Wanda's Lifestyle Column on Authority Magazine - a Medium Publication

https://medium.com/@wandamalhotra?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/fit/c/150/150/1*fj0yhppmYw3w66o3_57llQ.png Stories by Wanda Malhotra on Medium https://medium.com/@wandamalhotra?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 Medium Thu, 02 Nov 2023 16:30:33 GMT https://medium.com/authority-magazine/women-in-wellness-amanda-marks-of-resilient-counseling-on-the-five-lifestyle-tweaks-that-will-help-f747dfbbaa8e?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/f747dfbbaa8e Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:50:05 GMT 2023-11-02T00:50:05.289Z Women In Wellness: Amanda Marks of Resilient Counseling On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Identify and set boundaries for yourself. This includes energetic, physical, emotional, and mental boundaries. Don’t take on feelings and emotions of other people. Be empathetic but don’t accept responsibility for other’s feelings. Be OK with saying no and not people pleasing all the time.

Today, more than ever, wellness is at the forefront of societal discussions. From mental health to physical well-being, women are making significant strides in bringing about change, introducing innovative solutions, and setting new standards. Despite facing unique challenges, they break barriers, inspire communities, and are reshaping the very definition of health and wellness. In this series called women in wellness we are talking to women doctors, nurses, nutritionists, therapists, fitness trainers, researchers, health experts, coaches, and other wellness professionals to share their stories and insights. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Amanda Marks.

Amanda Marks is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Georgia where she works with individuals that struggle with the aftermath of trauma, anxiety and disordered eating. She is also a yoga teacher with over 500 hours of yoga training and incorporates yogic principles into her work as a therapist. She believes in living intuitively, authentically and is not afraid to take up space.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

Thank you so much for asking, I’d love to share my backstory with you. I feel my story of becoming a therapist is quite cliché but I wanted to help people and has always been told that I was a good listener and helper when I was younger. After changing my undergraduate degree to psychology, I eventually decided to pursue becoming a licensed therapist. I took a few years off between undergrad and graduate school and then worked full state while pursuing my Masters degree. After working for hospitals and other organizations, I opened up my own practice in the middle of the pandemic, Resilient Counseling, and haven’t looked back! It’s certainly been challenging and hard at times, but I recognized that my work-related values were being ignored while working for others so I decided to take the leap of faith and go solo with my career.

Yoga came into my life shortly after the death of my father and I quickly found an amazing community at the yoga studio where I initially started practicing. I also realized how the practice of yoga was helping me to process my father’s death. A couple of years after that, one of my teachers, Isabelle Casey, said she was hosting a yoga retreat in Italy that would involve yoga, wine and pasta…I immediately gave her a deposit and a few months later I was sitting in Italy talking to her about starting her upcoming yoga teacher training program! I’ve now completed over 500 hours of yoga teacher training courses and host workshops and retreats that blend mental health and yoga.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

One of the most interesting things that has happened to me was when I was selected to go teach yoga in India! I was looking at various opportunities of teaching yoga abroad and saw that an ashram in Goa, India was looking for a yoga teacher to teach Yin yoga for a week. I was very surprised to see this, as yin is a style I specialize in and the fact that they only needed some for a week! I immediately applied and was surprised to hear back from them a couple days later. Much to my surprise, I had misread the initial post and they were looking for someone to co-lead a Yin Yoga Teacher training program! I hadn’t even been a yoga teacher for a year at that point, but had studied and practiced yin for a few years at that point in time. After discussing it further, I was offered the position and approximately 2 weeks later, I was on a flight to India where I had never been before!

My takeaways from that experience are to take the risk, try to do something out of your comfort zone and you don’t think you can do. Go to a foreign country alone, apply for the promotion. Do it with fear! You might just surprise yourself!

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I know I’ve made countless mistakes when I was a new therapist and I will continue to make mistakes because I am human. I will say the wrong thing to a client. I will trigger them and challenge them. I will remind them of the person they are trying to forget. I’ve been vulnerable with the wrong people. I’ve trusted the wrong people. Through all these mistakes, I don’t regret any decision I’ve ever made in my life. They have all taken me to the location where I am today.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

When it comes to health and wellness, I am helping people thrive. I help people manage their emotional and mental health by learning how to identify and regulate their feelings, process past trauma and learn healthy, new ways of dealing with life stressors. I offer people a chance to heal, to work through past narratives of not feeling good enough and to help get people out of their heads and into their bodies. Yoga means ‘to yoke’ and I also facilitate mind-bottom healing. In the therapy world, we call this ‘bottom up therapy’ where we use somatic based therapies to bring the body into healing as well. As I’m also a therapist that works with eating disorders and disordered eating, I am also fighting against the diet industry continues to focus on making people feel bad about their bodies and that they need to shrink themselves in order to be acceptable into today’s society.

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?

1 . Stop ‘shoulding’ on yourself. Figure out your values and what is important to you. Make actions that align with your values to improve and enhance your emotional and mental health. For example, instead of saying to yourself “I should go to the gym today,” figure out why that’s important to you and how to connects to your values. For me, I would say ‘I’m going to go to the gym because I value being challenged and the gym is a great way for me to feel challenged!”

2 . Start therapy or keep going in therapy. We all need support at times in our lives. Let’s help to continue to reduce the mental health stigma and be OK with not being OK and getting support and help during difficult times in our lives. It’s also a great way to grow interpersonally and learn healthy, safe ways of dealing with life’s challenges.

3 . Stop measuring your self-worth in numbers. Does your weight, GPA or how much income you earn truly define you? When our self-worth is based on quantifiable, it will fluctuate depending on the numbers. When we value ourselves because we are human beings and focus more on what how we are as humans, our self-worth is more stable.

4 . Identify and set boundaries for yourself. This includes energetic, physical, emotional, and mental boundaries. Don’t take on feelings and emotions of other people. Be empathetic but don’t accept responsibility for other’s feelings. Be OK with saying no and not people pleasing all the time.

5 . Breathe. One of my meditation teachers once said “as is the breath, so is the mind.” I strongly believe in this. Most of us go through life holding our breath and not taking deep breaths often enough. This causes us to stay in a state of fight or flight and causes more stress and anxiety. Slow down your breath and you will notice that your mind will start to slow down as well and you can make decisions more clearly.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

The movement I would want to start would be to stop the hustle culture which I believe greatly impacts our mental health. We don’t have to do all the things all the time. Let’s slow down and reconnect with ourselves and the people we hold dear to us. Identify your feelings and start to make decisions that align with those. When we aren’t constantly competing and comparing ourselves to others we are able to focus on what truly matters to us.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?

I wish someone had told me that the road less traveled can be lonely at times. When we reevaluate our values, goals and priorities, it can make our journey feel lonely at times. Many people may not understand the reason we are doing things but it’s not about them, the focus is on us.
It’s OK to not be OK. Be honest with yourself about your struggles and growth areas. Stop with the toxic positivity. Pretending everything is OK isn’t always helpful and can lead to denial. Ask for help and support before you actually need it.
You don’t have to be perfect. I’m a recovering perfectionist. Perfection does not exist. The marker is always moving further out when we try to be perfect at everything. Make mistakes, you’ll learn from them.
Take care of your physical, mental, spiritual and financial health. Set realistic goals. We only get one life.
Remember to have fun! As adults, we stop playing and having fun. Having fun is so important. Get outside and spend time in nature. Paint a painting. Take a dance class. It’s important for balance in our lives.

Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?

Mental health is a topic that is most dear to me. As a therapist, many of us are taught at a young age to ignore our feelings, stuff them inside, don’t be weak, etc. This leads to a huge disconnect from ourselves and impacts our relationships with others. We need to continue to fight the mental health stigma in our country. Being honest with ourselves about our feelings is a great place to start! Research continues to show that ignoring and not taking care of our mental health does contribute to physical health problems. We can’t continue to ignore it!

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

Readers can follow me on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmandaMarksRYTLPC and on Instagram at Instagram.com/amandamarks.lpc.ryt My blog is located on my website ResilientCounseling.net

Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.

About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com.

Women In Wellness: Amanda Marks of Resilient Counseling On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/women-in-wellness-emily-van-eck-on-the-five-lifestyle-tweaks-that-will-help-support-peoples-43cdf9892d1c?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/43cdf9892d1c Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:46:15 GMT 2023-11-02T00:46:15.194Z Women In Wellness: Emily Van Eck On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s Journey Towards Better Wellbeing

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Focus on community. Working in solo private practice means lots of freedom, but it is also isolating. Staying in community with the people in my city and area of practice is huge.

Emily Van Eck, MS, RDN helps women find authentic wellness by listening to their bodies instead of patriarchal and capitalistic expectations of perfection. As a registered dietitian nutritionist and certified intuitive eating counselor, Emily helps her clients heal from years of dieting, rigidity, anxiety with food, and body dissatisfaction so they can nourish themselves effectively, confidently, and pleasurably. In her private practice, Emily serves people in all types of bodies with individualized nutrition counseling, group coaching inside the Love Food Again Program, and has a self-paced course coming out early 2024. Emily believes a pleasure-centered life is a pathway to health and it is only our obsession with thinness and youth that keeps women locked in restriction and distrust of themselves.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

Like most women, I was taught at a young age that the size and shape of my body was just as, if not way more, important than how I felt or what I thought. But I was lucky, I had a naturally thin body and didn’t need to do anything to keep it that way. I noticed many of my friends and classmates experience something very different.

When I started gaining weight in high school, I became acutely aware that this was a problem. Being a ‘girly girl’, and into the dance team, it was clear that my body changing was at odds with the sport I had chosen. When I realized other people noticed my weight gain, I was devastated. This started a 10 year period of restricting my food to the bare minimum, and then binging on candy and fast food. Such a roller coaster.

This is how disordered eating and body hatred starts for most women.

It took a while, but over time I realized that this way of related to food was making me miserable. Plus, I knew I was way more interesting than this. I also realized that the story women are told, that we must look a certain way, act a certain way, get a good job, get married, have babies, etc. and in that order, felt completely impossible and inauthentic for me.

But even knowing this, I agonized over why my life wasn’t turning out the way I had been told it was supposed to.

Meanwhile, I was falling in love with delicious and nutritious food. I worked in restaurants in NYC for most of my 20s and through talking to chefs, wine experts, and foodie friends, and learning about Ayurveda on the side, I figured out that healthy food and delicious food could be one in the same. So I learned to cook.

I also noticed that the mainstream dialogue about healthy food and healthy bodies was damaging people, especially women. I went back to school to study nutrition and become a dietitian. I knew that I wanted to help people find a balance between flavor and health — not drive doggedly toward one or the other.

There is a huge misconception that we need to ‘kill it, nail it’ with the way we take care of ourselves. I just don’t think that works for most women, not really.

In time, all of this personal and professional learning morphed into the practice I have today, where I mostly work with women and femmes to divest from the thin ideal and oppressive beauty standards, heal their relationships with food and their body, and find a manner of eating and exercising that feels aligned with the way they want to live. It is very much pro-health, but not in the way that social media may lead you to believe.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? What were the main lessons or takeaways from that story?

A pivotal moment happened for me after Covid hit. I was doing a few different types of work with clients. I was specializing in digestive and functional health on the one hand, which typically includes elimination diets and me telling people exactly what to do with food. It can feel like a very top-down approach. And while fundamentally, I believe that healing root cause is still the best solution we have to help people with most health issues, there was something missing.

On the other hand, I had become a Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor and was helping people heal body image distress and chaotic, stressful, and disordered eating. This is a much more client-centered, social-justice centered, holistic and therapeutic approach.

These two approaches felt at odds. I was struggling to reconcile how I felt about doing both.

With the time and space that first part of covid offered, I was able to see clearly what I needed to do. It just became clear one day. A major problem was our society’s view about bodies and health. Stressing out about eating perfectly was causing the digestive distress. Being told that any ‘extra weight’ was a problem was harming folks. It all came together for me. Our relationship with food and our bodies is key to peace and health.

I tell this story all the time because I think it speaks to a couple important lessons.

I can trust my inner wisdom. When a path it clear that I need to take, it will present itself and all I have to do is listen.
Slowing down creates the space needed for real insight to come through.

These two truths are essential with my client work as well as with myself. In my group program, The Love Food Again Program, we start out with 4 weeks of slowing down and listening to ourselves and our intuition. In our culture, feminine wisdom (our inner knowing) gets ignored in favor of logic, reason, and external guidance, like calories, pounds, macros, and steps.

But I am shown again and again, both in my own life and in my clients lives, that we have a ton of wisdom in our bodies. Diet culture has silenced it and put a veil over it, but it’s there if you know where to look and pause to hear it. In this same way, we can learn to trust our bodies and our appetites, too.

It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about a mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Like I was saying, I think the patriarchal, capitalist influence led me to try and focus on the “Dr. Nutrition’ side of things. I thought that if I had all the information, all the science, that I could be the smartest person in the room and tell people how to eat and cure their auto-immune disease! If they just stuck to this diet for 3 months they would be all better.

But that was so wrong. That is not what people need, at least not from me. No amount of perfecting your diet will heal your childhood trauma around your body size. No elimination diet will cure anxiety-belly. So a big lesson on this path has been learning to slow down and be with people and their difficulty making healthy choices in their life.

We are told that willpower is all we need to ‘be healthy’, but it’s just so not true. I believe that people are doing the best they can with what they have. But people have so much mis-information when it comes to weight and health and disease.

On a weekly basis, I have to remember that I may be the expert on nutrition, but I am not the expert on this person or their body. They are. So I am here to help them understand the way they take care of themselves more fully. Then I can steer them toward making decisions that honor their health. They won’t do it perfectly, but that’s a good thing. That’s human. That’s the way to lasting change.

Let’s jump to our main focus. When it comes to health and wellness, how is the work you are doing helping to make a bigger impact in the world?

Girls are given two very confusing and conflicting messages as we become women.

One, our body is the most important thing about us and we should try to be as close to the thin, white, sporty, able-bodied, cis-gendered ideal as possible. We’re given the subliminal message through the media that doing this will make it more likely we’ll be accepted, praised, loved, successful, and feel a sense of belonging.

We also get the message that our bodies are dangerous and they better not be ‘too sexy’ or our reputation, or worse — our safety — is at risk.

For many, this means trying to shrink their body by eating less. But because restriction backfires, most folks end up binging in one form or another, gaining weight, and then feeling even worse about their body. They may go on diet after diet, gaining weight in between and feeling worse about themselves and their body. And bonus, it’s all so shameful to talk about so women become competitive and jealous.

I believe this message is hard on all people of all bodies sizes and genders, but is particularly disorienting for women+ who do not fit that ideal. Any body above the arbitrary ‘normal weight’ on the BMI scale is treated like a problem to be solved. I see first hand, every day, the lifelong damage this does to a women’s self-worth and her relationship with food and exercise. If changing your body shape and size is the main goal of eating well and exercising, and that doesn’t work, then what is the point of taking care of yourself?

The work I do is to help people, at whatever intersection they find themselves at, have a space to look at the ways these conflicting messages have splintered the way they think about themselves and in response, the behaviors they engage with. I help people reconnect with their bodies and eat in nourishing, liberating ways.

Unpacking the self-sabotaging thoughts that stem from diet culture allows one to stop trying to be something they are not. My clients learn how to listen to hunger and fullness, eat foods that genuinely satisfy them and are culturally relevant to them. They get more sleep, engage in joyful movement, and learn what good nutrition means for their body’s needs.

Many people I work with are unhappy with the way their body looks or acts. But this is something we’ve been conditioned to feel. So we work on shifting the way they feel and treat their body, rather than forcing it into a smaller mold. I help people explore what is underneath their unrelenting desire to manage their body, and to learn self-compassion and self-care habits that go way beyond the way they look.

Can you share your top five “lifestyle tweaks” that you believe will help support people’s journey towards better wellbeing?

1 . Stop dieting.

Especially if you experience stress and anxiety about your body, or about eating, letting go of rigidity and the idea there is some ‘miracle cure’ out there is the first major step in finding authentic peace and wellbeing with food and your body. This may not help you get to your high school weight or into those pants from 10 years ago, but it can eventually lead you to your set-point weight, which will be easy to maintain and help you feel much better about yourself. Then you can go get some new pants that you feel amazing in.

2 . Eat a balanced breakfast.

It doesn’t have to be perfect, but try and get some protein, carbs, and fat in for breakfast every day. Oatmeal with walnuts and fruit, toast with peanut butter and banana, eggs with toast and fruit, full fat yogurt with nuts and fruit, avocado toast sprinkled with sesame seeds and olive oil, and even a regular boxed cereal with milk. Waiting too long to eat during the day is not great for your metabolism or your hormones, especially for women with PCOS or any insulin or blood sugar issues.

3 . Check your perfectionistic tendencies with food, movement, and self-care.

Women are held to impossibly high standards (not to mention double standards). The pressure to be ‘a good person’ a ‘good mom’, have a ‘good body”, and also to ‘be good’ with food, exercise, and all-things-self-care and wellness — is INTENSE.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that we have to be doing things perfectly in order to keep up. Unrealistic or rigid expectations for yourself, your body, or your wellness habits can show up as stress, overwhelm, rebound eating, damaged body image, binge eating, procrastination, self-blame, fear of taking a day off, and weight gain.

Try and be compassionate with yourself. If there is something you want to get better at, you can totally do it. Just remember that you are a human and that progress is messy and not linear. And that’s actually a good thing.

4 . Move toward pleasurable, joyful movement instead of punishment and pain.

Moving your body on a regular basis is excellent for health. Research is quite clear on this one. But there is so much variety and room for nuance in the ways that one moves their body. If you have a hard time sticking with an exercise routine, look into that a little instead of blaming yourself for being lazy.

Consider exploring movement that you inherently enjoy and demand pleasure. You don’t need to get the right amount of steps or sweat or be in pain in order for exercise to pay off. Ask yourself — have I only been exercising in order to lose weight or for aesthetic purposes? If the answer is yes and you are currently not exercising at all, this could be why.

People stick with movement that they enjoy. Period.

5 . If you’re waiting until you lose weight to do things that you want in your life, make a list of them and starting doing them now.

Often, folks who have struggled with their weight and body image assume that life will be easier once they get to a certain point or a certain size pants. I think this is one of the most harmful things that diet culture and our weight-centric healthcare system does to folks. If you are in a larger body, there could be some real, systemic issues that make this difficult. Airplane seats, restaurant booths, doctors visits can all be really challenging. I recognize that.

But there are also probably things, no matter what your size, that you could do now. Go on the trip, buy the new bathing suit, jump in the water, get on the dating app. Your life is happening now and waiting until you look ‘the right way’ to live it is a waste of time.

If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of wellness to the most amount of people, what would that be?

Well, I wouldn’t be starting the movement. The movement is already in full swing. The weight-neutral healthcare movement is important and so health-promoting, but is often misconstrued or misattributed.

We are all harmed when a thin body is held up as an attainable goal. The research is clear — body size is largely genetic, with systemic factors and social determinants of health influencing body size way more than individual diet and lifestyle choices.

And importantly, even if weight loss was the answer for health problems, weight loss attempts fail 98% of the time. More than 2/3 of people who lose a significant amount of weight gain more back than they lost, and are often worse off than before. Weight cycling (yo-yo dieting) can cause blood sugar and cholesterol abnormalities, disordered eating, body image damage, and loss of lean body mass, which slows metabolism.

Intuitive Eating is the framework I use when helping people improve their relationship with food. People end up eating more variety, more fruits and vegetables, have more consistency and balance in their life. It is a true healing framework, not a set of rules to tell you what to eat.

If we, as a society, could see mental health as just as important to physical health, perhaps the emphasis could move from body size to overall well-being. I believe this would benefit women significantly.

What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started” and why?

To follow the path that my gut told me to and not to waste time trying to follow someone else’s path.
That I needed help understanding how to run a business! I took exactly zero business classes in school, so the steps needed to get started running a business were all things I had to figure out on my own.
That while working for myself would be super rewarding, it would also be really hard. I think I did hear this, but I didn’t really get it.
Ask for help with personal and professional issues. I continue to be amazed at how getting perspective from experts changes me.
Focus on community. Working in solo private practice means lots of freedom, but it is also isolating. Staying in community with the people in my city and area of practice is huge.

Sustainability, veganism, mental health, and environmental changes are big topics at the moment. Which one of these causes is dearest to you, and why?

I feel passionate about many of these topics, but mental health is the one I deal with the most in my practice and with my clients.

When we believe thinness is important at all costs, the negative consequences of strict diets and trying to lose weight get brushed aside as insignificant. Becoming preoccupied with food, obsessing about ingredients and how ‘fattening’ something is, weight regain, depression and anxiety. These are all common outcomes from dieting and significantly effect quality of life.

Yes, eating disorders are common and very under-diagnosed, especially in non-thin and non-white people of all genders. But disordered eating, reluctance to engage with healthy food and exercise, avoidance of medical care, and low self-worth are all common outcomes of trying to lose weight and it not working.

A lot of the people I work with have had some kind of traumatic experience in their body. Either they’ve tried every diet under the sun, so have put their body into starvation mode a dozen times, they’ve over-exercised to exhaustion, or they are terrified of eating the wrong thing. These are not happy and healthy ways to live, but again — our obsession with thinness makes these behaviors seem like the right choice. And I think prioritizing physical health over mental health is a big contributor.

What is the best way for our readers to further follow your work online?

My favorite way to connect with people is through my newsletter, Lunch & Liberation. It’s a biweekly letter devoted to pleasure, joy, and liberation with food and our bodies. I share a recipe, something I’m currently eating and loving, or maybe it’s a little meal planning hack I like. I also love to uplift and share stories of other women in the food, body, and health space doing cool things. Sign up at my website.

Follow me on instagram at @emily.nutrition and over at my website and blog — emilyvaneck.com

Thank you for these fantastic insights! We wish you continued success and good health.

Women In Wellness: Emily Van Eck On The Five Lifestyle Tweaks That Will Help Support People’s… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/nourishing-knowledge-agatha-achindu-of-life-unprocessed-on-the-thrive-practice-on-the-power-of-4991caf120bb?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/4991caf120bb Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:45:47 GMT 2023-11-02T00:45:47.804Z Nourishing Knowledge: Agatha Achindu Of Life Unprocessed On The Thrive Practice On The Power of Food as Medicine

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

High cholesterol: I wish there was a way to shout this particular one from the highest mountain top, knowing the huge number of people on lifetime cholestory maintenance drugs. You can totally reverse, prevent, and manage your cholesterol with a change of dietary pattern and get off that medication. To prevent, lower, and slowly reverse high cholesterol, you need to limit meat, dairy, and fried food consumption, since they are the primary sources of bad dietary cholesterol. Fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and high in soluble fiber, which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels.

In an era dominated by pharmaceutical solutions, there is a rising consciousness about the incredible healing and preventive powers of food. As the age-old saying goes, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” But how does this translate in today’s world? Can we really use nutrition as a potent tool against sickness and disease? How does one curate a diet that supports health, longevity, and wellness? In this series, we are talking to nutritionists, dietitians, medical professionals, holistic health experts, and anyone with authoritative knowledge on the subject. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Agatha Achindu.

Agatha Achindu is a wellness architect focused on helping her audience find a clear path toward what matters most: a long and fulfilling life. As the founder of Life Unprocessed™, a boutique wellness coaching and consultancy, Agatha helps clients uncover, unlearn, and unleash their unique, optimal lifestyle design. She is the author of Bountiful Cooking, a cookbook of wholesome everyday meals released by Hachette Book Group; a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and yoga instructor; and the founder of Yummy Spoonfuls, the first organic baby food line to be nationally distributed.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?

I grew up on an organic farm in Cameroon, West Africa. As a kid, I remember playing in the garden with my siblings, working with my mami to harvest ripe fruits and vegetables (not my favorite thing growing up — I swear every time I plant/harvest food from my garden or visit a farm as an adult I can hear my mami turning in her grave), and learning to cook from scratch at my mami and grandmama’s side. And when it was time to eat, my mother always served simple homemade fresh food. My family used the refrigerator only for cold drinks and the occasional leftovers, and we never had convenience foods. So, naturally, I developed a taste for garden-fresh vegetables and homemade meals from the earliest age. Food was also a way of giving and sharing with our neighbors and helping the needy in our community. Everything revolved around cooking and sharing delicious healthy homemade food. This was our way of life. This formative experience of preparing and eating healthy fresh food has been a skill, a habit and a passion for as long as I can remember.

True Story: The first time my parents visited, I went to the farmers’ market with my mami, and while I was looking at the beef labels, she looked at me wondering what was going on. “Why don’t you just grab a package of beef?” she asked. I told her I was looking for grass-fed beef. Oh, the look on her face! “What do you mean by that, Agada? All cows eat grass.” “Not in America, Mami,” was my reply.

What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.

The inspiration for my career started in my mother’s garden, on our family farm in Cameroon. We always ate the freshest vegetables and fruits, and my mother prepared everything from scratch. This knowledge has informed my entire life. When I moved to the US in the early 90s, I was shocked to find foods in cans. The grocery stores didn’t look anything like what I was expecting to see in America, the land of all things amazing. There was less real food and more “food-like” stuff, and I was not surprised at all when I found out that seven of the top ten leading causes of deaths in the United States are related to nutrition and lifestyle.

I started helping my friends in school update their favorite recipes, and I became the go-to person for healthy recipes. When my youngest child, Jared-Zane, came along in 2004, it broke my heart to see that even children’s food had the same issue. I had just assumed that food for children would be better since so much of their health depends on what they eat. Here is the problem: While adults eat food for energy and maintenance, children eat food for both maintenance and growth. They are literally only as good as the food they eat. Many of the disorders that commonly affect children have a dietary component to them. As a result, dietary modifications need to be a part of the solution.

With this in mind, I became more purposeful in my need to serve and help parents understand the direct relationship between the food they are feeding their kids and the impact to their overall health. I started teaching healthy eating workshops at local hospitals and “mommy & me” meet-up groups, sharing my home experience and my kids’ good health, which I believe is due to a powerful immune system as a result of their diet. Parents were lining up to learn more. That little group of parents at my monthly free workshop grew from 300 to more than 45K.

As a mother, I fundamentally believe that healthy, delicious food is a birthright to every child, given that so much of their health and development depends on what they are fed. But what happens to the kids whose parents can’t come to my workshop? Every child deserves access to the same high-quality homemade food that those who have the time to make their own food at home love so much. A parent shouldn’t be made to feel guilty because they don’t have the time or knowledge to make their own food.

So, in 2006, I did a hard pivot and decided to risk it all to bring the same high-quality food I feed my own family to market, made like you would at home using the freshest ingredients, with nothing artificial added to it, and preserved using time-tested freezing like I do in my own kitchen. My career and life would change forever. Today I am a former IT executive turned cookbook author, Certified Integrative Nutrition Coach, Certified Yoga Coach, founder of Yummy Spoonfuls Organics for Kids, and the founder and lead coach for Life Unprocessed™, a boutique wellness coaching and consultancy helping families thrive.

It has been said that our mistakes can sometimes be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

Back when I was just starting out, I was very anxious to gain exposure for my new business. I was afraid to say no to speaking invitations, demos, and product donations because I thought my business would suffer. Then, one morning when I had a day of back-to-back events scheduled, I woke up with laryngitis! I literally could not speak. My body was saying: No! No more crazy schedules. It was hilarious. Now I would rather say no first than to over-commit. You can always revisit an opportunity.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Passion: I have an undying passion for teaching others to eat and live better. I am so passionate about it that I started offering free workshops. I remember the first time I walked to my local hospital that was close to my job. I wanted to offer free workshops to mothers on how to make baby food. I was asked the name of my business, and they were shocked to hear I didn’t have a business. I was just offering free classes to help parents learn how to cook and make better choices for their family. My free workshop grew to a massive 45k mamas around the country, and that was what truly made me launch my very first business, Yummy Spoonfuls.

Faith: I am here only by God’s grace. To know my story is to understand the power of my faith. To God be all the glory.

Integrity: For more than 30 years I have been on the same mission, speaking the same truth, and this has turned out to be such a guiding light for me. People trust my word — that’s the one thing I hear a lot from clients and colleagues — and I’m grateful for the number of loyal customers and the better world this has brought me along the way.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

This question stopped me in my tracks. It’s such a powerful reminder that for more than 25 years, I have been on the same exciting project of helping as many people as possible to achieve sustainable health, regardless of their socio-economic status. Whatever I have done has been for the greater good of this one mission, a world where all of humanity is equipped and empowered with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to make the best choices for the health of their bodies, minds, and spirits. From my new cookbook, Bountiful Cooking, to upcoming speaking engagements and workshops, I empower audiences to think critically and independently about how to un-process their generational habits and wellness misconceptions to arrive at solutions that actually work, enabling them to thrive on their journey to longevity. The human body is truly magical when provided the mind, body, and spirit nourishment it needs to thrive.

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview about cultivating wellness through proper nutrition and diet. To begin, can you tell our readers a bit about why you are an authority on the topic of nutrition?

Because of both my learned experiences (Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach with more than 25 years of knowledge) and lived experiences (56 years old with not a single cavity nor a single hot flash).

We all know that it’s important to eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, etc. But while we know it intellectually, it’s often difficult to put it into practice and make it a part of our daily habits. In your opinion, what are the main blockages that prevent us from taking the information that we all know and integrating it into our lives?

I know there are many reasons, including finances and lack of easy access, but what I have come to believe from my more than two decades of teaching is that there are three primary factors:

1. Convenience: People want convenience.

2. Mindset: If I put a penny aside every time someone tells me they don’t have the time to make wholesome food at home, I would have $$$$ in the bank as I type this response. I tell my clients that the food you eat and feed your family is not and cannot be an afterthought if you want sustainable health. Food is not the thing you do when you have time; it is the thing you create time to do because it is that important.

3. System: We live in a society that makes eating healthy almost impossible. Water is more expensive than soda, for example. You will easily find a liter of soda on sale for $.99 and a 16-oz. bottle of water at double the price. Common sense tells us there is no way soda (water + sugar + color + preservatives + additives) can be cheaper than plain water, but it is because the government directs the bulk of its subsidies toward commodity crops like corn and soybeans that are used to make cheap sugars. A Double Whopper is cheaper than a plain salad at fast food restaurants because…why? While the USDA recommends a diet of at least 50% fresh fruits and vegetables, only 4% of federal farm dollars support their production. Want to know how much of U.S. Farm Subsidies goes to Livestock and Animal Feed? Thirty percent. Want to know how much goes to fruits and vegetables? How about a miserly 4%. Unfortunately, in its present form, our food system is not designed to make healthy fruits, vegetables, and proteins accessible and affordable to all citizens.

From your professional perspective, do you believe that nutrition plays a pivotal role in supporting the body’s natural healing processes and overall well-being, particularly in cases of chronic diseases? We’re interested in hearing your insights on the connection between a holistic approach to diet and its benefits for individuals facing health challenges.

The truth is, we live in the wealthiest country in the world, we have the best doctors, and more medicine and hospitals than ever in human history, yet we also have some of the highest rates of chronic degenerative diseases in the world. Children today are suffering from Type 2 diabetes, which used to be an illness associated mainly with adults. In fact, Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. It is heartbreaking to see on the CDC website that seven out of the top ten leading causes of deaths are nutrition- and lifestyle-related. So yes, nutrition plays a huge part. We truly are what we eat.

The belief that when you get sick with a chronic disease you can’t get well is not only wrong but is making Big Pharma billions. I had a client who was on high blood pressure medication for 20 years, and she was told she would be on it for the rest of her life. She came to see me when she started having kidney issues. Unfortunately, long-term use of her medication was causing high creatinine levels that started affecting her kidney function. With a change of diet and lifestyle choices, we have been able to slowly wean her off her medication, from twice a day to twice in three months.

Please know that your body, just like mine or any of my clients’, has the capacity to heal when provided the nourishment it needs to truly thrive, but you have to be ready to do the work. You can’t be taking medicine for cholesterol and continue to eat and make the same lifestyle choices that are making you sick.

Based on your research or experience could you share with us five examples of foods or dietary patterns that have demonstrated remarkable potential in preventing, reducing, or managing specific health conditions? If you can, it would be insightful if you could provide real-life examples of their curative properties.

Hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease: There is a strong and consistent body of evidence from studies that have documented that dietary patterns rich in fresh fruits and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk and/or prevention of many chronic diseases, including hypertension, stroke, and coronary heart disease. The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in fresh fruits and vegetables are our frontline defense against high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Science continues to support the popular adage: “The human body has the capacity to heal when provided the mind, body, and spirit nourishment it needs to truly thrive.” I have seen firsthand with my clients how the body slowly starts to heal itself as more of the right foods are consistently eaten along with right lifestyle choices.
High cholesterol: I wish there was a way to shout this particular one from the highest mountain top, knowing the huge number of people on lifetime cholestory maintenance drugs. You can totally reverse, prevent, and manage your cholesterol with a change of dietary pattern and get off that medication. To prevent, lower, and slowly reverse high cholesterol, you need to limit meat, dairy, and fried food consumption, since they are the primary sources of bad dietary cholesterol. Fresh fruits and vegetables are naturally low in fat and calories and high in soluble fiber, which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Diabetes: Diabetes is a serious medical condition that is keeping communities sick while making billions in profit for Big Pharma. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 34 million Americans are diabetic, with about 90–95% of them having Type 2 diabetes. But it can be prevented and reversed with a plant-forward eating pattern that is bursting with life-giving vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Diets that emphasize whole grains, fresh vegetables, fruits, and legumes, while limiting animal products and ultra-processed foods, improve blood glucose concentrations, body weight, plasma lipid concentrations, and blood pressure, and play an important role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular and microvascular complications.
Cancer: Cancer is a category of disorders characterized by cells that have mutated and begin to reproduce themselves in an uncontrolled fashion. Under normal circumstances, the body’s natural defense system would attack such cells and, hopefully, destroy them. If the body’s natural killer cells are not successful, however, cancerous cells continue to reproduce wildly and, eventually, spread to other parts of the body. While not all cancers are preventable, the risk of certain types of cancer may be lowered with a healthy diet. For example, diets that include a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains have been linked with a decreased risk of colon or rectal cancer, while eating more red meat (beef, pork, or lamb) and processed meats (hot dogs and some lunch or deli meats) has been linked with an increased risk of colon or rectal cancer.

Phytochemicals like the catechins found in green tea act to prevent cell mutation and keep cells reproducing normally. Allyl sulfides, found in garlic and onions, trigger enzymes that help to rid the body of carcinogens before damage to the cells can be done. The lower incidence of cancer that exists in some countries such as Japan has been linked to a fresh wholefoods plant-forward diet.

5. Weight loss: It’s no secret that we have a weight problem. According to the CDC, nearly three-quarters of us are overweight or obese. Yet more than 160 million Americans are on a diet at any given time, spending a whopping $70 billion each year on commercial weight-loss plans, supplements, and other pound-shedding measures. Because we are prone to look for shortcuts, we keep falling for the same gimmicky diets of losing and regaining weight over and over. We don’t need a new study to tell us these crash diets or detoxes are not working.

It is entirely possible, when done right, to lose weight and keep it off for good. I would love to caution that sustainable weight loss takes time. It happens slowly but steadily with a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, healthy fats, nuts and seeds, pasture-raised meats, and wild-caught fish. A balanced diet provides the nutrients and minerals your body needs to function at its best. It keeps you fuller longer and balances your gut bacteria (all that amazing fiber), and you slowly start losing the excess weight. Make water your friend. Studies show that simply drinking more water can contribute to weight loss over time, as an increase in water intake not only keeps you hydrated but may help suppress appetite.

Do experts generally agree that merely choosing healthy foods isn’t sufficient, but that understanding how to consume them is key to unlocking their full health benefits? (For example, skins on/off, or cooked/raw, or whole grain/refined grain) Could you provide advice on how to approach this and sidestep common errors or misconceptions?

Take the time to find foods that nourish your unique body, and fill your plate with them 80% of the time. Eating this way would naturally crowd out the not-so-good-for-you foods that give you comfort (which is just as important, but without the nutrients).

Remember, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If you feel like eating white rice instead of brown rice, go ahead — and top that rice with a delicious vegetable medley stew, add some beans to it, and you end up with a fiber- and protein-rich dish that hits all the spots, including your joy (crowd-out factor). I think one thing we don’t address enough in this country is how important it is to truly make time to eat. My mother used to remind me as a kid to take the time to chew my food because my stomach doesn’t have teeth. Today I see the science behind that statement. Digestion starts in the mouth. It doesn’t matter how healthy you eat, it is counterintuitive if your body is not able to assimilate the amazing nutrients because the food wasn’t properly digested. When you chew your food properly (20–40 times, depending on the food), it reduces stress on the esophagus and helps your stomach metabolize and break down your food. The process of chewing also triggers the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which further aids digestion by regulating the pH to increase acidity levels that assist with food breakdown. The next time you catch yourself rushing through your meal, take a deep breath and chew with gratitude.

With the recent prominence of nutrition’s integration into healthcare, what’s your perspective on the collaborative approach between medical professionals, health coaches, and nutrition experts when it comes to delivering holistic patient care? Can you please explain?

This collaborative effort truly takes us from a sickness-focused to a health-focused system, giving patients the whole body (mind, body, and spirit) support they need to thrive. More than 80% of chronic conditions are related to diet and lifestyle choices, so it makes perfect sense to have a team that can address all the different facets of a disease.

Having an on-hand team consisting of a primary care physician or functional medicine doctor, dietician or nutritionist, and a health coach truly gives patients a fighting chance. So, for example, a patient comes in with high cholesterol, diabetes, or any other chronic condition. Instead of just giving them a maintenance drug, the patient will leave with a detailed plan from the nutritionist/dietician on what to eat and avoid, and the health coach will plan better lifestyle choices and provide support as needed to uncover root causes.

Having a team that helps patients decide what their priorities are for their health and helps them learn where these new habits fit into their daily lives is a win for all. What a way to empower patients to make the right changes and drive their own healing journey. What a powerful way to tell patients that there is help, even if they have been diagnosed with a chronic disease. It isn’t a life sentence — you can get better.

It’s been suggested that using “food as medicine” has the potential to reduce healthcare costs by preventing disease severity. However, there’s concern about the affordability of healthier food options. What solutions do you believe could make nutritious choices accessible to everyone, ensuring that food truly becomes a form of medicine for all?

Unfortunately, it will take an act of Congress to make healthy food more accessible to all. While the USDA recommends we fill our plates with 50% fruits and vegetables, only 4% of federal farm subsidies support the production of fruits and vegetables. The government’s support for certain foods over others has a major impact on our diets. That’s the reason a liter of soda is cheaper than a 16-oz bottle of water, and the fact that a juicy burger at your local fast food restaurant is cheaper than a bowl of salad. Because subsidized food groups are so much cheaper, it makes eating fruits and vegetables more expensive.

Here is a stat to keep in mind: Almost 90% of the U.S. population falls below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vegetables, and 80% fall below the RDA for fruit. I have gone all the way to Congress with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to advocate for better food. While all the behind-the-scenes work is going on to push for better policies, we are still responsible for our health and that of our children. Yes, I know there are food deserts and a million other challenges and reasons why we can’t easily afford or get access to fresh wholesome food. Please do the best you can, grow your food (there are community gardens), trade and barter with your neighbors, and make nutrition a priority, because the food you eat truly matters.

Everyone’s body is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. How does one navigate the vast array of nutritional advice available today to curate a diet tailored to individual needs, ensuring health and longevity?

So true. We are all bio-individuals, and the adage that “one man’s food is another man’s poison” is so true. Don’t blindly follow nutritional advice without paying attention to how you are feeling. Just because it works for your favorite influencer doesn’t mean it will work for you. The good news is that there is an immediacy to food; you know how food makes you feel the moment you are done eating. I say listen to your body, and keep a food journal. You will slowly start separating the foods that make you feel alive from the ones that leave you feeling lethargic.

As our understanding of the intricate link between food and health continues to evolve, we’re curious to know which emerging trends or breakthroughs in nutritional science excite you the most. How do you envision these advancements shaping the future of healthcare?

I am tickled to see locally sourced produce becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers like myself as we seek out fresh ingredients that are grown close to home with fewer chemicals or preservatives added during processing. Local farmers markets, CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), and other local food sources will become even more important as these sustainable practices become the norm in 2024. The more we eat locally sourced produce, the less we eat ultra-processed foods.

How can we better educate the public about the medicinal properties of food, and what role do professionals like you play in this educational journey?

Here is a sad truth: There is so much money in sickness care. There’s no money when you are healthy, and there’s no money when you are dead. All the money is when you are just sick enough to need some level of maintenance drug that keeps making money for Big Pharma. My job is to continue to create awareness around the importance of nutrition to everyday health. The fact is, nutrition plays a major role in the prevention, treatment, and cure of most diseases and sickness. The minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants found so abundantly in fresh whole foods are the front-line defense against diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, premature aging, allergies, and much more. It is our job to help those who are ready to listen shift through conflicting information that is prioritizing bottomline profit instead of health. I can tell you that at age 56, I have zero cavities, have never experienced a single hot flash, and don’t have “aging pains.” How you eat and live truly determines how you are going to age.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Thank you so much for all you are doing to spread the word about whole body health, and thank you for the opportunity to contribute to such a worthy and timely topic. You can follow my work through my social media handle @agathaachindu and my website, agathaachindu.com.

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

Nourishing Knowledge: Agatha Achindu Of Life Unprocessed On The Thrive Practice On The Power of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/nourishing-knowledge-nate-wood-of-yale-school-of-medicine-on-the-thrive-practice-on-the-power-of-a6604d151c49?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/a6604d151c49 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:44:48 GMT 2023-11-02T00:44:48.116Z Nourishing Knowledge: Nate Wood Of Yale School of Medicine On The Thrive Practice On The Power of Food as Medicine

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Nuts are often overlooked when it comes to powerhouse foods for health. Not only are they good for your heart because of their high content of unsaturated fats, but they’re also good for your brain. There is a specific diet that has been developed and studied for the prevention of dementia called the MIND diet. It’s kind of like a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which are well-known and well-studied for reducing heart disease and blood pressure. The MIND diet includes eating five or more servings of nuts per week. Walnuts are extra healthy because they contain a lot of omega-3s, which are an especially healthy type of unsaturated fat.

Dr. Nate Wood is an internal medicine physician, trained chef, and culinary medicine educator and researcher at the Yale School of Medicine, where he also teaches nutrition. He has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between doctors and chefs, firmly believing that what we eat can be simultaneously healthy and delicious. His work couples his passion for education with a unique combination of medical, culinary, and media experience to empower others to enjoy food in a healthy way.

Sure! I was born and raised on the outskirts of a small city in Michigan called Muskegon. Growing up, my family always really had a passion for food. Both of my grandfathers had been cooks — one in the Army and one in a hospital. My grandmothers passed down favorite recipes through the generations, and my mom and dad each took turns making dinner for my siblings and me over the years. (Favorites include dad’s beef roast and mom’s chicken chili.) We always had a big garden in the backyard, where we’d grow watermelon, corn, beans, squash, peas … you name it. Both sets of grandparents also had gardens, which kept us stocked with tomatoes for sandwiches, strawberries for shortcake, and grapes for freshly squeezed juice. Every year, we stalked the farmer’s market for local Red Haven peaches in August and would go apple-picking for our homemade applesauce (jolted with Red Hots candy) in September. We clearly liked food!

In all of this, however, there was always an understanding that food was not only delicious. Food was also tightly connected to our health. Of course we enjoyed salty snacks and tasty desserts, but in moderation, and only if we had eaten our vegetables first. We weren’t scared of carbs, but our bread was whole-wheat. (“The whiter the bread, the quicker you’re dead,” my grandfather would brusquely assert — eek!) If we were hungry after school, there was always fruit, yogurt, and carrots in the fridge, mom would remind us.

With this upbringing and a love for my science classes in school, it’s no wonder I grew up to be both a doctor and a chef.

What or who inspired you to pursue your career? We’d love to hear the story.

I wish it weren’t this cliché, but here’s the truth. I broke my leg playing soccer in eighth grade. Up until that point, I had planned on becoming a civil engineer to design roller coasters. As I was laid up all summer asking, “God, why me?” (you can picture how pathetic this was), I started to take a greater interest in my doctors’ work. I felt a pull toward medicine, and I never looked back!

That same summer, lying on the couch with a broken leg, I had a lot of time on my hands. In addition to having an existential career crisis at the ripe old age of 13, I developed a deep, deep interest in the television show 30-Minute Meals with Rachael Ray. I watched hundreds of hours. When I could walk again, I began cooking with fervor. My family soon became subject to a barrage of new recipes, my poor mother scouring the local grocery store every week to fulfill my requests for then-foreign ingredients like polenta, Calabrian chiles, and poblano peppers. For years, the kitchen and our family dinner table were my laboratories for exploration.

When I went off to college, I became a resident advisor. This meant I had to live in the dorms, so I didn’t have access to a kitchen. I began working as the food critic for my college newspaper. Eating out and writing this biweekly column served as my only culinary outlets. But once I got to medical school, I finally had my own kitchen. I would attend classes and study the human body by day and cook and learn about food by night.

Before long, however, it became obvious to me that I’d need to find a way to combine my love for food with my love for medicine if I was going to find a fulfilling career. In my late-night researching (read: existential career crisis #2), I discovered a burgeoning field of medicine called “culinary medicine.” Culinary medicine teaches patients, medical trainees, and healthcare professionals the basics of nutrition using hands-on cooking to help prevent and treat diet-related disease. I knew immediately that this was the path for me. I took a pause from medical school to jet off to culinary school to bolster my skills. When I returned to medical school, I began teaching culinary medicine, and I haven’t stopped since!

Oh, I have the perfect answer for this one. When I was in culinary school, I was a guest on The Dr. Oz Show. I had been invited to make an omelet and talk about its health benefits. The producers dressed me up in scrubs and a very, very tall chef’s toque, which was already funny. I got onto set, turned the burner on, and got my eggs and veggies into the pan. Less than a minute later, the producers asked me, “You ready to roll?” I said, “No, the omelet won’t be ready to flip!” They shrugged and replied with something to the effect of, “Oh well! We’re rolling anyway!”

The segment started. I pushed the mixture around the pan a bit. I waxed poetic about the protein in the eggs and something about the fiber or phytonutrients in the vegetables. The time had come for me to flip the omelet. As I had feared, it was not ready, but I had no choice. When I tried to give it a flip, the omelet broke into pieces and flopped over onto itself — a miserable failure! It was so hysterically bad that we just had to laugh about it. There wasn’t time for a retake. Now, whenever I do cooking segments, I make sure to bring my own food and props so that everything is ready when the cameras roll!

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Be a good listener.

There have been lots of times where I’ve be in clinic and patients have dropped subtle little hints about things they’ve wanted to talk about but were too scared or embarrassed to bring up. In these instances, if I was distracted, disinterested, or otherwise being a bad listener, I could have missed a diagnosis of heart disease, food insecurity, or depression. Be curious. Show interest. Ask questions. Listen intently. You can learn something from everyone — tune in so you don’t miss it!

Be gritty.

The importance of grit cannot be understated. Six months into my internal medicine residency, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. For years, I worked long hours dealing with overwhelming death and disease in the clinic, hospital wards, and ICU. I thought many times about giving up. While this was a trying period of my life, others go through much worse. In one way or another, everyone gets knocked down in life. Finding it in yourself to get back up and continue on is paramount to long-term success.

Be passionate.

Where do you find your “flow”? In what projects do you get easily engrossed, where time passes quickly and you aren’t constantly checking your phone? For me, it’s when I’m cooking in my apartment or teaching residents and medical students. Develop your knowledge and skills in your passions. Hold yourself to high standards in your passion work. Find a way to employ these passions to help other people, and you’ll be well on your way to success.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

Most of my work at the moment is focused on collaborating with dietitians to develop and test novel culinary medicine curricula for primary care residents. We focus on teaching our learners to apply nutrition, social determinants of health, patient communication, and culinary skills to the prevention and management of diet-related diseases. We’re specifically focused on heart disease, obesity, eating disorders, diabetes, and cancer. The most exciting part is that we have a beautiful teaching kitchen in which to pilot these curricula! I hope the training equips physicians to better manage the health of their patients by incorporating nutrition education and dietitian referrals into their primary care practices.

I was lucky to attend a medical school that had a robust nutrition curriculum, which is actually much rarer than you might imagine. Registered dietitians are the ultimate experts on nutrition. For this reason, I collaborate frequently with registered dietitians and have learned a lot from them in our work together. As part of my master’s program, I’ve completed additional coursework in nutrition epidemiology, food and nutrition policy, and lifestyle interventions for chronic disease prevention at the Yale School of Public Health. I am now an instructor of medicine and teach nutrition and culinary medicine to medical students, physician associate students, and resident physicians at the Yale School of Medicine. My research focuses on the evaluation of these pedagogical methods.

We all know that it’s important to eat more vegetables, eat less sugar, etc. But while we know it intellectually, it’s often difficult to put it into practice and make it a part of our daily habits. In your opinion what are the main blockages that prevent us from taking the information that we all know, and integrating it into our lives?

Great question. Time is certainly one of the biggest barriers: time to grocery shop, time to cook, time to eat, time to do dishes … The rising cost of fresh produce and other healthy foods — especially compared to shelf-stable, calorie-dense, ultra-processed foods — is another. Difficulty with accessing healthy foods (“nutrition insecurity”) or enough food period (food insecurity) are systemic barriers that are increasingly being recognized. I think we’re also addicted to unhealthy foods. They taste so good! Food scientists actively work to make packaged foods irresistible by developing novel concoctions of fat, sugar, and salt that keep us coming back for more, whether we want to or not. And finally, I think a lack of culinary skills is a contributing factor. Although we may know how to eat healthily, it’s hard to actually make it happen if we don’t feel confident and comfortable in the kitchen.

What we eat directly impacts how we feel and how our body functions. Certainly, we can consume too much of some things — like saturated fat, sugar, refined grains, alcohol, processed meat — and our health will be negatively impacted. We know that obesity, fatty liver disease, heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer, for instance, are greatly affected by what we eat.

But while food can be a problem, it can also be a solution. Switching from refined grains to whole grains could improve your diabetes. Switching from butter to olive oil could lower your cholesterol and risk of heart attacks and strokes. Eating more fruits and vegetables could protect you from developing obesity and cancer. Eating more nuts could protect your brain and help stave off dementia. A holistic approach to diet focuses on all of these health-promoting foods. Eating a plant-forward diet comprised of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds throughout your lifespan decreases your risk of developing many chronic diseases and can help you live longer. And if you already have a chronic disease, there’s a good chance that improving your diet could help manage it!

1 . Beans (and other legumes) for longevity

Many people are familiar with the so-called “Blue Zones.” These seemingly disparate areas of the world — Greece, Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, and even California — boast populations that live to be 100 years of age at exceptionally high rates. Why? As it turns out, these populations have a few core things in common, one of the biggest being that they eat a plant-forward diet with lots of legumes. Legumes like beans, peanuts, lentils, and peas are high in protein and fiber and low in fat. The protein helps your body build and maintain muscle. The fiber helps keep you full and regular. Legumes are also low in fat, and they can help reduce your cholesterol, which is good for your heart. No wonder they promote longevity!

2 . Walnuts (and other nuts and seeds) for brain health

Nuts are often overlooked when it comes to powerhouse foods for health. Not only are they good for your heart because of their high content of unsaturated fats, but they’re also good for your brain. There is a specific diet that has been developed and studied for the prevention of dementia called the MIND diet. It’s kind of like a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets, which are well-known and well-studied for reducing heart disease and blood pressure. The MIND diet includes eating five or more servings of nuts per week. Walnuts are extra healthy because they contain a lot of omega-3s, which are an especially healthy type of unsaturated fat.

3 . Oatmeal (and other whole grains) for heart health

Oatmeal is not only delicious and easy to prepare, it’s also great for your health! Oatmeal and other whole grains have been repeatedly linked to lower rates of heart disease in the medical literature. This is probably due to the fact that they contain more fiber, healthy fats, and micronutrients and spike your blood sugar less than refined grains. Oats in particular contain a special type of fiber called soluble fiber that helps lower your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which can also reduce your risk of heart disease. But be careful: steer clear of the flavored packets of oatmeal that have tons of added sugar. Instead, buy the unflavored kind and add your own fruit, nuts, spices, and a touch of sweetness at home for a healthier alternative.

4 . Sweet potatoes (and other vegetables) for weight management

Everyone knows that vegetables are good for us … but why? One of the biggest reasons is that they have a lot of fiber and not a lot of calories. This means that they do a good job of filling us up without filling us up with a lot of calories. This can help prevent the development of overweight and obesity and their associated medical conditions. In addition, vegetables contain a lot of phytonutrients, which are plant chemicals that help support our health and prevent disease. Sweet potatoes in particular are high in fiber, low in calories, and jam-packed with phytonutrients like beta-carotene. Like carrots, you may have heard that sweet potatoes are good for your eyes, and this is why!

5 . Berries (and other fruits) for everything

Berries are good for longevity, brain health, heart health, weight management, and the list goes on. In fact, it might be easier to ask, “What aren’t berries good for?” Even though they’re a type of fruit, berries have a relatively low amount of sugar and a high amount of fiber, which helps to counteract the sugar. Another way to say this is that berries have a low glycemic index, meaning they don’t spike your blood sugar as much as some other fruits do. And it’s not just berries, but all whole fruits that contain fiber. For this reason, whole fruits are safe to enjoy in moderation, even if you have a condition like diabetes. Like sweet potatoes and other vegetables, berries and other fruits also contain a lot of phytonutrients and antioxidants (which help give them their beautiful color). And they taste so good!

I wouldn’t say that’s necessarily true. Choosing healthy foods is most important. Figuring out specific ways to prepare them to optimize their health benefits is less important, but still a good idea. For instance, chicken skin is composed mostly of saturated fat, so discarding it before cooking can save a lot of calories and spare you from some of that artery-clogging fat. The “skin” of a sweet potato, however, has lots of beneficial nutrients and fiber, so eating that is a good idea.

Now let’s talk about whether vegetables are better to eat cooked or raw. When you cook vegetables, you do “kill” some of the vitamins in the vegetables, most notably vitamin C. However, the cooking process simultaneously makes other vitamins and minerals easier for the body to absorb. It can also make fiber-rich foods, like kale, easier to digest. Both raw and cooked versions are nutritious, and each has its benefits over the other. For this reason, it’s best to eat your vegetables in a variety of preparations — some raw and some cooked. This is an example of how choosing healthy foods can be more important than focusing on how to consume them.

Yes, it’s so important. There’s a new movement in medicine and public health known as “Food is Medicine” (FIM). To date, the power of FIM has been underrecognized and underutilized, but that’s about to change. Our medical system is beginning to acknowledge that food can be used to prevent and treat many of our chronic diseases here in the United States, and this will require collaboration among healthcare professionals. We need to work together as a team.

In the future, I think multidisciplinary clinics practicing lifestyle medicine, FIM, and culinary medicine will be ubiquitous. In order to best provide holistic care, patients should have access to a team of professionals who work together to manage their health. Of course they will continue to see physicians and other clinicians who will develop their treatment plans, but they should also see registered dietitians for medical nutrition therapy. They should have access to psychologists and other mental health professionals for cognitive behavioral therapy for enacting positive lifestyle changes. They should see physical therapists or exercise physiologists for physical activity training and prescriptions. They should work with a team of physicians, chefs, and registered dietitians in teaching kitchens to learn culinary medicine. And all of these endeavors should be supported by frequent check-ins with a health coach. In this way, nutrition and other aspects of lifestyle medicine can be integrated into routine patient care to best support patients’ health. I think this is the future of healthcare that we’re beginning to see.

It’s been suggested that using ‘food as medicine’ has the potential to reduce healthcare costs by preventing disease severity. However, there’s concern about the affordability of healthier food options. What solutions do you believe could make nutritious choices accessible to everyone, ensuring that food truly becomes a form of medicine for all?

That’s a big question. For one, the government is already subsidizing certain foods. I’m not sure most people know that. But what foods is our government subsidizing? Corn and soybeans. These crops are used to make high-fructose corn syrup and soybean oil, which then end up in some of our most unhealthy foods on the supermarket shelves. This could certainly be changed such that our government subsidizes healthier produce options instead, making them more accessible to everyone.

As insurance companies realize the power of Food is Medicine (FIM), I think they will more readily cover services such as produce and grocery prescription programs and medically tailored meals. This will help to reduce food insecurity and increase nutrition security for many Americans.

Systemically, we need to continue expanding and investing in our nation’s nutrition assistance programs to make sure our citizens not only have enough food, but that they have enough nutritious food. And even more broadly, we need economic growth, strengthened unions, and governmental regulation to ensure people have access to jobs that pay well enough for them to afford healthy groceries for their families.

It’s actually not as complicated as people think. I always like to say that eating healthy is not easy, but it is simple. Everyone, regardless of body type, should focus on eating a plant-forward diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. This is easily adaptable to individuals’ tastes, cultures, and traditions. Not everyone needs to eat a Mediterranean diet. But everyone should aim to eat as many unprocessed or minimally processed plants as they can — whichever plants they enjoy.

Beyond this simple advice, patients should consider specific dietary restrictions that they may have based on their chronic diseases, such as IBS or chronic kidney disease. I would encourage them to talk to their doctor and ask for a referral to a dietitian. Folks should also pay attention to how different foods make them feel, which is a key aspect of a new movement called “intuitive eating.” Maybe your body just doesn’t handle raw kale very well. (I know mine doesn’t!) That’s okay — try raw spinach instead, or try cooking your kale first. Or maybe you don’t like any dark greens. Try “hiding” them in your morning smoothie or in your pasta at dinner. Have fun experimenting and finding ways to take broadly applicable nutrition advice and make it practical for you and your family based on your bodies’ specific needs.

I may be biased, but I’m most excited by the recent growth of culinary medicine. Teaching kitchens are cropping up seemingly everywhere, and culinary medicine practices are really proliferating. This is because the research is continuing to show that these classes are both effective and fun. There’s something really special about getting folks together to cook and learn about nutrition in a way that simultaneously builds community and supports their health and well-being.

In that same vein, I’d like to dispel a common myth. Nutrition experts aren’t sitting around racking their brains wondering, “What’s the best diet?” and, “What should people eat?” Broadly speaking, we already know. Instead, we’re now focused on how to make it practical for people to apply that nutrition knowledge to their daily lives. Said another way — “We know what a healthy diet looks like. Now how do we make it happen?” That’s the problem that everyone’s working on right now, and I think culinary medicine will be a big part of the solution that will help shape the future of healthcare.

How can we better educate the public about the medicinal properties of food, and what role do professionals like you play in this educational journey?

That’s a great question. I definitely feel a professional obligation to use my training to educate the public about Food is Medicine (FIM) and think other experts should do the same. I see a lot of social media influencers who are charismatic and attractive but have no professional training out there attempting to educate the public about nutrition. This is a huge issue. It’s scary. Professionals need to step into the ring to crowd out the misinformation. This means becoming active on social media, doing interviews like these, speaking on television, being guests on podcasts, etc. In order to do this effectively, however, institutions need to invest in training their professionals to engage with the media and to hire content creators to collaborate with them. The media, for its part, should take care when seeking out experts to select those with professional credentials and legitimate expertise, not just those who have the most followers on social media. And really, we need to incorporate more nutrition education into all levels of training for both the general public and healthcare professionals: K-12, undergraduate studies, medical/graduate school, post-graduate training, and beyond.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

I’m active on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn (@drchefnate) and try my best to keep my website (drnatewood.com) updated!

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

My pleasure. And same to you! Thanks for covering this super important topic.

Photo Credit:

Mari Sabra Photography

@marisabraphotography

Nourishing Knowledge: Nate Wood Of Yale School of Medicine On The Thrive Practice On The Power of… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/pets-and-mental-wellness-danielle-harris-of-le-pepite-frenchies-on-how-to-maximize-the-mental-ea3007a0b26a?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/ea3007a0b26a Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:40:27 GMT 2023-11-02T00:40:27.575Z Pets and Mental Wellness: Danielle Harris Of Le Pepite Frenchies On How to Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Put down the phone. Be in the moment with your pet. Use this time to decompress and disconnect from the chaos of the world. When you’re out and about doing things or in the yard playing, don’t stay glued to your phone. Give your pet your undivided attention like they do for you.

Pets have always been more than just companions; they play a pivotal role in enhancing our mental well-being. From the unconditional love of a dog to the calming presence of a cat, pets have a unique way of alleviating stress, anxiety, and loneliness. But how do we truly harness the therapeutic potential of our furry, feathered, or scaled friends? How can they aid in promoting mindfulness, reducing depression, or even enhancing social interactions? In this interview series, we are talking to veterinarians, psychologists, therapists, pet trainers, and other experts who can shed light on how to maximize the mental health benefits of having a pet. As a part of this series I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Danielle Harris.

Danielle Harris, Le Pepite Frenchies French Bulldog Breeder and Reproductive Enthusiast Working closely with her Reproductive Specialist Veterinarians, Danielle has been breeding French bulldogs since 2018. She is incredibly knowledgeable of the breed, reproduction, whelping, and genetics. Danielle continues to contribute her knowledge and experience with breeding community nationwide.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

There have been a lot of interesting things that I have experienced through this journey. The one thing that tops the list is being there for the birth of our first French bulldog and helping to rub the puppies as they were being born. As puppies are born their airways need to be cleared and stimulated to breathe.

It’s an incredible experience, one that I will never forget.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

To be honest, I’m not much of a “hobby/pleasure” reader. I can’t sit still and focus long enough but I have been known to read occasionally. Jules Verne was one of my favorites: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and The Mysterious Island.

I have always had a fascination with the mythological: angels, demons, Nephilim, magic, Greek and Egyptian gods, and goddesses.

The book that stands out the most to me now though is New York Times Best Seller: Angelology by Danielle Trussoni. It focuses on Nephilim and human interaction. It’s full of suspense, piquing imagination. The images Danielle can conjure in your mind are breathtaking, transporting you to another world and time. The book has allowed me to escape reality and enjoy this fantasy place. I started reading it again for the second time a few weeks ago while whelping a litter of puppies. It’s a good read for late night and early morning feedings.

I have always wondered what it would be like to be able to fly, the characters in this book are pretty good at allowing me to live vicariously through them.

Dan Brown was another author I liked as well, an author I discovered through my mom’s collection.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?

I struggle with social anxiety particularly large crowds and loud environments.

General anxiety and Depression are also things that run in the family, and I have experienced it over the years.

Social anxiety is especially frustrating. The noise and visuals just take over and create sensory overload.

I remember one specific time as a young child, I was probably between 5 and 8 years old. We were on a trip to New York City to see Cats on Broadway. I was sitting in the middle seat in the car and started having an absolute meltdown over being surrounded by cars. If I had had one of our dogs with us, I probably wouldn’t have had that experience.

Dogs have been my saving grace. If dogs are allowed in an establishment, one of them is coming with us.

Having a dog with me helps me to maintain focus on the task at hand. The dog gives me something concrete to focus on rather than noise and people around me. If I do get overwhelmed, I can stop, take a second to collect myself, and move on.

The dogs also enjoy these outings because they’re great opportunities for training and reinforcing training. They also love to socialize with people.

People in social settings can also be a challenge for me. I often stress about if we’ll have common interests. Am I boring, am I weird?

Bringing pets out in public gives me something I can talk about with ease. When people approach us it’s always for the dog. This makes the flow of the conversation much easier. They often ask questions about the animals, and I usually have answers that aren’t typical because of my job, which leads more questions.

All these things have boosted confidence and trust in myself and my pet! Confidence in new surroundings, sounds, smells, people, and establishing expectations for these experiences.

It builds trust with your pet, knowing they can rely on you for confirmation and proper guidance.

An additional reason why I enjoy taking the dogs out in public is that they can give me a creative outlet with photography.

While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?

Pets are unconditionally loving and loyal. They don’t care if you’ve had a bad day or if you’re grumpy. In their eyes it’s their job to make it better.

They’re in the moment. They don’t worry about what’s happening tomorrow, what happened yesterday or 5 years ago. They’re just focused on the here and now. Which I think “being in the moment” more could do humanity some good. Setting ourselves up for success is important but if it’s not going to matter in 5 years don’t spend your precious time worrying about it.

So many people are worried about getting that perfect Instagram shot to share with the world, to get the “likes” for that 10 minute of fame, they miss out on what’s right in front of them. They spend 30 minutes or an hour trying to get that perfect photo or video that they fail to enjoy and appreciate moment. This is something I learned from the movie “The Secret Life of Water Mitty” when Walter is looking for the character Sean Penn portrays as the photographer. He eventually finds him on top of a snowy mountain with the camera set up on the tripod. Penn had the perfect once in a lifetime shot but refused to take it because he wanted to appreciate the moment with the snow Leopard.

Pets can give us a sense of stability and security. They’re always there for you. They create routine. Pets can sense your mood and needs, adjusting their behaviors and energy based that. For example, if I’m excited about something the dogs will mirror my excitement. If I’m sad and crying the dogs may respond in a quieter more respectful manner like lying next to me or cuddling up on my lap. A human may not understand your thoughts and feelings which may result in feeling invalid or insecure. Pets don’t need to understand, they just feel and know. I know my pets will always be there for me when I need them, good times and bad. They never make me feel terrible about how I’m feeling or what I’m experiencing. They’re the constant in an ever-changing world.

Caring for a pet can give you a sense of purpose, a feeling that you’re wanted and needed. By taking care of a pet, you’re doing something for someone else, this can help to give your life meaning.

Pets are unbiased and accepting. Animals don’t care about money, skin color, hair color, height, weight, gender, and disabilities. They don’t judge you based on the clothes you wear or the car you drive. They don’t have the ability to bully and criticize. They accept you for who you are.

Pets may offer companionship you’re looking for. Whether you struggle with building friendships and meaningful relationships, live alone, or just want a pet, this is something a pet can provide.

Often as we grow older, we can forget how to have fun, pets can bring that back for us. They have a childlike goofiness about them which can be contagious.

Pets can help you build confidence. No matter what the situation is, if you’re not confident a pet may be able to help you.

Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?

Interacting with animals decreases cortisol (the stress hormone) and lowers blood pressure. When pets and humans interact oxytocin spikes (the feel-good hormone that bonds parents to babies, especially mother and child).

Petting an animal also releases serotonin and dopamine both of which help to calm and relax you. Pet owners frequently have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels and heart attack survivors with pets live longer than their counterparts.

Pets force us to develop and establish routine and structure in your life. This can give a sense of control and stability. Those who suffer from stress and anxiety may benefit from a more structured routine that a pet can give.

Pets also promote mindfulness and awareness You may find yourself to develop better awareness and control of emotions when animals are around.

In the backdrop of global events like pandemics or natural disasters, how have you seen pets playing a role in alleviating anxiety and providing comfort? Can you share some instances where pets have been integrated into therapeutic practices? How do they complement traditional therapeutic techniques?

When the pandemic hit people started to add pets to their families. We were cut off from the world and unable to socialize, which becomes extremely isolating.

With isolation comes depression.

At dog parks, with proper distancing we were able to still socialize both ourselves and our dogs. I know this made a huge difference for people with pets. Even going out on walks in the neighborhood and passing other people taking their daily stroll made a difference.

My dad was in and out of a rehabilitation facility for the past few years due to falling and having surgery on his shoulder. In rehab he was working on regaining strength and learning how to walk again. Family couldn’t visit as often as we liked. At first only my mom was allowed to visit with a mask on. We were allowed to stand outside of his window and call him on the phone to have a conversation. As you can imagine that was quite isolating as well especially during the holidays, thanksgiving to be specific. Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been important for us as a family.

While my dogs aren’t official therapy dogs, when we visited, we were able to bring them with us. Not only did they provide comfort, love, and excitement to my dad, but we visited with a few other patients as well.

Therapy animals lift the spirits of those who are in these types of situations exponentially. Animals are social beings, they have empathy on some sort of level and can feel the emotional energy of those around them, catering to the needs of the individual. Whether that’s playing a bit of fetch or sitting calmly with the patient and allowing them to gently pet them.

They offer companionship even for a short time where it otherwise is lacking. This companionship is vital. It makes a person feel needed, wanted, and loved.

Therapists and medications are helpful but not nearly the same as true socialization and being surrounded by the people and things you love most.

Almost 10 years ago, after 2 years in the nursing home, my grandmother passed away at the age of 95 years old. She fell and broke her hip, then had 2 strokes, and was experiencing age related dementia. We would bring the dogs in to visit her as well. When the dogs were able to visit with her, we noticed the light came back. It flooded her mind with memories and the stories would come pouring out. Stories about high school, raising my parents, the grandkids, her own dogs, and cooking. She loved the feeling of their fur and weight of them sitting on her lap. There’s a comfort in pressure, like that of a weighted blanket.

Both places mentioned frequently have therapy dogs visit with their patients.

Horses are commonly used for therapy in people of all ages and abilities. They help to develop trust, social skills, emotional awareness, confidence, problem solving skills, and learning boundaries. They can aid in physical, occupational, and emotional growth as well as developmental delays, memory disorders such as dementia, autism, PTSD, ADHD, addiction and more. Horse therapies may even be covered by health insurance.

Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?

Think about your lifestyle and habits first.

Are you in college? Do you work a 9 to 5 in the office? Is your office pet friendly? What kind of living space do you have: apartment, town house, single family home, farm?

Do you exercise, if so what kind of exercise? Yoga, hiking, water sports, dance?

If you’re wanting to exercise more, a dog may be your ideal choice.

Do you need more peace and calmness? Fish may offer you some serenity from the sound of the water flowing from the filter to their graceful movements.

Some birds can talk, but all birds are expressive in their own way. They’re also extremely intelligent and highly social, forming a strong bond with their owner. They do require a lot of time, attention, and live relatively long lives.

Horses are one of the most popular therapy animals. They give the handler/rider immediate feedback and mirror their feelings and energy. Because of their size individuals are forced to trust them. They have been used in therapy dating back to 600 B.C. You will likely not choose a horse as a pet but for those with space and time, it could be a life changing option. Luckily for us horse therapy centers are easily accessible.

These animals serve a variety of mental health needs, there’s no one size fits all when it comes to animals and therapeutic value. Your mental health provider may help you in deciding which pet is best for you and your needs!

How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?

Taking care of a pet gives us something to focus on outside of our stressors, a reason to get up in the morning and enjoy life. Pets rely on us for a great quality of life and making a positive mark on their world. Making sure we give them that great quality of life makes us feel needed, wanted, and loved. We also feel good about making sure all their needs are met, a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Taking care of another living being activates the areas of our brains associated with pleasure, social connection, and trust. This releases endorphins. Taking care of a pet also creates a sense of belonging and reduces the feeling of isolation.

Establishing and Maintaining a Feeding, grooming, exercise, and play routine are all key points in keeping our pets happy and healthy.

Grooming takes some work and practice. Some pets don’t enjoy it, so working with your pet to gain confidence and trust in the process can be quite rewarding.

Exercise is necessary for pets, especially dogs and horses. Exercise has been proven to enhance not only our physical health but our mental health too. Going out for a jog, run, walk, bike ride, hike, etc. is extremely beneficial. Dogs get to burn off energy both mentally and physically. They use their nose to interpret their surroundings and gather information, this is great for mental exercise.

Putting your pet’s need above or equal to your own will teach you selflessness and enhance your feeling of purpose and well-being.

The past 5 years have been filled with upheaval and political uncertainty. Many people have become anxious from the dramatic jolts of the news cycle. From your experience or research, what are your “Five Ways To Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet?” Can you please share a story or example for each?

1 . Go somewhere and do something or get outside. Being cooped up in the house is sure to drive even the homiest person crazy at some point. Take your dog on a walk through your neighborhood or a park, go to a pet friendly establishment like Home Depot, Homegoods, Michaels, pet friendly restaurants, breweries, or wineries.

Soak in the sun and let the wind blow through your hair.

During the pandemic we often searched for pet friendly restaurants and borderline lived there just to get out of the house. Lazy Dog Restaurant was one of the most frequent establishments we spent time at.

2 . Put down the phone. Be in the moment with your pet. Use this time to decompress and disconnect from the chaos of the world. When you’re out and about doing things or in the yard playing, don’t stay glued to your phone. Give your pet your undivided attention like they do for you.

3 . Join communities and clubs for your pet type. You can find local clubs and meet ups for just about anything these days. Check out Facebook too! Search google for events in your area that pertain to your interests.

4 . Train. Training your pet builds confidence, trust, and respect in the both of you. It sets boundaries and gives a clear understanding of what’s expected of your pet. It’s also FUN and engaging! Training is a great mental exercise as well. At first, you’ll notice your pet start to get tired after about 30 minutes to an hour. Once they understand what’s going on they’ll start to really enjoy the process. It’s a bonding experience that strengthens your relationship. Training requires complete attention, so this is another great opportunity to put the phone down and focus. This isn’t just limited to obedience training. Tricks, agility, and other sports such as tracking can be fun outlets to explore.

We like to use fieldtrips to HomeGoods and other pet friendly places as training opportunities and I have trained one of our dogs how to skateboard.

5 . Play. Don’t forget to have fun. Having a pet isn’t just about cleaning up after them, feeding, and grooming. It’s about the experience as a whole. Pets have a childlike persona about them. They’re fun, goofy, and eager to please most of the time. Pay attention to your pets’ little quirks, the things that make them special.

The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?

I think a loss of a pet can sometimes even be more painful than the loss of a person, especially if the loss is unexpected versus old age. Some people may be quick to add another pet to their lives, others may shy away from it for a long time or never add another pet to the family again.

I think what’s most important is to not feel guilty during the loss of a pet. The time comes when we must say goodbye and we need to know that we’re making the best decision for our pet and the quality of life. We need to work through the grief at our own rate one day at a time.

Remember that grief doesn’t disappear, we grow around it and learn how to better manage it.

Talk about it with someone if you’re having a hard time adjusting. Don’t bear the weight of it alone.

Allow yourself time to express your feelings. Its ok to cry or get frustrated and angry.

Try finding some creative outlets to express your thoughts. Spend time with friends and loved ones.

Consider getting a special object in memory of your pet or a few.

If you have your pet cremated there are many different items that you can choose from. Jewelry pieces that hold a small amount of ashes, key chains, blown glass pieces made with pets’ ashes, and you can even have diamonds made from your pets’ ashes!!!!

Consider a frame that’s designed to hold your pet’s collar or item (favorite toy or blanket) with a photo of your pet.

Paw and nose prints are another great way to memorialize your pet.

If you’re interested in tattoos a memorial tattoo of your pet could be a fun way honor them.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?

Disconnect, Slow Down, and Show More Kindness

Technology is ever changing and evolving. We have access to information at our fingertips.

We’re addicted to the instant gratification that social media gives us. We’re obsessed with what’s going to be the next trend and “how do I get insta famous.”

Relationships are failing due to our inability to disconnect from technology and the instant gratification with a mindset of “oh, on to the next one.” We’re in search of perfection but fail to remember that nothing is perfect and something great is something worth working for.

Unprovoked and unsolicited “keyboard warriors” flood the comments with nasty things that can be debilitating and even fatal, things that wouldn’t dare to be said in person. No one is immune to these things. I too have been attacked online and I’m sure it will happen again. I can imagine these hurtful comments are for the purpose of either getting views, likes, or stem from a lack of self-confidence, projecting their own pain on to others.

I have even seen accounts with disabled children trying to raise awareness for the conditions, being attacked and made fun of for something they were born with!

Everyone on Facebook (and elsewhere) has an opinion. We join groups to socialize, share ideas, and find support. I see more and more people leaving these groups designed to bring us together through a common interest due to a lack of kindness, empathy, and constant judgement.

I wish people would pass on things they don’t like or agree with rather than destroy a person’s day or break them down.

News and media outlets are overwhelming with global tragedies that invoke fear and worry.

I think it’s important to be informed on current events in our communities and the world but not to obsess over it to the point it affects our quality of life. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the chaos.

We can raise awareness and support our passions to try to make a change in a healthy way.

I challenge the world to disconnect from media and phones except for emergencies. Find new places to go, new foods to try, new hobbies to explore, volunteer with an organization that fits your passions. Maybe you disconnect for a few days, a week, or a month, maybe longer.

We could all be more grateful for the moments we have and share with each other as a community.

Slow down. Hold the door for the person behind you, smile, thank people in service (cashiers, wait staff, the person who washes your car), check in on your friends and remember the small things that let people know you really do care about them. One act of kindness could change the entire trajectory for someone.

We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Sports and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them. :-)

Josh Groban would be incredible to have lunch with. In my teen and young adult years his music had a lot of impact on how I navigated life and got me through some very difficult and confusing times. His music gave me the feeling that I wasn’t alone, that someone was there with me to walk through the trenches when those I needed most were not.

You Raise Me Up has always been a fan favorite, however, I resonated more with some of his other work. The song “You are Loved” played on repeat often and was a huge part of my healing through many situations. Josh Groban’s version of “Vincent” also helped me to navigate the death of a loved one. Someone who was an important part of my life, someone who I needed to learn my own truths about. This song helped me through the process of finding the closure I needed, developing understanding and compassion, and reconnecting with people I was cut off from at an early age.

Although I’m no longer perusing music, his music was also a big part of my musical and dance studies.

Josh Groban’s music has continually offered comfort and peace through the years. His earlier albums remain my favorites.

Being able to express my gratitude and appreciation would be invaluable.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Instagram: @LePepiteFrenchies

Facebook: LePepiteFrenchies

Website: https://lepepitefrenchies.com/

Youtube: @lepepitefrenchies

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

Pets and Mental Wellness: Danielle Harris Of Le Pepite Frenchies On How to Maximize the Mental… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/plant-powered-prosperity-iron-chef-ming-tsai-of-mingsbings-on-5-things-you-need-to-create-a-b04ba47d53e2?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/b04ba47d53e2 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:40:15 GMT 2023-11-02T00:40:15.939Z Plant-Powered Prosperity: Iron Chef Ming Tsai Of MingsBings On 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful Plant-Based Product Business

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Expand your product line — To elaborate on listening to your customers, expanding your product line is another layer of success. We are planning to expand beyond the original Bing format. Everyone would like to see smaller versions of bings for hotel, parties, and holidays. It is something I have always wanted to do, Bing Bites.

The plant-based revolution is here. As consumers globally are shifting towards more eco-conscious and health-oriented choices, the demand for plant-based products has never been higher. From food and beverages to cosmetics and clothing, the plant-based industry is blossoming with opportunities. But how does one tap into this growing market? What are the key ingredients to launching and scaling a successful plant-based product business? In this interview series, we are exploring the world of plant-based entrepreneurship. We are talking to founders, product developers, industry experts, and innovators who have successfully navigated the plant-based business landscape. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Iron Chef Ming Tsai.

Iron Chef Ming Tsai is a James Beard and Emmy Award-Winning chef, philanthropist, TV personality, entrepreneur, and host of the longest-running cooking show on PBS, Simply Ming. Chef Tsai launched his East-meets-West pocket line, MingsBings in 2020, now available at over 5,000 grocery stores nationwide including Sprouts, Publix, Market Basket, Wegmans, Whole Foods, select Targets, and at iconic venues like Fenway Park, TD Garden, Tropicana Field, and Hard Rock Stadium. Founded with the mission to “Eat Good. Feel Good. Do Good.” MingsBings bring flavor-forward, better-for-you meals to households while also giving back. Chef Ming Tsai and MingsBings are proud supporters of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Family Reach.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Hard work. I forget who said this, but “people are not born lucky, people that work hard get lucky.” So you have to work hard, and the key to working hard is never giving up. Which I guess would be the second trait, don’t get stonewalled and think you can’t do it. Never give up. Just because “it” has not been done before doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. And for the record, if it hasn’t been done that means that you should do it. For instance, with bad fusion cuisine which I call confusion cuisine, peanut butter and escargot were never supposed to go together. That’s probably right, so don’t just do stuff because it’s never been done before or things that don’t make sense. Do things that people want or create something that people didn’t know they wanted, but once they try it they want it. So hard work, never give up and attract.

Attract great people and the only way to do that is behave in a way you want the people around you to behave. I think that’s paramount. My dad said, “the most important people on your team are those that work for you, the ones under you, not the ones above you. The ones under you are the ones that brought you to the top.” You can never forget the people that got you where you are. One of the best things I learned in French kitchens is that you say hello to everyone when you walk in and you say goodbye to everyone when you walk out. The most important people in kitchens are the dishwashers, they’re irreplaceable. My dishwashers left one of my restaurants, so I washed dishes for three days. It was possibly the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It was so physically demanding and when you are doing 250 covers and you only have one person, it’s brutal.

A recent never giving up story, that is still in the works, is acquiring a tunnel fryer for our new factory in Denver. When relocating MingsBings from Massachusetts to Denver we learned we needed a new tunnel fryer. After one deal fell through we got a second lead to purchase one from a company in San Diego. This was from a huge corporation so getting responses from them was near impossible, but if we did not secure the fryer we would have been in trouble. After many unanswered calls and emails I got on a plane (without an invitation), got through their security, and showed up at their office. The man apologized profusely and let me know how many deals he has going on and how busy he is. He gave me a tour of their company, we secured the fryer and I’ve made a new friend and connection. If you are passionate about something, never take no for an answer. Show up at their door.

Working hard is the story of every entrepreneur. You can’t be a successful entrepreneur if you are not ready to work hard. Everyone can work hard, just like how everyone can cook. You don’t need to have rhythm, be able to dance or be athletic to become an amazing chef. That comes from working hard and, of course, passion. So, if I can sneak in a fourth trait it’s passion. You have to love what you do. There’s no chance on Earth that you will be great at anything if you don’t love what you do. That’s just a fact.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

We are gearing up for one of our biggest announcements yet– the launch of our new Better-For-You, Meat-Based MingsBings line. We crafted and developed this new line of Bings in less than 8 months after hearing stories from customers and retailers. They made it clear that they wanted an option with meat and poultry that would also be good for their health like our plant-based line. So we got to work, and made a delicious Bing with meat, but we upped the veg count, adding about 20% vegetables for more plant-based nutrients and a lower cholesterol count. That way, people can experience the flavor of classics like Cheeseburgers and Tacos, but still with a veg-based spin. Think cheeseburgers, but with hidden riced cauliflower inside.

OK, thank you for all of that. Let’s now shift to the core focus of our interview about creating a successful plant-based product business. What inspired you to enter the plant-based product industry? Did you have a turning point or eureka moment that led you into the plant-based industry? Can you share some key milestones that helped shape your journey to success?

MingsBings’ company motto is “Eat good. Feel good. Do good.” In 2017, my wife had a health scare. While we explored medical treatment options at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we decided to transition to a mostly plant-based and gluten-free diet with the hope of lowering inflammation by using food as medicine. When I was traveling, I could not find delicious, plant-based options to stock up on for my wife. Everything out there were emulsified hockey pucks. They were made of chickpeas, soy or beans and I don’t care how good of a chef you are, it’s hard not to make that mushy. So I decided to flip the paradigm, put the emulsification on the outside and just fill it with a delicious plant-based filling. I developed a gluten-free brown rice wrapper, so it has less carbs because you don’t need a bun. And, like a Hot Pocket, it’s convenient! They’re easy to heat up and you can take it on the go. This is how I developed what you see on shelves today– MingsBings.

What do you believe are the key factors behind the recent surge in demand for plant-based products, and how can aspiring entrepreneurs authentically tap into this growing trend?

What I have been practicing and preaching my entire career is now coming to full light– you are what you eat. Beyond this sentiment, you only have one planet. Two incredibly important reasons to add more plant-based products into your life 1) Live, it’s really important to live and feed your body well 2) Be eco-conscious, let’s keep a planet for not just us, but for our grandchildren’s grandchildren.

Veg-forward is not the solution for everything, but it’s here to stay. It’s the way all of Asia eats, it’s the way I have always eaten. A veg-forward diet is 80% plant-based to 20% animal protein. The protein is used for flavoring the vegetables in my cooking. I never sacrifice flavor when I am eating plant-based. Plant-based meals are just as good, if not better tasting than meat-based dishes. Can you compare it to an A5 Kobe beef shabu shabu, no. Would I enjoy Kobe beef if I were in Kobe, Toyoko? Yes I would. But I do want to live longer, so I try to eat as much plant-based food as I can.

How can aspiring entrepreneurs tap into the trend? Look at everything that is already being consumed and look into other ways of using plant-based. The reason the market is wide open, in my opinion, is that there are not a lot of delicious and convenient plant-based options out there yet. PLNT Burger, by Chef Spike Mendelsohn, is doing a good job, they serve plant based burgers on the East coast. Also, Kevin Hart opened Hart House in LA, it’s a vegan restaurant chain and I went there and it was awesome.

How do you envision the evolution of consumer preferences in the next 5–10 years?

People are going to realize that plant-based is not a diet, trend, or fad. It’s just the way the majority of the world eats. In the right hands, i.e. in the hands of a chef, no one is ever going to sacrifice on flavor. It shouldn’t be, ‘I have to eat plants’ it should be ‘I want to eat plants’. That’s what MingsBings vegan achieves. We need to continue making delicious plant-based options and that’s going to be the evolution. I truly believe more people are going to move towards plant-based eating because it tastes good. They are also going to start caring more about where their food is coming from because GMO (Genetic Modified Organisms) may not be the best thing. I understand we need it, our population is soon to be 10 billion and there is just not enough food, so obviously if we didn’t have the GMO crops we wouldn’t be able to feed everyone.

I also think that krill (the very small sea creatures) are going to be grown in millions and millions of tons. It will be able to give us the flavor nutrient of the sea easily because when it is farmed it grows very quickly. I also think kelp, seaweed, and algae have always been very good for the body and that it will also grow in popularity. I truly believe more people are going to turn towards plant-based or at-least plant-forward.

What is your favorite plant-based product (not necessarily your own) and what makes it stand out? What can we all learn from the appeal of that product?

I can’t say enough about MingsBings. First, they’re delicious while also convenient. We have partnered with great plant-based companies, like JUST Egg and Abbott’s Butcher, so you know you are getting quality ingredients. These products were created by chefs, so they are elevated in flavor and taste. Lastly, our company is built on a cause and it is in the fabric of our company to give back. I would say that this sets us apart from our competitors and why it is my favorite plant-based product. “Eat good. Feel good. Do good.”

Based on your experience, what are some of the biggest myths or misconceptions people have about the plant-based industry?

The biggest misconception is that plant-based is a fad or just a trend. It’s not. It should have never been called its own movement, but a delicious lifestyle with veg at the core. I’m a flexitarian- I’ll sometimes eat meat and chicken, but generally I eat plants. It’s not a diet, it’s not a trend. It’s here to stay.

Developing and marketing plant-based products often involves unique challenges, from sourcing quality ingredients and sustainable packaging to building a brand that resonates with consumers. What strategies have you found most effective in overcoming these hurdles?

Luckily, because of the extent of my career, it was easier for to connect directly with the CEOs of companies. When I started MingsBings I was able to get the best onion producers, mushroom producers, etc., and it was all CEO to CEO conversations. I explained what my company was about and our mission: “Eat good. Feel good. Do good.” MingsBings are proud supporters of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Family Reach, a charity focused on alleviating the financial strain of a cancer diagnosis for families. It was amazing to connect with these CEOs and to hear how their lives were touched by cancer. This led to more open discussions on how we could work together to help people who have been touched by cancer. That’s been part of my mission from the start, designed by myself and my team- we wanted “Do Good.” in the DNA of our brand. As a result, we found that purveyors were happy to provide quality ingredients for a good price for a company that was founded on giving back.

The other strategy was simply to make delicious food. When we are serving MingsBings, if someone says “Oh this tastes healthy,” then we blew it. None of my food should taste healthy, it should taste delicious. And then consumers find out it’s vegan or better-for-you.That’s cool.

As we build our brand, we are tapping into the power of social media. We are introducing millennials and Gen Z to the benefits of plant-forward eating, but we’re doing so in a fun way. Our “Bing on the Street” series on TikTok and Instagram has generated a few videos with over 2 million organic views. We have people on the street try our Bings, and after they try them, we tell them that they’re actually vegan and gluten-free. People can’t believe it! The unexpected delight generated through this series and our frequent influencer touchpoints have helped us with significant awareness and trial.

The plant-based market continues to evolve and grow. What advice can you offer to individuals looking to launch their own plant-based product businesses? Are there any critical lessons or insights you’ve gained along the way that you’d like to share with aspiring entrepreneurs in this field? Based on your experience can you please share your “5 Things You Need To Create A Successful Plant-Based Product Business”.

1 . Be flexible / Listen to your customers — I know we’re talking about plant-based, but we listened to our customers and created a line of MingsBings that are still better-for-you but meat-based. Listening and being able to pivot with market demands and company needs will keep you successful.

2 . Expand your product line — To elaborate on listening to your customers, expanding your product line is another layer of success. We are planning to expand beyond the original Bing format. Everyone would like to see smaller versions of bings for hotel, parties, and holidays. It is something I have always wanted to do, Bing Bites.

3 . Do Good — Beyond nutritional benefits, we are actively involved in the missions of both Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Family Reach, a charity focused on alleviating the financial strain of a cancer diagnosis for families.

4 . It just has to taste good — There is no middle ground on this one. To be successful, make something delicious and people will want to eat it.

5 . Reach out for help — Make connections with people in the plant-based industry. I’ve made a ton of partnerships with a lot of my purveyors. This helps keep our costs down, allows us to use the best ingredients available, and the relationships are priceless. These companies also know the plant-based industry better than us, so we know we are getting the best information and help out there.

How does your business align with sustainability and ethics in the plant-based industry, and how does this alignment impact your brand’s success and customer trust?

The first protein that we picked was a GMO-free soybean, Before the Butcher, which has a cleaner label. 90% of the packaging is all recyclable. And we’re plant-forward, which generally has a lower environmental impact than meat production.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

My Grandfather’s father always said “Hao Ren, Hao Bao.” Hao Ren, is a good person. Hao Bao is good fortune. Combined, Good things happen to good people. Through life and business, through friends, through family, through love. Treat everyone with kindness, treat them well and you will have good fortune.

And never go to bed hungry, that’s just a fact.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Happy Cooking, is a school I want to create with lots of great people including Harris Schwartzberg, Principal of Two Bridge, Glen Close, and other active mental health philanthropists. The idea is to teach people how to cook, which in turn helps give them self-worth. There is a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness, but people are finally talking about it, that’s step one. If you make a chocolate chip cookie with a bunch of chefs, you try it, and you actually think it’s pretty good, you already start to feel better about something positive you created. Then you give that cookie to a stranger or a friend and they smile. Now you think, wow I can make people happy with something I did, that’s amazing.

When I was 10 years old, I made fried rice for guests that showed up to my family’s home and it made them happy. That is when I realized I could make people happy through food. I would like to have schools in multiple cities and teach people the basics of cooking (how to make a mirepoix, how to make cookies, etc…), they would get knives and tools they need to go get a job after. It would be a short program, because that keeps it affordable.

Everyone can cook, not everyone can sing, dance, or act. With some skills, heart, and passion anyone can become a good cook. This country needs 2 million cooks right now, we’re short staffed because of Covid. For those that have the passion, you can become a Chef. You just need heart, you can never give up and you have to eat all the time. Which is one of the best things about being a Chef, because you have to train your palette. It’s that simple.

This is what we call our “matchmaker question”, and it sometimes works. Is there a person in the world whom you would love to have a power lunch with, and why? Maybe we can tag them and see what happens!

I never got to meet James Beard, so I would like to have a meal with him. Jacques Pépin knew him, cooked for him, and he tells me stories of James. James was a consummate gourmand. He literally helped put all the Chef’s in fine dining and fine cuisine on the map. I would love to pick his brain, see where his mindset was. Ideally, I would like to pick his brain on where he thinks food is going to be in 50 years and see how accurate he is. I hear he was larger than life and enjoyed life to its fullest. That is something I work to achieve daily.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

MingsBings are available at over 5,000 grocery stores nationwide and iconic venues like Fenway Park, TD Garden, Hard Rock Stadium, and Tropicana Field. You can read more on MingsBings and the brand mission at mingsbings.com and follow along on our TikTok and Instagram @mingsbings.

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

Plant-Powered Prosperity: Iron Chef Ming Tsai Of MingsBings On 5 Things You Need To Create A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/pets-and-mental-wellness-alex-reijnierse-of-paleo-stress-management-on-how-to-maximize-the-mental-d8c983a2df6a?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/d8c983a2df6a Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:39:54 GMT 2023-11-02T00:39:54.604Z Pets and Mental Wellness: Alex Reijnierse Of Paleo Stress Management On How to Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Bond with your pet routinely: Allocate daily quality time for your pet. Whether it’s a walk or cuddling, this strengthens your bond and creates the routine that we need.

Alex Reijnierse is the founder of Paleo Stress Management, a platform committed to the holistic understanding and alleviation of stress. Armed with an MSc, Alex’s approach to wellness seamlessly blends personal experience with scholarly research. Having personally navigated the challenges of chronic stress, he has become a prominent voice in the world of mental well-being and holistic health solutions.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we start, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your background and your childhood backstory?

I grew up an only child in a loving family. We were not rich or poor, just getting by like most of us. My father introduced me to my current interest in science and it resulted in me getting a university degree in electrical engineering. Later in life, I faced several setbacks. Both my parents fell seriously ill for an extended period, I lost my job, underwent a divorce etc. and all of that at the same time. This introduced a lot of chronic stress and even anxiety and depression for me. I used my scientific curiosity to look for ways to get through that period. Now I am sharing that knowledge with others on my website, so they do not have to go through that lengthy process as I did.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

When I began my journey with Paleo Stress Management, I had what the Germans would call an Aha-Erlebnis, a moment of clarity. I was already very much aware of stress reduction methods but recently started practicing cold exposure. During the energy crisis, I had turned down the thermostat in my house quite low. It was chilly. At the end of the day, I looked at my Garmin stress level only to notice that it was down WAY more than any other day. I was onto something! Since then, I was even more motivated to understand natural ways to manage stress and share it with the world.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

Certainly. One book that profoundly influenced my perspective is “Breath” by James Nestor. Nestor dives deep into the art and science of breathing, shedding light on how something so innate has been overlooked and sometimes wrongly practiced in modern times. Through a blend of historical anecdotes, scientific studies, and personal exploration, he unveils the transformative power of conscious breathing. This book resonated with me profoundly, especially given my background in holistic wellness. It reinforced the belief that the key to optimal health often lies in mastering basic, natural processes. Nestor’s work has not only deepened my own breathing practices but has also become a recommendation for those I engage with through Paleo Stress Management.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?

One of the most enlightening moments in my journey with stress management occurred during a challenging phase in my life. I was dealing with mounting pressures and feeling quite overwhelmed. Amidst this, I instinctually turned more to my cat, and the transformation I witnessed within myself was profound. This gentle feline, with her purrs, offered me a daily dose of calm. Through her, I realized the depth of connection we can find with animals and how they can serve as anchors in turbulent times. This experience deepened my passion for holistic approaches to mental wellness and highlighted the power of simple, natural interventions in our hectic modern world.

While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?

Firstly, pets provide an unwavering, non-judgmental support system. Unlike humans, they don’t hold grudges, bring up past faults, or critique our choices. Every interaction is in the present, free from the baggage of yesterday or the concerns of tomorrow.

Their love is the very definition of unconditional. There are no hidden agendas, conditions, or expectations. Whether you’ve had a successful day or faced numerous setbacks, your pet greets you with the same enthusiasm and affection. This consistency in their behavior instills a sense of stability and predictability in our lives, something that can be particularly comforting in turbulent times.

Moreover, the beauty of a pet-human relationship lies in its simplicity. Communication transcends spoken language. A dog’s wagging tail, a cat’s purr, or a bird’s chirp conveys emotions and sentiments more potently than words ever could. This non-verbal interaction can be therapeutic, especially for individuals who may find verbal communication challenging or overwhelming.

Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?

From a biological perspective, the simple act of petting or being in the presence of our pets activates our body’s response mechanisms in remarkable ways. One of the primary outcomes is the release of oxytocin, often dubbed the “love” or “bonding” hormone. This hormone plays a significant role in social bonding, emotional regulation, and even pain modulation. Its release induces feelings of contentment, relaxation, and trust, thereby reducing feelings of anxiety and fear.

Moreover, interactions with pets also decrease the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. Chronically elevated cortisol levels have been linked to various health issues, from sleep disturbances to cardiovascular problems. By helping to modulate this hormone, pets inadvertently contribute to our overall physical well-being.

On the psychological front, the consistent companionship of pets offers a sense of stability and predictability amidst the chaos of our daily lives. Their routine needs, like feeding or walking, anchor us to the present moment, promoting mindfulness and diverting our focus from ruminative or anxious thoughts.

In essence, the bond between humans and pets, especially common ones like dogs and cats, is multifaceted. It’s an intricate dance of biological responses and psychological interactions that together weave a safety net against the adversities of stress and anxiety. The silent promise of loyalty, of always being there, is a powerful antidote to the uncertainties and challenges we face.

During challenging global events, pets have emerged as silent heroes. The lockdowns due to the pandemic saw many individuals isolated from human interaction, and their pets became their primary source of companionship. Therapeutically, pets are now integrated into practices like pet-assisted therapy aka Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT), where their mere presence can help reduce anxiety and boost mood. For instance, therapy dogs visiting hospitals or nursing homes provide a sense of normalcy and comfort in medical environments.

Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?

The choice of pet is deeply personal and should align with an individual’s lifestyle, space, and mental health needs. For those with limited space or allergic concerns, fish or reptiles might be ideal. Birds, especially parrots, are interactive and can be therapeutic for those needing engagement. It’s essential to research and assess what kind of pet responsibility can be realistically managed and which will provide the desired emotional connection. A physical connection (touch) may provide another welcome level of comfort.

How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?

The process of caring for another living being, particularly a pet, taps into some of the foundational aspects of human psychology and well-being. Let’s explore this in greater depth:

Routine and Structure: Humans, by nature, often seek structure and routine. It provides predictability in an unpredictable world. Taking care of a pet requires regularity — feeding them at specific times, ensuring they get their exercise, and maintaining their grooming. This imposed structure can help individuals, especially those struggling with feelings of aimlessness or unpredictability in their personal lives, to find a grounding rhythm to their days.
Responsibility and Purpose: Knowing that another living being is wholly dependent on you can profoundly impact one’s self-worth. This responsibility can instill a deep sense of purpose, as one’s actions directly affect the well-being of one’s pet. It’s a tangible manifestation of one’s importance and value in another’s life.
Mindfulness and Engagement: The acts of feeding, grooming, and playing with a pet necessitate being in the present. These moments act as an anchor, drawing individuals away from worries of the past or anxieties about the future. Instead, the focus shifts to the immediate task at hand, whether it’s measuring out food, brushing fur, or throwing a ball. This state of mindfulness can offer a reprieve from mental stressors, acting as a form of therapeutic engagement.
Feedback Loop of Affection: Pets, especially dogs and cats, often show overt appreciation and affection. The purring of a cat, the wagging tail of a dog, or the chirping of a bird can serve as instant feedback for one’s actions. This immediate gratification can enhance feelings of competency and self-worth.
Physical and Mental Exercise: Activities like walking a dog or playing with a cat also have the added benefit of physical exercise, which releases endorphins. These are natural mood lifters, combatting feelings of depression and enhancing overall mental well-being.
Social Engagement: Pets often act as social catalysts. Walking a dog might lead to conversations with neighbors or fellow pet lovers. Sharing pet stories or seeking advice about pet care can foster community engagement, combatting feelings of isolation or loneliness.

The seemingly simple tasks associated with pet care are intricately connected to psychological and emotional benefits. By grounding individuals in the present, reinforcing their value and importance, and offering avenues for social engagement and physical activity, pets play an invaluable role in bolstering mental health and well-being.

1 . Bond with your pet routinely: Allocate daily quality time for your pet. Whether it’s a walk or cuddling, this strengthens your bond and creates the routine that we need.

2 . Engage in activities with them: Exercising will also grow the bond with your pet, but it also releases endorphins and reduces cortisol for you: all good for mental health.

3 . Take care of your pet mindfully: Turn daily tasks like feeding into mindful practices. Instead of rushing, take the time to be present. It will shift your thoughts away from any worries you may have.

4 . Educate yourself: Understand your pet’s behaviors and signals. By doing so, you can better interpret their needs and foster a deeper connection, enhancing the mental benefits that go with it.

5 . Travel together: If possible, include your pet in travels or vacations. New environments can be stimulating, and it will create new neural pathways for both.

The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?

Losing a pet is like losing a family member. The grief can be overwhelming as pets are often our daily companions. It’s essential to allow oneself to mourn, seek support groups or counseling, and memorialize the pet in meaningful ways. While each form of loss is unique, the pain of losing a pet is profound due to the unconditional bond shared. This is especially true for dogs and cats as they often remain our companions for a significant duration.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?

I would inspire a global “Return to Basics” movement grounded in the principles of Paleo Stress Management. In our modern, fast-paced world, we often overlook the fundamental aspects of well-being that our ancestors naturally adhered to. This movement would encourage individuals to reconnect with their innate resilience by simplifying their lifestyles, prioritizing natural healing, and embracing the ancient wisdom of holistic stress relief. By adopting practices that align more closely with our evolutionary history and understanding the interconnectedness of mental, physical, and emotional well-being, we can create communities that are more grounded, harmonious, and resilient in the face of challenges.

Without a doubt, it would be Wim Hof, also known as “The Iceman.” Not only is he a fellow countryman, but his groundbreaking techniques, which merge breathwork with cold exposure, have revolutionized the way we understand human potential and the mind-body connection. The resilience and mental fortitude he exemplifies resonate deeply with the principles of Paleo Stress Management. I believe a conversation with him would be incredibly enlightening, providing insights into the synergies between his methods and the holistic approaches I advocate for. The opportunity to share and learn from such a pioneer in the realm of mental and physical well-being would be invaluable.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers can stay updated with my work through my official website, paleostressmanagement.com. I also share regular updates, articles, and insights on my social media profiles. Additionally, I offer courses on stress management where I will guide learners gradually to scientifically backed methods that can be applied in a practical manner without much investment in time or money.

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts and insights. Let’s continue to spread the message of the incredible bond between humans and pets, and its profound impact on mental well-being. Stay safe and stress-free!

Pets and Mental Wellness: Alex Reijnierse Of Paleo Stress Management On How to Maximize the Mental… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/plant-powered-prosperity-rachel-lessenden-of-health-my-lifestyle-on-5-things-you-need-to-create-a-996dfd751d3d?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/996dfd751d3d Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:35:29 GMT 2023-11-02T00:35:29.907Z Plant-Powered Prosperity: Rachel Lessenden Of Health My Lifestyle On 5 Things You Need To Create A Successful Plant-Based Product Business

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Be open to feedback and be ready to adapt. The plant-based market evolves rapidly, and being flexible and responsive to changing consumer demands is essential. Just like plant-based dairy alternatives that have improved over the years, adapting to customer feedback and evolving technology is vital for staying competitive.

Rachel Lessenden is the founder of Health My Lifestyle, a wellness brand and meal planner subscription service. Rachel started Health My Lifestyle to provide simple recipes, practical tips, and meal plans to help people transition to a healthy plant-based lifestyle in the easiest way possible. With a Bachelor’s in Bakery Science and a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition, Rachel is uniquely positioned to create healthy and delicious plant-forward recipes. She has been successfully running her meal planning service, helping thousands adopt a plant-based lifestyle for over 3 years.

I grew up in Kansas on the Standard American Diet filled with lots of processed meat, cheeses, and snacks. From an early age, I found myself obsessed with food and diets. I hyperfocused on calories and didn’t fully understand the different nutrient densities of foods.

I pursued a degree in Bakery Science at Kansas State University, during which I indulged in my fair share of cakes, cookies, and pastries. My love for baking was always in competition with my passion for healthy living. I perpetually experimented with various trendy diets, but none seemed to have a lasting impact.

The turning point in my health journey came when my sister recommended I watch the documentary “Forks Over Knives.” Suddenly, the concept of nutrition began to click. The documentary emphasized the importance of nourishing our bodies with nutrient-dense foods to achieve optimal health and longevity. While weight loss naturally follows when we fuel our bodies correctly, it should not be the primary focus.

At that point, I started transitioning to a plant-based diet over the course of six months and experienced immediate improvements in weight loss, increased energy levels, improved skin, and better digestion. With these positive changes, there was no doubt — I was committed for the long haul.

I knew in order to keep feeling my best, I needed to plan and prepare healthy, delicious meals weekly, reducing reliance on convenience foods. For me, meal planning was the key to making plant-based eating a sustainable and lifelong choice rather than just another diet.

I now have a better relationship with food and I’m grateful for discovering a sustainable lifestyle. My mission is to help others do the same. I obtained the Plant-Based Nutrition Certification through eCornell, Cornell University’s online platform, in collaboration with the Center for Nutrition Studies. This certification deepened my understanding of the role nutrition plays in our well-being, equipping me with the tools to better support and guide those on their journey to a plant-based lifestyle.

You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Passion for the plant-based lifestyle and a commitment to its benefits have been a driving force behind my success. I’ve always believed in the positive impact of plant-based living, and this passion has fueled my determination to make a difference. For instance, when I started the website, I worked tirelessly to create and curate content that could inspire and educate others. My enthusiasm was contagious and attracted like-minded individuals who shared my passion and vision.

Building a successful venture in the plant-based space has had its share of challenges. Resilience has been crucial in overcoming setbacks and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of online businesses. One significant example was when our meal planning service faced some software hurdles that threatened its continuity. With resilience, we found innovative solutions, ensuring our service remained robust and accessible to our community.

Understanding the diverse needs and concerns of our audience has been essential to our success. Empathy has allowed me to connect with our users on a deeper level, addressing their specific challenges and providing tailored solutions. For instance, I remember a user who reached out, struggling with the transition to a plant-based diet due to a medical condition. I empathized with their situation and connected them with a plant-based nutrition expert who offered personalized guidance. This approach not only helped the individual but also reinforced our reputation for being a caring and supportive platform.

What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?

One of the most exciting projects we’re currently working on involves expanding our content delivery options. While our meal planning subscription service has been well-received, we’re aware that many people prefer having an ebook option for a more straightforward experience.

Ebooks are a fantastic addition to our offerings for several reasons. Firstly, they provide instant access to valuable plant-based resources. Users can simply download an ebook and start their journey toward a healthier lifestyle immediately, without the need to navigate an app or commit to a subscription. This kind of accessibility is crucial for individuals who are just starting to explore plant-based living and may not be ready for a long-term commitment.

Secondly, ebooks allow for a one-time purchase, which is cost-effective and provides a one-time investment in a comprehensive resource. We understand that not everyone wants to maintain a recurring subscription, and ebooks cater to those who prefer a more budget-friendly approach to gaining knowledge and recipes for plant-based living.

My inspiration to enter the plant-based product industry occurred organically. Initially, I launched an Instagram account to share my recipes and inspire others. As the account gained traction, I began receiving messages from people inquiring about meal planning services. It became evident that there was an unmet need for a comprehensive meal planning solution. This realization is when I had a true “eureka” moment. I had already been meal planning for several years at that point, so running a meal planning service seemed like the perfect fit.

I polled my audience to narrow down exactly what they were looking for, from types of recipes, kitchen appliances they use, whether they prefer batch cooking or cooking daily, their cooking skill level, and what features they would want in a meal planning application. Gathering all this day gave me a deeper understanding of my audience’s meal planning needs and allowed me to provide a more tailored and effective solution.

What do you believe are the key factors behind the recent surge in demand for plant-based products, and how can aspiring entrepreneurs authentically tap into this growing trend?

I think the surge could be attributed to a few factors. Consumers are increasingly conscious of their health and well-being. Plant-based diets are often perceived as healthier options, with potential benefits like weight management, improved heart health, and reduced risk of chronic diseases. The growing awareness of the environmental impact of animal agriculture, such as greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, has also led people to seek more sustainable and eco-friendly food choices. I also think more and more people are opening their eyes to the ethical concerns surrounding animal welfare and the treatment of animals in the food industry has led individuals to explore plant-based alternatives. Plus, there’s been an increase in high-profile endorsements and documentaries, along with the promotion of plant-based diets by celebrities and influencers.

To authentically tap into this growing trend, aspiring entrepreneurs should start with a genuine passion for plant-based living. Authenticity resonates with consumers who can sense when a business is truly dedicated to its mission. With food products, be transparent about your sourcing, ingredients, and manufacturing processes. Customers appreciate knowing where their food comes from and how it’s made. Emphasize your commitment to sustainability, including eco-friendly packaging and ethical supply chain practices. Create a community around your brand. Engage with your audience through social media, events, and collaborations to build a loyal following.

How do you envision the evolution of consumer preferences in the next 5–10 years?

I think the demand for plant-based products and sustainable food options will only continue growing. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environmental impact of their choices and are likely to favor products that are eco-friendly and ethically sourced. Health-conscious preferences will always persist, with consumers seeking products that support their well-being.

Consumers will continue to demand more transparency from brands. They will seek information about the sourcing, production, and quality of the products they purchase. Trust in brands that prioritize ethics, sustainability, and authenticity will be essential.

I also think convenience will remain a top priority for consumers. The demand for time-saving solutions, such as meal kits, ready-to-eat meals, smart kitchen appliances, and online grocery shopping, is likely to grow.

What is your favorite plant-based product (not necessarily your own) and what makes it stand out? What can we all learn from the appeal of that product?

Aside from my meal planning service, my favorite plant-based product would have to be nutritional yeast. It’s hard to narrow down to just one product, but I use nutritional yeast almost every day in some form. It has become ubiquitous in the plant-based community for adding a cheesy flavor to food. It’s also an incredibly versatile ingredient. It can be used in a wide range of recipes, from sauces and dressings to soups, popcorn seasoning, and even as a topping for pasta or pizza.

I think the appeal is that it filled the desire to have something cheesy when no cheese alternatives were on the market. Even to this day, I’ll often add it to dishes to give a cheese-like flavor, even when there are excellent cheese alternatives available. Its affordability and adaptability keep me coming back, plus, being a minimally processed ingredient is an added benefit for the health-conscious consumers.

Based on your experience, what are some of the biggest myths or misconceptions people have about the plant-based industry?

One of the most prevalent myths is that plant-based diets are deficient in protein. In reality, there are abundant plant-based protein sources like legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, and tempeh, which can easily meet protein needs. Even plant-based meat alternatives offer protein content comparable to animal products.

I’ve also often heard that people believe plant-based diets consist of tasteless and uninspiring meals. In truth, plant-based cuisine can be exceptionally flavorful and diverse, featuring a wide array of herbs, spices, and creative cooking techniques that produce delicious dishes. In fact, switching to a plant-based diet opened me up to a whole world of flavors I never knew about. My diet is more diverse than it ever was on the Standard American Diet.

Another common misconception is that plant-based diets are expensive. While some specialty plant-based products can be pricey, many plant-based staples like beans, rice, vegetables, and grains are cost-effective. A plant-based diet can be as affordable as any other diet, if not more so!

As the owner of a meal planning application, my focus is on delivering an exceptional digital service to my customers. In this context, here are the strategies I’ve found most effective in overcoming the challenges unique to the digital realm:

User-Centric Design — Our application’s user interface is designed with the end user in mind. We prioritize user experience by ensuring that the app is intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. This enhances engagement and encourages users to return.

Customization and Personalization — To cater to a wide range of dietary preferences and restrictions, we provide customization features. Users can personalize their meal plans based on their dietary needs, ensuring that the app is accommodating and flexible.

Data Analytics — Leveraging data analytics is a powerful strategy. We analyze user data to understand preferences, popular recipes, and usage patterns. This informs our content creation and helps us continuously improve the app to better meet user needs.

Educational Content — We offer educational resources to empower users with the knowledge they need to make informed dietary choices. This content enriches the user experience and helps them better understand the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.

Feedback Loop — Actively seeking and incorporating customer feedback has been a key strategy. Listening to the needs and preferences of our users has allowed us to refine the app to better meet their expectations.

Absolutely, as someone who has navigated the journey of launching a plant-based business, I’m eager to share advice and insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in this field.

1. Have passion and a purpose. The foundation of any successful plant-based business is a genuine passion for the cause and a clear sense of purpose. You must deeply believe in the benefits of plant-based living. For example, my passion for the plant-based lifestyle was the driving force behind my business. I genuinely wanted to make a positive impact on people’s lives and help them adopt a healthy plant-based diet.

2. Differentiate your product from what’s already available. In a growing market, innovation and differentiation are essential. Find your unique selling proposition that sets your product apart. For instance, my meal planning app’s distinctiveness lies in its user-friendly interface, completely customizable plant-based meal plans, and a large database of over 700 recipes with most of them being ready in less than 30 minutes. This sets us apart from other meal planning apps in the plant-based niche that just have basic functions, complex recipes, and less customization features.

3. Quality is non-negotiable. Ensure your products are of the highest quality, sourced sustainably, and prepared with care. Transparency in ingredient or material sourcing and manufacturing processes builds trust.

4. Conduct thorough market research and understand your target audience. Create products that cater to their needs and preferences. For instance, my audience’s demand for convenient, accessible plant-based meal planning led to our successful meal planning application. If you don’t know your target market’s pain points, you risk developing a product that doesn’t resonate.

5. Be open to feedback and be ready to adapt. The plant-based market evolves rapidly, and being flexible and responsive to changing consumer demands is essential. Just like plant-based dairy alternatives that have improved over the years, adapting to customer feedback and evolving technology is vital for staying competitive.

How does your business align with sustainability and ethics in the plant-based industry, and how does this alignment impact your brand’s success and customer trust?

My meal planning application is inherently rooted in sustainability and ethics within the plant-based industry. We emphasize plant-based meal planning that incorporates sustainable whole food ingredients and reduces the carbon footprint associated with food production. By promoting sustainable food choices, we align with environmental ethics and contribute to a more sustainable planet. Our users appreciate that we focus on whole food plant based recipes, not only for the health benefits but the added benefit of less packaging involved with these items. Our application also encourages users to plan their meals efficiently, reducing food waste.

What certifications and regulations are essential for new plant-based brands to uphold their values as they grow?

Obtaining a vegan certification, such as the Certified Vegan seal from Vegan Action or the Vegan Society trademark, can help establish your products as authentically vegan. This certification ensures that your products contain no animal-derived ingredients and have not been tested on animals. The Leaping Bunny Certification is also essential for cosmetics and personal care products. This certification confirms that your products are cruelty-free and have not been tested on animals.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

One of my favorite quotes is “You can fail at what you don’t want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.” — Jim Carrey

I have this quote saved as my desktop background as a reminder that taking a chance on pursuing one’s passion and doing what you love is a risk worth taking. In the world of entrepreneurship, there are no guarantees of success. However, the alternative is potentially failing at something that doesn’t align with your true desires and values.

This quote has been a driving force behind my commitment to creating and growing a plant-based brand and meal planning application that resonates with my values and passions. It encourages us to embrace the entrepreneurial journey, even with its uncertainties and challenges, because the fulfillment that comes from doing what you love and aligning with your values is a reward in itself.

I would love if I could encourage everyone to eat entirely plant-based, one day a week. One day of eating plant-based saves 1,100 gallons of water, 30 square feet of forest, 20 pounds of CO2 emissions, and one animal.

By inspiring more people to embrace plant-based living and sustainability, we can collectively contribute to a healthier planet, reduced animal suffering, and a more harmonious coexistence with nature.

If I could have a power lunch with anyone in the world, it would be Dr. Michael Greger. Dr. Greger’s work in promoting evidence-based, plant-based nutrition played a huge role in my transition to not just a plant-based diet, but a whole foods plant-based diet. I would love to discuss with him the latest scientific findings, and explore innovative ways to further promote this lifestyle.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

The best place is my website Health My Lifestyle as well as my socials:

Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent with this. We wish you continued success and good health!

Plant-Powered Prosperity: Rachel Lessenden Of Health My Lifestyle On 5 Things You Need To Create A… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/pets-and-mental-wellness-twila-mcgee-of-nolas-finest-pet-care-llc-on-how-to-maximize-the-mental-0c79a135ec79?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/0c79a135ec79 Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:34:59 GMT 2023-11-02T00:34:59.159Z Pets and Mental Wellness: Twila McGee Of NOLAs Finest Pet Care llc On How to Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Social Skills & Confidence- Taking your furry friend to pet-friendly locations is an excellent way to connect with other pet lovers and strengthen your social circle. Practicing and improving our social skills are important because this skill helps us to communicate our thoughts and emotions effectively resulting in healthy relationships with others.

Meet Twila, CEO and founder of NOLAs Finest Pet Care LLC, devoted to enhancing the well-being of our furry friends as the state’s first Bi, Black, Woman-owned pet health & wellness hub. Born and raised in Uptown, NOLA, Twila is a pet expert, artist, and proud fur mom. With over a decade of professional pet care experience and a lifetime of being a devoted fur mom, she specializes in cats and dogs and has extensive knowledge in fostering and caring for pets in every stage of life. Twila’s passion for her work has earned her business the recognition of America’s Best by Happy Doggo and Best in New Orleans by Kev’s Best. Her accomplishments have also been celebrated in various publications such as The Story Exchange, Huffpost, Disrupt Magazine and more.

I grew up in the Uptown, New Orleans area with my parents, one older sister, the best granny ever and later in life blessed with a bonus mom. We attended Catholic schools, but at home, Christianity was the focal point, and developing a relationship with God was paramount. As an adult, while I remain faithful and have a close relationship with God, I don’t subscribe to any particular religion, as I believe it can cause confusion, division, and even hate — which is not what being Godly is all about.

As a child, I inherited my love for animals from my mother, as we always had pets in the house. My first best friend was a silver-haired toy poodle, who was already part of the family before I was born. He and I had countless fun adventures together until he passed when I was 13. I keep his photo on my desk to this day. Later, I adopted two kittens, one of whom I rescued from an abandoned house a week before Hurricane Katrina. I raised them both into their senior years and cherished every moment with them. They provided me with emotional support throughout my teen years and well into my early adulthood.

I’ve been told that I’ve always had a rebellious spirit — not in a negative sense, but a desire to live life on my own terms instead of society’s expectations. I get this from my Granny, who started her own successful catering business at a time when women weren’t expected to be independent or have careers. As a child, I aspired to be an entrepreneur and blend my love for animals, baking, art and interior design skills. However, it wasn’t until my 20s that I had my “aha” moment. I had a terrible experience with boarding my cats, which inspired me to start my own in-home pet care service. Thanks to my two cats, my business — NOLAs Finest Pet Care LLC — was born.

I made a bold decision to discontinue my academic career and blaze a trail carving out my destiny. Not only did this feel right to me but I’m glad I did because now my business is Louisiana’s pioneering pet health and wellness hub. Completely devoted to enhancing the lives of furkids as the state’s first bi black woman-owned pet care business. This also gave me the opportunity to help my spouse blaze her own trail after surviving a brain aneurysm.

To us, a home is not complete without a furkid. A few months before the pandemic, my mother and I welcomed a young and malnourished mommy dog and her puppies into our home. Despite being tragically abandoned and in desperate need of love and care, we opened our hearts and home to them. We took great care to nurse the mommy dog back to health and ensured that the puppies were thriving and joyful until they found their forever homes. As a result, we decided to keep two of the five puppies, and they have become a cherished part of our family.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I had the amazing opportunity to Win one of Maddie’s Fund BIPOC Business Scholarship to attend Animal Care Expo 2023, my mission has always been to minimize pet abandonment rates and promote the well-being of pets. During the pandemic, the stay-at-home orders led to a decrease in shelter populations. However, once restrictions were lifted, these numbers rose again. I realized that the root of the problem lies in pet parents not evaluating their lifestyle and budget before adoption, mostly due to a lack of pet education availability. Throughout my career I have always educated pet parents but mainly those whom I’ve personally cared for their pets. However, after speaking with so many great shelter workers at the expo, this has inspired me to create an online course. My online course, Training for Hoomons, is both informative and interactive. I aim to partner with shelters across the nation, to provide this course at no additional cost to fosters and adopters with the support of sponsors. Join me in creating a community that ensures the happiness of all our furry friends.

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

As someone who loves self-help books and personal growth, I’ve read my fair share of inspiring literature. However, one book that has stuck with me since college is Buddhist Bootcamp by Timber Hawkeye. The biggest lesson I took away from this book is the importance of self-responsibility. We are ultimately accountable for our choices, and it’s up to us to take ownership of our lives. We frequently make choices that either bring us closer or further from our objectives, and when things go wrong, we tend to blame others instead of assessing our role in the situation and working to improve. This, I believe, is one of the most challenging aspects of being human. One quote from the book that really resonated with me is “If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.” -E James Rohn.

Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?

When my high school love, now my spouse, and I was 19, she suffered a brain aneurysm that left her in a coma. The doctors were not optimistic about her chances of survival, and the thought of losing her broke me to the point where I felt disconnected from the world and struggled with anxiety and depression. Despite the well-meaning attempts of friends and family to support me, I felt too overwhelmed to engage in conversations. During those trying times, my cats and their soothing purrs were a great source of comfort that helped me cope.

While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?

In my experience, furkids are always present, naturally spending their lives exhibiting unconditional love, a combination of compassion, empathy and non-judgement. Research shows that furkids can sniff out mood swings and do their best to shift our mood in a more positive state. Unfortunately, for humans, unconditional love and mindfulness are abilities that we must learn and practice regularly. Some individuals may never master this. We are constantly consumed by our phones and insecurities, and we often disregard other people’s or pets’ struggles and fail to show empathy. Furkids also experience emotions such as fear and loneliness, highlighting the need for emotional support from their person(s). Thus, reciprocating unconditional love and care is important.

Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?

I’ve always been fascinated in how furkids can drastically improve our mental and physical health without saying a word, just by being unapologetic themselves. Research shows that caring for a pet or interacting with a furkid can significantly decrease blood pressure and levels of cortisol, a stress related hormone. Something as simple as a stroll with your dog or cat (yes cats can be walked with a proper harness!) can improve your physical health and clear your mind. When you’re feeling anxiety, focusing on a task like brushing or petting your furkid will instantly make you feel calmer. When feeling stressed, playing with your furkid will positively shift your mood and may help you gain a better perspective to solve challenges. When you feel misunderstood and lonely, hugs and cuddles from your furkid will undoubtedly make you feel like you matter and loved. If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, spend some quality time with your furry friend, especially when they’re being silly. Medical research has shown that laughter and smiling have numerous benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease, lowering artery inflammation, and improving blood flow. Endorphins and serotonin are also released in the brain which can act as natural pain relievers and antidepressants.

Research has shown that adopting a pet or interacting with one can be a significant breakthrough for children struggling with ADHD. By interacting with their pets, children can enhance their focus and social skills. Similarly, another study found that children on the spectrum tend to be much calmer when they interact with furry, scaly or feathery friends.

Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?

I find the best method is to start with evaluating your lifestyle and finances, by doing so you will discover what type of pets you can and cannot handle. Ultimately decreasing the likelihood of abandoning your pet. I cover this and other essential pet care skills in my online course.

How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?

In my opinion, our innate desire to provide love and care for those beyond ourselves is a fundamental part of being human. Some people have children to fulfill this need, but adopting a furkid can be just as rewarding. Furry companions reciprocate with unwavering appreciation and unconditional love — a truly fulfilling experience.

1 . Getting Active- Taking your furkid out for daily walks or runs and carving out time for play could be the workout routine need. Daily walks and engaging in play reduce stress and improve heart health. Have you noticed how much your pet stretches? Following their lead and stretching properly after sitting or resting for long periods can improve blood flow and joint motion, make time for a little yoga with your pet.

2 . Social Skills & Confidence- Taking your furry friend to pet-friendly locations is an excellent way to connect with other pet lovers and strengthen your social circle. Practicing and improving our social skills are important because this skill helps us to communicate our thoughts and emotions effectively resulting in healthy relationships with others.

3 . Being Mindful- Have you ever noticed how your furry friend lives in the moment and takes pleasure in the little things? We can learn from this and practice mindfulness to connect with our thoughts and emotions and manage them in a positive way. By doing so, we can avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed.

4 . Structure & organization- pets aren’t the only beings that need routines and schedules to thrive. Planning out our daily routines such as feeding, play, grooming, etc. provides us with a sense of purpose and helps us stay productive by keeping us positively stimulated.

5 . Companionship- Having a furry companion can provide you with unconditional love daily, which can help you feel more relaxed and secure both mentally and physically. Interacting with your cat or dog can increase mental stimulation, positive thoughts, improve memory, and help you achieve goals. The absence of companionship can lead to negative feelings of loneliness and isolation.

The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?

Losing a beloved pet can take a significant toll on one’s mental health. It’s crucial to handle the loss in a healthy way. Consider finding a support group or confiding in someone who can empathize with your feelings. Don’t ignore your emotions, practice self-care, do something special to celebrate their life, and when you’re comfortable, consider opening your heart and home to another furry companion. Equally important is to disregard those who trivialize your loss with statements like “It’s just a dog” or “It’s just a cat, no big deal”.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?

Making pet care education accessible- Imagine a world where humans frequently practiced unconditional love and mindfulness, and every shelter pet found a loving family and never had to endure abandonment. What a beautiful world that would be!

I would love to sit with other pet enthusiasts and collaborate on different methods we can significantly lower the abandonment rate and make this world a better place for furkids.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Follow me on Instagram & Facebook @nolasfinestpetcare

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

Pets and Mental Wellness: Twila McGee Of NOLAs Finest Pet Care llc On How to Maximize the Mental… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

]]> https://medium.com/authority-magazine/pets-and-mental-wellness-dr-elizabeth-shuler-of-inner-evolution-coaching-on-how-to-maximize-the-462e9f808a8d?source=rss-0c66c95e0b7d------2 https://medium.com/p/462e9f808a8d Thu, 02 Nov 2023 00:27:46 GMT 2023-11-02T00:27:46.896Z Pets and Mental Wellness: Dr Elizabeth Shuler Of Inner Evolution Coaching On How to Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet

An Interview With Wanda Malhotra

Spend time with your pet. The way you do this will depend on the type of pet you have, but engaging in enriching activities with your pet regularly will not only strengthen your bond but will also make your pet’s life better. A stronger bond can lead to a number of mental health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, increased mood, and improved social skills.

Dr. Elizabeth Shuler, also known as Liz, is a transformational mind-body coach, yoga therapist, and Reiki Master with over 14 years of experience. Since 2015, she has lived abroad in Jordan, China, and Belgium, where she has gained a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities that people face when living and working abroad. Liz’s coaching approach is holistic and integrative, drawing on her expertise in Yoga, Ayurveda, Reiki, and Psychology. She creates a safe and supportive space for her clients to explore their inner landscapes and discover their own path to healing and transformation.

I grew up in Cody, Wyoming, right outside of Yellowstone National Park. Growing up with so much nature around me really inspired my curiosity about the universe, people, and wellbeing. I was always a learner, researching, reading, or going out to find answers for myself. At the same time, I grew up pretty poor and had my fair share of challenges and traumas growing up. Like many healers, I harnessed these struggles to hopefully help others not have to go through the same things I did. Between my wounds and my curiosity, psychology and yoga seemed to be a perfect fit!

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

I have worked in many different settings throughout the years and this, paired with working internationally, creates a lot of interesting stories. The most interesting story I can think of — that isn’t confidential — is how I found my clinical supervisor. My partner and I had moved to Amman, Jordan for his work. I was provisionally licensed as a mental health counselor and needed a supervisor to help me gain hours to become fully licensed. From a conversation in a bar I met a group of mental health professionals in the area. That group led me to a woman who was also from Wyoming and had the qualifications to be my supervisor. The kicker? Her name is Elizabeth, as well! It was so serendipitous and so unexpected. We are still friends and colleagues to this day!

Is there a particular book that made a significant impact on you? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?

The books that made the most impact on me growing up were the works of Tolkien, specifically The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The way that all of the main characters in the books took on huge burdens in order to make the world a better place was always inspiring to me. I think this quote from LOTR sums it up for me: “…But you know well enough now that starting is too great a claim for any, and that only a small part is played in great deeds by any hero.” I loved that the central tenant of the books wasn’t that the mightiest of warriors or the highest of magical beings that saved the world, but the people who loved each other enough to put themselves in danger for a better world.

Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s move to the main focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story about how a pet has helped you or someone you know to improve mental wellness?

I have had animals around me all of my life. My first job in high school was rehabilitating and training abused and neglected horses. I learned early on that animals have a way of helping us be present in a way that is healing. Horses did that for me when I was in Wyoming. As I’ve moved abroad, dogs and cats have filled that role. My last dog, Grimm, had an uncanny ability to sense the person in the room who needed comfort the most and he did his best to be cuddly, even though he was a huge, boney greyhound. I’ve seen multiple clients who were able to be present in a session with very difficult emotions because they were stroking a pet or a therapy animal.

While human interaction is essential for emotional well-being, in what ways do interactions with pets offer unique benefits that human relationships might not provide?

Pets are more than just our companions; they can also have a profound impact on our health and well-being. Studies have shown that having pets can reduce depression and loneliness, enhance social skills and interaction, decrease anxiety, promote physical activity, and even protect against cardiovascular diseases and PTSD.

Can you explain how this works? How do pets, particularly common ones like dogs and cats, biologically and psychologically help to alleviate human stress levels and anxieties?

There are a few mechanisms that studies have examined to explain why pets help us feel better. Hormonal changes, exercise, and socialization are just a few of these mechanisms.

Firstly, petting a dog or cat can release oxytocin, a hormone that has calming and mood-boosting effects. Pets can also provide a sense of comfort and security, which can help to reduce stress and anxiety. These stress reducing effects can also help reduce inflammation and other physical health issues. We know that stress is a major factor in many chronic mental and physical diseases, so this is a major factor in how pets increase human wellbeing. Pets also promote physical activity because many pets, such as dogs, need regular exercise. Taking your dog for walks or playing fetch is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. As for socialization, pets can be a great conversation starter and can help us meet new people. For example, taking your dog to the park is a great way to meet other dog owners and make new friends. On a similar note, pets actually help teach compassion and empathy. Pets rely on us for their care and well-being, which can help us to develop compassion and empathy for others, both human and non-human. For those living alone, pets provide companionship. Pets can be a great source of companionship and unconditional love when we feel isolated or alone. Last, but not least, pets have an uncanny ability to bring us into the present. When we are interacting with our pets, we need to be fully present and aware of their needs and wants as well as our own internal states. This can help us increase our own self-awareness and mindfulness.

There is research that suggests that pets not only are helpful for staying calm during natural disasters, but also help prevent or alleviate PTSD in the long-term after a natural disaster. It is for this reason that pet evacuations and rescues are starting to be taken more seriously during disasters.

Animal assisted therapy has been around for a while. The most well-known is probably equine therapy, but other animals such as dogs and cats are also utilized in these types of interventions. Equine assisted therapy is often implemented for the treatment of autism or for those who may benefit from alternative physical therapy. Many mental health clinicians also utilize therapy animals in their practices, such as dogs and cats, that can help clients feel more at ease and more present during the session. Animal assisted therapy has been shown to be at least as effective as other well-known mental health interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and there is some evidence that it may work better due to things like increased treatment adherence.

Not all pets are dogs or cats. From birds to fish to reptiles, how can individuals choose the right pet that aligns with their mental health needs?

While dogs, cats, and horses may seem to be the most popular animals for AAT, other animals can be beneficial for different needs. Snakes and reptiles can help with phobias, confidence, and even to get people talking due to the lack of judgement people feel from them. Millipedes can help with sensory issues and tortoises can help people come out of their shells. Many centers that provide animal assisted therapy have a range of animals for different needs, like Critterish Allsorts in the UK. The type of animal you choose to own or to interact with depends on what you want or need to get out of the interactions. Talking to someone who is familiar with AAT and with you can make sure you make a decision that is right for you and the animals.

How does the act of taking care of a pet — feeding, grooming, exercising — contribute to an individual’s sense of purpose and mental well-being?

Like we discussed, taking care of an animal has a myriad of benefits. It can teach empathy, compassion, and responsibility. Pets can help us get exercise — even cats need to play and you can get some good movement in with them.

Taking care of a pet also creates a stronger bond and connection, which can be really helpful in combating loneliness and isolation. It can also give us a great sense of purpose and self-confidence. Taking care of another living being is a great responsibility. When you work hard to take care of an animal it really boosts your self-image. This is why care of pets can also help those with depression have motivation to take care of their animals, even when they don’t have motivation to take care of themselves.

1 . Choose the right pet for you. Not all pets are right for every person. Dogs, for example, tend to be more social and require more exercise, which can be good for people looking to get out more. Cats, on the other hand, are more independent and can be a good choice for people who are looking for a more home-body pet.

For example: I love horses. However, I have moved internationally 3 times in the last 8 years. This is not a great environment for horses. Instead, I choose dogs or cats that I know will be secure enough to move and be ok in an apartment rather than a house.

2 . Spend time with your pet. The way you do this will depend on the type of pet you have, but engaging in enriching activities with your pet regularly will not only strengthen your bond but will also make your pet’s life better. A stronger bond can lead to a number of mental health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, increased mood, and improved social skills.

My cats are cuddlers. They love a soft, warm couch with a blanket and a person. However, they also love to run around like furry tornadoes. Playing with them helps to keep them from destroying the laundry basket and gives us quality time together. My cats ask for play time — sometimes very insistently — and it is always time well spent.

3 . Train your pet, as necessary. Obviously, this will be truer for some types of pets than others. However, for many types of animals, training can help to reduce stress and frustration and strengthen your connection. Training also promotes trust and respect between you and your pet. Even just feeding your pet at the same time every day can be a form of training and connection.

Even my rescue cats get trained! I have two currently and one is easier than the other. Sif sits, targets, and is learning to do high-fives for treats. Crowley, on the other hand, is being trained not to yowl for attention and is not food motivated. While we are training both, we have to adapt how and what we train to the individual animal to make it meaningful for all of us. In the end, it means we all have a better relationship — and less yowling.

4 . Cuddle with or talk to your pet. Studies have shown that petting an animal can release oxytocin, a hormone that has calming and mood-boosting effects. If you cannot cuddle or stroke your pet often — some reptiles or insects might be less inclined to cuddles — talking to them can help you to feel more connected and less alone.

Have you ever seen the therapy dogs that go to the hospital to comfort patients? If you haven’t, watch a video and see how different the patients are before, during, and after the animal visit. It is sometimes almost miraculous the changes you can see immediately. The hospital knows that cuddling or stroking an animal can lower stress, pain, and anxiety for those who are in a scary and sometimes painful place. The same can be true for you with your pets at home. Try not to take them for granted, even during busy or stressful times. Your pets can be a huge asset.

5 . Get involved in pet-related activities. There are many ways to get involved in pet-related activities, such as volunteering at a local animal shelter, joining a pet club, or simply chatting with neighbors during walks. Engaging in social activities with other pet owners to enhance your social support network. Social interactions can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging. This can help you to meet other pet owners, make new friends, and learn how to better support your pets.

My greyhound was amazing at helping us meet new people. We would go to the dog park to let him run and play. Instead, he would sniff out all the people whose dogs were off playing and solicit pets and cuddles. He didn’t want to play with other dogs — he was above that — but he definitely wanted human attention. Extracting him from people always ended up in lots of chit chat and sometimes, new friends. While this might be difficult with some of the less mobile pets, you can always find others who enjoy your animals as much as you do, whether that is at an animal shelter, a club, or a pet show.

The loss of a pet can be deeply traumatic. How can individuals navigate this grief, and how does it compare to other forms of loss in terms of mental health impact?

The grief process is no different for pets than for any other loss. While for some it may seem trivial, the loss of a pet is the loss of a family member for many and should be treated as such. The best thing is to allow yourself to grieve. This can be easier said than done in our world today, but taking the time you need to feel the sadness, the anger, and the mixture of feelings that comes up is necessary for healthy processing. Grief will look different for everyone, so do not hold yourself to any set timeline or progression. It might take months to feel anywhere near normal again, and that is ok. If you find yourself slipping into a depression that seems like more than grief, it can be helpful to reach out to a grief therapist to help.

When I lost my greyhound, Grimm, a year and a half ago it was very traumatic. He was my therapy dog and my companion from the US to Jordan to China. He helped me find balance when work sucked and was a joyful, playful companion. I was lucky that he passed on a Thursday, and I was able to take that Friday off. I used that time to be heartbroken. It took me two months to feel like the sadness was not an everyday feeling, but like all grief, I still feel it. I am tearing up as I talk about him now and I will tear up when talking about him in two, five, probably ten years. But I don’t tear up every time I think about him and I don’t think about him all the time. He will always be with me, but his loss is not the only thing I think about. That is the healthy progression of grief.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of peace to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?

Ah, thank you. Universal access to free preventive care and well-being services would be the most effective way to promote peace and reduce suffering. Preventive care is essential for maintaining good health and preventing disease, both physically and mentally. By providing everyone with access to preventive care, we can reduce the burden of illness and improve the overall well-being of the population. This would lead to a more peaceful and harmonious world.

I would have to say Dr. Dan Siegel. His work on Interpersonal Neurobiology is groundbreaking and extremely valuable in our quest to make the world a better place. His work has been extremely impactful on my own personal and professional life. I would love to sit and talk with him about his ideas moving forward as well as what we can do better to bring integration and balance to the world.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

You can find me at my website, www.innerevolutioncoach.com, or all of my socials in my link tree https://koji.to/@innerevolutioncoach.

Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!

Thank you so much for your time!

Here are my references for my answers:

Cleary, M., West, S., Thapa, D. K., Westman, M., Vesk, K., & Kornhaber, R. (2021). Grieving the loss of a pet: A qualitative systematic review. Death Studies, 46(9), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2021.1901799

Friedman, E., & Krause-Parello, C. A. (2018). Companion animals and human health: benefits, challenges, and the road ahead for human-animal interaction. Revue Scientifique et Technique (International Office of Epizootics), 37(1), 71–82. https://doi.org/10.20506/rst.37.1.2741

González-Ramírez, M. T., Ortiz-Jiménez, X. A., & Landero-Hernández, R. (2013). Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy and Animal-Assisted Therapy: Stress Management for Adults. Alternative and Complementary Therapies, 19(5), 270–275. https://doi.org/10.1089/act.2013.19505

Greenberg, J. S. (2021). Comprehensive stress management. Mcgraw-Hill Education.

Koca, T. T. (2016). What is hippotherapy? The indications and effectiveness of hippotherapy. Northern Clinics of Istanbul, 2(3). https://doi.org/10.14744/nci.2016.71601

Qureshi, A. I., Memon, M. Z., & Vazquez, G. (2009). Cat ownership and the risk of fatal cardiovascular diseases. results from the second national health and nutrition examination study mortality follow-up study. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, 2(1).

Tanaka, A., Saeki, J., Hayama, S., & Kass, P. H. (2019). Effect of Pets on Human Behavior and Stress in Disaster. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 6(113). https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2019.00113

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