Books to feed the body,mind,and spirit
Welcome to my Web Site
Reading feeds the spirit. ~ Ruth Thompson We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. ~ Anas Nin There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
Ruth Thompson’s books are imbued with her value for community, supportive relationships, holistic health, and spiritual growth. From an early age, Thompson read avidly, coming home from the local public library every week with a stack of novels. She espouses lifelong learning and has joked that if it paid well, she would just stay in school. Education has been a big part of her life, having completed a BA in psychology, a Master of Social Work, and a diploma in natural nutrition. In private practice as a holistic nutritionist for twenty years, she spent the previous twenty-five years as a social worker specializing in community development and social planning. Thompson’s passion for learning inevitably led her to writing. She was also inspired by her mother, who spent the last twenty years of her life writing memoirs and essays. Thompson has poured into her books a wealth of experience with health care from her personal and professional life. She wrote her first book, You Can Be Well , to help readers be proactive about their health, knowing that many will not consult with a holistic health practitioner but will read a self-help book. To further inspire readers to take charge of their health, Thompson took on the challenge of writing a novel, the first fictional work with a heroine who is an alternative health practitioner. With A Heart for Healing, her readers will find a relatable heroine who, while embroiled in family drama, perseveres in a profession that is often discredited, even vilified . She is currently working on a sequel. As to Thompson’s reading preferences, they span fiction and non-fiction authors, including Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova, Mitch Albom, Barbara Kingsolver, Richard Paul Evans, Miriam Toews, Louise Hay, and Marianne Williamson.
About The Author
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Order your copy now (Opens in a new Window)
My Books
A Heart for Healing A Woman’s Story of Perseverance Georgina has dreamed of being the fourth generation in her family to practice medicine ever since she was a little girl. Her medical school experience lasts a scant two years before she gets married and starts a family. When the children have grown, Georgina struggles with the decision of whether to return to medical school. In the end, she realizes her passions lie in alternative health, which is what had solved her daughter’s health issues years ago. She moves in that direction, only to be faced with one obstacle after another. Her erstwhile supportive husband becomes resentful of the time and money she needs to invest in pursuing her dream, her father all but disowns her, and she struggles to find her niche in a practice that is fraught with suspicion at best and threatened by legal issues at worst. Armed with a firm belief in alternative health, faith that she is responding to her calling in life, and the encouragement of a few supportive people, Georgina strives to balance family and career while becoming the healer of her childhood dreams
Rose Scapin Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars It is a very engaging read! Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2022 A   Heart   for   Healing   delves   into   the   intricate   and   delicate   relationship   between   natural,   holistic   health   and   conventional   western   medicine.   It   is   a   very   engaging read.   I   was   taken   on   a   journey   with   Georgina   as   she   grows   and   evolves   in   the   world   of   natural   health.   As   the   story   progresses,   I   found   great   satisfaction   in Georgina’s   accomplishments   in   promoting   engagement   and   collaboration   between   natural   &   conventional   medicine.   A   must   read   for   health   professionals   and   all those interested in understanding the role of natural health and western medicine in today’s society. Rose Scapin CEO, Natural Health Marketing RHN Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Reflexologist, RPN Registered Practical Nurse Amazon Customer Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars A Woman's Dream Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2022 I   was   hooked   after   the   first   chapter.   The   plot   and   characters   were   so   true   to   life   that   I   found   myself   always   engaged   and   ready   to   read   more.   The   vocabulary   was intelligent   and   fitted   the   characters   in   a   very   realistic   way.   I   have   always   been   interested   in   wellness   and   healing   and   so   the   title   made   me   wanted   to   find   out   how the   heart   and   healing   work   together   to   make   people   complete.   The   main   character   was   able   to   overcome   many   hurtles   in   her   life   with   the   help   of   her   friends.   I could relate to the story and this book made me feel satisfied. We all have dreams and this book taught me that if we perservere, we can accomplish our life goals. Joan N. Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent novel that I highly recommend. Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2022 Ruth Thompson’s A Heart for Healing, is a cleverly written and engaging novel that entices the reader in both the professional and personal life of Georgina as she becomes a naturopath practitioner.The novel flows expertly, without forcing the reader to make a choice, as it shines light on a vision of holistic health practices and mainstream medicine as complementary care options.The author’s writing style and character development made it hard to stop reading - I was constantly wanting to know what would happen next. Reviews from goodreads.com Cherylynn Desjardins Following   Georgina’s   career   decision   and   the   path   to   becoming   a   naturopath,   and   the   importance   of   naturopathy   alongside   traditional   medicine   for   a   more comprehensive   model   for   patient   care   -   I   pictured   Georgina   as   a   Hallmark   character   and   thought   this   could   be   an   opportunity   to   help   further   promote   a   wider view   of   health   through   heart-warming   storytelling   that   educates   and   entertains.   The   author   pulls   on   her   knowledge   and   takes   us   deeper   into   understanding options   we   have   when   we’re   looking   at   our   own   health.   I   think   this   book   is   important   and   informative,   and   I   was   left   wondering   -   ok,   what’s   Georgina   going   to   do next. Oh and there’s a retreat she writes about, not to give anything away BUT if they had these I’d like to go! Lauree Cole A   Heart   for   Healing   is   an   enjoyable   read   and   through   her   writing   the   author   reinforced   to   me   as   a   reader   that   choice,   consequence,   courage   and   conviction   are   all required   to   be   all   we   can   be.   Change   is   constant   in   our   lives   and   we   need   to   be   reminded   to   give   ourselves   permission   to   follow   our   dreams   and   the   main character Georgina reminds us of that. Thank you Ruth. Joan Nelson rated Ruth   Thompson’s   A   Heart   for   Healing,   is   a   cleverly   written   and   engaging   novel   that   entices   the   reader   in   both   the   professional   and   personal   life   of   Georgina   as she becomes a naturopath practitioner. The   novel   flows   expertly,   without   forcing   the   reader   to   make   a   choice,   as   it   shines   light   on   a   vision   of   holistic   health   practices   and   mainstream   medicine   as complementary care options. The author’s writing style and character development made it hard to stop reading - I was constantly wanting to know what would happen next. An excellent novel that I highly recommend. Review on Instagram Telma Rocha Georgie   puts   her   dreams   and   hopes   of   becoming   a   doctor   on   hold   to   support   her   husband   in   building   his   accounting   firm   and   raising   their   children.   During   that unselfish   time,   her   one   lingering   thought   is   whether   she’ll   be   able   to,   someday,   resume   med   school.   When   a   chance   for   her   to   do   so   emerges,   Georgie   questions her   core   values   and   asked   herself   if   being   a   medical   doctor   is   what   she   wants   or   what   her   father   groomed   her   for.   Searching   deep   into   her   daughter’s   mysterious illness   and   what   finally   made   her   well,   Georgie   finds   she   wants   to   help   people,   but   through   a   more   holistic   approach   using   naturopath   medicine.   Will   her   family stand   by   her   like   she   did   for   them   for   so   many   years?   This   story   was   gripping,   and   educational.   I   learned   a   lot   about   the   naturopath   community   and   profession. I’ve   never   been   to   a   naturopath,   but   I   practice   many   of   the   core   principles,   such   as   using   food   for   medicine,   living   a   healthy   lifestyle,   etc…so   I   related   to   a   lot   of the   principles.   The   author   drew   from   her   own   personal   experiences   and   created   a   well   rounded   set   of   characters   and   storyline   that   left   me   feeling   like   I   was reading   about   a   real   family.   At   its   core   this   book   is   about   family   dynamics,   growing   (spiritually   and   mentally)   and   remaining   true   to   oneself.   I   really   enjoyed   it and wanted to know more about Georgie’s life when the book ended. If you’re open to learning about complimentary methods of healing, I recommend this. Well done and congratulations. @ruththompson_author Review on FriesenPress.com Chris Weaver Found   myself   easily   absorbed   in   the   main   character’s   life   changing   choices.   Hard   to   put   down   as   I   wanted   to   know   if   her   holistic   health   pursuits   would   work   for herself, family and other relationships. Great read! Review on Facebook Lynda Kilpatrick I   really   related   to   the   struggles   Georgina   faced   making   difficult   decisions   that   impacted   her   family   and   herself.   Ruth   does   an   excellent   job   of   introducing   us   to holistic   medicine   and   does   it   in   a   non   "preachy"   way.   The   premise   of   trying   to   meld   the   field   of   traditional   medicine   with   alternatives   is   very   well   done.   There   are twists in the plot which makes the reader hope for a sequel. A great read!
Reviews ~ A Heart for Healing
I am a Canadian author writing books about holistic healing in both non-fiction and fiction genres. You will find my books entertain and inform, raise controversial health care issues, explore the complexities of family life, women's career struggles, and focus on a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual health. I welcome your comments and reviews.
Learn how to be proactive about your health care and be part of the most important shift in thinking of our time. Why do so many people suffer with nagging health issues? Why are the rates of serious disease climbing? How can we do better at preventing illness? Why are there conflicting views on what constitutes a “healthy” diet? These questions reflect a health care crisis that cannot be addressed without dramatic change. This cutting-edge book offers proven solutions from holistic nutrition. You Can Be Well has a message of hope: You have the capacity to be well; you need not resign yourself to living in ill health. But, there are challenges. Economic and political systems in North America support a health care system that waits until you are sick to intervene, an approach called “sick-care”. You don’t have to wait until you are sick to take charge of your health. This is only possible using the holistic approach outlined in these pages—one based on healthy diet, exercise, toxin-free living, and becoming emotionally balanced. Whether you currently enjoy good health or already suffer a health condition, you will discover your path to wellness here. “Eloquently transports medicine from an archaic symptom based allopathic model to one that gives readers hope and empowerment. It is the best, clearest and most comprehensive book I have ever read on holistic health.” ~Edward D. H. Schroeder, RMT Ruth Thompson has a wealth of experience in promoting health for individuals and communities. In 1992 she graduated with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. During her social work career she advocated for food security and safe, supportive neighbourhoods. After struggling to find answers to her daughter’s mysterious illness, she attended the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and, in 2004, became a Holistic Nutritionist. Since then she has developed a successful clinical practice in Cambridge, Ontario.
You Can be Well
Reviews ~ You Can Be Well 5.0 out of 5 By Edward D H Schroeder, RMT Format: Paperback Verified Purchase With unusual clarity, Ruth Thompson encourages us to shift our thinking to a more holistic, multifactorial and positive approach to chronic illness. You Can Be Well eloquently transports medicine from an archaic symptom based allopathic model to one that gives readers hope and empowerment. It is the best, clearest and most comprehensive book I have ever read on holistic health. Physicians and patients alike will benefit from reading this book. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Debora Palmieri, RHN "You Can Be Well" is a thorough and comprehensive guide to nutrition. It is packed with important information and discusses the many challenges people face nowadays when it comes to eating well and being well. The author offers easy, practical steps that anyone can follow to begin making health-supportive choices and thereby improving ones health. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I would recommend this book to those looking to develop a greater understanding of holistic nutrition and wellness. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Maria Format: Paperback I highly recommend Ruth Thompsons book “You Can Be Well” to everyone; The book provides clear and concise direction towards making better choices towards our health with easy to follow instructions. The benefits of having this book on hand are numerous as it is packed with information that has already made a substantial difference towards my own health. Let “You Can Be Well” By Ruth Thompson be your Guide. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Myra Format: Paperback I enjoyed reading this holistic nutrition guide. It is well thought out, providing factual and insightful knowledge and tools to assist you in finding the right balance in achieving your healthy lifestyle. This is an excellent resource that I will keep on hand. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Kay Crawford There is a mountain of useful information packed into this little book. Anyone interested in good health or people with health challenges that need support should read this book. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Kathy Holland What a well written book which is easily a reference later when needed. It has provided tremendous insight to the diet choices we make, misconceptions clarified, amongst other areas of the book discussing better health and wellness. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Jane Christensen I did enjoy reading your book and believe that it will be a good overview for those who are suffering from being unwell without any idea what is causing them problems.
Other Publications
A Collection of Short Stories and Poems from Local Authors Click on the cover to order
Faith FM 94.3 Interview
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Updated Sept 08, 2025
Books to feed the body,mind,and spirit
Welcome to my Web Site
Reading feeds the spirit. ~ Ruth Thompson We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect. ~ Anas Nin There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are. ~ W. Somerset Maugham
Ruth Thompson’s books are imbued with her value for community, supportive relationships, holistic health, and spiritual growth. From an early age, Thompson read avidly, coming home from the local public library every week with a stack of novels. She espouses lifelong learning and has joked that if it paid well, she would just stay in school. Education has been a big part of her life, having completed a BA in psychology, a Master of Social Work, and a diploma in natural nutrition. In private practice as a holistic nutritionist for twenty years, she spent the previous twenty-five years as a social worker specializing in community development and social planning. Thompson’s passion for learning inevitably led her to writing. She was also inspired by her mother, who spent the last twenty years of her life writing memoirs and essays. Thompson has poured into her books a wealth of experience with health care from her personal and professional life. She wrote her first book, You Can Be Well , to help readers be proactive about their health, knowing that many will not consult with a holistic health practitioner but will read a self-help book. To further inspire readers to take charge of their health, Thompson took on the challenge of writing a novel, the first fictional work with a heroine who is an alternative health practitioner. With A Heart for Healing, her readers will find a relatable heroine who, while embroiled in family drama, perseveres in a profession that is often discredited, even vilified . She is currently working on a sequel. As to Thompson’s reading preferences, they span fiction and non-fiction authors, including Jodi Picoult, Lisa Genova, Mitch Albom, Barbara Kingsolver, Richard Paul Evans, Miriam Toews, Louise Hay, and Marianne Williamson.
About The Author
Order your copy now (Opens in a new Window)
Order your copy now (Opens in a new Window)
My Books
I am a Canadian author writing books about holistic healing in both non-fiction and fiction genres. You will find my books entertain and inform, raise controversial health care issues, explore the complexities of family life, women's career struggles, and focus on a balance of physical, emotional and spiritual health. I welcome your comments and reviews.
A Heart for Healing A Woman’s Story of Perseverance Georgina has dreamed of being the fourth generation in her family to practice medicine ever since she was a little girl. Her medical school experience lasts a scant two years before she gets married and starts a family. When the children have grown, Georgina struggles with the decision of whether to return to medical school. In the end, she realizes her passions lie in alternative health, which is what had solved her daughter’s health issues years ago. She moves in that direction, only to be faced with one obstacle after another. Her erstwhile supportive husband becomes resentful of the time and money she needs to invest in pursuing her dream, her father all but disowns her, and she struggles to find her niche in a practice that is fraught with suspicion at best and threatened by legal issues at worst. Armed with a firm belief in alternative health, faith that she is responding to her calling in life, and the encouragement of a few supportive people, Georgina strives to balance family and career while becoming the healer of her childhood dreams
Reviews ~ You Can Be Well 5.0 out of 5 By Edward D H Schroeder, RMT Format: Paperback Verified Purchase With unusual clarity, Ruth Thompson encourages us to shift our thinking to a more holistic, multifactorial and positive approach to chronic illness. You Can Be Well eloquently transports medicine from an archaic symptom based allopathic model to one that gives readers hope and empowerment. It is the best, clearest and most comprehensive book I have ever read on holistic health. Physicians and patients alike will benefit from reading this book. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Debora Palmieri, RHN "You Can Be Well" is a thorough and comprehensive guide to nutrition. It is packed with important information and discusses the many challenges people face nowadays when it comes to eating well and being well. The author offers easy, practical steps that anyone can follow to begin making health-supportive choices and thereby improving ones health. As a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, I would recommend this book to those looking to develop a greater understanding of holistic nutrition and wellness. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Maria Format: Paperback I highly recommend Ruth Thompsons book “You Can Be Well” to everyone; The book provides clear and concise direction towards making better choices towards our health with easy to follow instructions. The benefits of having this book on hand are numerous as it is packed with information that has already made a substantial difference towards my own health. Let “You Can Be Well” By Ruth Thompson be your Guide. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Myra Format: Paperback I enjoyed reading this holistic nutrition guide. It is well thought out, providing factual and insightful knowledge and tools to assist you in finding the right balance in achieving your healthy lifestyle. This is an excellent resource that I will keep on hand. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Kay Crawford There is a mountain of useful information packed into this little book. Anyone interested in good health or people with health challenges that need support should read this book. 5.0 out of 5 stars By Kathy Holland What a well written book which is easily a reference later when needed. It has provided tremendous insight to the diet choices we make, misconceptions clarified, amongst other areas of the book discussing better health and wellness. 4.0 out of 5 stars By Jane Christensen I did enjoy reading your book and believe that it will be a good overview for those who are suffering from being unwell without any idea what is causing them problems.
Other Publications
Reviews ~ A Heart for Healing
Rose Scapin Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars It is a very engaging read! Reviewed in Canada on December 12, 2022 A Heart for Healing delves into the intricate and delicate relationship between natural, holistic health and conventional western medicine. It is a very engaging read. I was taken on a journey with Georgina as she grows and evolves in the world of natural health. As the story progresses, I found great satisfaction in Georgina’s accomplishments in promoting engagement and collaboration between natural & conventional medicine. A must read for health professionals and all those interested in understanding the role of natural health and western medicine in today’s society. Rose Scapin CEO, Natural Health Marketing RHN Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Reflexologist, RPN Registered Practical Nurse Amazon Customer Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars A Woman's Dream Reviewed in Canada on December 3, 2022 I was hooked after the first chapter. The plot and characters were so true to life that I found myself always engaged and ready to read more. The vocabulary was intelligent and fitted the characters in a very realistic way. I have always been interested in wellness and healing and so the title made me wanted to find out how the heart and healing work together to make people complete. The main character was able to overcome many hurtles in her life with the help of her friends. I could relate to the story and this book made me feel satisfied. We all have dreams and this book taught me that if we perservere, we can accomplish our life goals. Joan N. Amazon Review 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent novel that I highly recommend. Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2022 Ruth Thompson’s A Heart for Healing, is a cleverly written and engaging novel that entices the reader in both the professional and personal life of Georgina as she becomes a naturopath practitioner.The novel flows expertly, without forcing the reader to make a choice, as it shines light on a vision of holistic health practices and mainstream medicine as complementary care options.The author’s writing style and character development made it hard to stop reading - I was constantly wanting to know what would happen next. Reviews from goodreads.com Cherylynn Desjardins Following Georgina’s career decision and the path to becoming a naturopath, and the importance of naturopathy alongside traditional medicine for a more comprehensive model for patient care - I pictured Georgina as a Hallmark character and thought this could be an opportunity to help further promote a wider view of health through heart- warming storytelling that educates and entertains. The author pulls on her knowledge and takes us deeper into understanding options we have when we’re looking at our own health. I think this book is important and informative, and I was left wondering - ok, what’s Georgina going to do next. Oh and there’s a retreat she writes about, not to give anything away BUT if they had these I’d like to go! Lauree Cole A Heart for Healing is an enjoyable read and through her writing the author reinforced to me as a reader that choice, consequence, courage and conviction are all required to be all we can be. Change is constant in our lives and we need to be reminded to give ourselves permission to follow our dreams and the main character Georgina reminds us of that. Thank you Ruth. Joan Nelson rated Ruth Thompson’s A Heart for Healing, is a cleverly written and engaging novel that entices the reader in both the professional and personal life of Georgina as she becomes a naturopath practitioner. The novel flows expertly, without forcing the reader to make a choice, as it shines light on a vision of holistic health practices and mainstream medicine as complementary care options. The author’s writing style and character development made it hard to stop reading - I was constantly wanting to know what would happen next. An excellent novel that I highly recommend. Review on Instagram Telma Rocha Georgie puts her dreams and hopes of becoming a doctor on hold to support her husband in building his accounting firm and raising their children. During that unselfish time, her one lingering thought is whether she’ll be able to, someday, resume med school. When a chance for her to do so emerges, Georgie questions her core values and asked herself if being a medical doctor is what she wants or what her father groomed her for. Searching deep into her daughter’s mysterious illness and what finally made her well, Georgie finds she wants to help people, but through a more holistic approach using naturopath medicine. Will her family stand by her like she did for them for so many years? This story was gripping, and educational. I learned a lot about the naturopath community and profession. I’ve never been to a naturopath, but I practice many of the core principles, such as using food for medicine, living a healthy lifestyle, etc…so I related to a lot of the principles. The author drew from her own personal experiences and created a well rounded set of characters and storyline that left me feeling like I was reading about a real family. At its core this book is about family dynamics, growing (spiritually and mentally) and remaining true to oneself. I really enjoyed it and wanted to know more about Georgie’s life when the book ended. If you’re open to learning about complimentary methods of healing, I recommend this. Well done and congratulations. @ruththompson_author Review on FriesenPress.com Chris Weaver Found myself easily absorbed in the main character’s life changing choices. Hard to put down as I wanted to know if her holistic health pursuits would work for herself, family and other relationships. Great read! Review on Facebook Lynda Kilpatrick I really related to the struggles Georgina faced making difficult decisions that impacted her family and herself. Ruth does an excellent job of introducing us to holistic medicine and does it in a non "preachy" way. The premise of trying to meld the field of traditional medicine with alternatives is very well done. There are twists in the plot which makes the reader hope for a sequel. A great read!
Learn how to be proactive about your health care and be part of the most important shift in thinking of our time. Why do so many people suffer with nagging health issues? Why are the rates of serious disease climbing? How can we do better at preventing illness? Why are there conflicting views on what constitutes a “healthy” diet? These questions reflect a health care crisis that cannot be addressed without dramatic change. This cutting-edge book offers proven solutions from holistic nutrition. You Can Be Well has a message of hope: You have the capacity to be well; you need not resign yourself to living in ill health. But, there are challenges. Economic and political systems in North America support a health care system that waits until you are sick to intervene, an approach called “sick- care”. You don’t have to wait until you are sick to take charge of your health. This is only possible using the holistic approach outlined in these pages—one based on healthy diet, exercise, toxin- free living, and becoming emotionally balanced. Whether you currently enjoy good health or already suffer a health condition, you will discover your path to wellness here. “Eloquently transports medicine from an archaic symptom based allopathic model to one that gives readers hope and empowerment. It is the best, clearest and most comprehensive book I have ever read on holistic health.” ~Edward D. H. Schroeder, RMT Ruth Thompson has a wealth of experience in promoting health for individuals and communities. In 1992 she graduated with a Master of Social Work from Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario. During her social work career she advocated for food security and safe, supportive neighbourhoods. After struggling to find answers to her daughter’s mysterious illness, she attended the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and, in 2004, became a Holistic Nutritionist. Since then she has developed a successful clinical practice in Cambridge, Ontario.
You Can be Well
A Collection of Short Stories and Poems from Local Authors Click on the cover to order
Faith FM 94.3 Interview
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Order your copy now
Updated Sept 08, 2025
Ruth Thompson - Author
Ruth Thompson - Author