The Food Heals Podcast with Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy

When you eat the whole plant, you’re getting the whole deal. That’s why we find so many healing plants in nature. Interestingly, almost every pharmaceutical medicine has its roots in nature. But modern medicine extracts one compound and turns it into pill form (with undesirable side effects). When you eat a whole plant however, you’re getting all the other nutrients working synergistically together to heal your body. Food Heals favorites Joy and Jay are passionate about whole tonic herbs. From that passion, Jing Slingers were born. Joy is a badass cop turned anti-aging superfood master. Jay is a yogi and tonic herbalist with over 50,000 tonic elixirs to his name. Together they create cleverly conscious comfort food that’s as good as your granny’s banana bread with the added benefits of supercharging your health all the way to your cells. (We tried their superfood caramel and can testify to this – best. Caramel. EVER). Since they were last on the show, the Jing Slingers have been working on a tonic to rival

Marina Yanay-Triner is the soul behind Soul in the Raw, a website dedicated to helping people go vegan in a sane, healthy, and delicious way. Marina’s journey towards a raw vegan lifestyle began when she witnessed her mom’s healing transformation. Marina’s mom had interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder disorder that left her unable to live a normal life. Doctor after doctor prescribed pills and injections but nothing worked. Taking matters into her own hands, she went on a 28-day water fast, before transitioning to a raw vegan lifestyle. She completely healed herself. Witnessing her mother’s amazing recovery made Marina want to reconnect with her body. In high-school, she’d been sexually assaulted by her boyfriend. This caused Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which affected her digestion and emotions. But when she got into raw plant-based food, she was able to heal her physical and emotional trauma.   Marina set up Soul in the Raw to show vegans and wannabe vegans how delicious and flavorful raw plant-bas

Before going vegan, Nicole Derseweh wanted to travel the world and taste every cheese imaginable. But her health was suffering. As a fitness model, her body looked healthy, but it hid a worrying truth: her high protein diet was stressing out her gall bladder and liver, and her blood pressure was through the roof. With her grandma fighting cancer, and other members of her family unwell, Nicole knew something was wrong. She began looking at her diet. It took a year between watching her first documentary (Earthlings) to converting to 100% plant-based. The journey was tough, but it was worth it. As soon as she gave up dairy, her heath transformed. But her recovery went deeper than just the physical. Nicole had struggled with anorexia in high school. While she overcame the behaviors by becoming a fitness model, the self-loathing thoughts were still there. When she became vegan, those thoughts disappeared. Choosing to go vegan was such an empowering and positive decision that it healed her psyche as well as her p

We want to answer some of our listener questions in this episode! Our first question is from Laura, who wants to know which entrepreneurs we follow. Here are some of our top favorites: •    Tim Ferris. We love his books The Four Hour Work Week and The Four Hour Body.   •    We also love Tony Robbins. His podcast is so inspiring. •    Marie Forleo – check out her YouTube channel MarieTV. •    Kris Carr who is all about health and wellness and healed herself from cancer. •    Gabrielle Bernstein. The Universe Has Your Back is a phenomenal book, as is Spirit Junkie. •    Pat Flynn and John Lee Dumas are good podcasters to check out. •    Gary Vaynerchuk is the male version of Allison. •    And of course, you must check out Marianne Williamson. Check out her email workshop Sister Giant. Megan wants to know juicer recommendations? We have to refer you to Joe Cross’s website for the best juicers, he’s the expert. You can also take a look at BlenderBabes for the best blenders – she tests every one to bring you th

Kristie Reeves’s new show, Rebel Hearts, is all about empowering the rebels of this world to make a change. There’s so much negativity and wars and crime going on in the world today. But at the same time things are changing for the better. The change makers are stepping up. A wave of people making a positive difference. You can catch Kristie’s inspiring show on Universal Broadcasting Network. You go to the doctor because you think they have the answers, but these days doctors aren’t looking at what’s causing the illness. They’re much more interested in giving you a pill. So you take the pill, then you take another pill to counteract the side effects of the first pill. But there IS another option: nutrition, acupuncture, spirituality, emotional work, changing your lifestyle. While their background differs—Suzy was brought up on green juices and vitamins, while Allison grew up eating the standard American diet—they are both passionate advocates of a plant-based diet. Are you following your dreams? If everyone

Relationships. They are complicated things. Have we put too much expectation onto marriage? People used to get married to carry on the family farm or form new family links. Now, thanks to fairytales and Disney, we expect some perfect thing, to be swept off our feet, to never argue. But in fact, it isn’t the long heart to hearts at 2am that keep a couple together, but rather those everyday moments—going shopping together, taking out the trash so that your partner doesn’t have to, holding each other’s hand during a movie. You need to learn your own love language. Perhaps because of all the expectations we place on marriage, divorce statistics are through the roof. Leanne Linsky is one of those statistics. Married at just 22 to her first serious boyfriend, Leanne found herself divorced three years later. A few years later, she followed the same pattern: married again, and divorced within a few years. She was crushed. But she was also determined that it would not be the end of her. After her second divorce, Lea

According to the stats, we’re eating on average two portions of fruits and vegetables a day…. And this includes ketchup and potato fries! Truth is, for optimum health, we need to be eating more like between 5 and 10. Sounds like a lot to chew? This is where blending comes in. You can throw it all in a blender and drink your veggies! Tarashaun always knew she wanted to work for herself. She began her entrepreneurial journey by selling jewelry on eBay. When she bought a high-power blender, she knew she had to share its magic with others. Smoothies, soups, ice cream, grinding grains—the versatility of this machine motivated Tarashaun to launch BlenderBabes and inspire people to make more than just smoothies. If you’re confused about blending, BlenderBabes is the site for you. She takes blenders through rigorous testing and offers honest reviews to help you choose your perfect kitchen companion. Tarashaun also has an incredible healing story to share. She overcame a decade of disordered eating and wants to shar

One in two people in the USA suffer from a chronic illness—365 million people. Amy Kurtz was one of them. She understands the loneliness that comes with a debilitating condition, and the frustration of going to doctor after doctor being offered nothing but pills. At 14, Amy’s life changed dramatically. She bent down to pick up a book, and felt a shooting pain up her spine. And this pain simply didn’t go away. For ten years, she took the heavy-duty pain killers and muscle relaxants she was prescribed. Then, at 25, during a trip abroad, she picked up a parasite that tipped her body’s balance completely. She gained 30 pounds in 30 days. She couldn’t keep any food down, and she couldn’t go to the bathroom. She was bedridden for a month. Specialists told her food allergies didn’t matter, and kept prescribing antibiotics and pills. Finally, a doctor told her that her colon would never work, and she might as well have it removed. This was rock bottom. But Amy didn’t give up. She knew she had to do something to hel

Self-improvement – once a women-centric activity, now more and more men are showing up in yoga class, in meditation and in holistic health. Justin Stenstrom is at the forefront of this exciting movement. Nine years ago, Justin went through a huge transformational period. He freed himself from depression anxiety and panic attacks, and began helping others overcome the same struggle. Elite Man Magazine was born. The website is a collection of advice for men, to help them gain confidence and become true gentlemen. His podcast interviews the best minds from the business, dating, health, fitness and social worlds. Depression is characterized by regret of the past; anxiety is fear of the future. Either way, you’re not in the present moment. The key to overcoming both these mental conditions is getting back to the now. Justin’s got nine simple steps to help you do just that: 1.    Realize you’re not going crazy. Depression happens to most of us at one time or another. 2.    Use a combination of hypnosis, meditati

Mel Bee became interested in nutrition after she overcame bulimia and depression in her early twenties. When she transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle she realized just how much food can contribute both to disease, and to wellbeing. After a decade of research into detoxing and holistic plant-based nutrition, she’s on a mission to spread the word. Leaving behind her 9 to 5, Mel got into freelance writing and set off traveling in an old VW campervan—with some funny tales to tell! As a detox coach, she helps women step into vibrant health by detoxing their cupboards and their minds from junk foods and junk thoughts. Speaking of rubbish foods, did you know that over 75% of “edible” products in supermarkets are considered “non-food” items – yep, they’re THAT processed. The situation seems better in Europe, but even there, junk foods and associated diseases like diabetes are on the rise. The dire food situation seems to be matched by the scary political and environmental issues we’re facing. So how do we deal w

Our guest today is vegan eco-entrepreneur Charlie Fyffe, founder of Charlie’s Brownies, an organic, ethical company that makes dairy-free, refined-sugar-free, gluten-free brownies Discover how Charlie followed his dreams, and how he helps others do the same. Our guest today has been an entrepreneur since his early teens. Always a wheeler-dealer, Charlie Fyffe would sell Gatorade and give car rides in high school to make extra money. Having always loved brownies, selling them seemed a natural progression, and Charlies Brownies was born. But seeing that some people couldn’t enjoy the brownies made Charlie want to create a product that was not only delicious, but healthy and ethical as well. Charlie’s Brownies now makes organic, gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, vegan cupcakes (and we tasted them – they will blow you away). Charlie’s even working on a lower GI version for diabetics. And what about “special” brownies? You’ll have to listen to the episode for our take on that! But Charlie does more than simply ma

People go vegan for different reasons. Some of us are drawn to a plant-based diet because of the health implications, some of us can’t stand the thought of the cruelty of industrial farming. Jessica was inspired to go vegan after a trip to Sea World. Realizing just how unhappy the dolphins were, Jessica knew she had to change her lifestyle. Tired of being sent to steak houses by the vegan apps she was using, Jessica began designing her own. When she saw how many vegan restaurants there were in LA, she had a brain wave: to gather them all together in a street fair and spread the vegan love to as many people as possible. Jessica’s mission is to plant a seed, and create more vegans by making plant-based food affordable and accessible. The Vegan Street Fair is in its 3rd year and this year will be bigger than ever—the best thing? It’s free, family friendly, and a fantastic way for you to try bite-sized portions of many different vegan delicacies. It can be tough to navigate our crazy world in a healthy and hol

Our first question is from Linda, who wants to know which green powders we recommend, and how to choose a high quality brand. Soils are over-farmed and the resulting fruits and vegetables don’t contain as many nutrients as they once did. Which means that, even if you eat a rainbow every day, you still need to supplement some essential nutrients. We would recommend Vitaforce. The founder and owner of the brand actually created this powder to heal her own body. Allison has been using it for years; it contains all the greens, vitamins and minerals you need, and it doesn’t taste like garbage. Our second question comes from Belle and was posted in our Facebook Group. Belle wants to know our thoughts on CBD. Is it a fad, or a healing tool? Suzy is involved in the green revolution currently occurring in California—CBD is definitely not a fad! CBD, or cannabidiol, is a non-psychoactive component of hemp, and it is very healing. CBD interacts with our own cannabidiol receptors and helps with pain management, insomnia

Tantra may be the “in” thing right now, but it is about so much more than just sex, though orgasms can be a perk! Tantra is not a collection of sexual positions; it is not the Karma Sutra. Rather, it is a way of life. In fact, the word Tantra means to weave, to expand consciousness. It’s more about holding space for your partner and listening than it is about contortionist bedroom acrobatics! Elise Carr, a former model and journalist, traded in her high heels to dive into sacred spirituality and sexuality. She’s now recognized as Australia’s best Empowerment Mentor. She even trained with the White Tigresses in the art of jade egg practices. Elise is a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Reiki Master and Esoteric Tantra Practitioner. She wants to encourage women to work with their yoni to reconnect with the sacred feminine, and release the shame that is so often associated with that part of our bodies. We carry so much negative energy around our yoni – we have forgotten the beauty that is there. It is time to o

Let’s face it, losing weight is tough. Making any kind of drastic lifestyle change can seem daunting and difficult. But the alternative is often scarier. Tim Kaufman was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a condition characterized by hyper mobile joints. His joints were so loose they would simply pop out of their sockets. After a failed operation to fix the issue, Tim became addicted to prescription pain medication. He was also addicted to food. Moving less and less, eating more and more, the weight piled on. He lost his lust for life, he was depressed, and used food and prescription drugs as an escape. After two close relatives passed away from cancer, Tim knew he had to do something. He applied for bariatric surgery. But his health was so bad that his doctor refused to sign it off. He had to take a different approach. He began making small changes. Cutting out red meat. Choosing lower-fat cheeses. Then one day, he watched Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. Before the credits rolled, he’d ordered a juicer. A 30

How can a billionaire, who lives in a penthouse, who has never had to work in his life, who has never had to choose between paying the rent and buying food, who has never had to think about how to pay for healthcare, be a man of the people? How can he possibly relate to the lives of normal Americans? How can a business man who bankrupted six of his businesses, and whose net worth would be superior had he simply put his inheritance in a bank, be classed as a great business brain? How can a man who’s made no bones about being sexist, and repeatedly made shockingly derogatory comments about women have had any kind of female following? How did he get voted in? He talks a good game, that’s how. His rhetoric was appealing to the masses, those who’d been underserved by previous administrations, those tired of the same old statements and lack of change. The “alternative” facts he sprinkled into his speeches, and the questionable “truths” his campaign manager shared probably also helped (incidentally, check out this

You could eat all the right things and exercise every day, but if your mind believes you’re sick, you will be. On the other hand, if you believe that you are healthy, you can heal anything. Just like Miracle Man Morris Goodman says: man becomes what he thinks. Khristee Rich fell ill when she was in college. She had chronic fatigue, brain fog, she was bed-ridden much of the time—she couldn’t work, go on dates, socialize, even write an email. But no one knew how to treat her. Doctors didn’t even believe she was ill, stating she was simply “depressed” and “stressed”. One doctor even told her she simply had to accept that she would be sick for the rest of her life. Khristee tried everything, from reiki to qi gong and acupressure, but nothing worked. Finally, she was diagnosed with heavy metal toxicity—with blood levels of mercury and lead so high she should have been paralyzed or brain damaged. Unwilling to go through potentially fatal medical chelation therapy, Khristee began researching natural chelators. Usi

It isn’t just the dorky kid at school who gets bullied; you could be beautiful, successful, grown up, and still have to deal with bullies—a toxic friend, an overbearing family member, an unreasonable boss. Drew Ryniewicz found that out early on. At just 14 she was propelled into the limelight on the X-Factor, and despite being gorgeous and talented, she quickly had to contend with cyber trolls from all over the globe, watching and judging her life. Drew followed her dream of becoming a musician despite the hardship, and came to realize that the bigger the dream, the bigger the ridicule that comes with it. She wanted to use that ridicule to empower her life, write music, become the artist she wanted to be, and prove the trolls wrong. For the last two years, she’s dedicated her life to the anti-bullying movement, and has become the face to Allstar Nation Tour, a music-based anti-bullying campaign. Drew shares her story to show other girls that they are not alone, and to help them see the beauty and potential t

Sage studied raw and superfood nutrition and traditional herbal systems.  He has worked with and trained under the world's leading master herbalists and nutrition and longevity experts around the world. He has developed products internationally and given lectures on peak performance nutrition in Australia, Bali, America and France.   Anna Blanca has lived and worked all over the world.  In her native Hungary she had the purest organic upbringing.  She learned about Eastern health practices while living in Japan and Bali and became familiar with Western alternative treatments and dietary disciplines during her time in Canada, Sweden and Switzerland. Together they are passionate about helping people live the ultimate life and create a better world. Being hailed as “Sex and the City for Food,” The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU! The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by All

Christian Evans is a trained chef and a weight loss blogger who lost 187 lbs in just ten months. For Christian, losing weight starts in the mind. It isn’t about diet, going to the gym, or someone else’s program. It’s about the way you think. His blog christiansweightsuccess.net offers solid and helpful advice to people embarking on their weight loss journey. Being hailed as “Sex and the City for Food,” The Food Heals Podcast brings together experts in the field of nutrition, health and healing to teach you the best-kept natural secrets to being a hotter, healthier, happier YOU! The Food Heals Podcast is hosted by Allison Melody and Suzy Hardy – two self-proclaimed natural chicks who will rock your world and change your beliefs about health! This sexy, savvy duo provides eco-friendly advice on a variety of issues including the healing power of nutrition, living authentically, turning your passion into your career, choosing the best natural health and beauty products, the benefits of a plant-based diet and s