Eating whole foods, exercising in the right way, and using “skilled relaxation” to reduce stress…these are the three steps that make up the “3LS Wellness Program” behind Recapture Your Health, a book that helps you effectively plan your healing and help your body help itself do what it naturally does when not encumbered by chronic stress, bad nutrition, and lack of movement.

While this may be a tough pill to swallow for those looking for that magic “do-all” diet pill, or one that cures chronic illness in the flick of a switch, the long-term benefits of this plan are clearly spelled out in plenty of stories from real people who have gone on the program. Author Walt Stoll is a holistic health educator and author of Saving Yourself from the Disease-Care Crisis, and here, with co-author and holistic healer Jan DeCourtney, he presents a truly holistic view of why and how we get sick, and how our bodies work best to get well again.

The 3LS Wellness Program claims to heal body, mind and spirit by focusing on the whole person and not on the symptoms, like usual medical practitioners do. But this is not an easy program, requiring a determined effort to clean up your act by eliminating many foods, and by getting off your butt (although not as much as you might think). Most importantly, it asks you to do something most people cringe at the thought of- take time every day to relax and get into a healthful and healing alpha state.

My suggestion for those who are already turning away at the suggestion of actually having to work at your healing is that you read this wonderful and empowering book, then take it one step at a time. From the stories of those who did just that, you will no doubt feel so good that going for it full-on will be a piece of cake. Sorry. A piece of whole grain bread with olive oil.