Birmingham Review

Balanced life seen as key to family health

Monday, August 13, 2007

LAURA AXELROD

News staff writer

HEALTHY MOTHER HEALTHY CHILD: Creating Balance in Everyday Life, by Elizabeth Irvine. Whole Health Publishing. 168 pages. $19.95

According to a Chinese proverb, "A good book is like a garden carried in the pocket." Elizabeth Irvine's book, "Healthy Mother Healthy Child: Creating Balance in Everyday Life" offers a feast of ideas for parents and children alike.

Irvine's interest in alternative medicine began when she discovered that her son inherited her eczema. She knew all too well that conventional medicine only brought temporary relief. Not wanting to see him suffer, Irvine decided that they would discover how the body could heal itself.

She and her son learned about yoga, breathing and creativity exercises. Irvine realized that living a balanced life controlled their eczema. It also helped their relationship.

Along with yoga postures, Irvine offers many ideas on how parents can live a grounded and centered life with their children. She discusses the importance of rituals, routines, and family dinners. Portions of the book are devoted to reconciling issues such as attention deficit disorder and lack of confidence. Crafts and prayers serve as a starting point for parents to explore further in their own lives.

The most striking element is the book's unity. Irvine's text is accompanied by photos of children performing yoga positions. They look completely relaxed and happy. The simplicity of the graphics and fonts creates an overall picture that supports Irvine's message.

"Healthy Mother Healthy Child" won the 2006 Silver Medal in the Parenting category for Book of the Year by ForeWord Magazine. With its gorgeous packaging and smart message, it would be a welcome addition to any parent's bookshelf.