Well & Worthy Life | A Podcast for Midlife Women

This week I have some real talk with So Heather - Heather Anderson. Heather is a fashion blogger, influencer, and YouTuber. In this episode, we discuss divorce, marriage, and remarriage, blending families, becoming an influencer, staying healthy, and aging gracefully.

Heather got into blogging almost ten years ago. Before passing, her father encouraged her to become a Personal Stylist or Wardrobe Consultant. This inspired Heather to start her own business, and the blog followed. She believes that if you dress in a way that makes you feel good and look confident, you can do anything. 

Not only does Heather share the struggles of divorce, but also what it meant to become a blended family. Heather acknowledges the difficulty in trying to be fair to all children, and how this impacted her marriage. Therapy has helped her manage adjustments within her family life, including becoming empty-nesters and working from home with her husband every day.

Heather’s life has also been touched by alcoholism. She discusses this as well as related aspects of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For Heather, it’s important to eat healthily and work out regularly. This is not only for her physical health but for her mental health too.

Spending time with family, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company, is Heather’s ideal day. She emphasizes the importance of family and how her mother and father have both played a significant role in her life. When Heather isn’t practicing yoga or hanging out with her family, she’s redefining what the Mom over 40 looks like on her blog and Instagram. I hope you enjoy this real talk with So Heather - Heather Anderson as much as I did!

Heathers Website: https://soheather.com/

Read my blog: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/10-wardrope-basics-when-should-you-splurge-and-when-can-you-save/

In today’s episode, we talk about meal planning and travel with Francie Kaufman - Fairway Finds. Francie is 27 years old and has loved cooking since a very early age. With the changes brought on by the pandemic this year, she has found herself in the kitchen more than ever.  She is here to share tips on her go-to meals, using up the ingredients in your fridge and planning ahead.

Francie’s husband is a professional golfer, so previously, traveling often was a large part of their lifestyle. Even then, she was able to find a rhythm for eating healthy on the road. Once the pandemic began, Francie and her husband started traveling less and staying in more. As a result, they had to adapt their lifestyle and the way they manage meals day-to-day.

There are some strategies that Francie utilizes to stay efficient in the kitchen. For example, she uses up everything in the fridge before doing her weekly shopping to keep perishable foods from going bad. She plans her weekly grocery trips ahead of time, making the most of them so she can limit her visits.

Francie notes that one of the most important aspects of making the majority of meals at home is to acknowledge which dishes will take some considerable preparation time. Of course, that must be accounted for to keep things as efficient as possible.

Francie not only dives into where she finds inspiration, but also the tools she uses to make food prep a little easier. She shares her weekly menu on her Instagram story if you need some inspiration for what to cook this week.

The Defined Dish Cookbook:

https://www.amazon.com/Defined-Dish-Wholesome-Weeknights-Endorsed/dp/0358004411/

Francie’s Website:

https://franciesfairwayfinds.com

Grilled Chicken Recipe:

https://lillieeatsandtells.com/weekly-bulk-apple-cider-dijon-grilled-chicken

Vegetable Chopper:

https://www.amazon.com/Vegetable-Chopper-Spiralizer-Slicer-Choppers/dp/B0764HS4SL/

Read my blog:  3 Tips to Make Healthy Eating Easier

In this episode, we are joined by Deanna’s husband, Jeff, who is sharing a life-changing recent experience with us.  About 6 months prior to this episode, Jeff was playing tennis. Suddenly, he felt dizzy. The dizziness faded and he decided to head home. This is Jeff's story of how he saved his life.

Halfway home the dizziness returned, followed by some chest pressure. The chest pressure was not severe, but he wanted to check it out before going home. He decided to stop at the nearest fire station to have his blood pressure checked. Once inside the fire station, they recognized that his pulse was alarmingly high - yet he didn’t feel like it was. They tried giving him an IV and medication, but neither of these worked to slow his pulse. They called an ambulance for Jeff right away.

Jeff was shocked when he realized he was headed to the hospital. Once in the emergency room, he asked the doctor if he was having a heart attack, but the doctor confirmed he was not. The next thing he knew, he went into full cardiac arrest and had to be defibrillated. 

Fortunately, Jeff’s story ended much better than it has for many others in similar situations. He is sharing his story to encourage others to get help or tell someone if they aren’t feeling quite right. Men especially tend not to ask for help for health and medical concerns. It’s important to listen to your body and your intuition, and take whatever action you need to ensure your health and safety. Going home to rest is not always the answer. 

Jeff feels like he’s gotten a second chance at life and shares his story so that others may have one too. It wasn’t his time yet. Deanna and Jeff are so thankful for that. Grab your husband or boyfriend and listen to Jeff's story of how he saved his life.

Read my blog: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/missing-my-mother-during-the-holidays/

Listen to another podcast: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/how-can-our-home-affect-our-health/

Christmas is right around the corner, and so are New Year’s resolutions. Deanna hears a lot of people say that they’re not going to worry about getting back on track right now. They say that they will wait until after the holidays because they know they’ll indulge. However, Deanna says that the holidays are when we need to feel our best. Don’t wait until the new year to get your health back on track.

A while back, Deanna put together her 3 Pillars of Good Health. She is going over those in this episode so that we can stay on track, or get back on track, during the holidays. Before getting into them, we hear about the benefits of being healthy.

In the 3 Pillars of Good Health, Deanna shares how to take back control and stop mindless eating. She discusses instances when she has fallen into mindless eating and how she has overcome those traps.

 The 3 Pillars of Good Health also reveals Deanna’s top food picks to have on hand to create easy, healthy meals. Planning ahead is important when eating healthy, which Deanna illustrates for us with a recent story about when she and her husband didn’t agree on what to have for supper.

Learning to work out at home with minimal equipment is the final pillar. You really don’t need a lot of equipment; you just need to do something you enjoy. Remember, don’t wait until January 1. It is your time right now. We’ve got to keep ourselves looking and feeling our best!

3 Pillars of Good Health: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/3-pillars-of-good-health-getting-back-on-track/

Register for Deanna’s next FASTer Way to Fat Loss program: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/faster-way-to-fat-loss/

Let's feel Our Best Year-Round: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/lets-feel-our-best-year-round-its-not-all-about-bathing-suit-season/

Podcast with Sober Sis about Alcohol: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/lets-talk-about-our-relationship-with-alcohol-with-jenn-the-sober-sis/

Alcohol-Free 21-day Reset: https://www.sobersis.com/21daychallenge?affiliate_id=2491245

Yogi Tea Stress Relief Kava

In today’s episode, Deanna is sharing some advice on how to focus on the positive this Thanksgiving. We all really do have so much to be thankful for, and realizing this thankfulness drastically improves our overall mindset. If we have our mindset right, we can then tackle so many things we want to do in life.

Deanna speaks to the importance of having a morning routine, and how this too can put our minds in the right place. We hear about some things that will be different for Deanna’s Thanksgiving this year, but also why she is still thankful for spending time with her family.

Take some time to focus on the positive this Thanksgiving, just like Deanna is. This has been a stressful year. We can choose to let it get us down, or choose to look at all the things we can be grateful for. Deanna then runs through some things she is thankful for. While recommending The Miracle Morning, Deanna shares an acronym that can help us establish a healthy morning routine. We also hear about some other books that she is reading these days.

Remember that when it comes to anything we want in life, we need to have the right mindset. It is just so important. Deanna has learned from working with clients that if their mindset is positive, they are much more likely to achieve their goals.

Even if your Thanksgiving looks different this year, just know that it’s all going to be okay. Embrace what you have and be thankful.

The Miracle Morning on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MyTMMCommunity/

Register for Deanna’s next FASTer Way to Fat Loss program: https://www.wellandworthylife.com/faster-way-to-fat-loss/ 

Listen to this podcast about Shifting Your Mindset.

Deanna has Meredith, AKA The Peachie Spoon, as her guest in today’s podcast. Meredith is a holistic life coach and certified personal trainer. Her aim is to help others have a healthy relationship with food. Today’s discussion is about learning to approach food and your body in a healthy, positive way, and why the all-or-nothing approach to diets doesn’t work.

Everyone is looking for a quick fix to lose weight, but those quick fixes don’t work. Meredith tells us about creating a solid lifestyle foundation to set you up for success. You must add small habits gradually and build up that foundation to reach your goals. There is no freedom in an all-or-nothing approach; it leaves you in a constant battle of the scale and leads you to stress and guilt.

We need to approach our health and our bodies from a place of love. You should be able to have an enjoyable life. Remember that our clothes should fit our bodies, but our bodies don’t have to fit all clothes.

Meredith has experienced eating disorders in the past and knows about the need to obsessively control what we eat, but you don’t have to obsess over food. Learn what works for your body and be mindful of how it makes you feel. Remember to have balance in what you eat and to be in tune with your own hunger.

To end the episode, Meredith reminds us that it doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach to diets. The world is always changing and we should be flexible. Think about all the choices you have the opportunity to make with your food and don’t let guilt rule your relationship with it.

Check out this Blog Post: Ditch the Diets and Adopt a Lifestyle

Meredith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeachiespoon/?hl=en

The Peachie Spoon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepeachiespoon/

The Peachie Spoon website: https://www.thepeachiespoon.com

In today’s episode, Deanna is joined by Sandy Kruse. Sandy is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist that aims to help you in  finding balance in your life to feel your best. Today’s discussion is about what a holistic nutritionist does and the importance of balance in every aspect of your day-to-day life.

After both her young daughter and herself went through serious health issues within a year of each other, Sandy came to a realization. The realization that you can control some things, like what goes into your body and your lifestyle, but not others, led her to holistic nutrition.

As a holistic nutritionist, Sandy looks at all aspects of her clients’ life. Health isn’t what you eat, it is impacted by everything around you. No two people are the same, so no two plans can be the same. Remember that your weight does not equate to your worth. Look to feel better as you are; you are already enough.

One of the biggest detrimental health factors she sees in her clients is stress. It is easy to lose a sense of yourself as you get older, especially if you have been looking after others. That’s why Sandy believes it is important to try different approaches to health as you get older. Not only does your body change, but your sense of self does too.

To end the episode, Sandy offers some advice about the key supplements you should be taking and reminds you to get out in nature and ground yourself.

Contact Sand if you need help in finding balance in your life.

Sandy’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandyknutrition/

Sandy’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandyknutrition/

Sandy’s website: https://www.sandyknutrition.ca

Deanna is welcoming Sandra Daniele in this episode. Sandra is a confidence coach, helping women feel their best through her Wish on Wildflowers program. Today’s discussion is about letting yourself feel vulnerable, letting go of what doesn’t serve you, and learning to be authentic to you.

After trying coaching at a crossroads in her life, Sandra realized that it was an experience she wanted to share with other women. It is difficult to be vulnerable, but that vulnerability is what can help you come unstuck. We all carry around things that don’t serve us; grief, sadness, anger. Let it go and lighten your load.

The biggest obstacle that women face is often themselves. Sandra believes that you have to tackle fear head-on to move forward. It is an individual process, but know that the fear you are feeling is a sign that it is time to push forward out of your comfort zone to where you need to be.

Sandra goes on to tell us about gratitude journaling and the good it can do for you. Even if you think what you are thankful for is trivial or mundane, write it down. Learn to be thankful for what you already have and build an appreciation for where you are so you can get to where you want to be.

To end the episode, Sandra discusses the importance of letting go of your insecurities and being authentic to who you truly are. Remember that you are not responsible for how others feel towards you.

Sandra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wishonwildflowers/

Wish on Wildflowers website: https://www.wishonwildflowers.com

Gratitude journal and affirmations: https://www.wishonwildflowers.com/gratitude-journal-affirmations

In today’s episode, Deanna is joined by Jenn, AKA Sober Sis. This is Jenn’s third visit to the podcast and we are so happy to have her back. Today’s discussion is about alcohol moderation and if it is possible, conquering the psychological addiction to alcohol, and the importance of making intentional decisions.

One drink can often lead to more. Jenn tells us how moderation can fail because, if a little is good, surely more must be better? It is about making conscious, present choices. If you do fall off the wagon, don’t beat yourself up about it. Everything is feedback. Take what you have learned from the experience and let it help you on your journey.

Jenn goes on to explain how alcohol creates a thirst for itself. It also creates a numbing sensation which contributes to making the choice to drink more. Remember that it is about changing those thought patterns with presence and intention. It takes practice, but it’s worth it to change that programming.

Mindfulness and mindset are the most important tools that you can utilize, especially with the holidays coming up. Jenn urges you to take the leap into a change before the holidays come so you are more equipped to deal with the pressures of social situations and stresses that come up. You don’t need to outsource your confidence and ability to relax to alcohol. You have the ability within yourself.

Jenn wants you to think about how having a sober mind can change every aspect of your life. It isn’t always easy but alcohol doesn’t just take the edge off, it dulls your edges.

Have you tried alcohol moderation?

Jenn on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sobersis/

Jenn’s free guide: https://www.sobersis.com/free-guide27260540

Signup for the 21-day reset: https://www.sobersis.com/21daychallenge?affiliate_id=2491245

Listen to my other two podcasts with Jenn:

https://www.wellandworthylife.com/lets-talk-about-our-relationship-with-alcohol-with-jenn-the-sober-sis/

https://www.wellandworthylife.com/the-health-benefits-of-going-alcohol-free/

In today’s episode, Deanna is joined by Jenny Mire. Jenny is a former social worker turned positive fitness coach whose mindset-focused approach to fitness is inspiring people to love themselves fit. Today’s conversation is about the importance of having spiritual health alongside body health, making conscious eating decisions, and how to repair and replace negative behaviors.

Growing up, Jenny was never the healthy kid. But, after the birth of her third daughter, she discovered a love of weightlifting. From there, she went on to buy the gym she worked out in, becoming a trainer and certified nutrition coach. After selling the gym in 2018, Jenny returned to her roots and went solely online.

There is no harm in taking time to re-evaluate where you are and what you want to achieve. Jenny tells us about developing the Think Fit Method and how it focuses not just on physical health, but spiritual health too. When aiming for your fitness goals, it is important to deconstruct the false self-beliefs you have developed. Don’t let guilt and shame rule your life or your love of yourself.

Changing these behaviors is a process and you need to put in the time. Focus on feeling your body and what it needs. Jenny talks about reflecting on what triggers your eating habits and learning to replace the negative behaviors when you catch them. Learn to process your uncomfortable feelings.

Jenny ends the episode by discussing the importance of self-love and compassion. Remember to be present and give yourself grace.

Jenny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennymire/?hl=en

Think Fit Method on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thinkfitmethod/?hl=en

Habit over Hustle Challenge