Crunchy Cocktail Hour

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400 Lbs. to Nutrition Coach and the Keto Diet with Jon Dobzelecki Oct 05, 2018

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How does one go from the corporate world to nutritional coaching? What exactly is the Keto diet and is it good or bad for you? Plus, stick around to the end to find out Jon's quirk about brushing his teeth. All this and more on this week's episode with special guest Jon Dobzelecki of Performing Nutrition! Jon Dobzelecki Jon has a long time background in management consulting and business transformation (where he met Larisa). Growing up overweight, Jon was active and heavily involved in many different sports, but he could never figure out why the weight wasn’t coming off and he couldn’t reach a “normal size”. After ballooning to 400 lbs in college, he decided to take matters into his own hands. Through a structured dieting program and exercise, he dropped almost 200 lbs and became an avid marathon runner. Over the years, keeping the weight off took hard work and dedication both at the gym and in the kitchen. Eventually though, life happened – stress of climbing the corporate ladder, traveling week after week for work, and just losing focus on that previous healthy lifestyle. One day in December 2016 Jon decided enough was enough and it was time to refocus, re-prioritize, and put himself and his health first again. Jon made significant lifestyle changes which required major sacrifices – saying no to a glass of champagne at a wedding, avoiding the dessert table at a holiday party, spending Friday nights going for a run or taking a spin class. Jon was able to get himself back on track and “comeback” better and stronger both mentally and physically than before. This time though something was different, Jon became motivated to use his experience and own struggle to help others live their best life and achieve their own health transformation. Jon is a certified Health Coach and CrossFit Level 1 instructor and currently pursuing a M.S. in Nutrition. Performing Nutrition Want to work with Jon to achieve your health goals? Exclusively for Crunchy Cocktail Hour listeners, Jon will offer 15% off any nutrition services and merchandise from Performing Nutrition. You can use code CRUNCHY at checkout, but Jon recommends reaching out to him first to discuss the right plan for your goals. Find Jon on Instagram, Facebook, or his website. Episode Sponsor: Lola Lola is a subscription service offering a line of 100% organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. With Lola you will receive an adorable box when you need it, that is fully customizable. You can select the mix of products, number of boxes and frequency of delivery. You can cancel, skip and order or modify your subscription at any time –there’s no surprises or gimmicks so you can feel confident giving this a try. The FDA doesn’t require brands to disclose a comprehensive list of ingredients in their feminine care products, so it’s no surprise that most of them don’t. The major brands use a mix of synthetic ingredients that may also be treated with harsh chemical cleansing agents, fragrance, and dyes. With Lola you can take comfort in knowing that you are using 100% organic products. Get 40% off your first subscription order with promo code CRUNCHY when you subscribe at mylola.com.

The Not So Funny Stuff on Larisa’s Newsfeed Sep 21, 2018

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The news you don't hear is sometimes the most important. This week we dive into two important ongoing topics that are actively impacting our health. Links mentioned in this episode: Drink Recipe: Pineapple Margarita How Larisa Reads the News: Flipboard - grab the app for Apple or Android and customize to your preferences Nut Milk Attack Dairy Pride Act Summary Dairy Pride Act Status in the Senate Booker-Lee Amendment American Academy of Pediatrics growing concerns about food additives AAP Policy Statement General Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Notification Program Table Referenced in AAP Policy Statement Above Partner Spotlight: Lively LIVELY is inspired by what makes women sexy today; smart, healthy, active and outgoing. They provide a line of bras and undies that blur the aesthetic lines of lingerie, active, and swim, taking the best elements of high-style and comfort from each category. They've established an entirely new category and POV of lingerie, a movement called Leisurée. Get $10 off your order at wearlively.com with code AMB-crunchycocktailhour.

Myth of the Multivitamin Sep 07, 2018

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Alison FINALLY made Larisa a Bloody Mary! To celebrate we've partnered with Stu's Kitchen to give away Larisa's favorite Bloody Mary kit to one lucky winner! Head to our Instagram to enter and scroll to the bottom of this page for an amazing discount across their entire site! Multivitamins are a myth - there we said it! Come listen to the episode that had Alison purchasing new vitamins before the episode was finished recording. DISCLAIMER: The views in this podcast are our opinions based on personal experience and our research and are not intended to substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Links mentioned in this episode: Drink Recipe: Stu's Bloody Mary Stu's Bloody Mary Kit Giveway live now on our Instagram! Enough is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements (Annals of Internal Medicine) Study: Antioxidant supplementation increases the risk of skin cancers in women but not in men Study: Teratogenicity of High Vitamin A Intake How to spot a synthetic vitamin Do not trust the front of the label! If as little as 10% of the product may be natural and they will write natural on the bottle. Look for 100% natural on the label, which may or may not be there even if it is 100% natural. Search for ingredients starting with a "dl" - these are synthetic Find words that end with “ate” and “ide” (retinyl palmitATE (vitamin A), Thiamine HydrochlorIDE (B1) - these are synthetic If it says the vitamin by itself (i.e. Vitamin C) and doesn’t list where it came from this is synthetic Look for unnatural potency amounts (i.e. 1000% daily serving) - likely synthetic Natural vs. Synthetic Label If you want to continue taking a multivitamin, make it one from natural sources: Garden of Life - great ingredients for both regular multis for men, women, and children and prenatal vitamins Ritual (for women) - carefully sourced and focused on the top deficiencies in women Episode Sponsor: Stu's Kitchen Are you Bloody Mary obsessed like Larisa? If the answer is yes, then you need to know Stu's Kitchen! Stu’s is bringing back the art of cocktail perfection, one Bloody Mary at a time. The mixes come in 3 amazing flavors; Original, Smoked Jalapeno and Jamaican Jerk - all made with real ingredients! Or you can grab the original kit which includes all the fixings (minus tomato juice and vodka) to make the perfect Bloody Mary EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. If you're also like Larisa and can't mix a drink to save your life, the kit makes it impossible to screw up! For 15% off your order at Stu's Kitchen use code CRUNCHY at checkout and follow Stu's on social media for the best Bloody Mary recipes around!

Greening Up Our Skincare Routine Aug 24, 2018

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After our last skincare episode, Larisa did a deep-dive on Alison's skincare to assess how clean and green the ingredients were. Spoiler alert: they needed some work. Tune in to see what she's changed and how she's liking it! Links mentioned in this episode: * Larisa approved products NOTE: Not all products are genuine when purchased through Amazon. All products below are linked to authorized retailers. Drink Recipe: Cucumber Gimlet Think Dirty Mobile App Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Database and Healthy Living App Facewash: Herbivore Bamboo Charcoal Cleansing Bar (Alison) * Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser (Alison) * Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap (Alison) * Odacite Black Mint Cleanser (Larisa) * Make-up Remover (night): MakeUp Eraser, Make-up Remover Cloth (Alison) * Miceller Water (Alison) Odacite Black Mint Cleanser (Larisa) * Exfoliant (night): Exfoliating Pad (Alison) * Acai Berry Antioxidant Facial Scrub (Larisa) * Natural Elephant Exfoliating Hammam Glove (Larisa) * Toner Miceller Water (Alison) Caudelee Beauty Elixer (Alison) Thayer's Witch Hazel Rose Toner (Larisa) * Tammy Fender bulgarian rose water toner (Larisa) * Pimple Cream Neutrogena On The Spot Acne Treatment (Alison) Tea tree oil (Larisa) * Serum – (pat and press, never rub) Drunk Elephant C-Firma (Alison) * Kypris Antioxidant Dew (Larisa) * Eye Creams Cocokind My Matcha (Larisa) * Mya Chia Eye Achiever (Larisa) * Everyday Moisturizer Youth to the People Superfood Air Whip Moisture Cream (Alison) * SkinOwl Geranium Beauty Drops (Larisa) * SPF Coola Tinted Mineral Matte Face SPF 30 (Alison) * Hynt Sun Prep (Larisa) * Lips Evolution Salt Co. Sole Lip Balm (Alison) * Stacked Skincare Lip Peel (Larisa) * CocoKind My Matcha (Larisa) * Masks Indian Healing Clay (Larisa) * Tammy Fender Epi-Peel (Larisa) * Skin Owl Beauty Whip (Larisa) * Partner Spotlight: Lively LIVELY is inspired by what makes women sexy today; smart, healthy, active and outgoing. They provide a line of bras and undies that blur the aesthetic lines of lingerie, active, and swim, taking the best elements of high-style and comfort from each category. They've established an entirely new category and POV of lingerie, a movement called Leisurée. Get $10 off your order by heading to wearlively.com and using code AMB-crunchycocktailhour.

Larisa Begs Alison to Stop Using Teflon & More Aug 10, 2018

Show notes

All cookware isn't created equal. Listen in as we break down the pros and cons of the most common types of cookware and as Larisa gives her best shot at prying the non-stick pans out of Alison's hands. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Peach Bellini Follow us on social (Instagram, Facebook) to check out our products of the month, stay on top of giveways, and just see what we're up to! Earth911 Recycling Search for responsible disposal of old cookware. If disposing of non-stick pans, call to ensure they have the resources to remove the coating. Cookware The Good The Bad Thoughts/Recommended Brands Teflon or Other Non-Stick Easy to cook on Non-stick and easy to clean Affordable Emits toxic fumes that are hazardous to human and animal health Are fumes from overheated nonstick cookware hazardous to birds? DuPont and Chemours Settle Teflon Toxin Lawsuit Larisa does not recommend any Teflon or non-stick cookware PFOA-free on a label does not make it Teflon technology, however any non-stick surface that is not ceramic, silicone, etc. is a polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE) and contains toxic fumes Ceramic Coated Non-stick and easy to clean Affordable Chips and scratches easily Material will flake off in food Often aluminum underneath enameled surface Short life span Can't easily find out what makes up the coating If you choose to go this route, don't use metal kitchen tools that will easily scratch the surface Watch for chipping Don't buy anything that doesn't explicitly tell you about what makes the coating and ensure there aren't heavy metals (lead) Recommended Brands: GreenPan Pure Ceramic Guaranteed no heavy metals; no lead Scratch resistant Long life span If dropped, it breaks Heavy Not good for searing Expensive Only somewhat non-stick Larisa recommended! Recommended Brands: Xtrema - Use code SaveX10 for 10% off Stainless Steel Durable Moderately priced for long life span Doesn't rust Not non-stick Extremely small amounts of nickel can leach into food; only an issue for those with nickel sensitivity Larisa recommended! Recommend using silicone and other non-metal cookware utensils to avoid scratching and preserve the life of the cookware Recommended Brands: All-Clad Cuisinart Le Creuset Viking Cast Iron Leaches iron which is a mineral many people have a deficiency in; may also be a con if you have too much iron Non-stick Long life span Initial prep Can't cook acidic foods without impacting the seasoning of future food Not allergy friendly as allergens may not be completely removed when cleaning the cookware Recommended Brands: Lodge Calphalon King Kooker Enameled Cast Iron Non-stick without the need for traditional cast iron cookware prep It's pretty! Does not leach iron; may also be a con if you're iron deficient Expensive Glaze can contain heavy metals Podcast Correction: You can cook acidic foods in enameled cast iron! Recommended Brands: Lodge Le Creuset Episode Sponsor: Lola Lola is a subscription service offering a line of 100% organic cotton tampons, pads, and liners. With Lola you will receive an adorable box when you need it, that is fully customizable. You can select the mix of products, number of boxes and frequency of delivery. You can cancel, skip and order or modify your subscription at any time –there’s no surprises or gimmicks so you can feel confident giving this a try. The FDA doesn’t require brands to disclose a comprehensive list of ingredients in their feminine care products, so it’s no surprise that most of them don’t. The major brands use a mix of synthetic ingredients that may also be treated with harsh chemical cleansing agents, fragrance, and dyes. With Lola you can take comfort in knowing that you are using 100% organic products.

Kids Sleep Jul 27, 2018

Show notes

We all need sleep, but sometimes our kids just won't get with the program! On this episode, we talk through what's worked for us and what hasn't in trying to get some much needed ZZZZs. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Blood Orange Martini Products Mentioned: Halo Bassinet Alison's Sound Machine Favorite Books: Bringing Up Bebe Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child Twin Version Sleep Lady Shuffle Tips and Tricks: Don't let kids sleep longer during the day than they do at night Differentiate between day and night (low lights, low voices, specific sleep location, sound machine, etc.) Set a night routine as early as you can (bath, book, songs, etc.) Give dream feeding a try Read up on Habitual Waking If you want your littles out of your bed, bring them back to their own bed and lie with them there Try nighttime yoga with your kids as a wind down activity Talk your kids through the bedtime routine and your expectations in advance - it may not go exactly that way, but communication can help! Sponsor Spotlight: Young Woodworkers Young Woodworkers makes it easy for your kids to become makers and builders with their all-in-one woodworking kits for kids ages 7-12. This is a great way to get kids off the screens and into a satisfying project this summer! We’ve partnered with Young Woodworkers to offer big savings on your first shipment. You’ll pay only $9.99 plus postage and processing for the first kit — a 50% discount! Just visit youngwoodworkers.com/crunchy.

Algae: Protein of the Future Jul 13, 2018

Show notes

Is algae the food of the future? Maybe! Why would we eat it and why do we care? Listen in! Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Algae Martini Recommended Products DISCLAIMER: Consult your physician before starting any supplement regimen, especially if you are taking any medications, are pregnant or nursing. Algae Omega (pill): Nested Naturals Omega I was disappointed to see that many reputable brands I would normally lean towards for supplements had carrageenan in their supplement (the above does not). I choose not to consume any carageenan when within my power, but some argue that this is in minimal quantities and of no concern. You make the choice for yourself! General Algae (powder): Sun Potion Chlorella Powder, Chosen Foods Spirulina Product Spotlight: Dr. Frenchy Essential Oil Blends Dr. Frenchy makes therapeutic essential oils accessible to everyone, by providing safe, custom, affordable and ready-to-use blends for the whole family. In the heat of summer, you'll want to check out her seasonal blends which include amazing options for bug and tick sprays and rollers. Have you always wanted to have a small kit of only the "essential" essential oils on hand? She's got it! Do you need an aromatherapy blend to help you sleep or to fight allergies? She's got it! If you don't see what you need, reach out and she will help customize a blend for you. Use code LARISA for 10% off your order.

Self-Care Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

Taking care of yourself is absolutely critical to being a happy and healthy you. Especially as moms! As they say, you can't pour from an empty cup. Join us as we talk through a more holistic approach to self-care, going beyond the typical manicure/massage treatments. Although, that's pretty important too. Self-care Wheel via olgaphoenix.com Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Coconut Slushie Larisa's Book Recommendation on not being the 'yelly mom': Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids The Mom Hour: More Than Mom Episode on Hobbies Healthy Workplace: Crunchy Cocktail Hour, Episode 19 Blank self care wheel Sponsor Spotlight: Young Woodworkers Young Woodworkers makes it easy for your kids to become makers and builders with their all-in-one woodworking kits for kids ages 7-12. This is a great way to get kids off the screens and into a satisfying project this summer! We’ve partnered with Young Woodworkers to offer big savings on your first shipment. You’ll pay only $9.99 plus postage and processing for the first kit — a 50% discount! Just visit youngwoodworkers.com/crunchy.

Getting the Markle Sparkle Jun 15, 2018

Show notes

Now dubbed the ‘Markle sparkle’, women all over the world are trying to recreate Meghan Markle’s signature perfectly polished everyday look. Hang with us as we talk through her essential products and find out how they stack up to Larisa’s clean makeup rules. Featured image courtesy of Vanity Fair. Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Strawberry Berryoska The ingredients to look for first: Silicones Fragrance Parabens Phthalates (often hidden within ‘fragrance’) Retinyl Palmitate Meghan’s Product * Larisa approved products Our Thoughts * Larisa approved products Diorshow Iconic Overcurl Mascara What are we using: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes but moving to Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes * (Larisa) Too Faced Better Than Sex (Alison) Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Concealer BeautyCounter Concealer Pen * (Larisa) Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Very Victoria Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Pale Pink * Vapour Beauty Siren Lipstick in Possess Neutral Pink * Nars Orgasm Blush Zuii Organic Flora Blush in Melon * What are we using: Larisa: BeautyCounter Blush * (Larisa) Benefit Dandelion (Alison) Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner in Cassis (top lid) Mac Eye Kohl Eyeliner in Teddy (bottom lid) Mineral Fusion Eye Pencil * Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Radiance What are we using: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer * (Larisa) BeautyCounter Dew Skin * (Larisa) RMS Living Luminizer * (Larisa) Coola Tinted Sunscreen * (Alison) Wella Smoothing Oil Acure Marula Oil * Revitalash Advanced Eyelash Conditioner * Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides * Dr. Bronner’s Body Wash in Lavender * If you prefer bar soap: Dr. Bronner’s Bar Soap * Nivea Skin Firming Hydration Lotion What are we using: Acure Lotions * (Larisa) Shea Moisture Body Oil * (Larisa) Aveeno Active Natural Body Lotion (Alison) J.r. Watkins Coconut Milk Honey Body Oil Mist (Alison) Kerastase Nutritive Oleo-Relax Anti-Frizz Masque Make Up For Ever HD Powder What are we using: Benefit Hello Flawless Matte Pressed Powder Hynt Beauty Finale Finishing Powder * Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder * Chanel Sublimage Le Teint Cream Foundation Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment What are we using: Cocokind Matcha Stick * Stacked Skincare Hydrating Lip Peel * Bite Beauty Lip Scrub * Sponsor Spotlight: Epic! Epic! is a digital library of more than 25,000 ebooks, audiobooks, read-to-me books, articles, quizzes and videos for kids up to age 12. You can create a unique profile for each child that recommends books based on their reading level and tracks what they read and watch. Crunchy Cocktail Hour listeners can get 2 MONTHS FREE by using promo code CRUNCHY when you sign up at getepic.com.

Raising Good Eaters Jun 01, 2018

Show notes

Ah, picky eaters. As moms (and dads) it’s something we all desperately want to avoid. Making multiple meals, fights at the dinner table, worrying about nutrition. It’s no fun. On this episode we get into some tips and tricks for raising good, adventurous, healthy eaters – or at least trying to! Announcement: We are switching to an every other week release schedule. Miss us? Head over to Instagram or Facebook! Links Mentioned in the Episode: Drink Recipe: Blackberry Rosemary Sparkler Alison’s book recommendations: Cook Book: Little Foodie by Michele Olivier Baby Food Universe by Kawn Al-jabbouri Hungry Monkey: A Food-Loving Father’s Quest to Raise an Adventurous Eater by Matthew Amster-Burton Larisa’s recommendation: Wholesomebabyfood.com Non-dairy sources of calcium: Sardines Edamame Tofu Broccoli/Broccoli Rabe Leafy Greens Black eyed peas White beans Sesame Seeds Non-dairy milks (often) Butternut squash Foods to avoid in the first year: Honey Choking hazards (raw vegetables, popcorn, grapes, nuts, etc.) Refined grains (think white starchy carbs) Foods that family members are allergic to Water (until 6 months) Fruit Juices (we avoid these all together) Too much salt Health and Happiness Life Hacks with Tami Astorino: Episode 23 Episode Sponsor: Prep Dish The hardest part about cooking for a family? Figuring out what to make! Prep Dish takes the guesswork out of ‘What’s for Dinner?’. Prep Dish is a healthy subscription-based meal planning service. When you sign up, you’ll receive an email every week with a grocery list and instructions for prepping your meals ahead of time. After only 1-3 hours of prepping on the weekend, you’ll have all of your meals ready for the entire week. You’ll save time throughout the week and have delicious, healthy meals for the whole family! You can select gluten-free, dairy-free & Paleo meals and because you are in control of the shopping, you can make swaps that make sense for you and your family. Our favorite part is that the grocery list is organized by where you can find everything in the grocery store. Hello time saver! The amazing Prep Dish founder, Allison is offering our listeners a free 2-week trial to try it out. Check out Prepdish.com/CRUNCHY for this amazing deal! Give Prep Dish a try and be prepared to love cooking again!

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