One Real Good Thing with Ellie Krieger

Sometimes the most important change is to change your mind. Thinking about your well-being in a more holistic way can be pivotal for achieving true health. In this episode Dr. Robert Graham (aka Dr. Rob, the Chef) dishes up specific, easy ways to re-FRESH your approach. He uses FRESH as an acronym for what he calls the five ingredients in the recipe to health: Food, Relaxation, Exercise, Sleep and Happiness.

Dr. Graham is a Harvard-trained researcher and physician, board certified in both Internal and Integrative Medicine, trained in Holistic and Functional Medicine, a public health scientist, health service researcher, TED speaker, food activist and Chef. Together for over 20 years, Dr. Rob and his wife, Julie launched FRESH Medicine. When not seeing patients, Dr. Graham trades his white lab coat for chef’s whites as an advocate for a new model of integrative, “food-first” lifestyle-focused healthcare called Culinary Medicine. Dr. Graham has a private practice in New York City, and he and Julie launched an online self-care “university” called FRESH MED U which allows people to learn remotely, on their own time, using their intrinsic motivation in order to achieve their FRESH goals and live healthier and happier lives. 

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Ever hear of a soup swap? It’s like a cookie swap but for soup, and it’s a fun and meaningful way to get people together around nourishing food.  Ellie attended one for the first time recently that was organized by friends who both happen to be community-focused health professionals. Vera Ruangtragool and Andrew Goldstein. In this episode they talk about why a soup swap has more layered wellness benefits than you might think, and how to go about organizing one.

Vera Ruangtragool is the founder and director of Truly Well, a non-profit that helps individuals and communities build happy, healthy, and meaningful lives.  Vera leads guided meditation in English and Spanish and brings people together through events that foster meaningful social connection in the US and abroad. She has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Spanish from UC Berkeley, a Master’s degree in Spanish Translation and Interpretation from the Monterey Institute of International Studies, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from Columbia University. Through her work and everyday interactions, she is committed to advancing peace and justice through individual, community, and systemic change.

Andrew Goldstein is a public hospital primary care doctor focused on activism and organizing for a variety of health justice issues. In the food arena, he believes access to healthy, delicious food is a right and has worked against cuts to food programs like SNAP, campaigned for taxes on ultra processed foods, and fought against the often harmful policy agendas of big food corporations. At the more personal and community levels, he organizes biking foodcrawls, food swaps, and pantry shares, and has supported food-related mutual aid efforts. Andrew was part of a college eating club whose motto was "Food = Love," which has stuck with him to this very day and which he tries to have his relationship with Vera embody, whether in their food explorations and cooking together, or in sharing food with their loved ones and neighbors

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A.J. Jacobs recently tried to go an entire day without touching any plastic, and he wrote about his experience in The New York Times. He talks with us here about why giving up plastic altogether is basically impossible, but how making small changes to reduce plastic use can make a huge difference for human health and the health of the planet.

AJ Jacobs is an author, journalist, lecturer and human guinea pig. He has written four New York Times bestsellers that combine memoir, science, humor and a dash of self-help. Among his books are “The Year of Living Biblically” and “The Know-It-All.” He has told several Moth stories, and given several TED talks that have amassed over 10 million views. His latest book is “The Puzzler,” which Booklist called “ridiculously entertaining,” and The New York Times called “A romp, both fun and funny.” He was the answer to 1 Down in the March 8, 2014 New York Times crossword puzzle.  

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Instead of thinking of vegetables as a side dish, move them to the center of the plate and make them the star. That way they’ll be so irresistibly delicious that eating them becomes something you want to do rather than something you ought to do. Priyanka Naik is just the person to inspire us to make that happen with easy, tasty ideas. She is a self-taught, Indian vegan award-winning chef, Food Network champion, TV Personality, Author of The Modern Tiffin cookbook and columnist for The Washington Post. An avid traveler, she offers her globally inspired original recipes, with a focus on sustainability that delight vegetarians and omnivores alike

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Dermatologist Dr. Diane Madfes explains how going overboard with skin treatments can backfire, and she outlines a pared down, minimalist skin care routine for maximum glow.

Dr. Madfes is a board-certified dermatologist with an office in uptown Manhattan. An admired physician in the field, as well as Ellie’s personal dermatologist, Dr. Madfes is a published author of medical research and has been quoted in various magazines, as well as on television and radio programs. Her recent focuses are on menopausal skin issues, preventive aging modalities and wound healing.

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Looking for an easier, more enticing way to plan and prep healthy meals? Lisa Bryan’s got you covered. She began meal prepping several years ago, but she quickly became tired of eating leftovers and wasting food. At the same time, she realized she needed to "downshift" the accelerated pace of her life so she flipped the script on meal prep by focusing on individual ingredients. On a whim, she posted a video to YouTube that went viral and she realized how many people were out there, just like her, who wanted a fresh approach to meal planning. Now she is celebrating the release of her book “Downshiftology Healthy Meal Prep: 100+ Make-Ahead Recipes and Quick-Assembly Meals (Clarkson Potter). She’s here to share her best meal-prep tricks and tips. 

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Think eating less salt means sacrificing flavor? It doesn’t have to be that way! Yes, salt is an important ingredient for a multitude of reason, but many of us get way too much. On this episode, nationally recognized nutrition expert and cookbook author Maya Feller talks with Ellie about how she balances salt intake in her own life, and they share key ways to build flavor healthfully while relying less on the salt shaker.

Maya Feller is a registered dietitian nutritionist who received her Masters of Science in clinical nutrition at New York University, shares her approachable, real food based solutions to millions of people through regular speaking engagements, writing in local and national publications, via her social media, and as a national nutrition expert on Good Morning America, GMA3: What You Need to Know and more. Her latest book is “Eating from Our Roots: 80+ Healthy Home-Cooked Favorites from Cultures Around the World” (goop Press)

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In this episode we’re talking about the most nutritious, environmentally friendly food in the world that you are probably not eating: seaweed. Guests Kate Geagan, an award-winning dietitian, sustainable nutrition pioneer, and co-founder of the non-profit Food + Planet, and Sachi Singh, the founder of Rootless, a trailblazing company which makes delicious seaweed-powered whole food nutrition bites, explain why seaweed is so good for us and the planet, and inspire us with easy, delicious ways to enjoy it. 

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Dan Buettner discovered the five places in the world –dubbed blue zones hotspots – where people live the longest, healthiest lives. In this episode he inspires us to eat more of what he calls the #1 longevity food. Listen to find out what that is and how to make the most of it.

Dan Buettner is an explorer, National Geographic Fellow, award-winning journalist and producer, and New York Times bestselling author who now works in partnership with municipal governments, large employers, and health insurance companies to implement Blue Zones Projects in communities, workplaces, and universities. Blue Zones Projects are well-being initiatives that apply lessons from the Blue Zones to entire communities. by focusing on changes to the local environment, public policy, and social networks. The program has dramatically improved the health of more than 5 million Americans to date. In his new book “Blue Zones American Kitchen” Buettner uncovers the traditional roots of plant-forward cuisine in the United States.

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In this episode Ellie reveals what she believes is the single most important thing most of us can do to eat better: double down on vegetables. Whether you are a vegetable beginner or already love them, she has you covered with easy ideas and inspirations to take it to the next level.

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