Empty Plate

At no other time has it been more important to examine the way we care for ourselves and others. Our physical, mental, and spiritual health is being tested at a high level. At times, life feels beyond full and without goodness. By pausing long enough to explore aspects of our lives that we often take for granted, we can begin to see patterns steeped in tradition that support health at a cellular level.

Tammera Karr and Kathleen Bell have taken that pause to show us how the foods we eat, the thoughts we think, and the sounds and colors that surround us affect our well-being. Based on clinical experience, research, personal reflection, and a passion for advancing healthcare perspectives, this book is a guide for nourishing mind, body, and spirit by integrating today's rapidly changing landscape with nature's wisdom.

In our immense capacity to care for others, this book will challenge you to examine your plate, scrape it clean if needed, and begin to fill it with the understanding that the mind and body are inseparable. To nourish one means to nourish the other, allowing us to heal.

Perfect for those in health care, education, and proactively minded. Hundreds of current scientific references, fascinating historical tidbits, thought-provoking quotes.

"Empty Plate is a refreshingly original and insightful approach to true Holistic health. An enjoyable, thought-provoking blend of history, tradition, and science .... A must-read for those with a serious interest in integrative approaches to health." Terry Wahls, MD, researcher, educator, and author of the Wahls Protocol

"Empty Plate is a little gem, not only in the world of nutrition - it also reminds us of our interconnectedness with the natural world and its influence on our well-being. It creatively connects food with mindfulness and sustainability, offers key principles to support healthy living, and is peppered with thoughtful personal reflections. Kudos to the authors - well done!" Veda L. Andrus EdD, MSN, RN, HN-BC (R), Vice President, Education and Program Development, The BirchTree Center for Healthcare Transformation

"Every nurse should be required to read Empty Plate for their benefit and that of their patients." Mary Hagood, FNP-C

"Tammera Karr and Kathleen Bell feed body, mind, and spirit in Empty Plate. They teach us how to begin anew to fill our plate with food that nourishes, a mind that is calm, a world that encourages sustainability and a profound connection to nature. Empty Plate is personal with writings and poetry. It provides a historical and traditional perspective that you won't find elsewhere. It's also based on current research and provides practical tools throughout. This book will shift your attention and, ultimately, your actions. Gift yourself with a guiltless treat by reading Empty Plate." Elizabeth Lipski, PhD, CNS, FACN, nutritionist, professor, author of Digestive Wellness. Faculty Maryland University of Integrative Health

"Hippocrates stated long ago that food is medicine. On many levels, color is medicine, especially the colors of food. Tammera and Kathleen have captured the impact of color on our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. I am excited to see how they explored their perceptions of color and meal plates to reflect our holistic wellbeing. Empty Plate is a colorful dance exploring and inviting us to discover how various aspects of our lives are interconnected." Deanna Minich, PhD, nutritionist, educator, author of the Whole Detox and the Rainbow Diet, and President of the American College of Nutrition