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The Source: Unleash Your Natural Energy, Power Up Your Health, and Feel 10 Years Younger

Woodson Merrell, M.D.
Free Press (2008)
ISBN 9781416568162
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (11/08)

If you feel like you are always tired and lacking energy then “The Source” is a book that you should most definitely read.  I am the mother of two preschool age children who are able to run non-stop all day and fully expect me to keep up with them.  I thought that this feeling of exhaustion that I often experience just came with the territory.  Apparently loss of energy has made the list as being one of the top five complaints to physicians.  The numbers would be even higher but it is estimated that “66 percent of people who visit their doctors while experiencing debilitating exhaustion never even mention the problem!” (p. 5) 

The purpose of “The Source” is to “offer a fresh, unique perspective on the possibility of energy creation that unifies Western medical science with Eastern mind-body and energy practices.”  The book is written by Woodson Merrell, M.D., “a doctor of internal medicine with a busy private practice, as well as an educator and researcher at both Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.” (p.6) 

In the first part of the book, Dr. Merrell offers a convincing explanation as to the link between our thought patterns, stress and the amount of energy that we produce.  We are provided with information on how the food we eat produces energy and which foods are the best choices for us to reach our optimum potential.  Also addressed are detox, exercise, rest, and spiritual cultivation.  There were many interesting ideas touched on in the first section of “The Source.”  One of my favorites that I have already implemented in my life is the “Power Up! Breath Break” which is a certain way of breathing that I found to be instantly calming.  In fact, Dr. Merrell states “If you only do one thing to increase your energy, this breath break would be my choice.” (p.39)   

Part Two of “The Source” outlines the “21-Day Plan for Increasing Your Energy and Feeling 10 Years Younger,” a day by day agenda filled with useful tips and ideas such as drinking 8-12 oz of water every couple of hours and establishing a calming bedtime routine.  I think that there is something for everyone in this section and even if you don’t follow the plan in it’s entirety you are sure to benefit from pulling tips for here and there throughout the plan. 

The last part of the book contains the menus and recipes that go along with the 21-Day plan.  This is the area that I would have difficulty in following the plan.  “This plan is designed to help everyone transition toward a plant-based diet” (p. 276) and the menus contain such dishes as “Scrambled Tofu with Vegetables” and a “Vegetable Goat Cheese Egg-White Omelet.” 

“The Source” is a very well written and informative book.  If you ever feel like you have no energy, I believe that by following the tips recommended in this book you will experience an increase in your energy levels.  While I have not yet followed the whole plan, I have noticed a difference just by integrating a few of the concepts into my life.  Dr. Merrell’s plan really does make a difference and I highly recommend this book!

    

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