Just Enjoy Health with Dr. Meghan Birt

This episode has been sponsored by Beautycounter, whose mission (and mine too!) is to get safer beauty and personal care products into the hands of everyone. I know many pregnant women will be tuning into this episode as it is birth-related, and I also know that choosing safer products is something we tend to think about during pregnancy. Lucky for you, I've taken all the guesswork out of choosing better personal care products! For better safety and performance, I recommend choosing Beautycounter. I am a total sucker for a good birth story. I used to read birth stories like crazy, yet ironically, I didn't during my pregnancy! Today I get to share with you the audio version of Ottava's birth story - my (our) breech, gentle, family-centered cesarean (c-section). Do you think I could have made that title any longer?! It's our homebirth turned cesarean story, and it's one of beauty, because her birth was just that...beautiful. Through all of the changes to our desired birth, encouraging her (like a crazy person!) to flip from breech, we still made it a beautiful birth and fought for the best and healthiest birth possible for our little girl.  You may be wondering why I waited until her first birthday to get this podcast taped. The short version is, I just wasn't ready. I know I typed up her birth story a month after she was born. At that point I felt called to write it out, and typing it flowed out of me with ease. But saying it out loud and actually taping it was a big step for me. Plus, this podcast didn't actually re-launch until January, so that's another reason. I didn't have to tape it until now ;) In this episode you'll hear Ottava's full birth story. As I got done with it I remembered missing a few points or a few of my thoughts. I trust it is taped and presented the way God wanted it to be said. And I have to say, although I'm a little nervous to push publish, I really hope our story will bless you!    Links + Resources Ottava Ella's Birth Story What is a Gentle or Family Centered Cesarean Things Nobody Tells You Before a C-Section   Sponsor Spotlight: Beautycounter Decades of studies indicate that serious health issues (including but not limited to asthma, cancer, and infertility) are on the rise and are due in some part to our ongoing exposure to toxic chemicals—whether it’s in the shower, on our commute, while we eat lunch at a local restaurant, or when we clean our kitchens at home. Over the past two decades, the European Union has banned more than 1,300 chemicals in the product formulas of personal care products and restricted the levels of over 250 more in such products. The United States has only partially banned 11 to date. What’s worse is that the Food and Drug Administration (the agency that regulates cosmetics in the United States) allows companies to use chemicals known to be extremely harmful in the products we put on our bodies and on our kids’ bodies every single day, day after day, and to make their own judgments about safety. IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE. At Beautycounter, we’re committed to a health and safety standard that goes well beyond what’s required by U.S. law: We’ve banned the use of more than 1,500 questionable or harmful chemicals through our "Never List”—all while ensuring our products perform and that they’re as indulgent as any other luxe shampoo, lipstick, or oil in the market. IT’S NOT EASY WORK, BUT IT’S WELL WORTH IT. This is about progress—not perfection. Because every little bit counts. Shop Beautycounter here! Thank you for listening to the Just Enjoy Health Podcast. I hope you are learning a lot and filling your toolbox full of healthy tools. You can help other women find the podcast and never miss an episode by subscribing to the podcast on iTunes and leaving a review or rating the podcast.  Feel free to reach out to me with questions, comments, or thoughts. You can email me at drmeghan@meghanbirt.com or find me on social media on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. Keep up to date on all the latest blogposts, tips, and exclusive info by subscribing to my mailing list.  PS: Don't forget to come join us in the Just Enjoy Health Facebook Community!

Hello and guess what? The wait is over. Yep, I'm launching the second season of the Just Enjoy Health Podcast and I am so excited that I'm up and running again.  I took a longer time off than I thought. I wanted to restart the podcast after maternity leave, sometime in June or July. Each month I had too much on my plate and couldn't fit it into my work week. I really wanted to, I missed interviewing guests and missed connecting to you all.  But today... today is the day I begin season 2. And as much as I'd love the podcast to be super consistent with a weekly release, I'm going to do the un-smart business thing (but the smart family thing) and release the podcast when I can make time for it. I am shooting for 1-2 times per month. If you ever have show topic suggestions, let me know. I definitely want to know what you want to learn and listen to. And even who you want me to interview, let me know some names.  And now, without any more delaying, Season 2 of the Just Enjoy Podcast. There's a lot more information and updates in the podcast. 

Ladies, I have a fun podcast for you today. I have a lot of podcasts I tell you are one of my favorite but this one has to be my absolute favorite because I got to interview my husband. Yep, we set up the podcast mic and I interviewed him about healthy eating in a professional capacity. We had so much fun and I hope you have fun listening to the podcast! My husband isn't a chiropractor (it's one of the most common questions I get), he wasn't raised eating all organic foods and definitely didn't eat that way in college (and guess what, neither did I). But this man is 100% on board with healthy eating and healthy living. He is seriously a wealth of knowledge. I joke all the time that Phil could teach seminars on health and still have more to talk about. The reason I wanted to interview Phil is because this lifestyle is something he adopted when we were dating. And we have learned a lot and changed a lot in our lifestyles together in the almost 5 years we have been married. We continue to learn and grow in health together as a unified team. For that I'm so thankful and it's our heart that you and your husband can be encouraged by this podcast and hopefully start conversations where you can start the process of becoming unified in the health decisions you make for yourselves and your family. We believe it's so important. One more thing, this is the SEASON 1 FINALE episode of the podcast. It is bittersweet to be done recording podcasts for a while, but I'm excited to start maternity leave. I'm leaving for a few months for good reason. But I will be back and I am thinking some time in June to launch Season 2. Be on the lookout, I will definitely let you know. And in the meantime if you have any topics you want me to record an episode about or guests to interview, let me know. (You can contact me here) Until next season, enjoy this episode!

Episode 19 is one of my favorite interviews and podcast episodes! I absolutely adore Suzanne Bowen and have been working out with her online streaming videos for over 2 years now. It is hands down my favorite kind of exercise (and that's including exercise during pregnancy). I had a great time interviewing Suzanne and I am so encouraged by her and her fitness philosophy. This interview has the potential to completely change the way you exercise and think about your body. Her message really is that powerful! If you're feeling frustrated with your exercise routine, how you are thinking about your body image, or if you think you need to punish yourself in the gym, this podcast can change that! And just in time for the new year!  Suzanne is doing an amazing giveaway and it's for everyone. Everyone is a winner here. She is giving away a one month membership to SBF streaming workouts for the next 2 weeks (December 30th-January 13th). Get your FREE month here.  Here's how to find and connect with Suzanne:  Facebook SBF Be Your Best You Group Website Instagram Suzanne's Bio Suzanne Bowen put her heart, soul, sweat and more than 16 years of fitness experience and training into SBF (Suzanne Bowen Fitness). SBF is a compilation of all the training she received and all the training she’s given over the years. Suzanne brings the form, focus and precision she learned from the Lotte Berk Method into general fitness with a balanced, full body workout. She is not a yeller. Who really wants to run bleachers or flip tires? SBF is a simple formula encompassing strength, cardio & flexibility in an effective way without the dread factor. Suzanne is on a mission with SBF to help someone build a foundation from which they can become not perfect, but their best, every day. Under the SBF brand, Suzanne has created BarreAmped, an internationally taught barre technique which has been chosen by Fitness Magazine and Natural Health Magazine as the best of barre workouts in 2014-15. Suzanne is also the creator of numerous top selling fitness DVDs and online streaming barre and cardio classes. Suzanne does extensive training with posture and prenatal specialists, including her friend, Julie Wiebe, PT, to stay up to date on the latest scientific data as it relates to fitness.

In this episode of the podcast I am covering one of my favorite topics: desserts. They are one of my favorite things. Always have been and I think they always will be. The thing is, the ingredients to my desserts have changed a lot over the years. I've shared this before on the podcast but I used to struggle a lot with sugar cravings (like all day monster cravings). I know the struggle and how much of a massive fight it is not to give into those cravings and how much energy it takes to fight them. Especially when you know the dangers or side effects of sugar and want to avoid it for your health. In this episode I share more of my story and how I broke free of the sugar cravings without saying no to tasty treats. I also share how I believe you can use these healthy desserts to break the refined sugar cravings and kick that white and processed sugar to the curb. I also talk about my new dessert ebook, Just Enjoy Dessert and give you a promo code for 10% off in the podcast. Listen for that exclusive code!

Today's podcast episode is one of my favorites. I love food! How many nutrients are in food, how to get the best deals, and how to make the most of the food you buy. Going back about 100 years brings us to an art of cooking and preserving food we have lost in this country of refrigerators and microwaves. I'm not giving up my fridge, but there's definitely something to the way we used to prepare foods. They contain health giving nutrients, enzymes, probiotics, and more that we lose out on because of our fast-food and fast-paced nation. I interviewed one of my friends and respected colleagues Sarica Cernohous. She is the Queen of Fermentation as our friend Faith Hill says. We talk about so many things in this episode and it shows in the length of the podcast. It's longer than an hour so you may need to watch this in two or three different chunks. But it is definitely worth listening to the whole interview. Here are Some of the Topics and Recipes We Talked About What are traditional foods? The safety of fermentation (and it's really safe!) Where to begin with fermentation and how to get your gear What can you ferment and some of Sarica's favorite recipes Carrots, Garlic, Onion, Hot Pepper Cabbage Medly: beet, carrot, garlic, herbs Sarica's Mildly Fermented Salsa Dr. Meghan's Fermentation Recipes How long ferments will last in the fridge How to prepare grains appropriately and how I'm going to try adding a grain or two into my diet Sarica's soaking grains recipe Links we talked about in the Podcast Sarica's Website The Funky Kitchen Book Funky Kitchen Program Cultures for Health: Where to get SCOBY, Kefir Grains, or Yogurt starters (and more) Yemoos: Where to get SCOBY, Kefir Grains, or Yogurt starters (and more)   About Sarica Cernohous Sarica Cernohous, L.Ac., MSTOM, BSBA is a nationally-certified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Herbal Medicine, practicing Japanesestyle acupuncture. She is the author of The Funky Kitchen: One Soccer Mom's Favorite Traditional Food Techniques and Recipes. Sarica teaches on the importance and the practice of traditional food methods to both the public at large, and to other health care practitioners, notably through here 6-week online training on the basics of traditional food preparation, “Fresh, Fun and Flavorful in The Funky Kitchen.” She is also a coach for Metabolic Balance of Germany and is a chapter leader for the Weston A. Price Foundation. She resides in Flagstaff with her husband and two children. You can learn more about her at her website, naturallylivingtoday.com.

Today I get to share with you my interview with Becky Webb, she blogs over at Rooted Blessings and is a Young Living Diamond Distributor. Becky was one if my first blogger friends I met (online, we haven't met in person). She is so sweet and I had a blast interviewing her. Becky is a wife, mom of 3, Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, a DONA-certified Childbirth Doula, a Family Herbalist, and an Aromatherapy Student. She is passionate about natural and alternative healing by God’s greatest gift, His creation. You can follow Becky on  Facebook and Instagram. Here's what we talked about: Becky shares how she got into natural health (She was pretty much born into it) We talk about Essential Oils (of course) and why Becky loves essential oils so much How Young Living Essential Oils are adaptogenic and therapeutic, and know if the oils you are using now are therapeutic or not How to get started using Essential Oils and which oils are our favorites and how we use them daily How Becky is focusing more on her self-care and how she's working on her own health Resources from today's episode: Getting Started with the Premium Starter Kit Essential Oil Drams for samples or travel sized oil bottles Carrier Oil: Coconut Oil Carrier Oil: Sweet Almond Oil Roller Balls to make Roll Ons

I love eating out at a restaurant. I don't do it often and I really didn't much when I was experiencing all of my digestive symptoms (why pay to go out for a stomach ache?). There are days that I don't want to cook or Phil and I want to go on a date night. Sometimes I want to go and try new foods or a great new farm to table restaurant in town. When I go out to eat I don't want to sacrifice my health or the satisfaction of a great tasting meal. I have learned over the years how to eat at a restaurant healthy. You will learn: How to choose a good restaurant How to make modifications to a menu item How to order with healthy substitutions How NOT to make you server upset with your substitutions (I joke, but this can be a fun art to learn) Some examples of how I eat healthy at a restaurant   Eating Healthy Can be Fun!! What are some of your favorite things to order at a restaurant? How do you make healthy substitutions? Go Here to Join the Discussion

This episode is going to be one you want to listen to over and over again. I interview Meg Doll, RHN and we dig into some deep talk about emotions with food, our relationship with food, finding freedom with food and learning how to love your body. She is a wealth of knowledge and something all of us women need to hear. And often times we need to hear this message on a daily basis. In this interview you will learn: What is Disordered Eating? How to get over disordered eating and have a healthy relationship with food How to achieve balance with your body and food relationships How to be intuitive with your eating and ditch food rules and things that don't work How we can be healthy and eat intuitively at the same time How to find freedom with food Learn more about Meg Doll Website Instagram The Nourished Podcast Quotes When you are in denial you need to hit that rock bottom and figure it out yourself. Disordered eating means you don't have a healthy relationship with food. Does it stress you out? Always thinking about food? More than likely you will have rules tied to food. This is disordered eating.   Sponsor: Beautycounter, Safer and Healthier Make-up and Skin Care

READ FULL SHOW NOTES HERE This message is really near and dear to my heart. Why? Because I believe that our health is made through consistent choices and healthy habits. We don't build health in sporadic high intensity bursts, that tends to overwhelm us and burn us out. We give up with not much (or anything) having changed. Consistency. That's where the real fruit comes from. Consistency builds habits, makes room for any bumps in the road, keeps us moving ahead one step at a time. It leaves room for grace over guilt.  Listen for much more information about how to build consistency into your healthy lifestyle. Episode Sponsor: IntelliBED. Save 10% with Discount Code DrMeghanBirt42 I have taken the time to research the major mattress retail products and has identified intelliBED as the first true medical-grade sleep surface available for home use. By using co-polymer intelli-Gel® in place of foam,  intelliBED’s provide superior comfort and support without harmful off-gassing and they wear 2-3 times better than any of the foam mattresses. Deep, healing sleep is fundamental to your health. If you have questions about the quality of your sleep or what sleep surface and pillow is best for you, ask me. Also, IntelliBED mattresses all use natural silica for fire blocking and organic cotton or cotton polyester for the quilt layer to create the safest, most durable sleep surface available for home use.