Wise Traditions

In an age of information overload, it is easy to become overwhelmed and even paralyzed by the choices we have to make on a daily basis. Today, Hilary Boynton reminds us to slow down, take a deep breath, and cherish the moment. Hilary is an author, real food advocate, and a busy mother of five. Her husband has been battling cancer for some time. Her life is full and challenging. And, yet, in the middle of the chaos, she makes healthy eating a priority. She reminds us that it doesn't take much to make delicious and nutritious meals. And that eating mindfully and in good company is just as important as eating clean and organic. Pursuing good health is a lifestyle, and it is as much about relationships (with our farmers, our friends and family, and ourselves) as it is about nutrient-density and diet. At the end of the day, Hilary reminds us to trust our bodies that know what we need. And she calls us to live consciously and courageously. This interview was recorded LIVE in Topanga Canyon, California. Learn more from Hilary at liveyumyum.com. Visit our website: westonaprice.org

Rather than providing a "one size fits all" approach to wellness, Oriental Medicine recognizes that each of us has a unique constitution.This Eastern practice dates back at least 3000 years, but its teachings are just as relevant and powerful today as ever. Acupuncturist Cheryl Harris discusses the benefits of acupressure (and acupuncture) on some of her youngest patients. She discusses its efficacy as "preventative maintenance medicine," grounding the children emotionally and shoring them up physically. You will even get to hear from some of the children she works with on the show! Cheryl knows what she's talking about! She has a Masters of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine from the Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine and she is also certified in Five-Element Acupuncture. She speaks to how the five elements--wood, fire, earth, metal, and water--appear in nature and in our own temperaments. You will find this to be a fascinating conversation that calls us all back to live in tune with nature and our own nature. Cheryl reminds us how beautiful and simple the journey to good health can be. Visit westonaprice.org for the show notes for this episode.

Many conservation groups hold a piece of the puzzle when it comes to saving our planet. They focus on saving a particular species or on planting trees. Sarah Savory suggests that we must step back and look at the big picture for a more cohesive approach to regenerate the land. And the land is indeed key, because if it becomes infertile, there will be nothing for the animals to eat, and they will indeed become extinct, despite our best efforts. Sarah Savory is a children's book author and conservation advocate (and, yes, the daughter of famed wildlife biologist Allan Savory) who knows how to explain in simple terms what is happening to our planet. She is a proponent of holistic management, an approach to greening the earth by properly managing livestock...and our own choices. Sarah invites us to examine how we are living and either contributing to, or alleviating, the issues that lead to desertification. Sarah discusses the challenges she sees in Zimbabwe, her native country, and those that are common all over the world. She describes what led her to write children's books on the topic of conservation. You will be moved by her clarity, conviction, and call to action. Learn more about Sarah and her books at sarahsavory.com.

Do you eat all the right foods but still struggle with health concerns? Do you feel like your health recovery is characterized by forward progress, followed by inevitable setbacks? Microbiologist Kiran Krishnan explains in detail what he believes is the "ground zero" of most health disorders: a weakened mucosa layer between the skin and the cellular lining. When the mucosa layer is defective, it becomes permeable, allowing toxins into our system that wreak havoc with our health. And some of these toxins are found even in the very food we eat! When our bodies are invaded in this way, it naturally elicits an inflammatory response. And inflammation, as we know, is associated with autoimmune diseases and chronic illnesses. From his studies, Kiran is convinced that many conditions that present quite differently—such as heart disease, arthritis, Hashimoto's and Alzheimer's, for example—stem from the root issue of a weak mucosa layer. In today's episode, Kiran reveals not only the problem but the solution: how to strengthen our body's defense systems by increasing microbial activity in the mucosa layer. This episode is a great resource for anyone who has an inflammatory condition or knows someone who is struggling with one! For more resources, visit our website: westonaprice.org

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.