We know one thing about our audience- and that is that you all love to read. We launched our Canadian fiction book club, but for those of you who prefer to read non-fiction books like self-help, memoirs and books about growing you business, this one’s for you!

Welcome to your newest instalment of Read the North, the all Canadian non-fiction book club.

Just like our sister fiction club- inside you will find:

A book recommendation
Discussion questions to dive deep into the book
And a hosting guide complete with a cookie recipe

Introducing… Feel Better by Dr. Shahana Alibhai

“Emotions are not problems to be solved; they are signals to be understood.”

February is the month of love and emotions, so let us discuss our emotions through Dr. Shahana Alibhai’s book *Feel Better*

Summary:

Feel better is a practical guide to understanding and managing emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Drawing from her experience as a family physician, her own journey through postpartum depression, and her work with thousands of patients, Dr. Alibhai presents a framework called the "4 A's"; Acknowledge, Awareness, Acceptance, and Action to help readers recognize emotional patterns, resist suppressing feelings, and use emotions as informational clues rather than obstacles. The book introduces concepts like the Emotional Bed, the Optimal Health Pyramid, and techniques to help readers build emotional intelligence and resilience.

Perfect for readers who love:

Anyone feeling stuck or wanting to understand why they react the way they do
People who feel overwhelmed by their emotions
New parents, especially mothers
People who prefer science-backed, practical advice over abstract theory

Your Hosting Guide

Discussion questions:

Which of the 4 A's (Acknowledge, Awareness, Acceptance, Action) is hardest for you and why?
How does viewing emotions as information rather than problems change your relationship with difficult feelings?
What patterns did you discover about your own "Emotional Bed" and emotional triggers?
Are you more like rubber or glass when facing adversity? What shaped your resilience?
What's one specific change you will make in how you manage your emotions after reading this book?

A cookie that fits the theme:

Sometimes the simplest things bring the most joy, and we need to notice and savor them. A sugar cookie is not fancy or complicated, but when you pause to enjoy it; the sweetness, the texture, and sharing with others you are practicing the awareness and presence the book teaches.

Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cup unsalted butter (if you have salted then just omit the salt)
1 Cup granulated white sugar.
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups all purpose flour

Instructions:

PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
In the bowl of your mixer, ADD butter, sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. BEAT for 3-4 minutes until smooth and well combined.
Then COMBINE flour first, then baking powder and then salt a little at a time to the wet ingredients.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If the dough looks crumbly keep mixing for 30 seconds to 1 minute longer. If the dough still looks too crumbly, turn out the dough onto a countertop surface, flour surface as needed. Wet your hands and finish off kneading the dough by hand.
This recipe does not require you to chill the dough. Divide into workable batches (2-3 chunks), roll out onto a floured surface, and cut with heart shaped cookie cutter. You want these cookies to be on the thicker side (closer to 1/4 inch).
Bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet until firm enough to transfer to a cooling rack.
Little tip: I love sugar cookies just as is and sometimes prefer to eat them as a simple cookie dipped in my coffee in the morning. You do not have to ice them all the time.

If You’re Exhausted for “No Reason,” Read This