Wise Traditions

Latest Episodes:

83: The power of real food to treat MS Jun 26, 2017

Show notes

Over 15 years ago, physician Terry Wahls was diagnosed with Multiple sclerosis. Being a doctor, she dove into the scientific literature looking for a cure to this progressive disease. Though she got the best conventional medicine had to offer, her health declined to such a degree that three years later even a strong breeze could cause her sensitive body pain.

After much research, she came to the conclusion that, rather than taking supplements, she should identify the foods where the nutrients could be found. It wasn't long before real food had turned her health around. Now, she is an author and researcher that advocates the power of real food in recovery from multiple sclerosis and a host of other conditions—including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, auto-immune conditions, scleroderma, mental health concerns, neurological disorders, depression, anxiety, bipolar issues, Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson's, and even primary care problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and heart disease.

"Our cells are starved for the building blocks we need," she says. She is convinced that real food is the answer to improve our health and give our bodies a chance to detox and thrive.

For more on Terry's story and protocol, visit terrywahls.com.

And for detailed highlights of today's episode, visit the podcast page of westonaprice.org.

82: How to fix our broken food system Jun 19, 2017

Show notes

What can we do to help those in food deserts? How can we address food insecurity and inequality? Pam Hess, the Executive director of Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, discusses what we can do as individuals and organizations to make whole, real foods available in cities and rural areas where choices are limited.

She discusses the mission of Arcadia: growing food and farmers, creating demand, and making fresh food accessible to low-income families. Their mobile market service brings fruits, vegetables, eggs, and grass-fed meats to under-served communities. By accepting food stamps and providing vouchers, Arcadia gives people the opportunity to nourish themselves well for improved health and a more positive future. Their model is holistic and replicable. You will be inspired to help reduce barriers to healthy food and to work for food justice.

Learn more about Arcadia's work in D.C. at arcadiafood.org.

For this episode's highlights, go to the podcast page at westonaprice.org.

81: Why our food system is broken Jun 12, 2017

Show notes

Why is fast food cheap while real, organic food is so expensive? Why are there "food deserts" not only in cities, but in rural areas around the country? How did the invention of the automobile and the grocery cart affect our food-buying habits? Pam Hess, the Executive Director of Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture, explains our broken food system and how it has set the stage for our current health crisis.

All of us should have the choice to purchase nutritious real food where we live, but many cannot. Pam has a firm grasp on the history of our nation that has led us to this point. There are political and economic forces that affect the availability of food in our neighborhoods. She touches on the impact of WWII, the Cold War, crop subsidies, and the free market.

Pam has solid ideas about where we are and what we need to do to remedy the situation. You will get the big picture of what has led our nation to this point---why real food is in short supply and how this negatively impacts our health.

Learn about her center at arcadiafood.org.

For more extensive show highlights, go to the podcast page of westonaprice.org.

80: Wise Traditions for really busy people Jun 05, 2017

Show notes

Do you feel like you're often on the run? Does the idea of improving your diet (or your family's diet) overwhelm you? Susana Hill and Leslie Schall can help! They are young moms who have been on the same treadmill many of us are on and they've got simple ideas that can help us transition to the Wise Traditions (real food) diet.

They share a bit of their own story today, and how they themselves were able to transition to a healthier diet and lifestyle. They share ideas that will help us avoid guilt, help us take our time in making changes, and making sure the changes in our eating patterns stick. In fact, Susana and Leslie are so good at helping others in this area that they've established The Wellworks Project for companies and individuals to discover ways to eat better that, well, work!

Leslie and Susana are big fans of the Wise Traditions diet! But they readily admit how overwhelming it can all seem at first when you are transitioning from fast food to real food. If you want a solid place to start to make the switch, listen now and please share this episode so that others can do the same. You will all gain insight and encouragement that you can immediately apply to your own busy life.

Learn more about The Wellworks Project here.

And find out about the Wise Traditions diet at westonaprice.org.

79: Vegetables: our vitamin pills May 29, 2017

Show notes

"Eat your veggies!" We've heard this over and over and today we learn more about the "why" behind the charge! Author and holistic physician Dr. Tom Cowan refers to vegetables as our vitamin pills. They're not primarily for calories or protein in our diet. We need their disease-fighting properties: the phytonutrients, the antioxidants, the minerals and vitamins that they offer! Vegetables help protect us against cancer, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and more.

Did you know that some indigenous groups thrived eating 10-15 different vegetables a day? And over 100 in a year? Tom recommends that we follow their example by diversifying the vegetables on our plates. He also explains why vegetables should complement, but not replace, fats and proteins in the diet.

Eating more vegetables might seem like a chore. Tom admits that he used to spend a lot of time chopping and preparing veggies but not anymore. In today's episode, he reveals how he manages to eat plenty of vegetables without spending all of his time in the kitchen. You will certainly be inspired by all of the helpful information he shares about the critical role vegetables play in our overall health and you will discover practical tips for introducing a greater variety into your own diet.

Learn more about the vegetable powders he prepares here: drcowansgarden.com.

Or visit our website westonaprice.org to find articles and other resources on the subject.

78: Bonus episode: nutrition hacks May 27, 2017

Show notes

Is fasting good for you? How should your diet change as you age? What's the best way to lose unwanted pounds? Why do "diet dictocrats" still insist we eat a low-fat diet, when the science points in a different direction? In today's conversation with Sally Fallon Morell, the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation, we touch on all of these topics.

It is a "best of" bonus episode, featuring excerpts from articles in the Wise Traditions spring journal. You'll learn why nothing is off the table on the Wise Traditions diet. You'll hear about the misguided advice given to diabetic children and adults. You'll gain insight from Dr. Cowan's suggestions on balancing calorie intake and activity level. And, finally, you'll be shocked by some myth-busting related to the "Blue Zones" take on the traditional diets of Costa Ricans.

There are nutrition and wellness hacks in every segment of this episode. Listen closely and you will be the better for it!

Learn more about all of the above at westonaprice.org.

77: Throw off your toxic burden May 22, 2017

Show notes

Toxins in our food and in our environment are wreaking havoc on our health. In today's episode, Zen Honeycutt, the founder of Moms Across America, describes the most common toxins, what they do to us, and how to protect ourselves against them.

She goes into particular detail about the chemicals used in conventional agriculture and how they disrupt our gut health and the endocrine system. All of us are negatively impacted by toxins, of course, but Zen also explains how children are especially vulnerable to their effects.

Zen talks about how her mission to help people ease their toxic burden began with the desire to see her son overcome a life-threatening nut allergy. She made a bold promise to help him get better, which she was able to keep primarily by reducing his exposure to GMOs and pesticides.

Eliminating toxins from our diets is a great start for our own health. It's also critical to take steps to achieve change on a greater level. Zen brings up current events including a growing case against Azure Organic Farm in Oregon. She emphasizes that in our communities, our cities, and on our farms, we must advocate for what is best for all of us. Zen will inspire you with stories of her own family's fight for health and her call to action for a better future for all of us.

Learn more about Zen and her mission at momsacrossamerica.com.

Or simply visit westonaprice.org and look for the show notes for episode 77.

76: Childbirth: keeping it natural May 15, 2017

Show notes

Childbirth is unpredictable, wild, and primal. We have "modernized" childbirth, making it clinical, sterilized, and on a timetable. Genevieve Howland, a/k/a Mama Natural, recognizes that pregnancy and birth are normal, and that having a baby is a wondrous biological process and rite of passage—not a medical condition.

In that light, Genevieve discusses how to prepare for a more natural childbirth experience and how to "naturalize" a c-section. Her goal is to educate mothers and fathers about their options during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. She covers everything from nutrition choices that aid in labor and delivery, steps to take to avoid "the cascade" of medical interventions, and the importance of skin-to-skin contact immediately after baby is born.

Genevieve offers tremendous insights on pregnancy and childbirth throughout the entire episode. It is beautiful to recognize that wise traditions apply to food and nutrition, of course, and also to childbirth.

Check out mamanatural.com for resources and videos. Or simply visit our website, westonaprice.org, for the episode show notes.

75: How much fat should we eat? (Principle #7) May 08, 2017

Show notes

Some of us eat low-fat diets. Others eat high-protein/low-carb. But very few of us eat high-fat diets. All of the healthy people groups that Dr. Weston A. Price studied ate diets higher in fat than those we eat today. This is one reason that in today's conversation, Sally Fallon Morell, the head of the Weston A. Price Foundation, suggests that we all could benefit from upping our fat intake.

More fat in our diet? Why? And how much should we be eating? What is a healthy fat, anyway? And are animal fats even necessary? Sally meticulously answers all of these questions and more, as she dives into Principle #7 of the Wise Traditions diet.

She explains in detail the role of fats in biochemical body processes and the role fat played in traditional diets. She makes a compelling case for animal fats, in particular, since the body requires arachidonic acid to function properly and this omega-6 fatty acid is found only in animal fats.

After listening to this episode, you will be prepared to challenge the diet dictocrats, and you will probably also be craving a hearty serving of butter, which you may enjoy guilt-free.

Learn more about the Wise Traditions dietary principles at westonaprice.org.

74: The farm as healthcare provider May 01, 2017

Show notes

Health care today is often, in reality, "sick care." We turn to medical professionals for the treatment and management of sickness and disease. Farmer Doug Flack is an activist who suggests a very different approach. He believes we should turn to the land to cultivate optimal health. He is convinced that we must develop healthy soil for healthy people. For this reason he asserts that the farm should be our primary health provider.

He has spent years investigating and developing his approach to wellness. His studies have led him to the conclusion that industrialized farming and industrial food products are the reason for the lack of wellness in our modern society. Now, Doug spends his time cultivating the land, producing nutrient-dense foods, and advocating for farmers' rights and consumers' health in Vermont and around the nation and the world.

In today's conversation, Doug explains why healthy soils are critical for our health and our future. While conventional farmers strip the soil of nutrients and rely on chemical inputs, Doug enhances soil function and fertility organically. And, of course, food raised on such land is an important part of a truly healthy diet. This episode not only encourages us to nourish ourselves with these staples, but it also reminds us that, in doing so, we are supporting soil fertility and soil champions like Doug Flack.

Visit his website for more info at flackfamilyfarm.com.

And to see the full show notes for this episode, visit westonaprice.org.

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