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What if supporting your immune system starts long before you feel like you're coming down with something? Building resilience isn't just about taking the right supplements. It also means getting honest with yourself about how you're managing stress. Tasha Rose, an herbalist and founder of her own wellness brand, believes in the incredible healing power of plants. Even though she has a cabinet filled with every imaginable adaptogen and herb, she understands firsthand that these remedies work best when the foundational habits are in place. She shares exactly how all these pieces come together to boost immunity and support overall health. We dive into the science and traditional wisdom behind adaptogens and how they help our bodies respond to stress. We also talk about navigating all the wellness noise and why learning to trust your intuition is one of the most valuable things you can do. In this episode, you'll learn How stress directly affects your body and your immunity The science behind adaptogens like holy basil and ashwagandha  Which herbs help build resilience and when to take them How sleep, sunshine, touching grass, and hydration complement plant medicine Ways to support your body through seasonal bugs and changing hormones Why you must listen to your body when it whispers, not wait until it screams Tune in for a fresh perspective on herbal medicine and practical ways to build resilience through both plants and everyday habits, Resources Mentioned: Nourish Your Nervous System with Adaptogens (Episode) Apothecary Reel Learn More about Tasha Rose: Website: Tasha Rose Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tasharose.herbalist/ Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the Food-Mood Bundle Special Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you ever stood in the grocery store aisle, staring at a wall of olive oil bottles, and wondered which one is actually worth buying? Most of us grew up hearing that olive oil is good for us. But what makes one bottle worth reaching for, and another barely better than a vegetable oil in disguise? The truth is, a lot of us have no idea what we're buying, how to taste it, or whether it even still has anything left to give us by the time it hits our pantry. Katina Mountanos, founder of Kosterina and olive oil sommelier, is on a mission to change the way we experience olive oil. She comes from a Greek family with roots in a small town in southern Greece, where her family has pressed olive oil from their own trees for generations. That upbringing is the foundation that led her to found Kosterina, a high-quality Mediterranean extra virgin olive oil and lifestyle brand. Katina shares how to read a label, what a harvest date is really telling you, the throat test that reveals whether your olive oil is still potent and alive, and why that peppery burn is a good thing. We also dive into how to cook with olive oil without fear, the rise of high-polyphenol olive oil shots, and how olive oil shows up in Katina's life well beyond the kitchen. In this episode, you'll learn: Why the harvest date matters more than the expiration date What kind of bottles protect the olive oil's quality and flavor What a cough after tasting olive oil really means (It's good!) The smoke point myth that's giving you the green light to cook with it The difference between a shot of olive oil and the oil on your plate Effective ways to use olive oil for skin and beauty rituals If there's one thing to take from this conversation, it's that choosing a high-quality extra virgin olive oil is one of the simplest ways to upgrade how your food tastes and how your body feels. Learn More About Katina Mountanos and Kosterina: Website: www.kosterina.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kosterina/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil Shots Extra Virgin Olive Oil Duo Olive Oil Skincare Substack: Extra Virgin Everything Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

For the first time in over 180 episodes, I'm doing something different. Instead of one story, I'm sharing 9 truths that have shaped how I think about health, food, and life. After 15 years in wellness, these are truths I've collected along the way. Some from my weekly farmers market ritual, some from difficult chapters and challenging conversations, and some from realizing I was making feeling good way harder than it needed to be. These are the words I personally live by, and they've changed how I eat, how I care for myself, and how I show up for the people I love. In this episode, you'll learn: Why being committed to your health and being consumed by it are not the same The one word shift that turns self-criticism into self-awareness Exactly how stress can rob your body of nutrients What your energy is begging you to notice The one small change at mealtime that can help you feel satisfied Why joy is anti-inflammatory and how it nourishes your cells and your soul These 9 truths are not meant to be another set of rules to follow. They're words to help you create more ease and guide you when life gets loud. Resources Mentioned: Why Nonna Maxxing Is the Secret to a Happier Life (Episode) What the Seasons Can Teach You About How to Live (Episode) What We've Been Getting Wrong About Wellness (Episode) What Happens When You Bring Stress to the Table (Episode) The Food-Mood Bundle ($15 special offer!!) Elise's Favorite Matcha code ELISEMUSELES Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

What if we're not supposed to feel the same way all year round? We expect ourselves to have the same energy, motivation, productivity, social capacity, and desire all twelve months of the year. But nothing in nature is constant, yet we somehow believe that we need to show up the same way in January that we do in July. After years of shopping at my local farmers market and watching the produce and flowers change every few months, I started realizing that the farmers market was teaching me something bigger that went well beyond the food on my plate: Each season is an invitation to show up a little differently. Living seasonally can help you feel more at ease, less burned out, and more aligned in your day-to-day life.   In this episode you'll learn: Why fall's reminder to let go can help you make space for what's next The kind of rest winter actually asks for (it's not what you think) How to allow spring energy fuel your creativity and desire What your body craves for summer and how to tap into the energy The secret season that makes sense of that in between feeling Nature's biggest lesson about blooming all year long When you start paying attention to the seasons around you, you begin to notice what the natural world is asking of you, and what your own body, energy, and life are asking too.   Resources Mentioned: What We've Been Getting Wrong About Wellness (Episode) Why Flower Therapy Is Real (Episode) The Food-Mood Bundle (Good deal: $15 special offer!!) Rise & Shine is back! Work 1:1 with Elise (discount automatically applied)   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Want to feel calmer, happier, and more focused? Buy yourself some fresh flowers! It may sound way too simple, but flowers aren't just pretty, they're powerful. I call it flower therapy and in this solo episode, I dive into what the science actually says and how you can bring a little bit of this flower joy into your life, even if you consider flowers indulgent or extra. Over the years, flowers have become a central part of my life because of the positive effect they have on me. I share my own personal experience and the research behind why a bunch of flowers on your counter can shift your mood, lower your stress (yes I'm talking cortisol levels), sharpen your brain, and change the energy in your home. Because they feel so nourishing, I started referring to flowers as Vitamin F.   In this episode you'll learn: Why this simple ritual is one of the easiest ways to shift how you feel How flowers impact your nervous system and lower cortisol A budget-friendly approach to enriching your life with flowers Which flowers are best for sleep, energy, or grief Fun ideas to eat your flowers Practical tips to make flowers last all week Consider this your permission to bring more flowers into your life. Your mind and body will thank you.   Resources Mentioned: Why Nonna Maxxing Is the Secret to a Happier Life (Episode) The Food-Mood Bundle ($15 special offer!!) Elise's Favorite Matcha code ELISEMUSELES Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Every day there seems to be a new headline, a new chemical, a new pesticide, a new ingredient, or a new reason why you should be worried about something in your food. Suddenly eating, something that should be one of the most natural and nourishing parts of our lives, starts to feel stressful. Some of these concerns are legitimate. We should care about how our food is grown, the ingredients we consume, and the systems that shape what ends up on our plates. But when all of this information turns into fear and anxiety, it can affect our health in a different way. I share how to stay informed without becoming consumed and how to make thoughtful choices without feeling like every bite requires research or every decision carries the possibility that you got it wrong. In this episode you'll learn: What food fear is and how it can impact your everyday choices How to discern between diligence and fear The four questions to make informed choices without spiraling Ways to care about your health without losing the joy of eating Why stress around food matters just as much as the choices you make This isn't about ignoring concerns or pretending everything about our food system is fine. It's about finding a more balanced way to navigate the information, make choices with confidence, and reframe your approach to food fear.   Supportive Resources: EWG's Guide to Washing Produce FRESHFARM website: www.freshfarm.org Embrace Your Confidence Style and Joy in Midlife Reduce Toxic Exposure at Home Without the Overwhelm What We've Been Getting Wrong About Wellness The Food-Mood Bundle ($15 special offer!!) Elise's Favorite Matcha code ELISEMUSELES Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you seen the videos? A grandmother kneading dough in golden afternoon light, no phone in sight, somehow living better than every biohacker on your feed. I got a little intrigued by it too. It's called Nonna Maxxing, and on the surface it looks like a trend about homemade sourdough, long lunches, and slowing down. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized it has nothing to do with Italy, or grandmothers, or even slowness. It's about connection, permission, and joy. Nonna Maxxing invites you to be present instead of performing, to let a meal matter, to stop treating your own life like something to optimize. This solo episode goes past the aesthetic and gets into what Nonna Maxxing can look like in your life, no matter how busy you are. Most of us crave the kind of spaciousness a Nonna-inspired life represents, and I share exactly why it's resonating so widely right now.   In this episode, you'll learn: The real reason "Nonna Maxxing" is resonating, and why it has nothing to do with Italy Why doing everything "right" for your health might be the exact thing keeping you from feeling good The invisible habits turning your meals into a stress response, and the easy fix for both Simple ways to create joy, stillness, and connection without overhauling your life One five minute practice you can make today that will change your energy So let Nonna influence you today, whether that's a phone-free meal, a quiet walk, or just five minutes of doing nothing at all.   Resources Mentioned (may contain affiliate links): What We've Been Getting Wrong About Wellness (Episode) What Happens When You Bring Stress to the Table (Episode) Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half The Food-Mood Bundle Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% off for podcast listeners) Elise's go-to matcha (code ELISEMUSELES for a discount)   Learn More about Elise Museles: Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Cooking at home can be stressful, especially when you're tired, standing in the kitchen, and not sure what to make. In those moments, it's easy to feel stuck before you even start. Serena Wolf, a classically trained Le Cordon Bleu chef, bestselling author, and culinary instructor, believes cooking should be fun, flexible, and enjoyable. She encourages home cooks to think of recipes as invitations, not rigid rules. As the author of the new book You Do You, Serena is on a mission to help you build confidence in the kitchen, which ultimately leads to trusting your culinary intuition.   In this episode, you'll learn: How to make ingredient swaps without second-guessing yourself Simple ways to build confidence in the kitchen Why there are no "stupid questions" when you're learning to cook How letting go of perfection brings more ease and enjoyment into cooking The reason small joys can lift your mood  A surprisingly easy way to get more organized and reduce stress You'll feel empowered to let go of pressure, build trust in yourself, and find a more joyful way to cook and eat.   Learn More about Serena Wolf: You Do You The Dude Diet Website: serenagwolf.com Blog: domesticate-me.com Instagram: @serenagwolf   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles

What if everything you're doing to take care of yourself is preparing you for something bigger? We usually think of wellness through a personal lens – the food, the routines, the healthy rituals. But what if those practices aren't just about feeling better? What if they're giving us the capacity to engage more deeply with the world around us? Amy Ippoliti is a yoga teacher, author, and advocate for human and planetary health, who believes that caring for ourselves is essential, but it's not the final destination. Amy pushes back on a wellness culture that tells us to retreat, protect our peace, and tune out the chaos. For her, taking care of yourself isn't about checking out. It's what builds the resilience and clarity to stay present to the people and the planet that need you. In this episode, you'll learn: How yoga can help you become more self-aware and connected to your body Why knowing where your food comes from is key for optimal health The connection between soil health, nutrient density, and how you feel Simple ways to make fresh food more accessible Why community is one of the most underrated forms of wellness This conversation is a powerful reminder that how you care for yourself shapes how you care for the world.   Learn More about Amy Ippoliti: Website: amyippoliti.com Instagram: @amyippoliti The Art and Business of Teaching Yoga Substack: amyippoliti.substack.com   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you ever hit a moment in midlife where you looked in the mirror, or made a decision, or got dressed and thought, is this even me anymore? So many women are navigating that exact feeling right now. The body changes. The shifting confidence. The noise around food, health, beauty, and what you're supposed to look like and feel like at this stage of life. It's a lot. Lauren Dimet Waters has built an entire platform for women over 50 who refuse to age quietly, and she does it with honesty, humor, and a zero-tolerance policy for BS. As the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Fountain of 30, she helps women move through this chapter in life with confidence, a strong sense of style, and permission to finally be who they're meant to be without apology. In this episode, you'll learn: How to filter the fearmongering around food and wellness Why finding your own style is more confidence-boosting than chasing trends The secret to building a closet that fits who you are right now Why socializing is one of the most powerful and underused health tools in midlife The one thing you need to make midlife feel easier and more fun This conversation will give you a whole new lens for seeing midlife not as a decline, but as the chapter where you stop shrinking and start showing up as your most joyful, confident self.   Resources Mentioned: Rewrite Your Food, Fashion, and Beauty Story Your Midlife Food Story: What's Changed and What Matters   Learn More about Lauren Dimet Waters: Website: https://www.fountainof30.com/ Instagram: @fountainof30 Podcast: Beauty Is a Bitch   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you ever found yourself down a late night rabbit hole, adding something to your cart that promised to fix everything? It's never been easier to reach for the supplement, the protocol, the skincare your favorite influencer is praising. We're living in the most exciting time in wellness history. Peptide stacks, CGMs, red light therapy, cold plunges, biohacking tools… and a $6.8 trillion industry that keeps growing. Some of these innovations can genuinely improve our health and our lives. But somewhere in the middle of all this innovation and optimization, we started skipping steps. And I think we've lost the plot. No supplement stack can out-supplement poor sleep. No peptide replaces a meal made from real food. No gadget rewires a nervous system that's running on chronic stress and negative self-talk. You cannot build anything lasting on a shaky foundation. You need the fundamentals, the basics that will actually move the needle. In this episode, you'll learn: How your inner narrative directly impacts digestion and nutrient absorption The unglamorous habit that outperforms most cleanses, detoxes, and supplements Why one simple morning habit can improve your sleep A fun way to nourish every cell in your body The mindset shift that makes movement feel natural, not forced The two "essential nutrients" that can elevate your quality of life When the foundations are solid, everything else works better. Including all the latest wellness biohacks and innovations.   Resources Mentioned: Shift Your Inner Narrative Stress Less While Eating  More on 30 plants a week study Advanced Sleep Tips Walk Your Way to Clarity and Calm  EWG website: www.ewg.org Elise's favorite water bottle recommendation (non-plastic)   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Have you ever thought about what's happening behind the scenes at a restaurant before your meal arrives at the table? Even if you prioritize organic, local, or farm-to-table, there's another layer most of us aren't seeing. The hidden ingredient? Plastic. Johanna Hellrigl, chef, restaurateur, and sustainability advocate is on a mission to reduce invisible plastic exposure inside restaurant kitchens, from packaging to storage to the everyday tools that touch your food long before it reaches your plate. As Johanna shares, this isn't just an environmental health issue, it's also a human health issue. And as someone who believes food should be sourced, prepared, and enjoyed with love, she sees limiting plastic as part of that same commitment. In this episode, you'll learn: Where plastic is hiding in restaurant kitchens and why it matters for your health The specific conditions that make plastic exposure most harmful How to infuse your food with good energy, even at home One simple habit shift to reduce microplastics and chemical exposure Ways to dine out more consciously without losing the joy of it A powerful exercise to help you trust your intuition and take care of your health This conversation will change the way you think about restaurant meals and give you the awareness and tools to enjoy eating out more intentionally.   Resources Mentioned: Tiny Health Microbiome Test Stainless steel blender container Dr. Robynne Chutkan Gut Health Episode The Plastic Detox To-Go Cups EWG Tap Water Database   Learn More about Johanna Hellrigl: TEDx Talk: The Plastic You Eat Website: amaresturant.bar Instagram: @chefjohannahellrigl Ama Instagram: @amarestaurant.bar   Learn More about Elise Museles: Rise & Shine Coaching Program (50% discount for podcast listeners) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

We're living in a time where there's more information than ever about what's in our food, our products, and our homes…and instead of feeling empowered, it can be overwhelming, confusing, and even anxiety-inducing. As the Chief Impact Officer at Ritual and author of the new book, Cleaning House, Lindsay Dahl believes that it's not about eliminating every possible exposure, but about becoming more informed and more intentional – without fear driving the process. From decades of experience in environmental health, Lindsay shares a pragmatic approach to navigating a world filled with information and misinformation when it comes to chemical safety and reducing our everyday exposures.  She offers a refreshing perspective that moves away from fearmongering and toward informed, practical action.  In this episode, you'll learn: How to think about your home environment, room by room One simple thing you can do to support systemic change in environmental health Ways to reduce toxic exposure without trying to control everything What to know about supplement safety, sourcing, and transparency Why you can't shop your way to safety – and what to do instead If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the information or stuck in a punitive relationship with exercise, this episode will help you reframe movement in a more expansive and empowering way. This is a conversation about nuance, trade-offs, and finding a more grounded, sustainable way to care for your health.   Resources Mentioned: Ritual Supplements EWG Verified     Learn More about Lindsay Dahl: Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals Website: https://lindsaydahl.com/ Instagram: @Lindsay_Dahl Substack: https://lindsaydahl.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-dahl/   Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the  Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Ever sit down to eat and realize you're distracted, rushing, or already thinking about the next thing instead of the food in front of you? That's stress taking a seat at the table, and it's quietly impacting your digestion, your metabolism, and your ability to enjoy your food. Even though I've been teaching and sharing about this for over a decade, I recently had a firsthand reminder of how stress can sneak into meals and have real consequences. Stress can show up in many ways – from multitasking while eating, rushing from one thing to the next, overthinking food choices, or running through that constant inner dialogue about whether you're "doing it right." The good news is that you can shift your physiology and get the most from your meals. I dive into simple and practical ways to move out of that stressed state so your body can "rest and digest", allowing your food to be more nourishing, satisfying, and energizing. In this episode, you'll learn: What stress does to your body while eating The subtle ways stress shows up at your table (that you might not even notice) How overthinking food choices and trying to optimize every bite can backfire The negative impact of multitasking while eating (and what to do instead) Simple shifts to support your nervous system and improve digestion  You'll feel empowered to leave stress behind and sit down to eat in a much more relaxed state of mind. Supportive Resources: Calm Your Nervous System and Find Inner Peace Walk Your Way to Energy, Clarity, and Calm The Food-Mood Bundle ($15 special offer!!) Learn More about Elise Museles: Work 1:1 with Elise (get 50% off with code FOODSTORY) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You, Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles

Has movement become just another task on your to-do list? Get your steps in. Lift the weights. Stretch before bed. But what if movement could be more than a box to tick. What if it could energize you, spark joy, and set you up for a better tomorrow? Lara Heimann is a physical therapist, yoga teacher, movement educator, and founder of the LYT Method™, who helps thousands of people rethink what movement really means. Instead of seeing it as punishment or performance, she shows how it can help you understand your body, build a strong foundation, and support your energy, mindset, and daily life. In this episode, you'll learn: Why pain is feedback and how to use it to move smarter How a strong foundation transforms everything you do physically and mentally Quick "movement snacks" that boost energy and focus in minutes Why novelty in movement literally grows your brain and keeps you engaged Simple strategies for stronger, healthier bones How curiosity and compassion turn movement into a feel-good practice   If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the information or stuck in a punitive relationship with exercise, this episode will help you reframe movement in a more expansive and empowering way.   Learn More about Lara Heimann: Website: practice.lytyoga.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lytyogamethod Lara's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lara.heimann Redefining Movement Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redefining-movement/id1440053459 Get 5 weeks of The LYT Daily for $5 using code MOVEBETTER: lytyoga.com   Learn More about Elise Museles: Get the  Food-Mood Bundle Special Podcast Listener Offer (just $15) Food Story: Rewrite the Way You Eat, Think, and Live Website: elisemuseles.com Instagram: @elisemuseles Facebook: @elisemuseles