The PrimaFoodie Podcast

In this episode, Nichole sits with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, a board-certified practitioner focusing on holistic health, bioidentical hormone therapy, and functional medicine. Dr. Tolention is a senior practitioner at Parsley Health, which offers doctor-led care designed to provide patients with comprehensive and individualized treatment plans. In our conversation, Dr. Tolentino shares invaluable insights into hormone health, circadian rhythms, and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during perimenopause and menopause. She and Nichole discuss why understanding your hormones is vital, how to know if you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause, and the crucial role of circadian rhythms in hormone production. Dr. Tolentino sheds light on the importance of diagnostic tests, holistic healthcare solutions for women, why avoiding certain foods is critical, and much more. Tune in now for expert guidance on hormone health and empowered self-care with Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino.


Key Points From This Episode: 

•The importance of hormones for physiological functioning.

•Why knowing your hormonal profile is vital for overall health.

•Hear about the specialty tests that provide more detail.

•Tests women should take to understand their hormones better.

•Advice and recommendations for working with your doctor.

•How Parsley Health is advocating for women in the healthcare system.

•Strategies young women can use to prepare for perimenopause and menopause.

•Ways to know if you are experiencing perimenopause or menopause.

•Discover the steps to follow when you feel misdiagnosed.

•Explore the food that helps with perimenopause and menopause.

•Insights into the crucial role of circadian rhythms in hormone production.

•Dr. Tolentino discusses the benefits of bio-identical hormone therapy (HRT).

•Learn about accessing functional medicine services nationwide through Parsley Health.


Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino on LinkedIn

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino on Facebook

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino on Instagram

Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino on X

Parsley Health

Parsley Health on Instagram

Parsley Health on Facebook

Parsley Health on X

Request A Test

Labcorp

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Do you know where the meat on your plate comes from? Being informed about where your meat comes from and supporting producers who prioritize animal welfare and sustainable practices is essential for promoting ethical meat sourcing. In this episode, we take you on a journey alongside Chris Carter, co-founder of Porter Road, to uncover the intricate workings of the food industry, the evolution of ethical meat sourcing, and how his company is making a difference. In our conversation, we discuss how Porter Road Butcher is redefining the meat industry, supporting local farmers, and striving for transparency and ethical practices. We unpack Porter Road’s farm-to-table story, its symbiotic relationship with local farmers, why transparency is vital, and more. Gain valuable insights into the truth about traditional agriculture, the path toward pasture-raised meat, and the core values that drive Porter Road’s success. Chris also shares Porter Road’s vision for the industry and invaluable words of wisdom for those interested in joining the space. Tune in as we peel back the layers of ethical butchery and uncover the stories behind your food with Chris Carter!

Key Points From This Episode: 

•Background about Chris and his role at the company.

•His path into the industry and journey to Porter Road.

•How the industry landscape has changed since starting the company.

•What makes Porter Road unique: Chris and James’ partnership.

•The challenges of growing and expanding such a unique company.

•Hear about their innovative approach to harvesting.

•Why the company decided to open its own harvesting facility.

•Outline of the issues surrounding transparency in agriculture.

•Discover how Porter Road is helping support local farmers.

•Conventional farming practices and how Porter Road is different.

•Details about Porter Road’s exceptionally high standards.

•Insights into the impact the company is making in the meat industry.

•Chris shares advice for budding butcher shop entrepreneurs.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Chris Carter on LinkedIn

Chris Carter on Instagram

James Peisker on LinkedIn

James Peisker on Instagram

Porter Road

Porter Road on YouTube

Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Glen Leven Farm

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In this episode, we dive into personalized nutrition with Dr. Sherry Zhang, founder of GenoPalate, to learn about her innovative approach to dietary health. GenoPalate specializes in personalized nutrition through leveraging DNA tests, online programs led by dietitians, and customized supplements, all aiming to empower individuals to obtain optimal health. Dr. Zhang sits with Nichole to talk about the power of genetic testing and its practical applications that can help individuals dealing with conditions like autoimmune diseases find nutritional solutions. From the nitty-gritty of DNA-based diets to the granular details of balancing fats, proteins, and fiber, Dr. Zhang unravels the layers of personalization GenoPalate offers. She also talks about the vital role of genetic markers. Join Nichole and Dr. Zhang as they investigate the intersection of genetics and nutrition, offering practical insights that pave the way for a healthier, more personalized approach to eating.


Key Points From This Episode:

• The origins of GenoPalate and her motivation for starting the company.
• Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms and their impact on traits.
• Her academic journey from Ph.D. to post-doctoral fellowship.
• The biological, nongenomic, and behavioral data GenoPalate leverages.
• GenoPalate’s approach to preventative care and the role of genetic markers.
• How GenoPalate stands out from other companies in the space.
• Discover how our genetic structure determines what we should eat.
• Dr. Zang explains the process, from the DNA swab at home to the lab analysis.
• Learn about the additional services GenoPalate offers customers.
• Get a sneak peek of some exciting upcoming developments from GenoPalate.
• She shares her experience of using the GenoPalate approach with her son.
• Challenges of implementing personalized nutrition with children.
• Her future vision for GenoPalate and the “food as medicine” movement.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Sherry Zhang on LinkedIn

GenoPalate

The Obesity Society

TOPS Club

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While today’s highly processed and pre-packaged foods are super convenient, they can also have increasingly harmful effects on our health. Making the shift to “real food” may be one of the most important things you can do to maintain good health, and it’s a whole lot simpler than you might think! Today, you’ll hear from entrepreneur and real food advocate, Monica Ford. Monica is the founder of Real Food Devotee, where she and her team create ancestral cuisine based on traditional techniques using only the highest quality ingredients. She's also a warm and inspiring teacher and educates widely about the powerful healing modalities of real, whole, pesticide-free food. In this episode, we talk about Monica's personal journey of healing her allergies using food, some of the surprisingly easy ways we can all improve our diets starting today, how seeds can help us balance our hormones, and so much more. As you’ll learn from our conversation, Monica believes that optimal health is our birthright and that food empowers us with the tools we need to heal ourselves from the inside out. Ready to start your real food journey? Tune in now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• What ignited Monica’s passion for cooking and changed her perspective on health.
• A remarkable true story of how beet kvass healed a fatty liver diagnosis.
• Where to find this fabulous fermented tonic (or learn how to make your own!)
• The origins of Real Food Devotee: empowering people with the tools to heal themselves.
• How real food impacts our health not just physically, but emotionally and cognitively too.
• The benefits of seed cycling to balance your hormones.
• Surprisingly simple tips for improving your diet today.
• The gift of fermentation and the role it plays in Monica’s love for ancestral cuisine.
• How to “vote with your dollars,” even when it’s difficult to find organic produce.
• Challenges Monica comes up against while advocating for real, whole, organic food.
• Why just a cup or a tablespoon of these real foods are a total game-changer!
• Actionable advice for being a more intentional participant in your own life.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Real Food Devotee

Real Food Devotee on Instagram

Real Food Devotee: Beet Kvass

Nourishing Traditions

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Beans have been a staple in the human diet for many generations and across almost all cultures, but there is one bean more delicious and decadent than all the rest: the heirloom bean. At least, that’s the view of today’s guest, Steve Sando, the food author and founder of Rancho Gordo, a seed-saving bean production company that provides professional and home chefs with heirloom beans that would otherwise have been lost to history. To start, Steve describes heirloom beans in detail and how they differ from other commercially sold beans. Then, he explains Rancho Gordo’s bean production process, the differences between canned and dry beans, the importance of taste in Rancho Gordo’s products, and why many commercial farmers choose not to work with heirloom beans. We also discuss the agricultural term “cultivated for people” before diving into the wondrous versatility of beans and the many ways to cook them, the types of guests that Rancho Gordon welcomes to its kitchen, how a diabetes diagnosis saved Steve’s relationship with food and bred his love for beans, and so much more! Enjoy. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Steve describes heirloom beans and how they differ from other commercial beans. 
• Who Rancho Gordo works with and how they grow their beans. 
• How Steve prepares beans for cooking and the difference between canned and dry beans. 
• Why he prioritized taste above all else when launching Rancho Gordo. 
• Reasons that many commercial farmers don’t consider farming heirloom beans. 
• How and why Rancho Gordo branched out into selling grains and spices. 
• Steve breaks down the agricultural term “cultivated for people” as opposed to wild.
• The versatility of beans and how our guest would encourage people to try new foods. 
• Various ways of cooking beans and Steve’s favorite item in Rancho Gordo’s catalog.  
• Upcoming projects that he is most excited about.
• The guests he welcomes to Rando Gordo’s kitchen. 
• How Steve’s diabetes diagnosis paved the way for a healthier relationship with food. 
• His exercise routine: how and why he developed it. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Steve Sando on LinkedIn

Steve Sando on X

Steve Sando on Instagram 

Steve Sando Books on Amazon

Rancho Gordo  

Saveur

Bon Appétit 

Food and Wine  

Hollywood Farmers Market 

On Food and Cooking 

Julia Newberry on LinkedIn 

Deborah Madison Books on Amazon 

Edible Communities

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Living your life according to ancestral wisdom can lead to longer, and more healthful lives. Hilda Labrada Gore is a multifaceted health and wellness expert working as an integrative health coach, fitness professional, and more. As the Wise Traditions Podcast host, she unveils stories about ancient healing traditions, healing arts, and centuries-old nutritional wisdom. During today’s episode, she shares what the word ‘holistic’ means to her, and how she approaches her work as an experiential anthropologist. We explore the rich concept of ‘dadirri’ or deep listening, why being still is such a powerful tool to connect to authentic wisdom, and how to support the decision-making process through visualization. Our conversation also touches on Hilda’s incredible lessons from different countries all over the world, her unique take on discomfort, and how she manages to take an open mind into every new experience. Tune in for a rich conversation brimming with empowering perspectives today! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Meet Hilda Labrada Gore, also known as Holistic Hilda.
• What the term ‘holistic’ means to her in her practice. 
• What it means to Hilda to be an experiential anthropologist.
• The culture of ‘dadirri’ or deep listening. 
• Why being still is a powerful tool to guide us back to who we really are.
• Hilda’s experience in Mongolia and her recommendation to break with routine. 
• Lorie Ladd’s method of picturing different outcomes to support the decision-making process.
• The power of getting uncomfortable on purpose.
• Lessons on strength and community from Hilda’s time in Ethiopia. 
• Why it’s necessary to take an open mind into new experiences.
• Incorporating Principle 1 from the Weston A Price Foundation into your diet. 
• Non-negotiables for navigating nutrition on the road. 
• Her favorite interview with guest, Tommy John, author of Minimize Injury, Maximize Performance, and Dr. Cassie Huckaby.
• The mini-documentary about Ecuador that Hilda recently released on her YouTube channel. 
• Her Detox PDF filled with simple tools. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Holistic Hilda

The Hidden Ecuador No-One Talks About

Dare To Detox

Holistic Hilda on Instagram

Holistic Hilda on X

Holistic Hilda on YouTube

Wise Traditions Podcast

Breathing Zone App

Lorie Ladd

Dr. Cassie Huckaby

Your Life is Your Medicine

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Eva Yazhari is a force for positive change in the world. She is an impact investor, published author, and the co-founder and CEO of Beyond Capital. She joins us in conversation to share her early experiences of healthy food and how she carries the core principles she was raised with into her daily life today. For Eva, healthy, waste-free, sustainable eating is inextricably linked with preserving our planet and slowing the effects of global warming. This episode offers a clear insight into her daily habits, from feeding a family, prioritizing good choices while traveling, and embracing the tenets of Ayurveda to build vibrant health. We talk about planning ahead, food production in Africa and India, both frequently visited by Eva, and why eating local cuisine in Italy leaves you feeling healthier than choosing the same options elsewhere. We touch on grains and gluten-free diets, discussing what is wrong with our broken food systems with a few powerful ideas on how to resolve these issues in our lives. Tune in today to hear all this and more! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Eva Yazhari, impact investor, co-founder, and CEO of Beyond Capital.
• Eva’s general dietary principles for herself and her family with health and the planet in mind. 
• How her experience of eating changed when she first went to college.
• Core dietary principles she brought into adulthood.
• Using specific foods such as bone broth as a reset mechanism. 
• Navigating wheat, gluten, and grains as a family. 
• Ensuring that travel activities align with dietary needs.
• How Eva approaches diet when traveling alone.
• Why she often finds it easier to eat well in India and Africa.
• Meeting room and airline food alternatives.
• Her approach to dairy and its impact on her skin.
• Learning what Ayurveda can do for her. 
• Why planning ahead for your travels is a key element. 
• Italian cuisine and why it is healthier than Italian cuisine elsewhere.
• Understanding that gluten-free does not mean healthy.
• How our eating affects climate change. 
• Food storage, safety, and preservation. 
• The clear link between food wastage, harmful chemicals, and warming the planet. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Eva Yazhari

Eva Yazhari on LinkedIn

Eva Yazhari on Instagram

Eva Yazhari Email

The Good Your Money Can Do

Inconspicuous Consumption

Thrive Market

Avra Group

Kroma Wellness

Episode 1

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In this episode, Larry Kandarian, a veteran organic farmer and owner of Kandarian Organic Farms, shares his insights into earth-friendly farming, whole foods, and more. A farmer for over 25 years, Kandarian is well-known for his farming and grain advocacy in California and his passion for being a steward of the land. His wealth of knowledge is vast, from mechanical engineering to the flower seed business to sustainable farming practices. In this conversation, Kandarian shares valuable insights into the notable difference between ancient and modern grains and their gluten after-effects, elaborates on what sets organic farming apart from conventional methods, and explains why growing your soil is essential. He speaks passionately about the need to support young farmers starting out, highlights the problem with the Farm Bill, and gives gluten-intolerant listeners great tips for preparing grains. Kandarian also educates us on what to look for when buying food. Listen to it all in this episode of The PrimaFoodie Podcast.


Key Points From This Episode:

• How Larry selects crops for their benefit to the earth and humans.
• Defining ancient grains and what differentiates them from modern grains.  
• The machinery traditionally used in farming and how it differs today.
• What sets organic farming apart. 
• Why the soil (and how you grow it) is so important.
• How Larry applies these soil principles to his own farming.
• Differences between soil and dirt.
• Larry’s thoughts on the growth of organic products and farming (or lack thereof).
• The importance of working toward helping younger farmers get started. 
• Insight into Larry’s take on the problem with the Farm Bill.
• Grain preparation for gluten-intolerant consumers.
• A look at Larry's favorite gluten alternative crop.
• What he means by “warm-season grains” and “cold-season grains.”
• The story of what sparked his transition from mechanical engineering to farming. 
• Where he got his heirloom seeds from. 
• The takeaway for listeners: buy from verified trustworthy seed growers!
• Advice for the average consumer and what to look out for when buying food. 
• A final call to action: shop at farmers’ markets!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Larry Kandarian on LinkedIn

Kandarian Organic Farms

The Breadlab at Washington State University

Natural Products Conference

Heirloom Festival Ventura

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Processed foods have become the norm in American society as we prioritize time and convenience above all else. The damage these foods do to our collective health is catastrophic, but luckily, not irreversible. Today, Margaret Floyd Barry joins us in the hot seat to explain how we can move away from processed foods and make healthier choices. Margaret is a functional nutritionist, author, speaker, and a reliable source of information on how food impacts our health and quality of life. She begins by debunking some common myths and misconceptions about food and nutrition before explaining how we can incorporate more real foods into our diet, meal prep on a busy schedule, and maintain a balanced diet. She also explains why cheat days are okay, and even necessary. Margaret suggests the tests that you should take to better understand your microbiome health, current food trends to adopt and the ones to avoid, and the small steps that you can take right now to improve your long-term health and wellbeing.  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Margaret Floyd Barry as she details common myths about food and nutrition. 
• Margaret’s advice for people who want to incorporate more whole (real) foods into their diet. 
• Tips for meal prep and planning for busy individuals. 
• Strategies for maintaining a consistent and balanced diet.
• How Margaret goes about her ‘cheat days’, and the foods she will never eat no matter what. 
• Managing the demands of her lifestyle; training for marathons with an autoimmune disorder. 
• The tests that she recommends for understanding your microbiome and gut health. 
• Noteworthy trends in the worlds of health and nutrition, and the ones to avoid. 
• Small steps that you can take today that could affect your overall, long-term wellbeing. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Margaret Floyd Barry

Margaret Floyd Barry on LinkedIn

Margaret Floyd Barry on Instagram

Eat Naked Kitchen 

Restorative Wellness Solutions 

Find Your Health Practitioner | Restorative Wellness Solutions

The Naked Foods Cookbook 

‘Understanding the Convoluted World of Sugar and Its Metabolic Impact’

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Who better to guide healthy choices than someone who has healed their own disease? Dr. Terry Wahls is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Iowa, where she teaches internal medicine in residence. She is a clinical researcher and the author of more than 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, posters, and papers. Having transformed her own life with MS, she is also a radical advocate for how nutrition and lifestyle choices impact those with chronic illnesses. In this conversation, Dr. Wahls tells the story of how she stumbled into a supplement-rich diet in her attempts to heal a worsening case of MS. She walks us through her extensive research and personal experience with exercise, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, and nutrient-rich food, all the while offering insights from her journey. Today’s guest truly leads by example, and generously shares the wisdom she has learned every step of the way. Don’t miss this episode! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Dr. Terry Wahls, her prolific work, and her personal experience with MS.
• The process of developing her own supplements and how she came to realize their efficacy.
• Working with a physical therapist using Electrical Muscle Stimulation.
• Dr Wahls' ‘aha’ moment and how she redesigned her diet based on her supplements.
• Her journey to recovery, culminating in an 18.5-mile bike ride!
• How the experience transformed the way she works as a medical practitioner. 
• Reimagining what it meant to parent as a mother with a chronic disease.
• How athletes use electrical stimulation of muscles to build strength.
• What the Wahls diet consists of today.
• The importance of leading by example as a medical practitioner.
• Why Dr. Wahls has created a transition plan to support people making a change.
• The importance of being flexible enough to follow the diet.
• Why it is easier to pursue a diet change alongside your family. 
• Terry’s recommended protein intake for different ages.
• The Wahls Protocol Food Stamps.
• Why it’s so important to eat the rainbow. 
• Environmental factors leading to hormonal interference.
• Being a part of Dr. Wahls’ MS Study.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Terry Wahls

Dr. Terry Wahls on Facebook

Dr. Terry Wahls on X

Dr. Terry Wahls on Instagram

Dr. Terry Wahls MS Study

The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles

The Wahls Protocol: How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine

The Wahls Protocol: Cooking for Life

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