Ordinary Vegan Podcast

Did you know the Food and Drug Administration does not require dietary supplements to be proven safe before they are marketed? Furthermore, supplement use has reached an all-time high. So clearly, it is important to know how to purchase and wisely use dietary supplements safely. Supplements are available without a prescription and usually come in pill, powder, or liquid form. Popular supplements include vitamins, minerals, and herbal products. People take these products to make sure they get enough essential nutrients to improve their health. In 2019, the CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements revealed the highest overall dietary supplement usage to date. Among all the age groups, adults between the ages 35 - 54 have the highest usage. Unfortunately, supplements can also cause problems, especially if you don't need them. Today's podcast is dedicated to clearing up the confusion about dietary supplements along with: Unlabeled ingredients in dietary supplements Sourcing ingredients from China How heavy met

Experts have long been concerned about loneliness, and now social isolation has made the epidemic worse. According to a 2018 national survey by Cigna, loneliness levels have reached an all-time high, with nearly half of 20,000 US adults reporting they sometimes or always feel alone. Sadly, one of our youngest generations, Generation Z, is feeling the most significant impacts of loneliness. In an analysis conducted by The Pew Research Center, one-in-ten Americans say they feel lonely or isolated from those around them. Unsurprisingly, frequent loneliness is linked to dissatisfaction with one's family and social life. And lonely people often crave human contact, but their state of mind makes it more difficult to form connections with people. So America had a chronic loneliness problem before COVID-19. Consequently, now with social isolation, we all find ourselves experiencing the risk of feeling lonely. Indeed loneliness is a normal human experience, but feeling lonely and isolated for too long can harm our ph

"The single most powerful determinate of healthy gut microbiome is the diversity of plants." ~Dr. Will Bulsiewicz Did you know that over 70% of the immune system lives in the gut?  And the Covid-19 virus can hit people with a weakened immune system harder. That is why I am delighted to have Dr. Will Bulsiewicz as our guest on today's podcast. Will Bulsiewicz, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist in clinical practice in Charleston, SC. He is one of the leading gut health experts in the country and creator of the popular TheGutHealthMD Instagram account. In his new book, "Fiber Fueled", Dr. Bulsiewicz lays out a path to improving gut health that's accessible, inspiring, and, more importantly, achievable. In this episode, Dr. Bulsiewicz breaks down why the bacteria in our gut influences all aspects of our health. From immunity to anxiety to disease. Along with What is gut microbiome How to improve gut microbiome Dietary preferences of microbes Fiber and microbes Fad diets and restrictive eating Good bact

“My mission is to empower people to take control of their own health, well-being and fitness using simple breathing exercises proven to improve body oxygenation”.Patrick McKeown Most people take their breathing for granted. Why shouldn't they? They have been doing it since birth without any effort.  But my guest, Patrick McKeown, takes breathing very seriously, and he is convinced that breathing correctly can change your life. Patrick McKeown has written seven books on improving your body's oxygen use. His latest book, "The Oxygen Advantage," is a simple yet revolutionary approach to improving your body's oxygen use. Furthermore, his book explains why chronic over-breathing can contribute to problems such as anxiety, asthma, fatigue, insomnia, obesity, and heart problems. Today Patrick shares why one of the biggest obstacles to better health and fitness is how we breathe. Also,  he shares breathing exercises to help increase endurance, weight loss, and improve cardio-fitness. I am very happy that Patrick was

People often significantly underestimate the quantity and value of the foods that they have stored in cupboards and pantries.  Today’s podcast will teach you how to make the most out of your pantry food. The uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus is the most challenging thing to handle. Unquestionably, food, and having enough of it is of the utmost importance. And seeing bare shelves at grocery stores is fueling that fear. People are trying to minimize the risks associated with frequent shopping so they are buying in more significant quantities. But experts do agree that there is enough food in the supply chain, grocery stores just weren’t prepared for this. So my recommendation is to begin by doing a pantry, cupboard inventory. A thorough list will help make good use of what you have and perhaps calm your nerves about not having enough food. Also, pantry food is often thought to be less nutritious than fresh foods, but research shows that is not always true. Actually, some canning can preserve most of the f

Did you know what you eat can benefit your lung function and improve your respiratory system health? Today we explore food and exercises to improve conditions in the air passageways to make your lungs stronger. We often don't consider the important role our lungs play in keeping us well. It is not until we experience problems breathing that we take notice. Recently there has been a lot of attention about lung function and the respiratory system. The new Covid-19 virus attacks the lungs and researchers are trying to understand why.  But until they figure it out, we need to protect ourselves as best we can. Most people don't know this, but lung function starts to decline at age 30. After the age of 35, breathing becomes gradually more difficult. The respiratory system does two critical things. It brings oxygen into our bodies, which we need for our cells to function properly. It also helps us get rid of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide must be removed from the bloodstream before it reaches harmful levels. When th

Even in the best of times, many people struggle to get high-quality sleep.  So today's podcast is devoted to foods to help you sleep. Since my last podcast, our life, as we know it, has changed drastically. Stress and anxiety are at an all-time high. The coronavirus has changed how we conduct our daily lives, and change is hard. The first thing I would like to say is stimulate don't isolate. Meaning, take this downtime as an opportunity to do something different. So many of us rush through our moments in life because we are so busy. And now we have literally been forced to stop what we are currently doing. If you are sick, I am sending you compassion. Here's to you getting steadier, stronger, and healthier every day. I know you can do it. With big change, comes stress. When we are stressed, it is hard to sleep soundly. And sleep deprivation, weakens your immunity. Virus outbreaks are not the time for a weak immune system. The good news is, there are foods to help you sleep. Foods To Help Your Sleep and Streng

Given the heightened risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, today’s podcast is dedicated to the single best thing you can do to avoid it. Unquestionably, I am not an alarmist, but sometimes we need to prepare for a possible disruption in our lives like the novel coronavirus.  Also, as of today, March 5, the chances of contracting the novel coronavirus is very low, so please don’t panic. But that doesn’t mean we can’t take precautions.  First off, we are being inundated with new, unfamiliar words and phrases. For example, SARS-CoV-2 is the official name of the novel coronavirus that is spreading. COVID-19 is the disease it causes.  Most media outlets use the term coronavirus to describe SARS-CoV2.  Coronaviruses CoV is a family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe disease. There are hundreds of coronaviruses, most of which circulate among animals including pigs, camels, bats and cats As a result, the term novel coronavirus (nCoV), means this virus is a new strain that h

If you need more incentive to eat your leafy green vegetables, this podcast is especially for you. Did you know leafy green vegetables are superfoods? They are rich in vitamins and minerals. Low in calories and high in fiber and calcium. Greens can lower your risk of certain cancers, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Dark leafy green vegetables can even help manage your weight.  Not only that, evidence keeps piling up that leafy greens such as spinach and kale can keep your brain sharp and save your memory. Today’s podcast explores all the new and extraordinary breakthrough studies that could change the way you look at dark leafy green vegetables. Furthermore, we discuss tasty ways to eat and include more greens in your diet. I hope you enjoy today’s podcast. You can find all of Ordinary Vegan’s recipes and CBD Oil products at OrdinaryVegan.net. My new book, “The Easy 5-Ingredient Vegan Cookbook”, is now available on Amazon in paperback or Kindle edition. Over the years, my philosophy on cooking plant-based gr

Are you looking to increase serotonin and dopamine naturally? Maybe to fight the winter blues or perhaps to help with more serious mental health issues. Let”s face it. People are feeling more and more anxious these days. Between the threat of global warming, the coronavirus, and every day news events being stressed and sad it at an all time high. Feeling sad is part of being human and temporary. Depression is more than ordinary sadness. It can cause anxiety, fatigue, trouble with concentration, and a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed.  Researchers have been studying the link between serotonin and depression for more than five decades. Their conclusion is that having too little of this neurotransmitter can cause or contribute to depression or mental health problems. In addition, multiple studies now show a major correlation between decreased serotonin and the  food we eat. Today we learn how the two neurotransmitters,  serotonin, and dopamine, stabilizes our mood, feelings of well-being, and happines

We all have bad habits that we struggle with, from unhealthy eating to smoking.  Today’s podcast examines how to break a bad habit with psychiatrist and addiction expert, Dr. Judson Brewer. Judson Alyn Brewer, M.D., Ph.D. had devoted his career to the mechanisms of habit, and his discoveries have been life changing for many people. His Youtube video “A Simple Way To Break A Bad Habit” has over 8 million views. He has published numerous articles, and his work has been featured on 60 Minutes, CNN, NPR, and in multiple magazines. As director of research at the Center of Mindfulness, Dr. Brewer has developed mindfulness programs for the treatment of addictions. He is also an author and wrote a book called “The Craving Mind: From Cigarettes to Smartphones to Love - Why We Get Hooked and How We Can Break Bad Habits.” What we learn today is that the key to breaking bad habits is not white-knuckled willpower, but with mindfulness. And Dr. Brewer shares the steps you can take to implement mindfulness into your daily l

“I try to encourage people to shift to plant protein. I think that’s the No. 1 thing that people can do in their lifetime to positively impact climate change.” Ethan Brown, Founder Beyond Meat Many companies are entering the plant-based meat business, and sales are booming. But is vegan meat healthy? And what about all the other plant-based products targeting meat-eaters? What does "plant-based" actually mean? Simply put, plant-based is now the buzz-word for health, and marketers have seized the moment. But plant-based doesn't always equal healthy. In today’s episode, we break down the nutrition and ingredients from the two best-selling plant-based meat companies, Beyond Meat & Impossible Foods. “Every living plant or animal cell contains heme. From a food standpoint, what matters is that heme catalyzes very specific types of chemical reactions that transform abundant, simple nutrients into this explosion of hundreds of diverse volatile odorant molecules. When you experience them together, they add up unm

Unlike diets that tell you what to eat, time-restricted eating focuses on when to eat. Today’s podcast is devoted to the latest studies on time-restricted eating and the recently revealed health benefits.  Time-Restricted eating is becoming an increasingly popular way to lose weight. Furthermore, this fasting technique is showing a lot of promise.  In the past, many of the studies on time-restricted eating have involved animals rather than people.  For example, one study in 2014 found that mice that only ate food during an 8 to 9 hour period each day lost weight and had improved metabolic fitness. Also, another highly touted peer-reviewed 2015 study in PLOS One, examined a possible interplay between the frequency of eating and metabolic health like low-grade inflammation. They found that more extended fasting periods and less food consumption in the evening may lower inflammation. This study is essential because low-grade inflammations are an underlying contributor to numerous cancers and insulin resistance.

Every November, we commemorate World Vegan Month. What better way to celebrate than welcoming long-time animal advocate, author, and all-around inspiring vegan, Colleen Patrick Goudreau. In addition, she is an acclaimed speaker, and her award-winning Food for Thought podcast has been changing hearts and minds for over 14 years.  Colleen is also a recognized expert and leader on the culinary, social, ethical, and practical aspects of living compassionately. She is the author of seven books, including her newest book, The Joyful Vegan: Everything You Need to Stay Vegan in a World That Wants You to Keep Eating Meat, Dairy, and Eggs.  I was first introduced to Colleen back in 2011 when she was a speaker at Vida Vegan Bloggers Conference in Portland, Oregon. At the time, I was only plant-based for three months, and I was pretty clueless about what embracing a vegan diet really meant. After hearing Colleen speak about the bigger picture, the true meaning, and spiritual journey of not eating animals, I knew there

Combined drug intoxication (CDI), also known as multiple drug intake, is an unnatural cause of human death. This shouldn’t be confused with drug overdose because CDI is due to the simultaneous use of multiple drugs.  CDI is becoming more common in recent years because mental health problems are on the rise, and many people are taking some kind of anti-anxiety or depression medication. What many of these people don’t know is that these prescribed medications can interact badly with common over-the-counter medications or other prescribed drugs.  Not only that, cough syrups, antihistamines, cold, and flu medications can be utterly confusing. Often people are using the same ingredients just in different packaging, thinking they’re different when in reality they have the same ingredients. Today’s podcast is dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of mixing medications and thinking twice about what you put in your body.  We are also heading into flu season so before you reach for your go-to medication, mak

In Podcast #63 "How Not To Diet", Dr. Greger discussed fat burning foods to help lose weight. Today's podcast is a follow-up to a few of the foods he mentioned. First, we discuss which foods contribute to weight loss and why it works. For example, there are certain foods that increase energy expenditure. Meaning, they have metabolic boosting properties. Metabolism is the process by which our body converts what we eat and drink into energy. Often when we diet, our metabolism slows down because we need less energy to maintain our body. Having a high metabolic rate not only burns calories but also gives us more energy. There are also ingredients in foods that increase fat oxidation, which can increase fat burning by as much as 10-15%. Furthermore, many scientific studies now show when a person adds these fat burning foods to their diet, they can lose weight permanently. You can learn more information in Dr. Michael Greger's new book "How Not To Diet." Thanks for listening. Please support today's sponsor Osea Mal

The primary cause of weight gain and disease is what we eat. Dr. Greger's new book "How Not To Diet" empowers us with the knowledge on how to live a healthy, obesity-free life without dieting. If you are not familiar with Dr. Michael Greger, you should be. He is a physician, best selling author, and internationally recognized professional speaker on a number of important health issues. He is the founder of the non-profit NutritionFacts.org and the author of the New York Times bestseller "How Not To Die." In a nutshell, Dr. Greger relies on the gold standard of medical research and devotes his life to the science of nutrition so we can live a long and healthy life. It is a great honor to have him on my podcast. Today, Dr. Greger discusses his new book "How Not To Diet," being released on December 10, 2019. "How Not To Diet; The Groundbreaking Science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss" explores all the cutting-edge science behind long-term weight loss success. In addition, Dr. Greger hones in on the optimal cri

Today's podcast explores the root of all disease, chronic inflammation. Also, the anti-inflammatory foods that can help reduce and fight inflammation.  Inflammation is part of the body's response to infection and tissue damage, and it is crucial to the healing process. But over the last 15 years, studies show that when chronic inflammation lingers, it leaves your body in a constant state of alert. This can lead to chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and even Alzheimer's disease. Preventing chronic inflammation and knowing the signs is crucial. Inflammation may be associated with general flu-like symptoms like fever, chills, headaches, loss of energy, and muscle stiffness. Inflammation can also cause redness, joint pain, joint stiffness, or a swollen joint. It can also affect organs like the heart and cause shortness of breath or fluid retention. Chronic inflammation can also lead to weight gain. Protect yourself by learning the causes, symptoms, and treatment of inflam

Is your tap water safe to drink?  Contaminated water has become an alarming issue not only in the United States but all over the world.  Uncontaminated water is essential for human survival, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable development.  The tap water we drink isn’t just coming from your local stream. It comes from lakes, rivers, reservoirs, or underground sources like aquifers. And any kind of water can become polluted with chemicals, regardless of its size or location.  According to a new report by the non-profit Environmental Working Group, as many as 43 states expose millions of people to dangerous chemicals in their tap water.  Residents of Newark, New Jersey recently faced a lead water crisis which put 30,000 residents at risk of lead poisoning.  And in 2014, the city of Flint, Michigan, switched its water source to the Flint River which led to tainted drinking water that contained lead and other chemicals.  Children are particularly vulnerable to unsafe tap water. Lead exposure in children can impac

In today's podcast we focus on the healthiest beans you can eat from my legumes list. Legumes provide a magnitude of essential nutrients that can help you live a longer and healthier life. And science proves that beans contribute to longevity because they cool down systemic inflammation. Inflammation contributes to many long-term diseases including cardiovascular disease and cancer. Chances are legumes, such as beans and lentils are not part of your regular diet. This legumes list provides you with my favorite legumes, and some easy ways to make them part of your regular diet. Legumes List includes: Chickpeas- Also known as garbanzo beans are low in calories, rich in protein, and contain 71% of the RDI for folate. Folate is one of the B-vitamins that is needed to make red and white blood cells. Folate also converts carbohydrates into energy (metabolism) and maintains the genetic building blocks of the body. Chickpeas are an excellent base for sandwiches like this Vegan Chickpea Sandwich with Sun-Dried Tomatoe