Late in 2013 I requested a book from my reviewer’s program called Switch on Your Brain by Dr. Caroline Leaf. Little did I know what this would lead to, and how it would impact me in so many ways! I have now read almost all of her books, watched most of her DVDs, and shared many of her ideas with my friends and family. All of Dr. Leaf’s products are amazing, but for now I wanted to share three of my favourites with you.
Switch On Your Brain
As the first book I read by Dr. Caroline Leaf, I found Switch On Your Brain to be filled with amazing ideas that showcase how science, specifically neuroscience, is catching up with what has been stated in Scripture for so long. One of the main concepts of this book is the research showing that the brain is neuro-plastic, which means it is malleable and adaptable, changing every moment of the day. Through her research, Dr. Leaf shares how she assisted patients with car-accident brain damage take control of retraining their brains and become successful citizens, even after neurologists had written them off as being unable to ever again function normally.
The first portion of the book focuses on many of the functions of the brain, how various scientific concepts correspond with Scripture, and what can lead to a healthy or unhealthy brain. The second portion features the steps to detox your brain from toxic thinking, using Dr. Leaf’s specialized program, the 21-Day Brain Detox Plan. Overall, I learned so much from this book even after one reading, and I hope to go through it at a slower pace again soon.
Who Switched Off My Brain? 
This was Dr. Leaf’s first book to be published, and in some ways is similar to Switch On Your Brain. I found that it is written with a simpler approach, however, making it easier to read if you are unfamiliar with her ideas. The main focus of this book is how to promote a healthy lifestyle through your thought life, and how toxic thinking can cause sickness and unhappiness in many ways. Dr. Leaf discusses what she calls the ‘dirty dozen’, areas of our lives often targeted by toxic thinking (emotions, dreams, schedules, etc.) and how to do a ‘brain sweep’ to promote a healthier approach to thinking. In addition, I enjoyed watching the DVDs to go along with the information covered in the book. Overall, this book/DVD set is an excellent introduction to Dr. Leaf’s neuroscience research, without being too difficult to follow, yet giving ideas to start implementing healthy thinking into your life!
The Gift in You
Without a doubt, The Gift in You program has been the most influential in my family. This amazing set teaches how everyone has their own unique sequence of thinking, made up of seven different areas of the brain: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal, Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Kinesthetic, Musical, and Visual/Spatial. Inside the book is a Gift Profile questionnaire to fill out, which helps you find and understand your unique pattern of thinking – the ‘gift in you’. After you realize what your dominant areas are, you can better understand how you learn and communicate best. Although each person uses a sequence of all seven areas of the brain, usually only the top two dominant areas are obvious, because they are how you receive information, and build connections to that information (the other seven areas deal with confirming, integrating, applying, etc.). For instance, my dominant area of thinking (how I receive information) is Linguistic, which means I learn, communicate, and understand best with words. My second dominant trait is Logical/Mathematical, and so I build connections to the information through reasoning, organizing, planning, and strategizing.
The amazing part about this program is how it helps people to understand themselves, and the people around them, in a new and better way. It has helped me and many of my family members to realize how we can use our minds to the best of our abilities. I believe that many people could benefit greatly by reading this book, and watching the DVD set – it has truly changed our lives.
If you would like to learn more about Dr. Leaf’s research, programs, and products, you can visit her website.
For years now, whenever a new book is released by neuroscientist Dr. Caroline Leaf, I am quick to add a copy to my TBR list. Her work has impacted me tremendously, and I have recommended her insights to many people I know. While her newest publication from Baker Books has a bit of a contentious title (it is not something I can easily give as a gift without offending the recipient!) it is powerful and potentially life-changing nonetheless. “Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking” is a powerhouse of a book. Packed with up-to-date brain research from Dr. Leaf’s own clinical studies and the research of other scientists, this book combines science with practical application. Continue reading 
Dr. Caroline Leaf’s newest book makes the ideal New Year’s gift, both for yourself and for your loved ones. “Switch On Your Brain Every Day: 365 Readings for Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health” is a new release from BakerBooks, and makes fantastic daily reading material for anyone who has enjoyed Dr. Leaf’s previous works, such as “Switch On Your Brain” and “The Perfect You”. It could also certainly be enjoyed and learned from even if you haven’t read these titles, but the greatest benefit will be gained if you are familiar with the concepts of Dr. Leaf’s Switch On Your Brain 5-Step Learning Process. 
Have you have ever wondered about the story behind the modern food system, or the research behind the science of food, but didn’t know where to search for a thorough, truth-based approach to the subject? Well, look no further than Dr. Caroline Leaf’s newest, Christian-based book from BakerBooks, entitled “Think & Eat Yourself Smart: A Neuroscientific Approach to a Sharper Mind and Healthier Life”. It will undoubtedly answer all of your questions, plus some you didn’t even know you had! 
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 