212: Food Heals Q&A With Gorgeously Green’s Sophie Uliano and Sexy Fit Vegan Ella Magers - a podcast by Allison Melody

Today there’s a lot of blonde power in the recording studio! We’re asking two top health & wellness experts your burning health questions.

Sophie Uliano is a nutritionist, green beauty expert, and best-selling author of the Gorgeously Green series of books. She runs retreats and events that empower women to transform from the inside out and be the healthiest they can be. This blonde bombshell taught Julia Roberts and Oprah how to go green BEFORE green was cool. Check out previous episodes 178, 185 and 200 for Sophie’s story and more gorgeously green lifestyle tips.

Ella Magers was named one of Shape Magazine’s Top 50 Hottest Trainers in America, and we testify that she’s really hot - and vegan. She’s the author of Six Weeks to Sexy Abs, a book that will transform how you exercise for good. Vegan for 23 years, Ella runs online coaching programs helping people make the transition to a plant-based diet and healthy lifestyle. Check out episodes 97, 169 and 170 for Ella’s story.

1: How much exercise do we really need?

The latest scientific research says the optimum amount of exercise is 60 minutes a day. Sounds like a lot, but you don’t have to do it all in one go: you can break it up. If you’re busy, do 10 minutes kettlebell in the morning, throw in a bit of high speed walking at lunchtime, and a spot of yoga in the afternoon. Simply being active in your day to day soon adds up when it comes to fitness. Even tidying up can help you work up a sweat.

Consider your goals. If you’re focusing on long term health, lower impact exercise is a good choice. If you’re looking for fast results, go for high-intensity workouts. Ultimately, it’s about finding a balance between the two that works for you.

2: I like to drink a glass of wine every day. I’ve got a pretty healthy routine otherwise, but I just need that glass. Is it ok to have wine?

Be plant-powered, eat your greens, and enjoy that glass of wine guilt-free. Firstly, wine is packed with antioxidants, in moderation it’s practically a health food (check out Dr. Cabral’s episode where he shares the secrets to drinking healthily). When you deny yourself something you love, you end up compensating by binging on something else. It’s more important to listen to your body. Definitely don’t feel guilty, because guilt changes the molecular structure of our bodies. So pour yourself that glass of wine, and enjoy every sip.

3: What’s the deal with SPF? Is the sun giving us skin cancer or is it good for us? What are you best recommendations for healthy sunscreen?

The sun is not the devil. In fact, vitamin D is vital and you should get between 2000-5000 IU every day. A little bit of sunshine is ok (although definitely avoid the baby oil and the aluminum foil), but you need to be cautious and protect yourself from harmful rays. Our top tips:

• Wear a hat and non-toxic sunblock. You can make your own by mixing coconut oil and zinc oxide.
• Avoid conventional sunscreens, they’re packed with hormone-disrupting chemicals and don’t even work.
• Think about your diet. The more toxic you are, the more you’ll burn.

4: Colonics and enemas. Hype or healing tools?

There’s a ton of conflicting information out there. Some say it’s lifesaving, others say it might kill you. The truth is somewhere in between. As a short-term fix or to kickstart your healing journey, they can work miracles. In fact, many Food Heals guests have had positive experiences with them. But some say washing away your microbiome is a bad idea, and colonics shouldn’t be relied upon long-term.

If you eat clean and if you’re healthy, you don’t necessarily need colonics because you’re giving your digestive system everything it needs to function and support a healthy gut. The body is clever, it naturally detoxifies, and we can assist it in a gentle way by eating certain herbs and vegetables like cilantro, milk thistle and leafy greens.

5: What are the best green products for hair?

• Evolve H do a great starter kit for hair. Totally green non-toxic hair care.
• Bogavia do a delicious shampoo, conditioner and serum that really deliver.
• EO Products shampoos and conditioners are gluten-free, organic, and infused with essential oils that helps your hair grow.

6: How do you kick a Starbucks addiction?

If you’re trying to kick the coffee habit, you can try a matcha tea shot instead. It will really energize you without giving you the jitters. Or give Hiball a try, they give you a natural lift.

If it’s the take-out coffee habit you’re trying to shift, then look at it from an economic, health, and environment perspective. You can buy really good organic ethical tea or coffee, organic plant milk with no nasties added, make it at home and take it with you in a reusable cup… not only do you save money, but you avoid chemical-packed non-organic coffee and sugary milks (saving your health), and don’t contribute to the mountain of plasticized coffee cups polluting the oceans (saving the planet). When it comes to coffee with benefits, you can’t go wrong with Foursigmatic, instant coffee infused with medicinal mushrooms.

7: What are your thoughts on drinking aloe vera gel?

Aloe vera can be good for food poisoning because it flushes you out and helps the intestinal tract to heal. However, you need to use it with caution, because it can be powerful and some people are super sensitive to it. In small amounts it can be delicious, you can mix it with lemon and mint for a healthy healing lemonade. 

8: What are some tips to move out of food addiction and into a healthy relationship with our food?

The first thing to acknowledge is that food is just a symptom of disordered eating. The cause is deeper. So switching to veganism or vegetarianism doesn’t automatically cure food addiction. You need to begin by exploring what sits behind those behaviors. What are the thoughts and beliefs fueling your eating patterns? Ultimately, when we reconnect to self-love, and are mindful of what is driving us to crave another serving of ice-cream (vegan or not), we can step out of disordered eating and into a healthy relationship with food. 

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 so much more!

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