Wake Up and Read the Labels‪!‬ Jen Smiley

Chronic pain often serves as a wake-up call, signaling the need for lifestyle and diet changes. While these kinds of changes can be tough, Addison LaBonte is on a mission to make it easier with better-for-you desserts made with real ingredients.
Addison is the founder of Sweet Addison’s. Her life took a turn when she was diagnosed with compartment syndrome, a painful condition that forced her to change her lifestyle. Unable to run, she tried a gluten-free diet and healthier eating habits out of desperation. When she found relief, it sparked an idea – why not create delicious cookies that fit her new lifestyle?
In this episode, Addison talks with Jen about her journey to healing chronic pain by changing her diet, the benefits of going gluten-free, and creating Sweet Addison’s..

Key Takeaways

[01:40] - How Addison was diagnosed with compartment syndrome.

[07:31] - Who should explore gluten-free.

[08:27] - Why Addison named her cookie company Sweet Addison’s.

[09:25] - Products made by Sweet Addison’s and their ingredients.

[19:22] - Why Sweet Addison’s doesn’t compromise on flavor.

[24:23] - Sweet Addison’s mission.

[25:28] - Where you can find Sweet Addison’s cookies.


Quotes
[05:20] - “To say that becoming gluten-free and reading food labels was life-changing is an understatement for me.” ~ Addison LaBonte
[07:31] “When people say, do you think everybody should become gluten-free? I say honestly, yes.” ~ Addison LaBonte
[20:08] - “One of the biggest feedbacks I get from people is, I can't believe that something this healthy can taste this good.” ~ Addison LaBonte

Links 

Addison LaBonte Instagram

Sweet Addison’s

Sweet Addison’s Instagram

The University of Maine

Chips Ahoy!

Mrs. Fields

Famous Amos


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Get 10% off your Sweet Addisons purchase!
Use code: Wakeup10 at https://sweetaddisons.com.

As a water sommelier, Martin Reise spends his days creating content about water and sharing his knowledge with others. As a child, he noticed that water could have different tastes, sparking his curiosity. Disappointed by the limited water options available in restaurants, he decided to take matters into his own hands. 
Martin reveals some surprising truths about water. He explains why certain types, like alkaline water, may not be as beneficial as they seem. He also sheds light on the practices of major water brands, exposing how some of them bottle purified tap water and market it as something more. He believes that the best water is pure and natural, without any additives. He is skeptical of labels like "alkaline water" or "vitamin water," urging consumers to be wary of marketing gimmicks.
In this episode, Jen talks with Martin about his journey into this unconventional career, the complexities behind water labels in the grocery store, and the secrets of water tasting.

Key Takeaways

[01:33] - How Martin became a water sommelier.

[03:46] - Why some people are more sensitive to the taste of water.

[06:15] - The most hydrating types of water.

[13:00] - How to choose water at the grocery store.

[15:33] - Martin breaks down different types of water.

[22:05] - Martin’s take on infused water.

[23:54] - Why Martin doesn’t drink distilled water.

[25:18] - How purified water is affecting people’s health.

[26:36] - Martin talks about water intoxication.

[30:08] - Martin discusses his book and water-tasting box.

[37:44] - Should you filter tap water in your house?


Quotes
[07:11] - “Electrolytes is just a fancy marketing word for minerals.” ~ Martin Reise
[16:32] - “All these water producers are thinking, how can I convince the American people to buy tap water in a plastic bottle.” ~ Martin Reise
[23:58] - “Distilled waters are for small appliances, I’m not a small appliance.” ~ Martin Reise

Links 

Martin Reise Instagram

Martin Reise Youtube

Martin Reise

Die Welt des Wassers

Pepsi

Coca Cola

Costco

FDA

Vitamin Water

Smart Water

Essentia Water


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Opting for plant-based alternatives often seems like a health-conscious decision. But what if these seemingly harmless swaps are actually posing hidden risks behind the scenes?
Brooke Harris, food lover and Founder of Goodmylk, previously thought switching to plant-based milk was always a healthy choice. But when she started having health problems from plant-based milk, she knew she needed to make a change. 
That's what led her to create Goodmylk, a dairy-free milk substitute that tastes great. Unlike many other plant-based milks with added sugars and palm oil, Goodmylk’s products are made from simple ingredients like dates, tigernut, Himalayan salt, sprouted almonds, and oats. Brooke also shares some of her unusual health tips, like cold plunging, red light therapy, and putting onions in socks before bed to help reduce inflammation. 
In this episode, Brooke talks with Jen about the hidden truths about plant-based milk, wellness tips to improve overall health, and how she created a better plant-based milk alternative. 

Key Takeaways

[01:31] - What is Goodmylk Co. 

[05:20] - Common ingredients in most plant-based milk.

[08:07] - The simple ingredients in Goodmylk.

[14:10] - Why dairy-free milk is called milk.

[18:13] - Brooke’s wellness hacks.

[24:23] - Where you can find Goodmylk creamers. 


Quotes
[03:53] - “Goodmylk launched with this idea of getting better, clean as close to homemade as possible plant-based milk.” ~ Brooke Harris
[09:10] - “We have this crazy idea that instead of adding a bunch of weird ingredients to make something that is similar to a milky substance, almonds have a lot of fat and protein in them.” ~ Brooke Harris
[10:37] - “Every step of the decision-making around making products filters around me being sick and wanting to create better options.” ~ Brooke Harris

Links 

Brooke Harris Instagram

Brooke Harris LinkedIn

Goodmylk Co.

Ritual Coffee Roasters

Folgers Coffee

So Delicious

Almond Breeze

Oatly


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Cheese cravings are among the toughest to shake. But imagine enjoying pepper jack, spicy queso, cream cheese, and smoked pimento without the discomfort of dairy. It might sound too good to be true, but thanks to Gwendolyn Dare Hageman, it's not.
Gwendolyn Dare Hageman, Owner of Darë Vegan Cheese, talks with Jen about her journey from formulating vegan cheese in a tiny blender at home to growing a fully-fledged business. Her vegan cheeses can be enjoyed without the cons of dairy. From playful recipe experiments to bold flavor combinations, Gwendolyn has reimagined cheese alternatives that even dairy lovers enjoy.
In this episode, Gwendolyn talks with Jen about the inspiration and process behind creating vegan cheese, the benefits of dairy-free cheese, and the challenges of competing with larger brands. 

Key Takeaways

[01:23] - The story behind the name, Darë Vegan Cheese.

[02:17] - How Gwendolyn fell in love with vegan cuisine.

[05:02] - How Darë Vegan Cheese got started.

[05:57] - Why cashews work well as a dairy cheese alternative.

[06:48] - Why people should go dairy-free.

[08:57] - A deep dive into Darë Vegan Cheese ingredients.

[12:01] - Where you can find Darë Vegan Cheese.

[13:05] - Darë Vegan Cheese's core brand values.

[15:14] - The challenges of competing with large brands.

[16:55] - Gwendolyn’s vision for Darë Vegan Cheese.

[19:04] - How to join the Darë Vegan Cheese affiliate program.


Quotes
[02:47] - “It was like the coolest challenge as a chef, to take what people are used to eating and making it healthier.” ~ Gwendolyn Dare Hageman
[13:20] - “Our number one brand value is to create a workplace where people want to be.” ~ Gwendolyn Dare Hageman
[14:14] - “We want to be a fancy cheese, but we also want to be down to earth.” ~ Gwendolyn Dare Hageman

Links 

Gwendolyn Dare Hageman LinkedIn

Darë Vegan Cheese

Whole Foods Market


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Keeping a positive outlook, even when things are tough, is much easier said than done. But our attitude, along with our diet, can make all the difference in how you feel when living with chronic illness.
Nicole Pedra, a Chronic Illness Survivor and Health Advocate, gets vulnerable about her personal experience living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Nicole has been through a lot with chronic illness, but she's learned some great lessons. She shares how important it is to stay positive and take care of yourself, especially with what you eat. She emphasizes the role of diet in promoting overall health, advocating for a balanced approach that nourishes both the body and the mind. Her inspiring story reminds us to keep looking for the good, even in hard times.
In this episode, Nicole talks with Jen about maintaining positivity and healthy living despite health challenges, the importance of diet and holistic approaches in managing chronic conditions, and insights for listeners seeking inspiration and resilience. 

Key Takeaways

[01:15] - How chronic illnesses have impacted Nicole’s life.

[02:49] - What went through Nicole’s mind when she was diagnosed.

[05:31] - Why healthy eating wasn’t linked to Nicole’s diagnosis.

[07:58] - How Multiple Sclerosis differs from other diagnoses and its symptoms.

[12:00] - How to find gluten-free products, and ingredients Nicole avoids.

[23:53] - The cost and the importance of eating organic.

[27:44] - Nicole’s advice to people going through illnesses similar to hers.


Quotes
[03:32] - “I asked her if God was mad at me and if I was being punished because I didn’t understand why this could happen to someone so young.” ~ Nicole Pedra
[22:17] - “It makes me so angry when I see an influencer in the chronic illness industry share how to make magic brownies that have all his crap in it.” ~ Nicole Pedra
[28:26] - “You can’t control what the disease is going to do, but you need to figure out a way to be happy.” ~ Nicole Pedra

Links 

Nicole on Instagram

Nicole on LinkedIn

The Rise of Plant-Based Butter with Lauren Montgomery 

Lovebird Cereal

General Mills

Yoplait Yogurt

Plentiful Kitchen

AWG Bakery

Base Culture Breads

Sprouted Power

Trader Joe’s

Carbonaut

Banza

Miracle Noodle

Copellos Pasta

Monty’s Plant-Based

Outback Steakhouse

Quaker Oats

Oatly

Starbucks 


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When was the last time you checked the labels on your fruit snacks? It can be tough to find snacks that are convenient and healthy with real ingredients. Some seem like a good choice on the surface, but they often hide chemicals and too much sugar.
Dr. Lior Lewensztain is the founder of That’s It., and believes strongly in the idea of food as medicine. He noticed that many Americans weren't getting enough fruits each day, so he started his business to fix that. His fruit bars, probiotic bars, and fruit crunchables have become favorites for both kids and adults. Dr. Lior points out that many of fruit snacks in stores use the "natural flavor" label to hide chemicals and extra sugars. He suggests parents take a good look at their pantry and switch to real fruit products with no fake flavors or added sugars. It's a simple change that can make a big difference in your family's health.
In this episode, Dr. Lior talks with Jen about the importance of adding fruits to your diet, the truth behind popular fruit snacks, and the story behind his simple on-the-go fruit snacks. 

Key Takeaways

[01:14] - Dr. Lior’s background and why he created That’s It.

[03:26] - How fruit labels can be misleading.

[05:13] - The meaning behind the name That’s It.

[07:43] - Products offered by That’s It.

[11:17] - Challenges in using high-quality ingredients.

[12:37] - What sparked Dr. Lior’s interest in food as medicine.

[14:45] - Why you should switch out your snacks.

[16:24] - Where That’s It. gets fruit.

[17:42] - Where you can find That’s It.


Quotes
[01:39] - “Only about 12% of Americans get their daily servings of fruits.” ~ Dr. Lior Lewansztain
[06:24] - “Everything that we do is incredibly clean and transparent, and we don’t use any natural flavors.” ~ Dr. Lior Lewansztain
[13:17] - “We are avid believers that food is medicine.” ~ Dr. Lior Lewansztain

Links 

Dr. Lior Lewensztain LinkedIn

That's it.

Walmart

Costco

Target

Starbucks

United Airlines


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Schedule a 15 Min Breakthrough Chat with a WURL Food Coach!


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