Talk Healthy Today

Yoga pants aren't just for women. Well, maybe the pants are, but certainly not yoga classes.Yoga pants aren't just for women. Well, maybe the pants are, but certainly not yoga classes. Jake Panasevich found his love for yoga after being dragged, kicking and screaming, to his first class. As he began to practice it more regularly, Jake found that his chronic pain was eliminated, and he lost weight, slept better, and felt more connected.  Now, Jake is an instructor who helps people of all shapes and sizes -- both men and women -- achieve the benefits that accompany yoga. Jake's unique approach is a practical philosophy of achieving depth and connection; there's no "preaching" about it. He believes yoga doesn't have to include a spiritual or mystical element, which a lot of guys tend to get turned off by. His teachings aim for you to be a better man, dad, husband, etc., all while allowing for the physical perks. Listen in as Jake joins host Lisa Davis to discuss his yoga philosophy, why he holds men-only "broga" courses, and how anyone can realize both physical and mental/emotional gains by practicing yoga.

The grassroots plant-based nutrition movement has helped foster a growing community of whole food, plant-based eaters.The grassroots plant-based nutrition movement has helped foster a growing community of whole food, plant-based eaters. In her new book, The PlantPure Kitchen: 130 Mouthwatering, Whole Food Recipes and Tips for a Plant-Based Life, Kim Campbell lends advice about the best natural sweeteners, the most useful kitchen tools for plant-based cooking, vegan-friendly substitutions for making recipes gluten-free, and a whole lot more. Kim joins host Lisa Davis to share tips on meal planning, key kitchen tools to make preparation simple, pantry staples to make easy and delicious dishes, and some of her favorite recipes. Buy on Amazon The PlantPure Kitchen: 130 Mouthwatering, Whole Food Recipes and Tips for a Plant-Based Life

There's nothing more devastating than losing someone you love. You may feel numb, empty, and even crazy... like you'll never escape the emotional distress.There's nothing more devastating than losing someone you love. You may feel numb, empty, and even crazy... like you'll never escape the emotional distress. Reverend Ted Wiard, LPCC, CGC, who experienced incredible losses early in his life, wants you to know that you're not confined, nor defined, by the parts of your story.  Ted nearly died from a rare disease. His brother perished in a shipwreck in Alaska. His wife was diagnosed with cancer at age 28 and lived only two more years. Shortly after, his two young daughters and mother-in-law were killed in a car crash.  Ted quit his job and found himself wandering the world, contemplating suicide. At one point, he checked himself into a rehab center, even though he did not struggle with either drugs or alcohol. He just needed those 28 days to start to reflect and heal. His experience doing so spurred Ted to eventually found Golden Willow Retreat to help others who are dealing with grief and loss. One of the things Ted teaches is that when faced with loss, your mind takes a resistance approach. All of a sudden, you have to look at yourself and who you really are. This shattering experience (like Humpty Dumpty) forces you to look at all the pieces of your life and choose which to keep and which to let go. That resistance also appears in the grieving process, because you may connote grief with "getting over it" or having the loss be okay. The story doesn't have to be okay, but grief allows YOU to eventually be alright. Ted joins host Lisa Davis to discuss his own story, how he now views those losses in his life, and his "phases" of grief (loosely based on Elisabeth Kubler Ross's stages of grief). Insulation Protest Cognitive "Connecting of Dots" Surrender Acknowledgement of a Fact Unknown... Healing, Self-Realization Relocation of the Physical to the Meta-Physical Buy on Amazon Witnessing Ted: The Journey to Potential Through Grief & Loss

Of all the vices in the world, we cannot get rid of food. So, then, the challenge becomes choosing the right foods to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy body.Of all the vices in the world, we cannot get rid of food. We have to eat to stay alive. So, then, the challenge becomes choosing the right foods to maintain a healthy weight and a healthy body. Erin Macdonald, RDN, co-creator of the Whole Life-Guide to Lasting Weight Loss, believes weight loss is much more than how much you eat and how much you move. It takes the right combination of four key pillars to help you achieve your goals. Nutrition Fitness Sleep Stress When you can address all of these pillars, not only will you experience weight loss and more energy, but chronic inflammation decreases and you feel better overall. Again, this program goes far beyond the concept of weight loss. Any size person will benefit. If you're skinny, but you eat processed foods, you're no healthier than someone who is overweight. The goal at the end of the day should be to feel healthy and have a positive quality of life. Listen in as Erin joins Lisa to explain the program... how it works, the results she's seen individuals achieve, and why it's important to look at health in a "whole life" perspective.

Life can unfold in many different ways. Maybe you're not supposed to know all the answers.Are you the type of person who has to know exactly what's going to happen, moment to moment? Allison Carmen spent many years fighting a powerful addiction. It wasn’t drugs, alcohol or fame. It was an addiction to certainty. We all create stories to structure our lives, to varying degrees. But, some individuals are so attached to those stories that when life doesn't follow the plan, they completely fall apart.  Allison finally came to understand the beauty of "maybe" and how much it can open you up. Life can unfold in many different ways. Maybe you're not supposed to know all the answers. Not knowing doesn't equal being unsafe.  If you're not happy today, uncertainty is your best friend. It's where all your hope and possibilities lie.  Much of the angst comes from attaching to a plan and an outcome. Instead of shutting down when things don't go according to that plan, open yourself up to all the wonderful things that can happen. Try to separate the moment from the projection. Maybe doesn't mean you're not going to suffer. There will be tough times. Allow the negative experience, but also allow yourself to realize the next moments are unknown and hold promise.  Listen in as Allison joins Lisa to explain the empowerment of "maybe" and how you can use uncertainty to fill your life with wonderful, beautiful moments.

If you don't want to give up animal products entirely, it's important to reduce your intake.If you don't want to give up animal products entirely, it's important to reduce your intake. Along the spectrum of "Meatless Mondays" to veganism, there are plenty of ways to impact the planet in a positive way.  Brian Kateman, founder of the Reducetarian Foundation, has always been a big proponent of environmental sustainability, as well as animal rights. But, he got tired of being called a "lazy vegetarian" or "cheating vegetarian," so he came up with the term reducetarian. With this approach, no one is asking you to become a vegetarian or vegan, and it's not about being perfect. Eating meat is not an all-or-nothing premise. Rather, the goal is to eat as many plant-based meals as possible. Brian's message is to educate the public, but also equip you with tools to make the transition as simple as possible. For instance, instead of pointing out what's missing in terms of meat at the dinner table, focus on the new and tasty recipes. The Reducetarian Solution: How the Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing the Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and the Planet, edited by Brian, contains delicious recipes that use truly simple swaps, as well as more than 70 original essays from influential thinkers on how the simple act of cutting 10% or more of the meat from one's diet can transform the life of the reader, animals, and the planet. Listen in as Brian joins host Lisa Davis to explain why it's important to reduce your consumption of animal products, as well as share information from the book. Buy on Amazon The Reducetarian Solution: How the Surprisingly Simple Act of Reducing the Amount of Meat in Your Diet Can Transform Your Health and the Planet

Too often, people are content to live within the confines of a comfort zone.Too often, people are content to live within the confines of their comfort zone. But, if you're not scared, you're what author JJ Virgin calls "playing small."  It's time to reframe your approach to fear. Being completely fearless is simply not achievable. However, your comfort zone can expand, but not unless you constantly challenge yourself. Your mindset is a muscle too; it needs constant training. Are you hesitant to take action? Waiting for perfection is just a way to procrastinate. Even if you're not "ready," JJ says you should take courageous, inspired, imperfect action. After all, the biggest part of success is knowing that you're going to fail, all along the way. JJ joins host Lisa Davis to share her own journey into developing a miracle mindset, as well as how important forgiveness and gratitude is for living a happy, healthy life.

Being too strict in your diet can set you up for failure. Perhaps it's time to loosen up a little?Being too strict in your diet can set you up for failure. Perhaps it's time to loosen up a little? A self-proclaimed "recovering perfectionist," Nealy Fischer, aka The Flexible Chef, takes a more practical approach to mealtime and health in general. The key is finding the balance between excess and deprivation. Adapt whatever you see as ideal to make it work for you and your family. Nealy advises trying to use ingredients already in your pantry and fridge, instead of hitting up the grocery store every few days. Get creative! Experiment and play, and don't be afraid of "flops" from time to time. Don't forget to plan and schedule; you can bend a plan, but if you have no plans, you might encounter disaster. Worried that your kids are heading in the wrong nutritional direction? Model good eating behaviors and make sure the right choices are readily available at home. You can be in control of a large percentage of a week's choices.  Listen in as Nealy joins host Lisa Davis to discuss a more flexible approach in the kitchen, including some of her favorite recipes. She also explains how she and her entire family realized health improvements by going gluten free... but in the "clean" way of doing so (eating real foods, not the processed gluten-free foods of today).

Your bones are made of calcium, so therefore you should load up on calcium... right? You're missing a big part of the picture and may be putting your health in danger.When doctors began uncovering the concerns surrounding osteoporosis, they focused heavily on calcium consumption and supplementation. After all, your bones are made of calcium, so therefore you should load up on calcium... right? Since then, studies have shown that women who take calcium supplements only are at a higher risk of heart disease. What is the correlation? Calcium can precipitate in tissues and cause build-up of atherosclerosis. A balance is needed for the appropriate contraction and relaxation in muscles, the heart muscle included. In terms of bone health, you need a lot of other nutrients; collagen, for example. Magnesium allows the bones to be more supple and less brittle.  Unfortunately, magnesium is difficult to measure in the blood. A "normal" range based on blood serum levels might be anything but. Symptoms of a magnesium deficiency include: migraines, muscle twitching and spasms, leg cramps (Charlie horse), esophageal reflux (GERD), high blood pressure, angina, constipation, depression, fibromyalgia, IBS, insomnia, kidney stones, PMS, seizures, even infertility due to spams in the Fallopian tubes. Sufferers may take prescription or OTC drugs to address these symptoms, but those drugs often deplete magnesium levels even more, furthering the vicious cycle. An optimal dose depends on one's deficiency, but no less than 600 mg per day and up to 1,000-1,200 mg per day. The mineral can have a laxative effect if you take too much, so look for a version that will prevent that effect. For example, magnesium oxide is especially harsh on your bowels, with only four percent of the mineral being absorbed by the body. Listen in as Dr. Carolyn Dean joins host Lisa Davis to explain why magnesium is so essential for not only bone health, but overall health as well, and how you can start healing your health issues simply by taking into consideration a potential magnesium deficiency.  Buy on Amazon Atrial Fibrillation: Remineralize Your Heart

As hard as you try to eat whole, well-rounded meals, sometimes you only have time for a snack like an energy bar.As hard as you try to eat whole, well-rounded meals, sometimes you only have time for a snack like an energy bar.  Instead of investing in supermarket brands, why not make your own? It may sound labor-intensive, but there are actually very simple recipes with incredibly basic ingredients. Plus, you know exactly what you're eating. In Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook, Camilla V. Saulsbury features do-it-yourself power bar recipes that maximize taste and nutrition, minimize cost, and eliminate junky additives. Jam-packed with the best good-for-you ingredients and all-natural, high-quality proteins, the book's recipes cover protein bars, endurance training bars and gels, granola bars, raw bars, and more. Whether you're training for a triathlon, packing a lunchbox, or just need an afternoon pick-me-up, you'll find recipes you'll love, and nutritional info to boot. The recipes are also 100% soy-free and completely adaptable to gluten-free and vegan diets. Fill Your Power Hungry Pantry: Dried fruits and dates: great for sweetening/flavor Natural sugars: honey, maple syrup Whole grains: rolled oats, quinoa, amaranth, millet Protein powders: great way to boost the protein; use whey-based, plant-based, egg-based, etc. Beans, lentils and legumes Chocolate chips Listen in as Camilla joins host Lisa Davis to discuss the various recipes in the book, as well as how you can get started making your own healthy, nutritious bars with little effort. Buy on Amazon Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook

If you love cheese and feel like you could never get away from it, you might be surprised at the benefits of doing so.The average American eats 35 pounds of cheese per year. That adds up to approximately 60,000 calories. If you love cheese and feel like you could never get away from it, you might be surprised at the benefits of doing so: weight loss (on average about 15 pounds) clearer skin migraines disappear joint pain diminishes fertility issues resolved Why does cheese have a negative impact on your health and wellness? According to Neal Barnard, MD, author of The Cheese Trap: How Breaking a Surprising Addiction Will Help You Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Get Healthy, estrogen is one culprit. While thought to be biologically trace levels in cows' milk, this sex hormone becomes concentrated when milk is turned into cheese. Men may experience reduced sperm count, girls may hit puberty much earlier than typical, and post-menopausal women may have estrogen in their blood. Another issue arises from the morphine-like compounds that are liberated upon consumption, which are strong enough to get people "hooked" on cheese. Dr. Barnard advises vegan cheese (and milk) alternatives, such as almond-based, soy-based, and cashew-based options. These are not necessarily lower in calories, but they're hormone-free. You can also use avocado on your salad instead of Feta for that "fatty" flavor and nutritional yeast on your pizza to replace mozzarella.   Listen in as Dr. Barnard joins host Lisa Davis to explain why cheese is so bad for you, as well as the myriad of health benefits you might realize when breaking the cheese trap. Buy on Amazon The Cheese Trap: How Breaking a Surprising Addiction Will Help You Lose Weight, Gain Energy, and Get Healthy

If you're approaching a Paleo way of eating with that "caveman" mentality of "all meat, all the time," you probably won't realize the benefits of a more holistic Paleo mindset.If you're approaching a Paleo way of eating with that "caveman" mentality of "all meat, all the time," you probably won't realize the benefits of a more holistic Paleo mindset.  For example, Paleo is low-carb by default, replacing those carbs with plenty of colorful, fresh vegetables.  Experts in Paleo recipes, Charles and Julie Mayfield, have a new book, Weeknight Paleo: 100+ Easy and Delicious Family-Friendly Meals. The book is packed with easy, delicious, quick, family-friendly Paleo recipes for dinner, featuring plenty of lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. For those new to Paleo or in need of a refresher, the Mayfields list the equipment, appliances, and pantry staples you’ll need to set up a Paleo kitchen, and provide prep tips, meal plans, and shopping lists to organize weekly meals. Here are just a few examples of the delicious fare highlighted in the book: Quickfire Meals: Dishes that can be prepped, cooked, and served in under 30 minutes, such as Chicken Salad Four Ways, Summer Roll in a Bowl, and Trout in Parchment with Tomatoes and Basil Sauce. One-Dish Meals: Less prep and less cleanup with these simple recipes for Oven-Roasted Steaks with Broccoli and Cauliflower, One-Pan Fajitas, and Turkey Cutlets with Stuffing. Family Favorites: Top picks from the Mayfield’s own household, such as Chicken Nuggests Redux, Shrimp and Grits, and Wonton-ish Soup. Fix It and Forget It!: Meals that can be made in your slow cooker, Instant Pot or Dutch oven like Pork Tinga, Chicken Verde, and Slow Cooker Short Ribs. Get Your Veggies: Carrot Salad, Lime Chipotle Slaw, and other basic salads as well as Mashed Sweet Potatoes with creative variations. Sweets and Treats: Recipes to satisfy a celebratory sweet tooth like Lemon Curd Bites, Apple Crisps with Whipped Coconut Cream, and Flourless Chocolate Mini Cakes. Listen in as Charles joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the book, as well as why he and Julie and their whole family benefit from following a Paleo lifestyle. Buy on Amazon Weeknight Paleo: 100+ Easy and Delicious Family-Friendly Meals

Discover a new depth to your yoga practice and a new level of dedication, meaning, and happiness in your life.A worsening diagnosis of ulcerative colitis led author Brian Leaf to turn to the practice of yoga, which eased his symptoms and allowed him to return to remission.  Yoga also helped Brian in other health areas, both physically and mentally/emotionally, including ADD/ADHD. In his new book, The Teacher Appears: 108 Prompts to Power Your Yoga Practice, which is an illustrated journal of 108 prompts, Brian guides readers to deepen their yoga practice with dristi, mudra, and pranayama; to explore their uncomfortable edges; to cultivate intuition; and, simply, to long for the divine, as they experience the true meaning of yoga. Brian joins host Lisa Davis to help you discover a new depth to your yoga practice and a new level of dedication, meaning, and happiness in your life. Buy on Amazon The Teacher Appears: 108 Prompts to Power Your Yoga Practice

Anxiety in the kitchen is quite common and has led to many folks ordering in more often than utilizing the stove.Anxiety in the kitchen is quite common and has led to many folks ordering in more often than utilizing the stove. However, Patricia Wells, author of My Master Recipes: 165 Recipes to Inspire Confidence in the Kitchen, there are some simple fundamentals you can incorporate to ease the burden. Organization and preparation is key. Having everything together and ready makes the experience much simpler. There's nothing worse than starting a recipe and discovering you don't have all the ingredients.  Also, the simple act of "cleaning up" keeps you calmer, more organized, and it may even allow your food to taste better. When your kitchen is a pig-pen, it makes you nervous and is reflected in your end result.  You can take your dishes to the next level if you understand and differentiate various terms and techniques. Each of the recipes in Patricia's book teaches particular techniques -- blanching, searing, simmering, sweating, steaming, braising, deep-frying -- with additional recipes that take your skills in directions both savory and sweet, simple and profound... giving you the knowledge and assurance to expand your cooking even further. Listen in as Patricia joins host Lisa Davis to explain some fundamental factors of cooking. Buy on Amazon My Master Recipes: 165 Recipes to Inspire Confidence in the Kitchen

If you're looking for a new fitness activity, but don't necessarily enjoy sweating through reps at the gym or hopping on the treadmill, a dance workout might be the way to go.If you're looking for a new fitness activity, but don't necessarily enjoy sweating through reps at the gym or hopping on the treadmill, a dance workout might be the way to go. Autumn Calabrese is a celebrity trainer, best-selling author, and working mom. Her new Country Heat Dance workout is based in the cardio dance fitness model.  While the name might conjure up images of line dancing, the varying routines have been carefully constructed by Autumn to focus on certain body parts, as well as provide a whole-body workout. The good news is that you don't have to be a dancer... even those with two "left feet" can participate. And, with no reps to count, it's a nice way to give your brain a break as well. Autumn also discusses with host Lisa Davis her cooking show, FIXATE™ Cooking Show, which she hosts with her brother, Chef Bobby Calabrese, to bring innovative, satisfying food to those who want to eat well and lose weight.