The Art of Wellbeing

by Meredith Gaston

The Art of Wellbeing explores how nature inspires us to good health and happiness through Meredith Gaston's warm, unique illustrations and her restorative recipes, meditations and healthful ideas. Building on her philosophy of thankfulness and gratitude for what we have and enjoy, Meredith shows us how to live well and be healthy, with wellness the key theme of this new book. This book contain beautiful, simple, plant based recipes, as well as meditations, yoga and plant-based cosmetics all in Meredith's unique illustrative style that is so filled with personality and playfulness.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Spirituality, Lifestyle

240 pages, Hardcover

First published January 2, 2018

About the author

Meredith Gaston is an internationally acclaimed Australian artist, best-selling author, and passionate wellness advocate. Celebrating the release of her sixth book ‘The Art of Wellbeing – Joyous Living Inspired by Nature’ , Meredith continues to grow her prolific and diverse creative practise.

Meredith’s playfully sophisticated signature style and inspirational words bring comfort and joy to many. Her lovingly illustrated books are translated into foreign languages, her original artworks and limited edition prints collected worldwide.

While exhibiting her artwork locally and abroad from a young age, Meredith graduated from The University of Sydney, majoring in Art History and Theory and Gender and Cultural Studies. Continuing her education as an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, Meredith frequently features in the media and public sphere discussing wellbeing and creativity in daily life.

Meredith lives with her husband and poodle Rudi on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula of Victoria. This year she is celebrating the re-release of her first title ‘Tucked In’ (Now, ‘Your Bed Loves You‘) and the launch of her new label ‘Love Meredith’ – Boutique giftware inspired by nature, and devoted to women’s wellbeing.

Reviews

[G.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

In a word: delightful. The book itself is seriously pretty, comes complete with a ribbon page marker, but will sit open on the counter anyway, if you ask it nicely.

To tell the truth, I haven’t made any of the recipes. It’s perfectly possible to eat vegan in Japan, but (obviously) Japanese-food vegan. Many of the recipes in The Art of Wellbeing require all sorts of off the beaten track ingredients, such as coconut yogurt, buckinis, maca (I never did work out what that is), quinoa, wild rice, as well as a vast array of nuts, all of which would be imported. If one is trying to go gently on the earth, reduce one’s carbon footprint, etc., living off imported food is not the way to go.

Still, one of the things I loved about the book is that the author doesn’t proscribe anything, and even her prescriptions are gentle. Some of the suggestions are a little wacky—as Gaston herself admits in her instructions for “activating nuts” (p. 47.) You’re supposed to soak nuts in water overnight, rinse, then dehydrate in a low oven until completely dry. I can’t imagine many people having the space on their kitchen counters for all those bowls of nuts soaking away, let alone the time to dry them out, or the fridge space to store them. And what, exactly, is being “activated” by all that effort?

Still, such wackiness is part of the charm of the book. There is also much to be inspired by. I liked her suggestions for meditation:

Above all, the experience of meditation is a gift to be enjoyed. Trying too hard to relax or punishing ourselves for our wandering thoughts will only cause us unnecessary woe! Our minds are designed to think and they will! Through meditation however we can quieten and slow down those racing thoughts creating a calmer environment, inside and around us, in which to live. (p. 31)

Also:

If you are ever feeling challenged, lost or untethered, take comfort in the rhythms of nature. …Take in the tiny, miraculous details of petals, leaves and little creatures. Let the timeless beauty of all these details enrich and inspire you. (p. 114)

I can imagine my mother, who grew up on a farm in the Australian countryside and gardened all her life, agreeing with that.

Gaston also reminds us “each day is occasion enough”; and to “bring yourself back to now so you don’t miss your life!” (p. 155) Good advice.

[Kaitlyn Crozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

inspiration and mindfulness galore!!! I LOVE this book! The recipes are fantastic and I especially love the little meditations and visualizations. If you suffer anxiety disorder, like me, then I recommend reading and following her little mindful meditations in here. I recorded a few of them with my voice and do one according to my needs. If I'm waking up, if I'm feeling exhausted or unmotivated, if im in an anxious near panic moment or after a panic attack! She provides great visualizations and they have really helped me out. Thank you Meredith!

[Izzy Rizzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

good for the soul man . New year new me

[Donna Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The design of it is just so cute and colourful, I love it! I also really like the all the information in the book, the recipes are gorgeous! (I highly recommend the mango smoothie!)
If you’re looking for a fun, easy to read, inspiring, beautiful book about living a healthy, holistic lifestyle I would definitely get this!

[Michelle T · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was inspirational but I was hoping for something just a little...more. If it were not for the pictures and visuals this would have been a 2/5 for me.

[Wendy Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the prettiest books I've ever read. A total pleasure. Loved it.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to read with lots of sensible and useful information but very basic.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was given to me as a Christmas present and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I liked the mixed nature of this book where healthy recipes intertwine with meditations, affirmations and other inspiring little notes with the addition of fun water colour images. It’s a book I would definitely come back to for the recipes and to practice more of the meditations and visualisations. I loved that it is an Australian book with a lengthy resources section containing references to books, websites, apps and movies to watch. There are many different ways to replenish and enrich your mind body and soul and this book is a fantastic place to start.

[Jaimie-Lee Xuereb · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me months to get through. I put it down for a week or two and picked it back up at least 5 times.

The illustrations of this book were amazing. I bought this book specifically because of the beautiful illustrations, even though I am not the biggest self help book fan. I thought I'd give it a go anyway.

I didn't hate the book at all but my one critique is that it gave too many recipes and most of these recipes seemed excessive and all used very similar ingredients. I felt as if I was reading a cookbook from front to back half the time.

However I did love the little beauty tips and learnt a lot about the multitude of uses for coconut oil.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It over flows with adorable illustrations and guidance for self care, positivity and general wellbeing. I treasure this books existence and I highly recommend it to everyone 💖

[Lilly Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this is a book you don’t ever finish but continually return to for a reset, a new idea, a meditation, a recipe, a lift 💕

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colourful, cute, quirky and full of helpful healthy advice for being a better you.
Sensible wisdom and plenty of tasty recipes to try.

[Amy :o) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I picked up on a whim. A quick peruse of the book gave me some real 'happy feels'. The colors, the artwork and even the fonts within the book made me smile. It's one of those books that you open up and it just gives you a feeling of 'wellbeing'.

This is a big book. It's not just full of cute, happy illustrations, but it also has so many great tidbits of information, recipes, visualizations, and meditations. The way it is organized is also so well done. There are sections on comfort, energizing yourself, nourishing yourself etc. That makes it so easy if you are looking for something specific.

I like to purchase books that give me those feelings of happiness and wellbeing. Those are books I go back to over and over. They are also the books I love to give as gifts. This is another one that I added to that collection.

Overall, this is a 5 start book for me. We need more happiness in this world and if a book gives me those feelings, then I am all for it and would recommend it to all.

[CosyReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

💎I found this gem at the book store and I absolutely love it! It is filled with the most amazing positive energy and the pages are simply gorgeous.✨ When I read this book I feel so calm and connected to my higher self, I highly recommend it to anyone interested in spirituality & wellness. I'm so happy I found this author and I'm so excited to find that she has made other books just like this. I can't wait to pick them up 🌸

[Lori Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book just as much as I've enjoyed all Meredith Gaston's others. The combination of art and inspirational writing are the perfect combination. The illustrations make me smile. In this book, she also includes recipes, meditations and more to think about well being in a holistic way. This would be a great book for a friend.

[Tracey King · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gentle and beautiful book to read. Easy to follow with some lovely ideas about wellbeing and how we can change our thinking.
This book is full of beautiful illustrations and set out in a way that you can dip in and out each day for a taste of change.
Happy reading!

[Keira Mckenzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book itself is great, the artwork is absolutely stunning.

Only downside is a lot of the recipes she provides I am allergic to as well as the ingredients and suggestions are a tad difficult in this current economy.

I loved the meditations to utilise and advice.

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a lovely mixture of a self-help and recipe book. The watercolour art featured all throughout is as beautiful as the cover suggests and made me a very content reader.

[Nastazia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated and wonderfully written. I would describe this book as half self care and half recipe based to wholly bring you a wonderful book on wellness.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 - those illustrations though... 5 stars

[Patrycja Guardiani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations 😍

[Jeannie May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly delightful! Something to refer to daily. Love everything about this beautiful book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the notes and explanations. Haven't tried all the recipes get but I'm looking forward to it.

[Lauren Nesbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book, stunning illustrations!

[Naomi Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with nourishing healthy recipes and beautiful meditations. I loved the illustrations in this book. A easy ready for when you feel like chilling out and relaxing.

[Jo Scarfe]

A beautiful gentle book with a lot of lovely ideas, recipes and thoughts.

[Alinora Tame · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bit wishy washy

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely Illustrations, but repetitive written content.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning book, inside and out.
I borrowed this from the library, but will now be buying it for my personal collection.
So pretty, and such beautiful recipes.

[Meagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this in our little book exchange. The loveliest little book. It’s served me as a nice reminder of lots of little things that are good for the soul.