simple meditations for common concerns eg stress and negative thought patterns. I found this book to be very helpful in deepening my meditation practice. It is easy to read and contains clear and concise instructions to follow. Anne

Book Review - Why Mindfulness is better than Chocolate : Your guide to inner peace, enhanced focus and deep happiness By David Michie

Why mindfulness is better than chocolate : Your guide to inner peace, enhanced focus and deep happiness explains the benefits of meditation and mindfulness. The benefits include-

• Reduced stress
• Lowers high blood pressure
• Boosted immunity
• Reduces health costs
• Helps manage chronic pain
• Reduces mortality
• Helps people suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions
• Helps manage and prevent anxiety
• Promotes good help
• Increases self compassion
• Helps you break bad habits

With all these benefits David Michie uses Buddhist teachings and contemporary science to discuss and explain a number of related topics in detail.

"David Michie demonstrates the knack for capturing the essence of this important topic and presenting it in a fun and accessible way." Dr Timothy Sharp, The Happiness Institute.

A very insightful and informative read. Anne

Film Review - Fat Kid Rules The World By Director Matthew Lillard

A depressed and suicidal high school student gets adopted by a high school dropout. They form a punk rock band together even though he has no idea how to play the drums becomes the drummer. The film has two lovable main characters and over time the hard cop father softens up.

One of messages in Fat Kid Rules The World is to take a chance in life and be brave. Another message is that going on a diet isn't the only way to happiness if you're over weight. I enjoyed the film and especially liked his imaginings at times of stress. 

Anne