3154: Why Coconut Oil is Good for Your Teeth by Kayla McDonell with Healthline on Nature’s Dental Aid

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3160: Kylee Lessard explores the emotional tug-of-war between loving and fearing food, revealing how mindful eating helped her release guilt and rediscover joy in simple pleasures, like savoring a burrito without regret. Her reflections highlight the power of slowing down, tuning into the body’s cues, and reclaiming balance in a culture that rushes through every meal. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.ablueskymind.com/blog/eating-mindfully-how-to-eat-with-no-regrets Quotes to ponder: "Mindful eating is specifically putting away your phone so that you can focus on what’s in front of you." "In a culture so obsessed with food, it’s kind of strange how we barely pay attention to what we put in our mouths sometimes." "Remember, you can’t be mindful of anything if your mind is occupied by something else (ie. Instagram, NY Times, email, etc.)." Episode references: HelloFresh: https://www.hellofresh.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3159: Vicki Cook and Amy Blacklock reveal how cultivating gratitude can elevate both your financial and personal life. Through consistent appreciation for what you already have, they show how gratitude fosters a mindset of abundance that improves emotional health, strengthens relationships, and leads to more thoughtful money choices. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://womenwhomoney.com/gratitude-improve-health-and-wealth/ Quotes to ponder: "Gratitude helps you focus on what you have instead of what you lack, improving your outlook on life and reducing negative emotions like envy and resentment." "When you regularly practice gratitude, your brain releases dopamine and serotonin, chemicals that make you feel happier and more content." "Being thankful for what you already have encourages better spending, saving, and investing habits because you no longer chase happiness through material possessions." Episode references: The Happiness Advantage: https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Advantage-Principles-Psychology-Performance/dp/0307591549 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3158: Paula Pant explores how a single purchase can spark a cascade of new spending through the Diderot Effect, our tendency to seek harmony among our possessions. She reveals how this subtle psychological loop quietly drives consumerism and offers practical ways to break free, helping us align spending with genuine happiness rather than habit. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://affordanything.com/the-diderot-effect-how-buying-fuels-itself/ Quotes to ponder: "One purchase often leads to another. A single upgrade can make the rest of our lives suddenly feel outdated." "We chase coherence, trying to make all the pieces of our lives match, but in doing so, we end up chasing more and more." "Breaking the Diderot Effect starts with awareness: asking whether a purchase serves our values, or simply our desire to fit a pattern." Episode references: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Changing-Magic-Tidying-Decluttering-Organizing/dp/1607747308 Atomic Habits: https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 Your Money or Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Money-Life-Transforming-Relationship/dp/0143115766 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3157: Rog Law uses a playful “bucket” analogy to demystify macronutrients, showing how proteins, fats, and carbs fill your daily energy container. By understanding how each “bucket” contributes to your goals, you can make smarter food choices, fuel performance, and build a more balanced relationship with eating. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://roglawfitness.com/macronutrient-madness-whats-in-your-bucket/ Quotes to ponder: "Think of your daily intake as a series of buckets that you fill up with protein, carbohydrates, and fats." "If your goal is fat loss, you need to make sure that the total amount in your buckets doesn’t overflow." "Awareness is the first step toward change, once you know what’s in your buckets, you can choose what to fill them with." Episode references: MyFitnessPal: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/ USDA FoodData Central: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov Precision Nutrition: https://www.precisionnutrition.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3156: Dr. Neal Malik explains that consistently eating the same healthy foods, like eggs, spinach, mozzarella, chicken, and yam, can make daily nutrition simpler and support weight management by reducing decision fatigue. Still, he emphasizes that long-term health depends on variety, since rotating different foods introduces a broader mix of nutrients and antioxidants that help the body thrive and prevent disease. Quotes to ponder: "Eating the same nutritious foods every day is a goal that I have often set for patients that are hoping to lose or maintain their body weight." "If you want to truly maximize your potential, consider substituting some foods you commonly eat with those that you don’t eat as often." "There are some powerful antioxidants in various foods, that when combined, may make for a pretty powerful combination of potential disease-fighting compounds." Episode references: Dietary Guidelines for Americans: https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3155: Tynan explores how habits shape identity and long-term outcomes, showing that real change comes from targeting the root behaviors rather than isolated actions. By treating habits like the trunk of a tree, central and transformative, he offers a compelling case for focusing on consistent, automated excellence instead of micromanaging every decision. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://tynan.com/habits/ Quotes to ponder: "You are your habits." "Trying to control a single occurrence without identifying and working on the habit is like picking a single leaf." "When you plant a seed you have to protect it and water it and feed it. Once it becomes a tree, you can leave it alone and it will continue to deepen its roots without any attention from you at all." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3154: Kayla McDonell examines the science behind coconut oil’s role in oral hygiene, especially its traditional use in oil pulling. She separates myth from evidence, showing how this natural remedy may help reduce bacteria and plaque while reminding readers that it should complement, not replace, professional dental care. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/coconut-oil-and-teeth Quotes to ponder: “Coconut oil has been used for thousands of years as a natural remedy for many health conditions.” “Oil pulling is an age-old practice where you swish oil around in your mouth to kill bacteria and promote oral hygiene.” “While oil pulling with coconut oil may reduce harmful bacteria, plaque, and gingivitis, it should never replace standard dental care.” Episode references: American Dental Association: https://www.ada.org National Institutes of Health - Oil Pulling and Oral Health: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198813/ Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/journal-of-traditional-and-complementary-medicine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3153: Irene Elias shares practical strategies for cultivating body image confidence by shifting focus from criticism to compassion. Through awareness, affirmations, and daily reminders, she encourages replacing negative self-talk with appreciation, listening to your body’s unique needs, and embracing love and worthiness in the present moment. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://selflovejunkie.com/5-smart-tips-to-body-image-confidence/ Quotes to ponder: "Your body hears everything your mind tells it." "Whatever we focus on expands." "You are loveable and worthy of love right now." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3152: Irene Elias challenges the myth of the "perfect" body by exposing how societal standards, media images, and ego-driven pursuits distort self-worth. She encourages self-love by treating the body as a supportive partner for the soul, making peace with personal choices, and shifting focus from external validation to inner confidence. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://selflovejunkie.com/5-smart-tips-to-body-image-confidence/ Quotes to ponder: "To love yourself is to also love your body exactly as it is while you’re in the process of changing what you CAN change and for the right reasons." "At the end of the day, if you want to live a happier and more peaceful life, you’ve got to find a way to start loving your body exactly as it is." "Regardless of how we look on the outside, it’s how we feel on the inside that’s most important." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3151: Ben Greenfield explores the science and psychology of hunger, showing how embracing it can improve metabolic health, boost longevity, and strengthen mental resilience. Instead of fearing hunger as a negative signal, he reframes it as a tool for better energy regulation, fat adaptation, and mindful eating. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bengreenfieldlife.com/article/nutrition-articles/is-being-hungry-bad/ Quotes to ponder: "Hunger is not the enemy, it’s often a sign that your body is burning fuel efficiently." "When you learn to sit with hunger, you unlock mental clarity and metabolic flexibility." "Hunger, when managed wisely, can be a catalyst for improved health and longevity." Episode references: The Obesity Code: https://www.amazon.com/Obesity-Code-Unlocking-Secrets-Weight/dp/1771641258 Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have To: https://www.amazon.com/Lifespan-Why-Ageand-Dont-Have/dp/1501191977 Autophagy and Fasting (NCBI): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3106288/ The Longevity Diet: https://www.amazon.com/Longevity-Diet-Discover-Activation-Regeneration/dp/0525534075 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices