This Unmillennial Life

Joining me in this episode is Dr. Chris Mohr, a frequent guest on the podcast who – along with his wife Kara – specializes in the importance of sleep for overall health and wellness. Recently, Chris wrapped up an article for Men’s Health that involved testing products geared toward helping us recover during sleep, especially following exercise but also just following the daily stresses of life. In the episode, we discuss the various devices he tried, including: 

• The Oura ring, which measures quality & quantity of sleep, heart rate and general activity
• Other wearable devices, like a Garmin watch, which also measure quality & quantity of sleep, heart rate and activity
• Under Armour’s line of recovery pajamas
• The {highly recommended} Ooler Chill Pad — a thin mattress cover-like device containing small tubes of water that can be set to temperatures ranging from 55 – 110 degrees F
• A weighted sleep mask

Chris and I wrap up the segment with a brief discussion about the importance of first tackling all of the other aspects of getting a good night’s sleep BEFORE buying any device. [Be sure to listen to The Sleep Episode and The Sleep Episode (Part II) if you haven’t already].

Before break, I share that Chris and I are now also sourdough baking friends, along with Sally of Real Mom Nutrition. I invite listeners of the show to reach out to me if they’re currently experimenting with sourdough baking during this time of shelter-in-place and let me know what they’re baking. I also remind listeners that I’m posting recipes on my Blog that I don’t talk about on the show and remind them to SUBSCRIBE to be notified of all my new recipes.

I end the show with a brief reveal of how I’m now able to get curly hair that I don’t hate. I’ve been getting lots of compliments about it on Instagram, but all the credit goes to Alexis of Hummusapien. I watched a recent Instastories tutorial she gave about how she gets good curl, that’s not flat and stringy and too curly in others. Her tip has been a game-changer for me! While I’ll likely go back to a good home-blow-out using my beloved hair brush hair dryer, during this time of being home 100% of the time, I’m gonna opt for curly much more often. Lastly, I invite listeners to drop into the Facebook group and share their stay-at-home beauty tips. I’d love to include them in a future episode!

Thanks so much for tuning in this week. Take care. ~Regan

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Today’s episode is brought to you by Life Extension. 

One of the more common questions I get asked is “Regan, which supplements do you take on a regular basis?” And while there are certain supplements that move in and out of my life, there’s one that’s been taking up permanent residence for quite a while. And that supplement is vitamin D. 

I became aware of the importance of vitamin D years ago when I learned that HALF of the population has a vitamin D insufficiency. And while we know that your skin can produce vitamin D, typically that production alone typically isn’t enough or at least, it wasn’t for me. Through Life Extension’s personalized lab testing I found that my vitamin D was low and now I take their 125 mcg (5000 IU) soft gel daily. 

If you’d like to learn more about vitamin D, what I take and why I take it, you can read more here on my Blog or visit LifeExtension.com/Regan to purchase and receive $5 off $50 or more plus FREE shipping.

A Note from Regan: When this podcast was originally recorded, health & wellness had a very different meaning than the acute health crisis we found ourselves in as of the date of this post — April 6, 2020. When you listen, please keep that in mind. The recommendations given are meant for a time when health routines and daily living return to normal. The most important health consideration right now is to stay home and stay well, friends. Much love, Regan.

“Do you need to take a supplement if you have an otherwise healthy diet?”

It’s a question I get asked a lot and my very simple answer is “Yes!” But what you take, what brand you buy and in what dose can differ from person to person.

Joining me in today’s episode is Dr. Michael A. Smith, the Director of Education for Life Extension® — the world’s leading organization dedicated to helping people stay healthy and live better. Dr. Mike is an author, national spokesperson and is a graduate of the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. He completed his internship in internal medicine at the University of Utah and completed three years of residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why someone might need a dietary supplement even if they eat fairly healthfully
• How people know if they’re purchasing a high-quality product
• Why third party testing of raw materials for supplements is so important and why consumers should ask for the Certificate of Analysis to verify they’re getting the highest quality product possible
• What regulatory bodies of the Federal Government (FTC & FDA) oversee the regulation of supplements and ensure their safety

I close out this part of the show with a brief overview of the supplements I take each day, which includes Menopause 731 (check out The Perimenopause Episode for more information on this product…it’s been a game-changer in supporting the alleviation of the discomforts of night sweats for me); vitamin D (a supplement I’ll discuss in greater detail here on the blog very soon); Omega 3s (be sure to listen to Part 2 of The Kids & Concussions Episode if you aren’t sure why Omega 3s are important); magnesium (Hope you didn’t you miss The Magnesium Episode last week!) and a multi-vitamin/multi-mineral. I’m also presently taking additional vitamin C and zinc for immune system support. [To purchase any of the products mentioned in today's episode AND to receive $10 off any purchase of $75 or more, visit lifeextension.com/regan.]

Wrapping up this episode, I offer a brief conversation in the Odds & Ends ending about my recent experience getting an Alaskan sourdough starter, started. If you’d like to follow along as I continue experimenting and baking sourdough, be sure you’re following me on Instagram where I post daily about my sourdough experience.

Thanks so much for tuning in this week. I know there’s a lot of news to take in right now. Thanks for making me a part of what you’re choosing to listen to today. ~Regan

Today’s episode is all about Magnesium — the mineral that every body needs to run better. In this episode, you’ll learn about assessing your current total nutrition to see if you give your body enough magnesium to help your sleep, bones, digestion, hormones, metabolism, and muscles work better.

Joining me today is dietitian Ashley Koff. With over twenty years in private practice, as an advisor, spokesperson, author and media expert, Koff currently runs The Better Nutrition Program — an organization “on a mission to make it easier and more efficient to assess current total nutrition to develop truly personalized recommendations.” She is the host of My Better Nutrition Alexa skill and co-host of the podcast Take Out With Ashley and Robyn. In this show, we discuss:

• Why magnesium is such an important mineral for helping the body destress.
• Why lifestyle choices like high-intensity training and a low-carbohydrate diet might be affecting your magnesium status.
• Why a blood test isn’t the best way to assess magnesium status.
• How we know if we get enough magnesium.
• Which is better — magnesium from food or supplements.
• What our body needs to use magnesium effectively
• When is the best time to assess magnesium needs
• Which forms of magnesium are best, including why magnesium can have a laxative effective depending on the amount or form taken
• Why gastric issues (like low motility) can influence which form of magnesium is best to take
• Why it’s important to keep sweetened magnesium supplements to a minimum in the evening and why salts and creams may be a good alternative

During our discussion, Ashley offers podcast listeners a discount code for all of the resources available at The Better Nutrition Program website, including specifically The Magnesium Evaluation tool (Use CODE “UML20” at checkout for the discount.) She also shares insight into her Practitioner Network, where listeners can find a registered dietitian who specializes in various conditions, assessments and support of overall health goals.

I wrap up my interview with Ashley giving listeners a reminder that Show Notes are always available on ThisUnmillennialLife.com along with any new recipes I’m posting.

Recently, I posted a recipe for Curried Chickpeas and Vegetables in Coconut-Peanut Sauce as a favorite pantry-staple meal. To be sure you’re notified whenever I release a new episode or post a new recipe, you can SUBSCRIBE at thisunmillenniallife.com/subscribe.

I take a quick break to remind listeners that they can get a FREE audiobook download and FREE 30-day trial of Audible by visiting audibletrial.com/unmillennial. I also direct listeners to this post on Real Mom Nutrition that has some great book recommendations.

To end the show I’m sharing my new favorite app to stay connected, visually, with family and friends — Marco Polo. I also share a quick audio clip from listener of the show, Heather, detailing how she and her family helped a friend celebrate a birthday… from a distance. If YOU have something positive you’d like to share, please LEAVE ME A VOICEMAIL here.

That’s all for today’s show. Stay healthy and stay home if you can. Take care. ~Regan

This Unmillennial Life is available each week via Apple Podcasts, NPROne, Libsyn, Spotify and Podcasts on Pandora.

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As we all settle in to this new routine, I'm popping into your podcast app to give a quick update on what to expect from me moving forward. Have a listen and please... connect me with me outside of the podcast. I'd love to see you in the Facebook Group and/or on Instagram. Take care. Stay Safe. And Stay Home if you can. ~Regan

Today's bonus episode is a discussion of the recommendations I and fellow registered dietitians recently shared with Janet Helm for this U.S. News and World Report article entitled "Would You Be Ready If You Needed To Self-Quarantine?" 

Often discussed as personality imperfections and struggles, people initially seem fascinated with knowing their Enneagram number. But what some experts say is missing is a quest to go deeper into Enneagram growth and use that knowledge for personal growth and enlightenment.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by blogger and former ministry leader, Tim Branch — author of The Enneagram Growth Guide: How to become healthier in your number. In this episode we discuss:

• How Tim became interested in the Enneagram
• Why he believes there’s a lot we’re missing out on when it comes to the Enneagram and why focusing on Enneagram Growth is important
• The significance of the “childhood wound” and the role it plays in each person’s quest to protect and succeed
• Why Tim believes that each number’s traits can be representations of God’s goodness, grace and power in our lives and the world

Wrapping up the show today in the Odds & Ends ending, I’m playing an audio clip shared by friend of the show, Mickela (who joined me for The Freezer Meals Episode) about the importance of getting a concussion baseline measurement for any child playing sports. And lastly, I’m sharing a water bottle recommendation that’s taking my high school friend group by storm. I’ve linked to it on my Amazon Shop page, along with all of the recommendations I’ve shared on the show.

Thanks for tuning in this week for this mid-week episode. I’ll be back Monday with a regularly scheduled episode. Take care, Regan

This Unmillennial Life is available each week via Apple Podcasts, NPROne, Libsyn, Spotify and Podcasts on Pandora.

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I'm changing the release schedule this week and airing what would normally be the {wednesday rewind} today instead. On Wednesday, I'll release a new episode that builds on this Enneagram episode. Here are the notes from when this episode originally aired: 

To kick off Season 3 of the podcast, I interviewed YourEnneagramCoach, Beth McCord. After following Beth on social media and then listening to her as a guest on Annie F. Down’s “EnneaSummer” podcast series over the summer myself, I knew I wanted to have her on the show.

As a teacher for over 15 years, Beth is passionate about coming alongside individuals and helping them re-write their story, allowing them to see that lasting change, meaningful relationships, and a life of deep purpose is possible. This passion is what drove her to create her community, a safe place for individuals to explore the Enneagram. Beth’s passion is to make the Enneagram accessible for everyone, anywhere so they can experience the transformation they long for.

In this episode, we answer the basic question — “What is the Enneagram?” Beth characterizes it as a GPS for self-discovery and personal growth and explains how the Enneagram uncovers why you think, feel and behave in particular ways.

Throughout the episode we discuss:

• The origins of the Enneagram
• How the Enneagram is different from other “personality” tests
• Why motivation is the key to determining your Enneagram type
• The importance of not using the Enneagram as a “sword or shield” on yourself or others

We go through the Enneagram types, discussing the core Fear, Desire, Weakness and Longing of each Enneagram number.

• ONE – The Moral Perfectionist
• TWO – The Supportive Advisor
• THREE – The Successful Achiever
• FOUR – The Romantic Individualist
• FIVE – The Investigative Thinker
• SIX – The Loyal Guardian
• SEVEN – The Entertaining Optimist
• EIGHT – The Protective Challenger
• NINE – The Peaceful Mediator

To close out the show, Beth and I discuss the various ways people can come to discover and/or deepen their understanding of their type, including a discussion on whether or not taking a test is the best approach to identifying your Enneagram number.

We also discuss Beth’s new book and program — Becoming Us — a Gospel-centered approach to marriage transformation based on the Enneagram.

Listeners of the show can find Beth on social media at Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and her website, yourenneagramcoach.com.

I wrap the episode up there with a brief tease of next week’s episode, which will also tap into the power of the Enneagram. Only next week, I’ll be coming at it from a much different angle, talking with a registered dietitian who uses the Enneagram in her practice to help better understand what types of eating patterns and approaches work for individuals based on their Enneagram number.

Thank you for listening, subscribing, downloading and most importantly, thank you for sharing with a friend. ~Regan

Today's {wednesday rewind} is brought to you by DexaFit Atlanta. DexaFit Atlanta, your premier provider of medical-grade diagnostic body composition and metabolic testing, is offering listeners of This Unmillennial Life a 10% discount on any purchase of any package by booking at Dexafit.com and mentioning the code “UNMILLENNIAL” at checkout.

Tons of scales on the market may say they offer up body fat analysis, but experts agree most of them are riddled with inaccuracies. The gold standard DEXA-scan offers a much truer picture of body composition, but up until recently had been fairly difficult to access for the average, everyday athlete or weekend warrior. DexaFit locations across the country are changing that.

Disclosure: I was provided the testing done in this episode at no cost.

In this episode with Maureen O’Mara, owner of the Atlanta DexaFit location, we discuss:

• the different testing services DexaFit offers, including DEXA Body Composition Analysis, 3D Body Scanning, RMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) Testing, Vo2max Cardiovascular Fitness Testing and more
• the pre-test protocols required for theRMR (Resting Metabolic Rate) Testing
• what type of reporting DexaFit provides to clients following their tests
• how the testing provides more than just insights into body aesthetics by offering a measure longevity

I close out the show with a preview of a topic that’s likely to become a future show topic and one that’s been on my mind lately — enneagrams. I’m candidly sharing that my status as an enneagram “1” and therefore my need to be “right” is a character trait that I’m working on. I’m also asking listeners of the show to let me know about their enneagram OR let me know if this is a topic that they’ve never even heard of. 

As one of the most popular films on Netflix at the moment, The Game Changers Movie has elevated the conversation about plant-based and vegan eating for elite athletes, weekend warriors and general fitness fans to an all-time high. While the film has no shortage of supporters, critiques of the film are also pretty easy to come by.

From articles like this one in Men’s Health to a nearly 4-hour debate-style episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the (often heated) conversation surrounding the movie tends to focus on point-by-point fact-checking of the movie’s content.

What’s arguably lost in the discussion about the film, though, is a discussion of what the film gets right. At least that’s the opinion of today’s podcast guest, Sharon Palmer, MSFS, RD — The Plant-Powered Dietitian. With more than 18 years of experience in the field of plant-based nutrition and sustainability, Sharon has authored more than 1000 articles on plant-based eating in various publications, including Better Homes and Gardens, Oprah Magazine, and LA Times.

In today’s episode we discuss that while the film at times presents information that doesn’t necessarily meet the gold standard of science, its overall message of positivity toward plant-based eating can be viewed as inspiring.

We also go through some of the various claims made by the film about the anti-inflammatory properties of plant-based eating and refute the claims that a diet that includes animal-based foods has been proven to be pro-inflammatory.

As fans of soy, Sharon and I both discuss how the film does a good job of dispelling some of the more common soy myths — including the fact that it has not been shown to promote cancer and instead may protect against some forms of cancer.

We round out our interview discussing how the film does a good job of offering a different portrayal of what a diet for an elite athlete can look like, but also acknowledge how important it is for that diet to be well-planned to ensure its overall healthfulness. Sharon provides listeners insight on where to find her resources online, including an offer to sign up for her new Vegan Tool Kit for free.

I wrap up the show with a recap of a discussion I first opened up in the Facebook group — the insights Spotify provided me about what music listeners of the show enjoy the most. I note — with much embarrassment — that apparently I’m the only person I know, who didn’t know who Lizzo was. If you’d like to jump into that discussion on Facebook, join that group at Facebook.com/groups/thisunmillenniallife. If you have opinions about the list I share in that post about the listening audience’s favorite aritist, let me know! You can reach me at regan at thisunmillenniallife dot com, message me on Instagram OR tweet me.

Thanks so much for tuning in this week! ~Regan

Today’s podcast is brought to you by DexaFit Atlanta. DexaFit Atlanta, your premier provider of medical-grade diagnostic body composition and metabolic testing, is offering listeners of This Unmillennial Life a 10% discount on any purchase of any package by booking at Dexafit.com and mentioning the code “UNMILLENNIAL” at checkout.

If a friend told you her aging mother had found a new salve that eased arthritis pain in her hands, you’d be happy for her, right? What if you noticed a co-worker missing fewer days from work after trying a new migraine prevention protocol – a good thing, no? What if both of them told you the treatment involved cannabis or “medical marijuana”? Would you feel the same?

Setting aside the political nature of marijuana legalization for recreational use, today’s podcast focuses on all the ways compounds derived from the cannabis plant may offer health benefits and alternative treatments for a variety of illnesses.  

In today’s show I interview long-time friend and colleague Janice Bissex who is also a Holistic Cannabis Practitioner. After watching her aging father suffer the side-effects of treatment for pain management late in his life, Janice began researching cannabis treatment as an alternative. Seeing first hand the benefits, she broadened her career to include education about cannabis as a therapy and is now helping clients for whom the current medical landscape has failed to provide adequate relief. In this episode we discuss: 

• The important – and often overlooked – distinction between smoking pot to get high versus the isolation of specific cannabinoid compounds that offer health benefits and symptom relief, most of which are not associated with the psychotropic effects of marijuana
• The myriad of health benefits and treatment options for specific disease states that various cannabis-derived compounds are used to treat
• Why people who’ve “tried it” using an edible and had a bad experience need to understand the metabolic challenges edibles pose and how alternative forms of deliveries – including salves, tinctures, gel caps, etc. – offer safer and more consistent dosing
• The importance of reaching out to a qualified practitioner and not simply relying on dispensary personnel for help finding the right products, varieties of cannabis, etc.
• How medical cannabis is proving to be a safe and effective alternative to opioids and actually reducing opioid use in the states in which it is legal

As a cautionary part of this segment, we also acknowledge the reality that marijuana at present is still considered illegal on the federal level. Listeners who are interested in approaching its use as a medical treatment should be aware of the medical marijuana laws governing their state and of course, the policies that apply to them as an employee in their current job.

To close out the show, I revisit one of my favorite segments — If I Had A VCR I’d Tape This — with a look at three programs I recommend for Amazon Prime Video subscribers: Orphan Black, Catastrophe and The Americans.

If these recommendations or this podcast, in general, resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you! You can either Find Me On Instagram or  Tweet Me @ReganJonesRD, leave me a voicemail, join the This Unmillennial Life Facebook Group OR submit a show idea here! 

Thank you for listening and sharing with a friend! And of course, thanks for subscribing. 

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review!