Nourishing Lives, One Bite At A Time

📌 What if healing your body could also lead to building a business that challenges the food industry's biggest assumptions?

Could your “healthy” grocery choices be silently wrecking your gut? In this eye-opening episode, Primie Cegnar sits down with Cheryl, founder of Nutes Nutrition, to expose the hidden dangers of industrialized food processing — from microbiome destruction to misleading ingredient labels. Discover how Cheryl’s journey from illness to innovation uncovered the truth behind what we eat, and why freezing raw, whole foods may be the future of real health.

🌿 Top 3 Takeaways

1. Raw and Frozen = Real Nutrition Cheryl explains how flash freezing whole, raw ingredients preserves their nutritional integrity far better than the pasteurized, processed purees common in the industry.
2. The Microbiome Matters Our gut health is foundational to overall wellness. Cheryl breaks down how industrial food practices have harmed our microbiome and how ancestral, minimally processed diets can help restore it.
3. Challenging the Food Industry Norms From misleading labels to "natural" flavors with hidden additives, are exposing the myths and pioneering a transparent, whole-foods approach to plant-based health.

In this powerful episode of Nourishing Lives, hosts Primie Cegnar from StellaEats and Allison from COOCO are joined by holistic nutritionist Maya Eid for a deeply human conversation about the hidden damage of diet culture.

From chronic fatigue and digestive issues to a full-circle transformation, Maya shares her personal health journey and how the obsession with “clean eating” nearly broke her. They explore:

• The silent harm of under-eating and calorie obsession
• How diet culture equates body size with self-worth
• Emotional eating as a signal, not a shameful act
• Why self-compassion and pleasure are keys to healing
• How personalized nutrition is not one-size-fits-all

Whether you’re recovering from years of food fear or just starting to question mainstream health trends, this episode is your permission slip to eat with joy, dignity, and freedom.

🎧 Listen now and reclaim your plate. Available on Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen.

About Maya Eid

She specialises in disordered eating, body image, and helping women reconnect with the joy of eating and movement. Her approach is food-first, using therapeutic diets to support metabolism recovery, boost energy, and create sustainable lifestyle changes.

Learn more about Maya's work here: Personalized Nutrition Coaching - Maya Eid, Nutritionist

Connect with Insta Community: https://www.instagram.com/maya_nutrition/

#NourishingLives #StellaEats #HolisticNutrition #DietCulture #AntiDiet #FoodFreedom #MayaEid

In this episode of the Nourishing Life podcast, Primie Cegnar shares her personal journey that led to the creation of StellaEats, an AI-assisted platform designed for individuals with special dietary needs. The conversation explores the significant market demand for such solutions, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of balancing scientific dietary restrictions with the joy of food. Primie reflects on her experiences, including the impact of her husband's health issues on her mission, and offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

NEWS: Launch beta access to select ambassadors!

#Mission2025

We’re supporting 10,000 families in 2025 get access to diet safe, allergen-free food, etc.

Join our waitlist at https://stellaeats.co

Key Takeaways:

• The idea for Stella Eats was born from personal health challenges.
• There is a significant market for special dietary solutions, especially for cancer patients and those with food allergies.
• AI can help bridge the gap in finding suitable food options for dietary restrictions.
• The journey of entrepreneurship is filled with challenges and curveballs.
• Understanding the market's needs is crucial for the viability of a business.
• Health and nutrition are deeply personal and can impact families significantly.
• Resilience is key in overcoming setbacks in business.
• It's important to find your 'why' in your entrepreneurial journey.
• Advice to future entrepreneurs includes trusting the process and knowing that everything will connect in time.
• The importance of community and support in navigating dietary restrictions.

#StellaEats #DietaryNeeds #FoodAllergies #NourishingLivesOneBiteATime #Entrepreneurship #AI #HealthTech #Nutrition #Resilience

The Hidden Truth About Your Blood Sugar & Gut Health

🔍 Ever wonder why your cravings control you? Or why you feel sluggish even when you’re “eating healthy”? Dr. Jennie Ding, founder of Kale Health, shares her shocking discovery of being pre-diabetic and how it changed everything.

💡 In this episode: ✅ The truth about blood sugar & why it matters 🩸 ✅ Gut health’s surprising role in cravings & energy 🥗 ✅ The power of mindset shifts & glucose monitoring 🧠 ✅ Why most nutrition advice is WRONG 🚨

This is a must-listen for anyone ready to take control of their health! 🎧✨

🎧 Listen now & share with friends and families

#BloodSugar #GutHealth #NutritionMyths #HealthJourney #Podcast

"The gut is undeniably our second brain." Don’t miss this powerful episode with Dr. Jennie, who confidently takes charge of her health. She reveals the decisive actions she implemented that completely transformed her diabetic condition. Tune in and be inspired to take control of your own health!

Summary

In this episode of the Nourishing Lives podcast, hosts Allison and Primie welcome Dr. Jenny Ding, a family physician specializing in metabolic health. Dr. Ding shares her personal journey of reversing pre-diabetes and discusses the critical connection between sugar consumption, gut health, and overall well-being. The conversation explores the benefits of intermittent fasting, the role of probiotics and prebiotics, and practical tools for managing blood sugar levels. Dr. Ding emphasizes the importance of making small, intentional changes to improve health and offers resources for listeners to take actionable steps toward better health.

Takeaways

• Dr. Jenny Ding reversed her pre-diabetes through lifestyle changes.
• Gut health is crucial for overall metabolic health.
• Sugar intake directly affects gut bacteria and insulin sensitivity.
• Intermittent fasting can improve blood sugar control.
• Probiotics and prebiotics play a significant role in gut health.
• Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time data for blood sugar management.
• Small, intentional changes can lead to significant health improvements.
• Listening to your body is key to understanding health needs.
• Evidence-based information is essential for making informed health decisions.
• Personalized health strategies are more effective than one-size-fits-all solutions.

Bio

Dr. Jennie Ding is a Harvard-trained Lifestyle Medicine Physician and Founder of Kale Health Canada, a metabolic health company for diabetes reversal, gut health, and performance. Driven by her own journey of reversing prediabetes, she leverages Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and gut microbiome testing to help clients optimize their health through science-backed, sustainable strategies. Learn more at kalehealth.ca.

Current offerings with respective links:

2-Week Metabolic Reset

For driven individuals ready to take control of their energy, performance, and feel their best. Feel the difference in just two weeks. Start your reset here

Gut Fix Package

Struggling with bloating, fatigue, or stubborn weight? Feel lighter, stronger, and more in control. Heal your gut today

Performance Nutrition Program

For high-performers looking to elevate energy, focus, and recovery. Perfect for optimizing both physical and mental performance. Sign up for early access today!

CODE to join: COOCO_Hello

Summary

In this episode of Nourishing Lives, co-host Allison from COOCO discusses the innovative features of their AI kitchen assistant, COOCO, which aims to simplify meal planning and reduce food waste. The conversation highlights the importance of community engagement, especially for international students and newcomers to Canada, and shares insights on how users can benefit from the platform. The episode also teases upcoming podcast themes focused on health and sustainability.

No more wasting $70 of food in the bin. Sign up to get early dibs

Official Beta launch, CODE to join: COOCO_Hello

Partner: Renso - Authentic Asian food supplier in BC and Ontario

Sign up here: https://cooco.app

Takeaways

• COOCO is designed to help users cook smarter and easier.
• The platform offers personalized recipe suggestions based on pantry inventory.
• Community engagement is key for newcomers to Canada.
• Users can earn rewards by engaging with the COOCO platform.
• The app aims to reduce food waste by tracking ingredients.
• COOCO connects users with local food merchants for better deals.
• Meal planning can be made seamless with the right tools.
• The platform is currently in beta, with plans for a full launch soon.
• Upcoming episodes will focus on health and nutrition topics.
• The podcast aims to inspire listeners to live sustainably.

In this episode of Nourishing Lives: One Bite at a Time, hosts Alison from COOCO and Primie from StellaEats sit down with Natasha Smith, founder of How to Bloom and a passionate nutritionist. Together, they unpack the myth that healthy eating is expensive.

From practical meal-prepping hacks to finding budget-friendly local produce, Natasha shares expert tips that make eating healthy accessible and affordable for everyone. Discover how freezing food can save money, why takeout isn't the budget-saver you think it is, and how personalized nutrition services can revolutionize your health journey.

Learn how to:

🌱 Maximize your grocery budget without compromising nutrition.

🛍️ Shop smarter with apps and tools for deals.

🍳 Make quick, healthy, and delicious meals at home.

Chapters:

00:00 Budgeting Basics for Better Eating

00:58 Healthy Eating on a Budget

06:02 Meal Prepping Strategies

08:47 Tools for Budget Grocery Shopping

10:49 Snacking Smartly

15:37 Balancing Budgeting and Healthy Cooking

19:40 Affordable and Nutritious Meal Recipes

24:34 Personalized Nutrition Services

27:19 Outro Music

Join the conversation that empowers you to eat well while staying within budget.

🎧 Tune in now to uncover simple, impactful ways to nourish yourself and your family!

Click to listen and transform your grocery game.

#BudgetFriendlyEating #HealthyLiving #MealPrepHacks #NutritionTips #NourishingLivesPodcast

🎙️ Welcome to "Nourishing Lives, One Bite at a Time"—where food meets inclusivity, culture, and innovation!

In this inspiring episode, hosts Allison Le and Primie Cegnar sit down with Sadia Malik, the brilliant mind behind Allergy Eatables, to tackle one of the biggest challenges for families: creating allergy-friendly meals on a budget.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Smart Substitutions: How to swap ingredients while keeping dishes delicious.
• Budget-Friendly Tips: Simple ways to save money without sacrificing taste or safety.
• Cultural Influences: Bringing tradition into allergy-friendly cooking.
• Sustainable Kitchen Practices: Turn leftovers into creative meals and minimize waste.
• Pantry Essentials: Must-haves for stress-free cooking.

Sadia also shares her personal journey, from navigating kitchen disasters to perfecting allergy-safe recipes that cater to her family’s needs. With relatable anecdotes and actionable tips, this episode will empower you to cook with confidence, no matter your dietary restrictions or budget.

🎧 Listen now to discover how small changes can make a big impact in your kitchen—and your wallet!

🔑 Keywords: allergy-friendly cooking, budgeting, ingredient substitutions, sustainable cooking, food allergies, cultural influences, kitchen tips

📅 New episodes drop weekly!

Subscribe to "Nourishing Lives, One Bite at a Time" wherever you listen to podcasts.

What happens when your favourite family dishes collide with dietary restrictions? In this heartwarming episode of Nourishing Lives, hosts Primey and Alison sit down with Sadia Malik, the visionary behind Allergy Edibles, to explore the delicate balance between tradition, health, and inclusivity.

From reimagining cultural staples like samosas to navigating the emotional challenges of food allergies within immigrant families, this episode is a celebration of resilience, creativity, and the power of food to bring us together. Sadia shares her inspiring journey of honoring her cultural roots while ensuring her family’s health and well-being—a journey filled with love, patience, and culinary innovation.

✨ Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:

• How food connects us to our heritage and family traditions.
• The emotional and rewarding process of adapting recipes for allergies.
• Tips for creating inclusive dining experiences and breaking stigmas around dietary needs.
• Why dietary restrictions are not limitations but a canvas for culinary creativity.

If you’ve ever wondered how food can be a bridge between health and heritage, or if you’re looking for inspiration to navigate dietary needs with love and understanding, this episode is for you.

💡 "Food is more than just fuel; it’s tradition, connection, and empowerment."

📢 Tune in now to discover how the kitchen can be a space for innovation and inclusivity.

🌟 #NourishingLives #FoodAndCulture #DietaryInclusivity #AllergyFriendly #FamilyTraditions #EmpowerThroughFood

🍅 One Farming Method That Mimics Nature - But What's Stopping Us?

In this eye-opening episode of Nourishing Lives, we sit down with Adam from Branching Path Farm. 💡 This is the episode that will make you question everything you know about your food. Do you know that - "You don’t need a farm to adopt permaculture principles. Start in your backyard!" Listen now and taste the difference in every bite.

Together, we explore the challenges and solutions for healthier eating in Canada.

💡 What’s Covered:

• Why scaling permaculture would miss the point—and how we can still integrate its principles into our lives.
• The shocking stats on Canada’s declining vegetable consumption.
• The power of seasonal eating and CSA boxes to save money and improve health.
• How permaculture and gardening create lasting connections to nature and better food habits.
• Why freshly harvested produce beats supermarket options every time.

Adam also shares practical tips for getting kids involved in gardening, understanding CSA boxes, and even utilizing common weeds as nutritious additions to your meals. Plus, hear about exciting plans for Branching Path Farm, including workshops and consulting services.

🎧 Take the next bite on your healthy eating journey. Listen now!

Tell us: Have you tried nutrient-dense, local produce grown using permaculture? Tag us with your experience!

Branching Path Farm is a small, diverse market garden located in Simcoe, Ontario. They grow organically and serve both Hamilton and Norfolk County.

Contact Information:

• Adam Mohammed
• Address: 9 Culver Lane, Simcoe, ON N3Y 2S2
• Phone: (647) 772-7702
• Email: [email protected]

Services and Produce:

• They offer a variety of organic vegetables and produce.
• Spring 2025 - Fall 2025: You can find them at the Ottawa Street Farmers' Market in Hamilton on Saturdays from 8 AM to 2 PM.
• Their on-farm market is open on Wednesdays from 12 PM to 6 PM and Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM, through the end of October.
• They also provide garden consultations and sell seedlings around spring..

For more information, you can visit their website: https://www.branchingpathfarm.com/