The Allsorts Podcast

If you’re the proud owner of a pair of ovaries, and you’re “of a certain age” you may have noticed that things are starting to change. Could it be…perimenopause???

It can be hard to talk about perimenopause and the menopause transition…not the least of which is that there is still such a ridiculous stigma about women getting older. Like it’s a “use by date” in society and as a woman in her mid-40s, I want to help contribute to a mindset shift around this important transition in our lives. 

We need to educate ourselves about how are bodies are changing and how we can best facilitate that change, so I’m thrilled to welcome Dr Nitu Bajekal MD, a UK-based OBGYN BACK on the pod, in honour of her newest book, Finding ME in Menopoause.

Dr Nitu is an advocate for reproductive health for all humans, and this episode is a deep dive into what perimenopause and menopause actually is, the signs and symptoms to discuss with your physician as well as a look at evidence-based lifestyle medicine - sleep, movement and nutrition - that complement traditional care.

Hormone health is definitely a trending topic - filled will all sorts of wacky ideas about how to care for yourself during this transition so we’re going to cover everything from how perimenopause presents itself to why hormone tests are generally useless during this time as well as the confusing around hormone therapy and why the microbiome is so important for hormone balance!

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…and our sponsors! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bio-K+ Probiotics, a leader in evidence-backed probiotics. Go show them some love at www.biokplus.com 

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @drnitubajekal as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Wondering if you’ve got irritable bowel syndrome? Or, newly diagnosed and trying to figure out what the heck it all means? You’ve come to the right place: as a gut health dietitian with IBS myself, I know that sometimes it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. 

Particularly because there are just so many damn OPINIONS. About what causes IBS, what you should or shouldn’t eat if you have IBS and just what to do about all those IBS symptoms.

But this is a house of science. And as a house of science, I thought it was high time we got a gastroenterologist on the pod to give us a little IBS 101 - straight from the expert’s mouth to your ear drums.

I am so excited to be talking with Dr Wendi Brett MD, AKA @socalgastrodoc, all about irritable bowel syndrome. Dr Wendi is a wealth of evidence-based information and she makes it all so digestible, pun very much intended. 

We cover it all in this jam-packed episode, from what IBS actually is to how it’s diagnosed in the doctor’s office to why people keep talking about the gut-brain connection. You’ll walk away with a lot of food for thought and hopefully, make those conversations with your doctor a little more informed and productive.

About Dr Wendi Brett MD:

Dr. Wendi is a board certified internal medicine physician and gastroenterology fellow. In her practice she combines science-backed dietary and lifestyle interventions with modern medicine to support gut health. She shares evidence-based educational content on Instagram and TikTok.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…and our sponsors! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bio-K+ Probiotics, a leader in evidence-backed probiotics. Go show them some love at www.biokplus.com 

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @socalgastrodoc as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Full show notes, including episode links and recommendations, at www.desireerd.com/podcast

Of all of the supplements on the shelf, by far the most complicated ones are probiotics. How complicated? Even health professionals don’t always fully understand them! Because probiotics aren’t just one thing: every individual strain of probiotics - or combination of strains - is a totally unique entity so we can’t just paint them all with the same brush.

So I thought it was time to dedicate a whole episode to learning a little more about them with Bailey Hanna RD, a dietitian who has a deep understanding of the area.

Consider this your tutorial on the world of probiotics. From what they are, EXACTLY, to how they are different from fermented foods. We take a look at all the ways that taking probiotic bacteria can influence our metabolism and what you need to think about in order to choose a probiotic from the hundreds sitting on the shelf (or in the fridge!).

About Bailey Hanna RD:

Bailey Hanna is a gut health dietitian with a focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). She holds a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from Loma Linda University, and has over 7 years of experience working in clinical, research, and advisory roles. Bailey’s work centers on developing tools to help clinicians and individuals sift through the available evidence on diet and supplemental therapies for IBS, focusing extensively on probiotics.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…and our sponsors! Today’s episode is sponsored by Bio-K+ Probiotics, a leader in evidence-backed probiotics.

Go show them some love at www.biokplus.com 

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @baileyhanna.rdn as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

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Editorial note: 

Because this is a probiotic episode sponsored by a probiotic company, I wanted to take the opportunity to say that we have a strict editorial policy that does not allow the sponsor to influence the episode content. For example, our guest has no professional connection to the sponsor, nor did she know the episode was being sponsored by the probiotic company until after the episode was recorded. The integrity of our education comes first!

This week, we’re talking about how to get present, slow down and truly savour the act of cooking and eating with Murielle Banackissa, author of the new plant-based cookbook, Savouring. 

In an always on world, making the time to cook can feel like an impossible task…there’s always another distraction. And as a parent, I know that the relentlessness (and sometimes, thanklessness!) of family food work can make cooking feel more like a chore than a pleasure. 

According to Murielle, cooking is the perfect way to romanticize our lives…even if for only 20 minutes.

So how can we make space for cooking in our lives, in a way that’s enjoyable and allows us to welcome a few moments of mindfulness in the middle of a hectic day? In this episode, Murielle shares how she battles distraction in the kitchen so she can get present as well as how her upbringing really celebrated gathering for the family meal and how she continues that spirit in her own home.

Plus, you can expect a fun sort of cookbook author confidential: what Murielle cooks during a busy week (without a recipe!), the super common recipe I have NEVER made from scratch, the pantry staples Murielle can’t live without and her favourite vegan spots in Montreal.

We talk about how to make entertaining a little less intimidating and how to make a recipe your own. I hope this episode inspires you to make cooking a moving meditation that makes everyday a little bit better.

About Murielle Banackissa:

Murielle Banackissa is a food photographer, recipe developer, and food stylist based in Montreal. Outside of spending hours developing new recipes and shooting them in her home studio, Murielle loves paying attention to the details surrounding her as a way to feel more grounded and present. From water droplets resting on leaves after rainfall, to the golden glow of summer nights, to the way yeasted dough rises under the ideal conditions, she is always seeking the magic in seemingly mundane moments.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @muriellebanackissa as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

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When the going gets tough, do you get going… right into the kitchen? What is it about baking that is so deeply satisfying and comforting? I mean, eating your baking is deeply comforting but what about the act of baking itself? Why do so many of us reach for our apron when we need to chill? 

It was these questions and more that drove my conversation with Amanda Paa, the food photographer, recipe developer and yes, sourdough baker, behind the blog Heartbeet Kitchen. 

We talk about how discovering sourdough actually changed Amanda’s life (for real!) and how learning to bake sourdough has become a source of comfort and inspiration in her life, helping her grapple with anxiety and perfectionism.

We dive deep into the world of sourdough baking with plenty of practical tips to help even a novice get started, but we also talk a lot about the idea of health and striking that balance between nourishing our bodies and nourishing our souls. Amanda has been a food blogger since 2011 and she has a really unique story because she went from a strict gluten free diet to help manage her autoimmune disease to a sourdough enthusiast.

We all want to feel good. And we all want to eat food that tastes good…so what does that actually look like in real life? What is a “healthy” food? And, how do we strike that balance of nourishing our bodies and our souls? 

Talking to amanda will likely change your perspective on the role of food work in your life….I know you’re going to love this episode!

About Amanda Paa:

Amanda is a passionate sourdough baker, digital brand owner, and seasoned recipe developer. She founded Heartbeet Kitchen in 2011, and has created a loyal following through her love of teaching others the magic of sourdough, as well as modern, real food recipes. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and 4 rescue cats and enjoys gardening, dinner parties, and renovating their 1908 home.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @heartbeetkitchen as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

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As a dietitian on the internet, it’s not lost on me that there is a MAJOR difference in what people want to see versus what will actually make the biggest difference in their health.

Case in point: the enormous amount of content debating the “dangers” of oats or the “benefits” of colostrum and how so very few people actually talk about heart health. So, since it’s February and it’s Heart Month…let’s go there. Because heart disease is still the number one killer of adults in the USA and the number two leading cause of death in Canada. 

And this conversation is fraught with WAY more trendy controversies than you might expect. Like all the carnivore/blood sugar bros who try and tell you that saturated fat isn’t a problem. Or not to worry about your LDL cholesterol levels.

So I wanted to bring in a master myth-buster, Dr Adrian Chavez PhD to break down the science of heart health, what the risk factors are as well as what research says about how to eat for a healthier heart. It was important to me that I talk to an omnivore for this one as I feel like a lot of the plant-based discourse around heart disease makes it sound like anyone who eats animal foods is going to have an instant heart attack…which just isn’t true.

We cover different diets for heart health, whether you need omega 3 fatty acids and other supplements and just a ton of BS-free, practical advice on how to eat to keep your body strong and healthy.

About Dr Adrian:

Dr. Adrian Chavez PhD has a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science and PhD in Nutrition and Health Promotion who has quickly grown a following on Instagram for his no-nonsense, evidence-based nutrition advice. Dr Chavez is host of The Science of Nutrition Podcast and runs a virtual nutrition course called the Nutrition Mastery Blueprint.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @dr.adrian.chavez as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

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Ever feel like the Instagram version of motherhood is just a little off the rails? Like when you plop your kid in front of a tablet and hope no one’s watching? Or you show up to the bake sale with store-bought cookies? You are in for a treat today…we’re getting into the messy bits of motherhood, entrepreneurship and more with Liz Hammond and Katie Ruddell of Not Your Mommy podcast. 

When I created this podcast, I called it The Allsorts Podcast not just because I like candy. It’s also because I wanted to talk about all sorts of things. Because wellness isn’t just drinking green juice.

It’s about equal access to health care. It’s about sleeping well. And it’s about navigating our roles and responsibilities in a way that fosters open and honest communication and supports our mental health. And today’s conversation with Liz and Katie is all about turning the idea of the picture perfect mommy on its head. Because I don’t know who decided women get a personality transplant just because they’ve had a kid. 

Personally, I’ve always felt at odds with that ‘make it magical’ vision of motherhood. I do not, for example, stay up until midnight baking for the bake sale. Or plan extravagant themed birthday parties. Nor do I send holiday cards with professionally shot family portraits. If you do, and you love it, that’s awesome!! 

But I, for one, embrace B+ parenting as I call it…or as Liz and Katie call it, mini-momming. And they do it with style: I’ve loved listening to their podcast because it’s essentially listening in on two best friends talking about anything and everything that’s on their mind. And I know you’ll love it too!

About Liz and Katie:

Liz Hammond is a copywriter and essayist whose work has been featured in Huffington Post and Vogue. She is currently at work on a memoir about her experience with postpartum depression. Liz lives with her husband and son in Vancouver in a little house filled with love and books.

Katie Ruddell is the owner and founder of the sunshine inspired café group, Kokomo Foods. Before opening the doors to Kokomo’s first location in 2017, Katie spent over 10 years working in marketing and brand strategy in Vancouver. Katie’s relationship with fresh, nourishing food is the result of a lifetime of living and travelling abroad. She became inspired by the accessibility of plant-focused food and how it brought people together, especially when paired with the sun. Years later, Katie left her dream job at lululemon to pursue her five year goal of creating that very thing for her own community.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @notyourmommy_podcast as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Have you heard of prebiotics before? In this episode of The Allsorts Podcast, we are going to talk all about prebiotics: what they are, how they work in the body and what benefits they might have for us and our gut microbiome. 

As a gut health dietitian, every time I talk about prebiotics, someone stops me…don’t you mean PRO-biotics? Nope. Nope I don’t. While probiotics - the beneficial bacteria found in our gut - get most of the press, prebiotics - the energy sources for those bacteria - don’t get nearly as much attention. 

Yes, that’s right: if you want your good gut bacteria to thrive, you need to feed them well. And what do they eat? Fermentable carbohydrates AKA prebiotics.

For my IBS friends, you might recognize this concept because of the low FODMAP diet for IBS. FODMAPs are, by definition, fermentable carbohydrates…and some of them are in fact, prebiotics. 

So I am absolutely thrilled to introduce you to Dr Raylene Reimer PhD, registered dietitian, researcher and professor at the University of Calgary, who just so happens to be an expert on all things fibre and prebiotics. She is going to teach us everything we need to know about feeding our gut microbiome the right way.

If you’re a gut health nerd like me, I just know that you’ll get so much out of this episode and it will have you looking at roughage with a whole new appreciation.

About Dr Raylene:

Dr. Raylene Reimer is a Professor of Nutrition in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary. She is also a Registered Dietitian. Dr. Reimer has an internationally recognized research program focused on the role of diet in modifying the gut microbiome and how diet and the microbiome interact to prevent and treat chronic disease. She has done extensive research on dietary fiber and particularly prebiotic fiber. She has published >195 scientific research papers and is principal inventor on several patents. Her research has been widely recognized by the media and with several national nutrition awards.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

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Sugar: the stuff of celebratory birthday cakes and wellness myth.

Without a doubt, it elicits some pretty major debate for a pantry staple…and we spend a lot of airspace talking about  how sugar affects the body. So, in this week’s episode, I’m going to put on my Registered Dietitian hat and answer all of your burning questions about the sweet stuff, including, “Is sugar bad for you?”

In order to answer that question, we’re going to have to dive DEEP. Starting with what the heck sugar actually is and how the body metabolizes it. We’re going to dive into the science and physiology of sugar, with a detour to cover alternative sweeteners like aspartame in order to arrive at the destination: how we should approach sugar in our everyday lives. 

I hope you love this solo episode, our first of 2024! As always, we’ll start with 3 of Desiree’s current obsessions and close with a question from our community.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Connect with Desiree

Website: https://desireerd.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desireenielsenrd/

Full show notes, along with episode links and references, available at https://desireerd.com/podcast/

Growing up, life happened around my grandparent’s kitchen table. Food formed the rhythm of our days…so I feel a special connection to others who share that love of connecting over a meal.

And a few years ago, I had the pleasure of connecting with our guest, Asha Wheeldon, over a meal that she co-hosted with a mutual friend.

Especially at this time of year, I think we are all acutely reminded of just how deep our feelings about food are…it’s why certain foods give us so much comfort perhaps because a parent used to make a certain dish anytime we were sad or under the weather. Or how around the holidays, so many of us make the same dishes over and over again and give side eye anyone tries to come up with a modern twist on those beloved meals. 

Which is why I’m so excited to talk to Asha Wheeldon today. Asha is the founder and CEO of Kula Foods; it was Asha’s love of the Afro-Caribbean flavours she grew up with in Kenya and Toronto that inspired her to start her own Afro-Vegan food business.

We talk about the role that food played in her early family life in Kenya and the transitions her family made when they immigrated to Canada and then again when Asha headed to the West Coast. I’m so excited to share her story of food, community and entrepreneurship with you all.

About Asha Wheeldon:

Asha Wheeldon is a community builder, entrepreneur and mother of two who is all about amplifying Black owned businesses and bringing people together.

As the Founder and CEO of Kula Foods and Co-founder of Chop It Up! she is on a mission to connect communities through nutritious, 100% plant-based food that’s reflective of her multicultural experiences.

On this episode we chat about:

Support the Pod!

We couldn’t make this podcast happen without the support of our amazing listeners…

I love hearing your feedback on these episodes to be sure to join the conversation on our instagram @theallsortspod @desireenielsenrd @ashawheeldon as well as in our Nutrition with Desiree community.

If you love this episode, please share it with your friends and family, or take a minute to rate, review or subscribe on your favourite podcast app. We appreciate EVERY. SINGLE. LISTEN!

Full show notes, including episode links and recommendations, at https://desireerd.com/podcast/