Bailey Ruskus, a classically trained French chef turned plant-based advocate, drops some eye-opening truths about the dairy industry. She shares her personal journey overcoming autoimmune disease through diet, and highlights the health risks tied to dairy, including inflammation and cancer. Ruskus also discusses the environmental toll of factory farming and the political lobbies keeping dairy staples on our plates. Plus, she offers insights on how to transition away from dairy without sacrificing flavor—perfect for anyone considering cutting it out!
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insights INSIGHT
Dairy Industry's Destructive Impact
The dairy industry's negative impacts span animal welfare, personal health, and environmental damage.
It holds significant political influence, similar to big tobacco, affecting regulations and advertising.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Dairy Consumption and Factory Farming
Americans consume a large amount of cheese yearly, necessitating factory farming practices to meet demand.
These farms overuse cows, leading to poor conditions and excessive pharmaceutical use.
insights INSIGHT
Five Stages of Dairy Breakup
Breaking up with dairy involves five stages: denial, anger, depression, bargaining, and acceptance.
Denial offers comfort, while anger arises from confronting the industry's realities.
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Bailey Ruskus's "Breaking Up With Dairy" offers a comprehensive guide to dairy-free cooking, featuring 100 recipes for milks, cheeses, sauces, and desserts. The book addresses common food allergies and provides alternatives for various dietary restrictions. It's designed to be accessible to all skill levels, with recipes ranging from simple to more complex. The author shares her personal journey of transitioning to a dairy-free lifestyle, offering psychological insights into dairy addiction. The book aims to empower readers to make conscious food choices and enjoy delicious, healthy meals.
Is dairy really as good for you as they say? Or is it time to break up with it for good?
In this episode of Super Life, Darin Olien sits down with Bailey Ruskus, also known as Chef Bai, to uncover the hidden truths about the dairy industry and why so many people struggle to give it up. They dive into the health risks of dairy, the environmental damage of factory farming, and the political influence of the dairy industry that keeps it on our plates.
Bailey shares her personal journey from a classically trained French chef to a plant-based advocate, how she overcame autoimmune disease and chronic pain, and why she wrote Breaking Up with Dairy to help others take back their health.
If you’ve ever wondered why dairy is everywhere, why it’s so addictive, or how to transition away from it without missing out on flavor—this episode is for you!
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
(00:00:00) Introduction – Why this episode could change how you see dairy forever.
(00:04:13) The Power of Taking Action in Uncertain Times – How contributing can help overcome anxiety.
(00:06:24) Why the Dairy Industry Needs a Rebrand – The culture war in wellness and misinformation.
(00:08:38) Breaking Up with Dairy—It’s Not Just About Going Vegan – Why this movement is bigger than diet labels.
(00:09:04) How Dairy Affects Your Health – Gut health, inflammation, cancer risks, and heart disease.
(00:12:45) The Environmental Cost of Dairy – The shocking amount of water, land, and pollution involved.
(00:14:12) The Political Machine Behind Dairy – How government lobbying and subsidies push dairy on consumers.
(00:16:24) The Five Stages of Breaking Up with Dairy – Why denial, anger, and bargaining are all part of the process.
(00:19:38) The Addiction Factor—Why Dairy is Hard to Quit – The opioid-like compounds in cheese and their effects.
(00:22:48) What the Dairy Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know – The truth behind factory farming and marketing tactics.
(00:25:18) How to Transition Away from Dairy Without Feeling Deprived – Delicious plant-based alternatives and easy swaps.
(00:28:40) Why Most People Don’t Realize Dairy Cows Are Just Mothers – The emotional side of the industry.
(00:32:57) The Role of Awareness & Taking Back Control – Why education is the most powerful tool for change.
(00:37:39) Food as Activism—How Your Choices Can Create Change – Why what you eat matters more than you think.
(00:42:10) Why This Isn’t Just About You—It’s a Bigger Issue – Looking beyond personal health to global impact.
(00:46:25) How Plant-Based Cheese is Revolutionizing Food – The secrets to making delicious dairy-free alternatives.
(00:49:12) The Most Surprising Thing About Writing This Book – What Bailey learned from researching the dairy industry.
(00:52:14) Why the Dairy Industry Fears Social Media – How viral content is disrupting their marketing tactics.
(00:57:26) Bailey’s Personal Battle with Autoimmune Disease – How food changed her health when doctors couldn’t.
(01:04:11) How to Advocate for Your Own Health – Why you don’t have to feel stuck in the system.
(01:08:10) What Living a “Super Life” Means to Bailey – Gratitude, presence, and the power of food.
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SuperLife with Darin Olien