Resources

Early Childhood Development
NurtureShock by Po Bronson and Ashely Merrym
Each chapter reveals the latest research on a different aspect of child development that we have been getting wrong. Self esteem, sleep, self control- the findings are amazing. All teachers and parents must read this book.

NurtureShock Newsweek Column  by Po Bronson and Ashely Merryman
More surprising findings from the authors of NurtureShock.


Nutrition and Food Issues
King Corn Directed by Aaron Woolf
This amateur film follows two guys from Boston who plant an acre of corn as a way to show how the American corn industry works. It follows corn from agriculture subsidies and public health problems. The move is artfully made, a pleasure to watch.

Food, Inc. (2008) Directed by Robert Kenner
The Internet Movie Database sums it up so well: “An unflattering look inside America’s corporate controlled food industry.” This documentary shows that the problem with the food industry is one of the fox guarding the hen house. It highlights factory farming and the seed and fertilizer company Monsanto. Its one of those painful movies that you know you don’t want to see, and once you’ve seen it you try to make all your friends see it.

Eat Drink and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating By Walter Willett, Patrick J. Skerrett, Edward L. Giovannucci, Maureen Callahan
Not what your gym teacher taught, this book is an amalgamation sound scientific research presented with clear explanations and practical advice. It explains why the USDA Food Guide Pyramid is all wrong. The book is now ten years. The reader should seek up-to-date information about alcohol and vitamins, but the basic nutrition principals explained are still relevant. Also consider Eat Play and Be Health: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating for Kidsby W. Allan Walker.

In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto By Michael Pollan
Pollan summarizes his advice for healthy eating as "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly Plants." He explains how and why packaged foods, even foods that market themselves a healthy, are ruining our diets. He calls for a back-to-the-basics approach to eating. His nutrition advice is nearly the same as that of Eat Drink and be Healthy, but the books are quite different, and both are worth reading. Also check out The Omnivore’s Dilemma.

Cooking
Joy of Cooking By Irma von Starkloff Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker, Maria Guarnaschelli
My cooking bible, this is practically an encyclopedia of recipes and information on ingredients and cooking techniques. A beloved classic.

Allrecipes.com
Before I cook anything new, I consult a few different recipes. Usually I find that they are all pretty similar, which lets me know what parts of the recipe are essential and what things I might want to add or omit to my taste. This website and others like it are a great way to see how other people cook things. I always read the reviews and take into account the ratings.

Medicine, Hygiene and Grooming
Trick of Treatment: The Undeniable Facts about Alternative Medicine By Simon Singh, Edzard ErnstThis book looks at lots of studies to reveal what works and what doesn't in alternative medicine. It is equally valuable as introduction to how health research is conducted and how to evaluate information that is reported based on studies. Don’t skip the Apendix.