Wake Up and Read the Labels!

In this episode, Jen talks with Hilary Phelps, a wellness coach, addiction recovery advocate, speaker, and facilitator who has transformed personal trials into a platform of empowerment and inspiration. Hilary is also the founder of The Right Room, a platform that empowers women to navigate significant life transitions like divorce, sobriety, and career changes, encouraging them to live authentically and pursue their passions.

Hilary shares her story of alcohol addiction and her recovery journey. She talks about her life and relationships, the turning point at which she decided to quit drinking, and how she is now an advocate for women's empowerment.

In this episode:

Quotes

[18:13] - "That label of an alcoholic is so tough because only you can really diagnose yourself." ~ Hilary Phelp 

[23:10] - "I didn't know how to feel feelings because anytime I felt a feeling, I would drink over it." ~ Hilary Phelp

[26:03] - As women, we continuously say yes to things and put things on our plates. We start to lose who we are and the purpose of why we think we're here. So, if we keep saying yes to certain things, we say no to ourselves." ~ Hilary Phelp

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A mindful eating lifestyle often begins with understanding where our food comes from and how it is grown. The path from seed to table can be influenced by practices affecting our health and the environment. Beyond cultivating crops, regenerative farming is a way of growing food that seeks to revitalize the health of the soil. This ethical approach creates more sustainable food and nutrient-rich produce and helps maintain a healthy earth for future generations.

In this episode, Jen talks with Benina Montes, Owner and Managing Partner of Burroughs Family Farms. Benina started farming almonds with her father in 2002. In 2006, she started transitioning the first almond blocks to organic, and by 2015, the whole farm was certified.

Jen and Benina talk about regenerative farming principles, the challenges and benefits of maintaining high-quality produce, and how Burroughs Family Farms produces almonds, olive oil, and organic meats using sustainable farming practices.

In this episode:

Quotes

[07:14] - "Sustaining is not necessarily making anything better. It's just not making it worse. And we want to leave things better than we found them." ~ Benina Montes

[09:02] - "It's all about having healthy soil. Healthy soil, healthy plants. Healthy products, healthy people. That's what our goal on our farm is." ~ Benina Montes

[10:58] - "We're big advocates of having more and more people try regenerative farming. It's not just good for the farmers. It's good for the consumers as well." ~ Benina Montes

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Use the code “wakeup” to get a 20% discount on Burroughs Family Farms' products.

Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, plays an important role in our bodies' response to stress. While a certain amount of stress is necessary for survival, prolonged exposure to high cortisol levels can negatively impact our health and well-being. Fortunately, there are simple, actionable steps for managing cortisol levels and reducing stress, leading to not just a fine life but an optimal one.

In this episode, Jen talks with Dana Lewis. Dana is a mother, a widow, a nutrition expert, and the host of the Stop Faking Fine podcast. After tragically losing the love of her life and the father of her three boys to cancer in 2013, Dana shifted from traditional engineering to being solely focused on understanding the effects stress has on the body. She is committed to inspiring others to stop settling and step into living with more energy, focus, and mental clarity. Dana teaches simple, sustainable habits to help manage your stress and show up as your best every day.

Jen and Dana discuss actionable strategies for reducing inflammation, managing stress hormones, and enhancing dietary and lifestyle habits for better health and well-being.

In this episode:

Quotes

[07:29] - "Stress creates inflammation. And inflammation is the root of all evil." ~ Dana Lewis

 [08:33] - "Your cortisol hormone is your stress hormone. It sets the stage for the rest of your hormone, either harmony or disruption." ~ Dana Lewis 

[13:51] - "Look at food not as a diet but more as a solution to your problem." ~ Dana Lewis 

[29:53] - "Recognize how you feel. Empower yourself to step into living your absolute best." ~ Dana Lewis 

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In this episode, Jen talks with Doug Wolkon, founder of Kauai Farmacy in Hawaii. They discuss the importance of consuming real foods and avoiding processed ingredients to achieve optimal health and reduce inflammation. Doug shares his personal journey from private equity in New York to establishing a permaculture oasis in Kauai, highlighting the benefits of plants like turmeric and tulsi. Jen and Doug also share practical advice on integrating herbal medicine and nutrient-rich foods into daily life, the importance of local and regenerative farming, and advocating for greater awareness and responsibility in dietary choices. Learn more at WakeUpLife.com.

Use the code “WAKEUP” at https://kauaifarmacy.com and get 20% off your order.

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Cup Board Pro is deeply connected to the Young family's heartfelt story of loss and resilience. Following the passing of their mother to breast cancer and their father to a 9/11-related illness, Kaley and Keira Young found strength in carrying on their parent's legacy. By continuing the product their father started, they have created more than just a cutting board – they have crafted a legacy that honors their parents' memory and supports those in need.

In this episode, Jen talks with Kaley and Kiera about their journey of living out their parents' legacy. They share their story of loss, resilience, and determination, reflecting on their parents' love of cooking and commitment to family. The sisters also talk about making history on Shark Tank, the unique features of Cup Board Pro, and how they give back to families impacted by 9/11-related illnesses.

In this episode:

Quotes

[06:05] - "My dad always used to say that there's a distance between you and your countertop while you're prepping. So that's where the cup fits perfectly between you and your countertop." ~ Kaley Young

[11:11] - "We hear people all the time telling us how much they love the Cup Board Pro, and they think of our dad every time they use it. That aspect is special for us, just to be able to carry on how amazing our dad was." ~ Kaley Young 

[12:09] - "Twenty percent of our piece of the cutting board goes to the FDNY Foundation, a charity that's close to our hearts. Being able to give back to that is really important to us." ~ Kaley Young

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Throughout history, milk has played a significant role in human nutrition. While convenient, commercially produced milk often undergoes heavy processing and homogenization, stripping away some of its valuable nutrients and natural goodness. Live Vessel, however, believes there's a better way. By cold-pressing fresh, raw, and organic ingredients, Live Vessel produces a variety of milk and creamers that maintain their true taste and health benefits.

In this episode, Jen talks with William Robinson, Founder of Live Vessel. William started the company in 2019 after taking an online course in plant-based culinary and confectionary desserts. The pure taste and quality of homemade plant-based milk inspired him to create his own brand. 

William talks with Jen about his journey of creating pure, clean, plant-based milk free from fillers and artificial flavors. He shares the inspiration behind Live Vessel, the different flavors and bases of their milk, and the importance of using clean and organic ingredients in milk products.

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[02:08] - "As soon as I tried making my own plant-based milk, my life completely flipped. I can't go back to the store to buy this anymore. I have to continue doing this at home." ~ William Robinson

[08:19] - "I'm passionate about putting only organic foods in my body, and I want to serve my community with the same because the quality of ingredients is just outstandingly different when you taste something organic and non-organic." ~ William Robinson

[21:45] - "Everyone should have a wake-up moment in their life because it really changes the way you have an outlook on everything." ~ William Robinson

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Consumers today crave convenient, healthy snacks they can feel good about. They want healthier options with more flavor, satisfaction, and transparency. However, creating a mess-free, shelf-stable snack without compromising taste or nutrition is challenging. realsy understands this need and created snacks that are the perfect pick-me-up, pre-workout fuel, and guilt-free treat, proving that health and convenience can go hand in hand.

In this episode, Jen talks with Austin Patry and Sophia Karbowski, the Co-Founders of realsy. As young entrepreneurs aspiring to do big things, Austin and Sophia became business partners in college in 2017 while studying entrepreneurship. They started their first business with an unrelenting mission to spread healthy vibes all over the country, growing from a single food truck to health food cafes on college campuses across the country. Since then, Austin and Sophia have entered the CPG (consumer packaged goods) space with a strong desire to make their genuinely nutritious food options more accessible and convenient.

Austin and Sophia talk with Jen about their journey from starting a smoothie and acai bowl cafe in college to launching realsy as a consumer packaged goods brand. They discuss how realsy provides a convenient and nutritious snacking option, how they developed their unique product, and the challenges they faced in creating a shelf-stable, mess-free snack. Finally, Austin and Sophia share their vision for the future of realsy and their commitment to providing consumers with clean, convenient snacks.

In this episode:

Quotes

[04:13] - "We created realsy because dates are a produce item. We decided to take something that was a produce item and make it easier to take on the go, fun, interesting, convenient, and that tastes amazing with the nut butter on the inside." ~ Sophia Karbowski

[05:38] - "We wanted to create something shelf-stable that's portable, lightweight, and not a mess. It is not only shelf-stable but also has a consistency that's not oozing out and a little bit thicker." ~ Austin Patry

[11:20] - "What does nutrition mean to us? It really is just whole foods and ingredients that you recognize. It's as simple as that." ~ Austin Patry

[11:51] - "You shouldn't be eating anything you can't picture holding the separate ingredient in your hand. If you can't imagine what one of the ingredients looks like in the palm of your hand, then you shouldn't be eating it." ~ Sophia Karbowski

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There are many types of tortilla chips available, but not all are created equal. Most chips on the market are made with corn and cooked in seed oils. MASA offers a healthy alternative with their handmade chips, fried in beef tallow and prepared via nixtamalization, an ancient technique used by the Aztecs for centuries to enhance the healthful benefits of corn.

In this episode, Jen talks with Steven Rofrano, Co-Founder and CEO of Ancient Crunch, maker of MASA chips. Steven shares how he started a company that makes tortilla chips free from preservatives and unhealthy seed oils. He also explains how MASA chips are made and emphasizes the dangers of seed oils and their impact on our health.

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[03:48] - "The chip market may seem saturated, but it's actually completely vacant because there are no good chips in the chip aisle." ~ Steven Rofrano

[15:41] - "Seed oils are the single largest toxic thing people consume in the largest quantities. They are unstable in the biology of humans." ~ Steven Rofrano

[22:02] - "MASA chips are thicker than your normal chip. They're much sturdier and hardier, so you can sink your teeth into them. They're very satisfying and better than any other tortilla chip you've ever had." ~ Steven Rofrano

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The human body is a complex ecosystem. Like any ecosystem, it thrives on a foundation of healthy building blocks. With so many toxins, pollutants, and stressors in our environment today, prioritizing cellular health and fortifying the cell membrane plays a key role in achieving optimal health and wellness. 

In this episode, Jen talks with Jessica Kane, Chief Marketing Officer at BodyBio. Jessica drives growth through innovative, data-driven strategies in both B2C and B2B markets. With a focus on driving customer acquisition and brand building, Jessica leverages her strategic, creative, and analytical expertise to promote wellness and transformative health solutions.

Jen and Jessica talk about cellular health and how the cell membrane is the gatekeeper, controlling what enters and exits our cells. They also discuss how cell membranes break down as we age, the effects of toxins in our cells, and how BodyBio can strengthen and support cellular health.

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[03:05] - "There is nothing more root in the body than ourselves. So, if you strengthen and build your cellular health, all your body's systems are able to function better." ~ Jessica Kane

[03:22] - "If your cells are unhealthy and you have a leaky cell membrane and a leaky cell wall, toxins are getting in and changing your epigenetics. They're altering your health." ~ Jessica Kane

[05:17] - "There are so many different claims about cellular health these days. But the most important thing is strengthening your cell membrane because that's where the cell's activity happens." ~ Jessica Kane

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Commercially produced kibble has been a go-to option in canine diets. While undeniably convenient, these dry foods may often contain fillers, byproducts, and preservatives that may not be ideal for a dog's overall health. A growing trend in pet nutrition emphasizes a diet rich in fresh, whole ingredients. This shift to fresh food emphasizes minimally processed meals that retain nutritional value, making those nutrients more bioavailable and digestible for canines to absorb and utilize.

In this episode, Jen talks with Dr. Jennifer Kwon, Director of Veterinary Partnerships Education and Outreach at JustFoodForDogs, a pioneer in fresh pet food. Dr. Kwon is passionate about promoting pet health and well-being through nutrition. She has been with JustFoodForDogs since its inception and has played a key role in developing healthy and balanced dog diets. With her expertise and dedication, Dr. Kwon has helped countless pets improve overall vitality and thrive on real, fresh food.

Jen talks with Dr. Kwon about the importance of feeding dogs real and fresh food. Dr. Kwon explains the difference between food and feed when it comes to dog nutrition. She sheds light on the benefits of feeding dogs a diet free from processed kibble and addresses common health issues in dogs, such as obesity, skin issues, and allergies, as well as how a fresh diet can help alleviate these problems.

Key Takeaways

Quotes

[06:28]- "Fresh food really matters because, just as we see in human health, consuming fresh whole foods plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of our pets. Fresh whole foods are cooked minimally. That makes the nutrients more bioavailable and digestible, leading to better nutrient absorption." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon

[09:44] - "We believe that every dog is an individual. Just like humans, everyone is different. And because we're so bio-individual, we don't want a cookie-cutter diet for everybody." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon

[19:32] - "We want more lives, more love, and more dogs to live longer and healthier." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon

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