How Your Cultural Heritage Influences Your Food Story with Shanika Graham-White

Have you ever wished that eating felt simple, satisfying, and stress-free?! That is what food freedom feels like! While this looks different for everyone, there are some common themes we can all experience on the journey to making peace with our plates, including mindfulness, personal fulfillment, and pleasure with food… and life.  Sue Van Raes, author, functional nutritionist, and food psychology specialist, has created a unique blueprint for women to understand what truly fulfills them and satisfies their true hungers.  In a world with so much noise and confusion, Sue shares an inviting approach that focuses on bringing your whole self to the table. Once seated, she believes that getting your biochemistry in balance first will then set you up to fully listen to your intuition and wisdom of your body.     In this episode, you’ll learn: How to slow down in a fast-paced culture  Ways to shed old beliefs around food and health Why focusing on balancing your body’s biochemistry first is essential Steps to take to quiet your inner bully  One tip that will change your relationship with food in the most profound way   This conversation will empower you to find your personal formula for food freedom that feels peaceful, nourishing, and fun!   Resources Mentioned: Women, Food, and God Learn More about Sue Van Raes: Food and Freedom Instagram: @bouldernutrition Facebook: @yoginibliss Website: bouldernutrition.com/   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

While it’s no secret that spending time in nature is good for your health, nature is so much more than scenic walks. It’s also a profound guide back to ourselves, offering clarity, calmness, and timeless wisdom in our chaotic world. Certified health coach and founder of the pioneering coaching practice, Beauty is Wellness, Jolene Hart, believes that when you slow down and look closely at the natural world, it has so much to teach you.  As the author of six wellness books, including the best-selling Eat Pretty book series, Jolene felt called to create her latest offering, a beautiful deck called Earth + Body: 52 Weeks of Well-Being Inspired by Nature, to empower you to use nature as an inspiration for your health and beauty practices and as a way to connect more meaningfully to your body.  Jolene shares how even when things feel complicated, confusing, and overwhelming, nature is always there for you to help you better understand yourself and optimize every aspect of your health.    In this episode, you’ll learn: Methods for tapping into the healing power of nature What nature can teach us about our bodies, minds, and spirits Ways that nature can support your nervous system Nature’s impact on self-care, beauty practices, and food choices The magic of eating seasonal foods and how it supports your needs How nature can guide you to trust your intuition    You’ll feel inspired to reflect on nature’s powerful lessons, connect to the season you’re in, and use nature’s wisdom to boost your well-being.   Resources Mentioned: Beauty is Wellness Coaching Well-Rested Every Day Eat Pretty Books by Jolene Hart Earth + Body: 52 Weeks of Well-Being Inspired by Nature   Learn More about Jolene Hart: Website: jolenehart.com Instagram: @jolenehart Facebook: @beautyiswellness Pinterest: @jolenehart   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Our clutter affects us way more than we think! Whether we realize it or not, our “stuff” can weigh us down physically, mentally, and emotionally…  So if you're looking for a simple way to reduce stress and feel calmer, happier, and more focused, decluttering your environment is a good place to start! Rachel Rosenthal, a trusted organizing expert, believes that when our homes are organized and clutter-free, we reap benefits that contribute to optimal health and overall well-being.  With over 15 years in the industry, Rachel has a gift for making this daunting task seem accessible and easy to do. She also shares today’s organizing trends (think: sustainability), foolproof ways to let go of the things you no longer need, how to set your closet and kitchen up for success, and so much more.    In this episode, you’ll learn: Organization and decluttering trends you’ll want to try in 2024 The difference between neat and organized and how to get the whole family involved Ways that decluttering your home can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress! The excuses we make to hold onto things and Rachel’s “rules” for letting go Practical tips, strategies, and products to make your kitchen a sanctuary Why your space doesn’t have to be Pinterest-worthy to positively impact you   You’ll be inspired to make organization a way of life and decluttering a daily ritual!   Resources Mentioned: Sign up for 'The Power of Press Playbook' Course (and get $100 off with coupon code: ELISE) These 11-Year-Old Twins Are WAY More Organized Than We Are — Get Their Tips!'   Learn More about Rachel Rosenthal: Website: rachelrosenthal.co LinkedIn: @rachelmrosenthal Instagram: @rachelorganizes Facebook: @rachelorganizes Pinterest: @rachelorganizes   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

While most of us consider tarot an ancient modality, it’s actually a powerful practice that we can use today to foster personal growth, resilience, and overall well-being. As a psychic, intuitive tarot reader, and author of the new book The Inner Tarot: A Modern Approach to Self-Compassion and Empowered Healing Using the Tarot, Kate Van Horn believes that tarot can help you tap into your intuition, own your story, and harness your soul's purpose. Although this topic might sound a bit out there initially, Kate shares a fresh, modern approach to using tarot in your everyday life. From serving as a prompt for journaling to shifting old narratives to finding self-compassion, tarot can be a tool for profound self-acceptance and self-inquiry.   In this episode, you’ll learn:  What tarot is (and what it isn’t) Tips to start your own tarot practice and use the cards for healing Why we are all psychic and ways to tap into your abilities What numerology can teach us ourselves and our homes (So fascinating!) A simple exercise to manifest intentions (It’s so good!) How to elevate your kitchen and find the joy in cooking and eating   You’ll discover how tarot can help you forge a deeper connection to your inner self.   Resources Mentioned: How to Heal Your Relationship with Food and Yourself with Kate Van Horn Kate’s book tour   Learn More about Kate Van Horn: Website: katevanhorn.com Instagram: @kate.van.horn TikTok: @kate.vanhorn The Inner Tarot: theinnertarot.com   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

How often have you said, “I should’ve listened to my gut,” or “I had a gut feeling!”? What if eating the right foods could help you to connect to it?  Adrienne Lufkin, a seasoned private chef, knows firsthand how life-changing it can be to trust your gut, heal your gut, and feed it supportive foods too! As the founder of Struesli, Adrienne shares how tuning into her inner wisdom and living (and thriving) with Crohn's Disease led her to shake up the granola world with a healthier alternative to add to people’s daily rituals. On a mission to raise awareness about the benefits of an anti-inflammatory diet, Adrienne continues to craft healing recipes professionally and personally that bring people together and nourish from the inside out.   In this episode, you’ll learn: How to use food as medicine by adding in wholesome and alternative ingredients Ways to embrace change, find fulfillment, and bring your dreams to fruition The exact role of prebiotics and probiotics in your diet Why a savory breakfast can reduce cravings and set you up for the day What are tiger nuts and how to use this lesser-known superfood What happens when you follow and listen to your inner voice rather than external sources   This conversation will empower you to trust your gut while intentionally nurturing it with food and lifestyle choices too!      Learn More about Adrienne Lufkin and Struesli: Instagram: @adrienne_lufkin | @struesli Website: struesli.com Facebook: @struesli   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

No matter how different and unique we are, loss is the one thing we all have in common.  Yet, we often hide how we’re feeling, or we don’t have the right tools to support ourselves when it feels like life is crumbling all around us.  New York Times bestselling author, wellness activist, and Stage IV “cancer thriver”, Kris Carr believes that these “ruptures” and big messy emotions when your world falls apart can be a catalyst to take inventory of your life, figure out what matters most, and reset. . .  As the author of the new book, I’m Not a Mourning Person, Kris shares her personal journey and insights on how to face the pain and rediscover what she calls “fully alive living.”    In this episode, you’ll learn:  How creative projects can support healing  What is a rupture and how it can reveal a roadmap to your next chapter Ways to be more open about grief and also what not to say to someone who is hurting The best medicine to support a loved one (It heals!) Why you need to prioritize joy even in the midst of loss and grief The five pillars of wellness and how to integrate them into your life even when it falls apart   If your life has been turned upside down from a divorce, an accident, a miscarriage, a cancer diagnosis, losing the love of your life, a break up, or the death of a loved one, this conversation is for you.   Resources Mentioned:  Crazy Sexy Diet: Eat Your Veggies, Ignite Your Spark, and Live Like You Mean It!  Crazy Sexy Juice: 100+ Simple Juice, Smoothie & Nut Milk Recipes to Supercharge  Crazy Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant-Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution  Crazy Sexy Cancer  ‘Self-Care Made Easy: The 5 Pillars of Wellness’    Learn More about Kris Carr:  I’m Not a Mourning Person: Braving Loss, Grief, and the Big Messy Emotions That Happen When Life Falls Apart  Website: kriscarr.com  Instagram: @crazysexykris  Facebook: @KrisCarr  YouTube: @KrisCarrTV  X: @Kris_Carr    Learn More about Elise Museles:  Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live  Website: elisemuseles.com  Instagram: @elisemuseles  Facebook: @elisemuseles

[This is a replay episode] Did you know that a regular walking practice can improve your mood, lower stress levels, reduce your risk of several types of cancer, enhance cognitive function, combat depression, and add years to your life?  Joyce Shulman, founder of 99 Walks and Jetti Fitness, is on a mission to get a million women walking and reaping all these benefits. But instead of just going on a “walk”, Joyce encourages intentional walking more than meeting a magic number step goal. Through the 99 Walks app, Joyce has created communities and encouraged women to take ownership of their minds, their bodies, and their moods with the simple act of lacing up their sneakers and walking together.  Joyce shares not only how healing walking can be both physically and mentally, but also why we should consider it an integral part of our wellness toolkit! In fact, she emphasizes that developing a walking practice can aid your mindfulness journey and boost creativity more than other forms of exercise.   In this episode you’ll learn: How walking can positively impact your relationship with food  The ways intentional walking can help you deal with stress, improve your mind, and tune into your body Studies to support the science behind the multiple benefits of walking Why walking can ease loneliness and build relationships The myth of 10,000 steps and how to personalize your goals Bottom line: There are so many benefits to lacing up your shoes and going for a walk. You’ll discover some not so obvious ones in this conversation! Podcast Partner: We’re proud to partner with Matcha Kari for this week’s episode. Visit matcha.com, and use code ELISE15 for 15% off your order. If Once Upon a Food Story has inspired you to change how you think about food, your body, and your life, please take a minute to rate us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Reviews help listeners find the show and enable us to have more amazing guests on, too.   Learn more about Joyce Shulman:. Websites: joyceshulman.com, 99walks.fit Instagram: @joyce.r.shulman, @99walks  YouTube: @99walks LinkedIn: Joyce Shulman Walk Your Way to Better: 99 Walks that Will Change Your Life Why Walk: Discover the Transformative Power of Walking   Learn more about Elise Museles:  Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you ever wondered if your relationship with alcohol might be affecting you on a deeper level? While we talk about food and the way it impacts us as a whole, we don’t often examine what alcohol does to our overall health. Dr. Brooke Scheller, founder of Functional Sobriety and author of the new book, How to Eat to Change How You Drink, explains how systems like the gut and brain, as well as nutrient deficiencies and hormonal imbalances, play a role in our desires and habits around drinking.  As a doctor of Clinical Nutrition, she believes in the power of food and nutrition to help people reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption. With her extensive research on how alcohol impacts our physiology, she shares exactly which foods and nutrients can support us as we reduce or eliminate alcohol. So whether you’re an everyday drinker or someone who only partakes on occasion, this conversation will help you approach your journey with science-backed strategies along with a dose of self-compassion!    In this episode, you’ll learn:   About the three drinking archetypes (and how to identify yours)  The impact alcohol can have on your body, even if you aren’t a regular drinker  Why balancing your blood sugar plays a pivotal role in your alcohol cravings  A helpful mindset for Dry January or when you “slip up”  The relationship between nutrition and your mood and overall mental health Recipes and foods to support you as you reduce or eliminate alcohol     Dr. Brooke’s research-based approach and compassionate insights will inspire you to explore your relationship with alcohol and gain a newfound understanding of how to eat to change how you drink!     Resources Mentioned:  Functional Sobriety  Rethink Your Relationship to Alcohol with Dr. Brooke Scheller    Learn More about Dr. Brooke Scheller:   How to Eat to Change How You Drink: Heal Your Gut, Mend Your Mind, and Improve Nutrition to Change Your Relationship with Alcohol  LinkedIn: @brooke-scheller  Instagram: @drbrookescheller  X: @drbrookesober    Learn More about Elise Museles:  Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live  Website: elisemuseles.com  Instagram: @elisemuseles  Facebook: @elisemuseles

Ever caught yourself engaging in "all-or-nothing" thinking or the comparison trap when it comes to food and your body? These are known as cognitive distortions, and they play a pivotal role in shaping our attitudes and behaviors towards what we eat and what we think. Brittney Moses and Ranela Kaligithi, co-hosts of the popular wellness podcast Speaking Our Minds, believe that how we feel about ourselves impacts our daily decisions from our food choices to whether or not we choose to move our bodies to what we see when we look in the mirror.  As mental health advocates, Brittney and Ranela shine a compassionate light on the intersection between our internal dialogues and our relationship with food, body image, and ourselves. They share how our unique upbringings along with diet culture messaging profoundly influence our perceptions and beliefs.  Tune in as we discuss how to create a more positive mindset around food and body using self-compassion instead of self-judgment!   In this episode, you’ll learn: Challenges and joyful experiences from our childhoods that impact our food stories  How to release the cognitive distortions that influence your beliefs Ways to flip the script on diet culture messaging and negative thought patterns Connections between faith, health, and healing that impact our food stories Symptoms and diagnosis of ADHD as an adult Tips to make decisions from a place of abundance and love    This empowering conversation will help you peel back the layers of your complex food story, uncover the narratives that keep you stuck, and reclaim your power to rewrite them!    Resources Mentioned: Speaking Our Minds Podcast The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom   Learn More about Brittany Moses: Website: brittneyamoses.com  LinkedIn: @brittneymoses Instagram: @brittneymoses  TikTok: @brittney_moses YouTube: @BrittneyMoses X: @Brittney_Moses   Learn More about Ranela Kaligithi: Website: lifewithranela.com LinkedIn: @ranelakaligithi Instagram: @lifewithranela   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Want to boost your happiness, increase productivity, reduce stress levels, and even sleep better? It all starts with the way you begin your day!  Certified nutritionist Diana Weil and medical journalist Elara Hadjipateras and co-hosts of The Matcha Guardians Podcast, believe your morning routines and rituals can help you take charge of your day and create the energy you want to feel. They’re on a mission to teach as many people as possible to proactively think about their minds and bodies with feel-good habits that make you feel grounded and raise your overall vibration.  Of course these Matcha Queens dive deep into the history, culture, and experience of drinking matcha as well as all the numerous health-promoting benefits. They share their favorite ways to make matcha, how to get the most benefits from your daily cup, and a method for preparing it that reduces stress.  This conversation is fun, soulful, and informative all at the same time!    In this episode, you’ll learn: •  Ideas and inspiration on creating a powerful morning routine •   Matcha versus coffee and why matcha allows you to optimize both energy and rest  •   How to write your own rules for health and well-being •   Different ways to prepare matcha and create a grounding ritual  •   Health promoting properties of matcha and the best time to enjoy the caffeine boost  •   Advice for living your truth and enjoying your food and your life.    Whether you’re already a matcha drinker or not, Diana and Elara offer actionable tips and relatable stories that will inspire you to rethink the way you start your day!   Resources Mentioned: The Matcha Guardians The Matcha Guardians Podcast Matcha.com — 25% Discount Code: ELISE Matcha.com on Instragram   Learn More about Diana Weil: Website: dianaweil.com Instagram: @diana_weil LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/diana-weil-9b3aab176   Learn More about Elara Hadjipateras: Instagram: @elaralpaca X: @elaralpaca LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/elara-hadjipateras-b6750541   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles