The Primal Kitchen Podcast (general)

Elle Russ chats with Diana Keuilian - the author of the best selling cookbooks The Recipe Hacker and Recipe Hacker Confidential. She's passionate about removing the gluten, dairy, soy, grains, and cane sugar from traditional comfort food recipes like cake, tacos, cookies, waffles, and enchiladas. You can visit her popular blog RealHealthyRecipes.com, where she shares hundreds of delicious recipes with mouthwatering photos.

Direct download: Ep_185_PrimalBlueprint_DianaKeuilian_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Mark Sisson chats with Elle Russ about her book The Paleo Thyroid Solution -  Elle also gives some recent updates on her personal thyroid healing journey. The Paleo Thyroid Solution dispels outdated, conventional thyroid wisdom still practiced by uninformed doctors, and provides the in-depth guidance necessary to solve hypothyroidism, achieve vibrant health, and optimize thyroid fat-burning hormone metabolism. Over 200 million people worldwide and over 25 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, but 60% are undiagnosed and unaware of their condition. Undiagnosed or mistreated hypothyroidism can put people at risk for serious conditions, such as: depression, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, gynecological issues (infertility/miscarriages/fibroids/PCOS etc.), hormonal imbalances, adrenal fatigue, anemia, and other diseases. The Paleo Thyroid Solution provides the only lifestyle and weight loss plan specifically targeted for maximizing thyroid hormone metabolism in harmony with paleo/primal/ancestral health principles.

Elle Russ is a writer, coach and host of the Primal Blueprint Podcast. She is becoming the leading voice of thyroid health in the burgeoning Paleo, Primal, Ancestral Health movements. Originally from downtown Chicago, Elle lives and plays in Malibu, CA. You can learn more about her at elleruss.com. Elle wrote The Paleo Thyroid Solution after consulting with over two dozen endocrinologists, internal medicine specialists, and general practice MDs...but her thyroid condition was only getting worse - and nothing from doctors resembled a solution, or even hope. Exasperated and desperate, Elle took control of her own health and resolved two severe bouts of hypothyroidism on her own – including an acute Reverse T3 problem. Through a devoted paleo/primal lifestyle, intensive personal experimentation, and a radically modified approach to thyroid hormone replacement therapy…Elle went from fat, foggy, and fatigued – to fit, focused, and full of life!

Direct download: Ep_184_PrimalBlueprint_ElleRussMarkSisson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

I’ve taken up the subject of adaptogens over the last several weeks, and today I’m wrapping it up with two of my favorites: Rhodiola rosea and Bacopa monnieri.

Primal aficionados from way back will know that I’m a big fan of Rhodiola rosea. It’s an integral component of one of the original Primal Blueprint supplements, Primal Calm. It’s a formula I put together for my own needs and eventually decided to offer in the supplement line. (That seems to be how I come up with things, I suppose….) I’ve written in the past about stress being one of the issues I’m still working on in my Primal life, and adaptogens have been a useful tool I’ve employed. Living with an ancestral template doesn’t preclude being scientifically resourceful. 

But let’s dig into these final two players….

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

 

 

Direct download: MDA-Aug292017-TwoFinalAdaptogensRhodiolaRoseaAndBacopaMonnieri.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Keto is fantastic, everyone says. It’s a great way to lose weight, improve cognition, and stave off degenerative disease. It may help your performance in the gym and on the track. It could even give Grandpa some respite from Alzheimer’s.

But it’s hell on your thyroid. Right?

Keto detractors and proponents alike often warn that remaining in ketosis will tank your thyroid. The thyroid’s an important gland, exerting major influence over essential systems like fertility, energy, metabolism, body temperature regulation, blood lipids, and general wellness. It controls the metabolic rate of every organ in the body. We want it working well, so this is a major blow to keto—if the criticism holds true. Fortunately, there’s much more to this story.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug232017-IsKetoBadForTheThyroid.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Elizabeth Baldwin-Lodge about her new book, Simple Suggestions to Nourish the Mind, Body, and Spirit - a guide to help readers feel happy every day. Baldwin-Lodge offers insights into nourishing knowledge and inspiration, and provides activities to enhance thought and feelings of joy. Baldwin-Lodge was inspired to write the book after two failed celebrity marriages. She explains, “The first marriage was to one of the famous Baldwin brothers and the second marriage was to one of the sons of, the famous rock and roll band, The Moody Blues.” While seemingly having everything, Baldwin-Lodge felt a void in her life. It was not until she found happiness within herself, by changing her thoughts through the art of simple suggestion, that she understood the process that happiness comes from. In the book, Baldwin-Lodge shares the tools she used to help guide herself toward a feeling of well-being when she was trapped in negative thought patterns.

Elizabeth Baldwin-Lodge is an actress, interior designer and family-proclaimed fabulous chef. Baldwin-Lodge achieved her childhood dream of moving to Hollywood and becoming an actress. Her television and film credits include “Days of Our Lives,” “The Hogan Family,” “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Mike Hammer Private Eye” and “Watercolor Postcards.” Baldwin-Lodge also designs residential interiors and was voted one of the Design Minds of the Year in 2010. She has received several other design awards of distinction. Elizabeth Baldwin-Lodge received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Theater Arts from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California.

Direct download: Ep_183_PrimalBlueprint_ElizabethLodge.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

There are some who hold the view that at birth, each of us is allotted a finite supply of energy which exercise depletes, thus hastening our demise. An intense regimen like CrossFit, in this paradigm, would hasten a person’s demise.

That’s wrong, of course. Those who remain sedentary their entire lives often have short, miserable ones, while regular exercisers enjoy better health throughout their time on earth. Exercise has real potential to prolong life and compress morbidity. But it is a major stressor that, if applied incorrectly or excessively, can reduce health and overall wellness.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug172017-CrossfitForHealthAndLongevity.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:41pm PDT

The article doesn’t come to a neat conclusion. There’s no prescription at the end. It meanders. It explores. It’s messy. I think that’s exactly how most people feel when trying to tackle this diet/health/bodyweight/eating thing: confused, lost, conflicted, overwhelmed.Go look at the comment section from the article, and you’ll see that pretty much everyone got something different from it.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug162017-_IsThereAProblemWithWeightLossCulture.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Ben Greenfield - a biohacker, human body and brain performance coach, ex-bodybuilder, Ironman triathlete, professional Spartan athlete, anti-aging consultant, speaker and author of the New York Times Bestseller Beyond Training: Mastering Endurance, Health and Life and creator of the Christian Gratitude Journal. In 2008, Ben was voted as NSCA’s Personal Trainer of the year, in 2013 and 2014 was named by Greatist as one of the top 100 Most Influential People In Health And Fitness, and Ben's articles, podcast and videos reach over a million unique views each month.

Direct download: Ep_182_PrimalBlueprint_BenGreenfield.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

I’ve covered a number of adaptogens over the past few months including American and Asian ginsengashwagandha, astragalus, and holy basil—and for good reason. They offer an effective means to combat stress as well as boost health and performance from a number of angles. I’ve enjoyed experimenting with many of them and even use some on a regular basis. 

I thought I’d continue the series with a look at 3 additional adaptogens: maca, sea buckthorn, and schisandra. See what you think.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug152017-AdaptogensMacaRootSeaBuckthornOilSchisandra.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Exercise is a major stressor. But it’s a major acute stressor, rather than a chronic one. It hits us, then it’s over, and we recover. When the next session rolls around, we’re better/faster/stronger/fitter. We adapt. At least, that’s how exercise is supposed to go if you have enough buffer time between sessions. Most people do provide enough buffer time between their exercise sessions to promote recovery. Many provide too much, leading to detraining.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug092017-CrossfitTrainingHowGoingPrimalWillEnhanceRecovery.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:42pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Primal Endurance Podcast host Brad Kearns for the second part of the Primal Endurance Online Mastery course discussion about how Primal-style eating integrates into endurance training goals. Becoming fat adapted through dietary transformation can actually make you a faster endurance athlete, by improving your ability to burn stored fat for energy. Eating a high carbohydrate diet and training in chronic patterns can make you overstressed, inflamed, and carrying excess body fat despite devoted attention to training. What's more, the traditional "struggle and suffer" approach to endurance training can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease! Even if you are walking around as a fit and ripped specimen, bad things happen inside your body when you are in the carbohydrate dependency training paradigm. Slow down your cardio workouts, ditch grains, sugars, and refined vegetable oils. All these topics and more are carefully organized in the Primal Endurance online course to give you the most comprehensive education on endurance training ever created. Check it all out at primalendurance.fit (including the introductory discount and special bonus offer).

Direct download: Ep_181_PrimalBlueprint_BradKearns_pt2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

I’ve been writing about bone broth for a long time. I’ve been drinking it even longer. I’m not sure you can get anything much more primal than a heap of bones cooked for hours into rich, gelatinous glory. Ritual and taste aside, however, I count quality bone broth as an important supplemental food. The copious health benefits are simply too substantial to pass up.

Some of you, I know, are bone broth fans—a few even connoisseurs. You’ve been making your own for decades, maybe with recipes you learned in your grandparents’ kitchen. But what does the average Primal type need to know about bone broth? What goes into making it? What are the distinct health advantages? Are there risks or downsides? What are the alternatives? Finally, what about some recipes? I’m glad you asked….

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug2017-TheDefinitiveGuideToBoneBroth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:34pm PDT

Gaining mass and building strength while CrossFitting should be a breeze. You’re lifting heavy things using compound full-body movements like squats, deadlifts, and presses, providing a potent growth stimulus to your muscles. Yet, many people fall short of their goals, perhaps losing weight and improving performance but failing to really gain any real muscle or strength.

Today, I’m going to explain how going Primal can help you achieve both goals.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Aug012017-CrossFitTrainingHowToAddMassAndBuildStrengthWithPrimal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:22pm PDT

Primal Blueprint Podcast hostess Elle Russ joins Primal Endurance Podcast host Brad Kearns in Malibu to discuss the release of the long-awaited Primal Endurance Online Mastery Course. This ambitious project is a comprehensive multimedia educational experience that essentially brings the book Primal Endurance to life through videos, eBooks and audio presentations. In this part 1 podcast, Brad and Elle discuss the importance of slowing down to develop an aerobic base and avoiding overstress patterns; the importance of an intuitive approach, instead of a robotic, regimented approach; and how an evolved and pure approach to endurance goals can carry over into peak performance and happiness in all other areas of life. Brad's online course features over 120 videos covering every aspect of the book content as well as in-depth interviews with many of the world's leading endurance athletes, coaches, and scientific and medical experts. All these topics and more are carefully organized in the Primal Endurance online course to give you the most comprehensive education on endurance training ever created. Check it all out at primalendurance.fit (including the introductory discount and special bonus offer).

Direct download: Ep_180_PrimalBlueprint_BradKearns_pt1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

CrossFit is well-known for leaning people out. But there’s also a small but significant portion of people who struggle to lose body fat despite—or perhaps because of—hitting the box religiously and doing all the workouts. This post is for them.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul272017-CrossFitTrainingHowToLoseFatWithPrimal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

My friend, former co-competitor, business partner, and writing buddy Brad Kearns had been on a “Quantified Self” kick, tracking biomarkers, testing blood sugar and ketone levels, and staying abreast of all the various ways we can quantitatively check our progress. He’s months into a ketogenic experiment and had hoped to marry his subjective impressions to objective measurements to strengthen his intuition and improve his results.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul262017-StopObsessingOverTheNumbers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:17am PDT

Thor Conklin is an Entrepreneur, Profitability Consultant and host of his daily podcast, Peak Performers Podcast. 2017 marks his 17th year as an entrepreneur. The first company Thor created was a global risk management consulting firm that served the private equity community. His top 15 clients had a combined revenue of $12.7 billion USD and operated in over 100 countries worldwide. Thor has started, bought and sold several multi-million dollar businesses making him a sought after, cross-industrial resource for entrepreneurs and executives in all stages of business. Thor lives a Paleo lifestyle and believes achieving optimum health is a critical co-factor in business success and becoming a Peak Performer.

Thor has a talent for slicing through the noise of every day distractions and bringing his clients and audiences intellectual commodities like his: “Ultimate Success Map”, a simplistic, easy-to- follow guide for individuals who need to break through to the next level of achievement. Thor’s gritty, no nonsense and direct approach uncovers the real truth about what is holding people and organizations back from realizing their full potential. He can illuminate even the most successful and confident leader’s limiting beliefs. He is known as the Accountability & Execution Guy. Through his latest venture, Peak Performance Group, he teaches the tools, tips, tricks, psychology and strategies necessary to be a Peak Performer. He qualifies the psychology of success in one word: “Execution”! “Nothing you’ve learned matters – unless you can EXECUTE”!

Direct download: Ep_179_PrimalBlueprint_ThorConkiln_pt1.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Our goal, then, is to improve our microbiological real estate in the many areas of the body that commensal and symbiotic bacterial like to put down roots—the gutmouth, lungs, skin, reproductive organs, and so on. The average Primal enthusiast is well-versed with the role of food choices and smart supplementation (although research is always uncovering new wrinkles—more on this to come). 

I thought I’d give a little attention to some of the other basic practices that can influence microbial diversity and homeostasis. There are more answers and nuances than I can cover today, but let’s start with some of the fundamentals.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul252017-5NonDietaryFactorsThatInfluenceYourMicrobiome.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Over the past two posts in this series, I’ve explained how a Primal way of eating can not only support a heavy CrossFit schedule, but elevate it. Today, I’m going to explain how going Primal can help fix a common complaint among CrossFitters: fatigue. No energy. No pep. A distinct lack of physical and psychological motivation to train, let alone hit PRs. This doesn’t just make it hard to finish workouts and make gains. It bleeds into the rest of your life and makes that worse, too.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

 

Direct download: MDA-Jul202017-CrossFitsCriticismsHowDoIKeepEnergyLevelsHighOnPrimal.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:19am PDT

I’ve gotten a lot of requests for a post about children’s nutrition, so it’s long overdue. When it comes down to brass tacks, kids really are just small people. They aren’t a different species. They use the same nutrients their parents do. They need protein, fat, and glucose just like us. So in that sense, feeding kids is simple: Give them all the nutritious foods you already eat and know to be healthy.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul192017-TheDefinitiveGuideToChildrensNutrition.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Aarn Farmer has been a frugal blogger for over seven years at GroceryShopforFREE.com and GroceryShopforFREEatTheMart.com. At 40 years old he was over 400 lbs, had a blood pressure of 200/160 and was diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome. His wife was also more than 100 lbs overweight and had Type II Diabetes. As he looked for a way to get his health under control, he found out that weight loss was primarily controlled by hormones and not calorie restriction as he previously thought.  After more than two years of a low carb diet, followed by a ketogenic diet, Aarn has lost over 175 lbs, dramatically lowered his blood pressure, and no longer has Metabolic Syndrome. His wife has also lost over 100 lbs and no longer has Type II Diabetes.

Aarn shares his story at MySugarFreeJourney.com where he blogs about how insulin is the main hormone responsible for weight gain and teaches how to eat a healthy diet while being frugal.

Direct download: Ep_178_PrimalBlueprint_AarnFarmer_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

First off, let’s settle one thing right away. Grilling is not the same as barbecuing. Barbecue means big cuts of meat cooked low and slow. Depending on the animal, it can be an all-day affair with hours of preparation and plenty of leisure. In other words, it’s an actual event. With the time and labor intensity, barbecuing (as Michael Pollan put it so well recently) is the stuff of primal ritual, the site of social cohesion in our evolutionary story. Grilling, on the other hand, offers the smoke and fire experience without the bigger doings. While not as idyllic a prospect, it’s convenient. It means throwing a steak on the grill after work and eating it 20 minutes later. That’s the beauty of grilling. It’s relatively quick, requires very little clean up, and let’s you kick back outdoors while cooking dinner.

 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul182017-8PrimalGrillingTipsAndTechniques.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Considering how essential bones are to our existence, it’s surprising how most people take them for granted. A lifetime of neglect can suddenly reveal to us just how sensitive and integral this living framework is. Yet, there’s so much more to this truth than we commonly assume. 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul122017-NeedToKnowFactorsForBoneHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:31am PDT

Elle Russ Chats with Loretta Breuning, PhD - Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute, which helps people manage the brain chemicals we’ve inherited from our earliest ancestors. She's author of Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain your brain to boost your serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphin levels, and The Science of Positivity: Stop Negative Thought Patterns By Changing Your Brain Chemistry.  She’s Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay - and the mother of tax-paying adults.

Direct download: Ep_177_PrimalBlueprint_LorettaBreuning.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

By far the single most common criticism levied against paleo by CrossFitters is that it’s too damn difficult to eat enough carbs to maintain performance during workouts. There is definitely truth there.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul062017-CrossFitsCriticism.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Conventional wisdom teaches us to accept our fate when it comes to hair loss. “Runs in the family,” we’re often told—and sometimes it does (but that’s usually not the full story). “It’s just part of getting older,” people say, too—and there we again find only partial truth at best.

But the Primal path is one of thoughtful scrutiny, not blind acceptance. While most people would file hair loss under aesthetic concerns (ranging from neutral to negative depending on social norms and personal views), it’s not always that innocuous. Let’s look today the bigger picture behind hair loss and the situations in which it signifies a genuine health concern.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

 

Direct download: MDA-Jul042017-HairLoss.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:24pm PDT

Back when they were infants, CrossFit and paleo were the best of friends. Robb Wolf was giving CrossFit nutrition seminars. CF boxes were running paleo challenges and offering meal plans to clients. Tens of thousands of people were introduced to paleo through CrossFit and CrossFit through paleo.

Over time, however, they drifted apart. CrossFit met and fell in with the Zone Diet—a calm, well-mannered lad with impeccable balance, and paleo’s dad got a job in another city. They ended up going to different schools. These things happen. It’s fine. Both CrossFit and paleo are better versions of themselves for having met each other.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jul052017-AreCrossfitAndPrimalCompatible.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Mark Sisson chats with Derek Flanzraich—an entrepreneur on a mission to give everyone a "healthyish" attitude. He is the CEO & Founder of Greatist, a next-generation media startup working to make healthy living cool and build a truly trusted consumer-facing healthy living brand. Greatist reaches more than 10 million unique visitors per month.  Flanzraich was previously with Clicker.com (acquired by CBS) and NBC Universal's Digital Entertainment Strategy & Operations, graduated from Harvard, and has been building brands and organizations that last since his dog-walking business at 10 years old. Besides everything health and wellness, he also loves theme parks and theme bars.

Direct download: Ep_176_PrimalBlueprint_DerekFlanzraich.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Last week I waded into the adaptogen theme, examining the many ins and not-so-many outs of American and Asian ginseng. It got me thinking—why not keep the ball rolling? The ginseng varieties I mentioned are only two among many adaptogens after all.

Let’s dive right in and take up three additional adaptogen choices—along with some additional suggestions for discerning the safest and most potent formulations. 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun292017-MoreOnAdaptogens.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

I was beginning to rest on my laurels. It had been months since the inbox had flooded with upset readers asking me to address the latest episode of the conventional establishment’s attack on healthy food and living. Until last week, when people starting freaking out about the American Heart Association’s attack on coconut oil. As USAToday put it, “Coconut oil isn’t healthy. It’s never been healthy.”

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun2017-CoconutOilIsGoingToKillUsAll.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Cassie Parks loves the ocean, dancing for no reason and the power of possibly. Her best-selling books include the topics of money, business and lifestyle design. She is a mentor for those who want to turn their wildest dreams into their dreams come true.  She is the host of the podcast Happy Ever After and the co-host of the Manifest it Now show on the Law of Attraction Radio Network. Other highlights include speaking at TAI talks and being a real estate investor who retired at 32. She is the creator of the Manifest $10K Course and the Double Your Business Workshop. Her forthcoming magazine is called Possible. Cassie loves to travel, being with those she loves and laughing a lot.

Direct download: Ep_175_PrimalBlueprint_CassieParks_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

I’ve been using adaptogens for quite some time, but in the last year I’ve been experimenting a little more with them. You may have caught my mention of a few adaptogenic varieties in one version of my daily big ass salad (not for a flavor hit). I’ve also briefly highlighted ashwagandha and holy basil, and I’ve always been a big believer (and user) of Rhodiola rosea for normalizing stress response.

All well and good. But what’s the backstory on adaptogens? What is there to gain? And what about the other options? 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun222017-AdaptogenEffects.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Amy Berger, MS, CNS, NTP -  a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner about her new book The Alzheimer's Antidote: Using a Low-Carb, High-Fat Diet to Fight Alzheimer’s Disease, Memory Loss, and Cognitive Decline. She is a US Air Force veteran who now specializes in using low-carbohydrate nutrition to help people reclaim their vitality. You can read her blog at www.tuitnutrition.com, where she writes about a wide range of health and nutrition-related topics, such as insulin, metabolism, weight loss, thyroid function, and more.

Direct download: Ep_174_PrimalBlueprint_AmyBerger.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:00pm PDT

In a few months, I’ll be releasing a book extolling the virtues of a ketogenic diet. I’m currently several months into a ketogenic experiment, which is going well. I just wrote a Definitive Guide explaining why you should consider going keto. I’m on record as stating that everyone should dip into ketosis from time to time. You’d think I’d recommend that everyone go keto. Right?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun212017-IsKetoForEveryone.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Going ketogenic has made me hone in on my fat sources even more than before. This is an essential practice for anyone seriously pursuing a ketogenic diet. As fat will comprise the majority of your calories, you need to maximize the nutrition you’ll obtain from the fats you choose. 

Direct download: MDA-Jun142017-My16FavoriteFatSources.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chat with Tero Isokauppila, the founder of Four Sigmatic, is on a mission to make medicinal mushrooms, some of the world’s most researched superfoods, more accessible to everyone. Born in Finland to an agronomist father and nursing teacher mother, Tero grew up on a farm his family has owned since 1619. There, he foraged for mushrooms and other wild foods while learning about the natural food space at an early age.

Following his early education on the farm, Tero later completed a Degree in Chemistry and a Certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University. In 2006, he won a Finnish innovation award for discovering that the sought-after Japanese culinary matsutake mushrooms also grow in Finland. Tero is a reputable source on superfoods, an expert on natural health and has been a featured speaker at Summit Series, Wanderlust and WME-IMG.
Tero has lived in eight countries on three continents. He has a strong personal interest in health and wellness, which includes activities like making raw chocolate and practicing yin yoga. He has also recently taken up a unique practice of napping on a nail mat, which is a modern form of acupressure and helps to energize his busy life.

Tero founded Four Sigmatic in 2012 and its products are now sold in over 25 countries. In 2015, the company launched in the U.S. and relocated its headquarters to Los Angeles, California. Four Sigmatic’s functional mushroom coffees, hot cacaos and elixirs are sold at retailers nationwide, including Whole Foods and other natural grocers, as well as online at FourSigmatic.com and through online health websites like Thrive Market. Tero is a reputable source on superfoods, an expert on natural health and has been a featured speaker for example at Summit Series, Wanderlust, Further Future, Culinary Nutrition Conference, and WME-IMG.  Tero was also chosen as one of the world's TOP 50 Food Activists by the Academy of Culinary Nutrition.

Direct download: Ep_173_PrimalBlueprint_TeroIsokauppila.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Most people come to the Primal Blueprint because they want to lose weight. Ask any purveyor of a specific diet and they’ll say much the same thing. The majority of people are interested in dropping body fat, looking good naked, and fitting into their clothes. The interest in overall health, fitness, and lifestyle tends to develop organically out of that. Come for the weight loss, stay for the blue-blocking goggles.

There’s a tendency to view weight loss as superficial compared to the other stuff. That’s a mistake. Weight loss isn’t just about belt notches and positive experiences with mirrors. It confers measurable and, most importantly, tangible benefits to health, happiness, and daily functionality almost immediately. Fat loss, it turns out, isn’t a flighty pursuit. It solves a lot of serious problems and makes some really cool things happen.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun132017-CoolThingsYouNoticeHappeningOnceYouStartToLoseWeight.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

It’s fair to say that I gravitate towards tangible, actionable subject matter when it comes to improving my own and others’ health. Things like nutrition, fitness, sleep, hormonal responses, and supplement science may seem like a lot to chew on for the layperson, but these are my personal passions as well as my long-time profession.

And while these are certainly the big, actionable players in the game of health, I fully acknowledge there may be more lurking behind the scenes than we realize. A body that refuses to heal no matter how Primal you eat. Stubborn health conditions that simply refuse to fully go away, despite all the changes you make in your life. A propensity for disease that defies everything you’ve learned about ancestral nutrition and wellness. An intriguing new angle in the health sphere suggests the hurdle for some people may be embedded deeper than outer changes can access. 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun082017-ACEsAndPrimalHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

I use my Los Angeles surroundings as a barometer for changes in the mainstream approach to health, and it holds up quite well. Silicon Valley can claim to be the cradle of technology, but L.A. is definitely the cradle of diet and fitness trends; and the latest is most definitely keto. At the local cafe where every species of Malibu fitness enthusiast gathers to gossip and fuel up, I’m seeing fewer gels and energy bars, and way more butter coffees and discarded packets of the new powdered ketone supplement products.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun072017-TheDefinitiveGuideToKeto.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with PaleoPorn.com co-founder Marla Sarris.  After dedicating six years to teaching at one of the nation's top high schools, Marla left her career to pursue a healthier, sustainable lifestyle.  She discovered paleo in 2009 and continues to indulge her passion for teaching through PaleoPorn.com and her cookbooks - Pigskin Paleo and the upcoming Paleo MX (Authentic Paleo Mexican Recipes).

When she's not in the kitchen, Marla makes up one-third of SPYR, a brand development agency. She is Executive Producer of the #1 indie documentary of 2016, Minimalism: A Documentary About The Important Things and co-creator of the meditation course Week of Zen.  Use code Primal20 for 20% off the Week of Zen course.

Direct download: Ep_172_PrimalBlueprint_MarlaSarris.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

As I discussed last month, depression is the yin to anxiety’s yang. Between these two troublemakers, they’ve got dark clouds hanging over both the past and the future, making the present moment complicated at best (and for some people unbearable). Taken as a human composite, it’s an unfortunate trade-off for being cognitively complex. As individuals, however, we naturally just want a solution.

The problem is, there’s just so many confounding factors surrounding depression that it’s hard to know where to start. Your mind is an infinitely complex latticework of moving parts; one which continues to baffle and divide the scientific community. How does a practitioner prescribe suitable treatments for a problem they don’t fully comprehend? And, yet, medical science often (and perhaps inevitably) works with incomplete information.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jun012017-7AlternativeTherapiesForDepression.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

At the onset of our annual 21-Day Challenge this past January, I offered up a post that proposed thinking small—“41 Primal Action Items and Individual Experiments for Success in 2017.” The idea here wasn’t shrinking our scope to the exclusion of big visioning, but homing in on the day to day aims we can set for ourselves that make the big changes happen.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May312017-SummerReset2028229.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Genevieve Howland, author of The Mama Natural: Week to Week Guide to Pregnancy & Childbirth - the modern (and yet ancient) approach to pregnancy and childbirth. “Natural” recognizes that pregnancy and birth are normal, and that having a baby is a wondrous biological process and rite of passage—not a medical condition.
 Full of weekly advice and tips, Howland covers vital pregnancy nutrition, natural remedies for common concerns, as well as the appropriate (and inappropriate) use of medical interventions. Peppered throughout are positive birth and pregnancy stories from women of all backgrounds (and all stages of their natural journey) along with advice and insights from a Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) plus a Registered Nurse (RN), doula, and lactation consultant. With over sixty million views on her YouTube channel, Genevieve Howland’s funny but informational videos have empowered millions of women to embrace natural pregnancy and parenting.

Direct download: Ep_171_PrimalBlueprint_GenevieveHowland.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

With Memorial Day come and gone, we’re rounding the corner to summer. Even in the northern-most regions of the country, farmers markets are back (if they ever closed where you live). Ten years ago when I started MDA, they were still a rarity in most parts of the country, but times have changed.

Farmers markets aren’t just about local, seasonal produce. Sure, that’s a great reason to show up every week, but I’d argue also for some of the less noted (in some cases even less tangible) benefits of hitting these markets.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May302017-6PrimalMindedReasonsToHitTheFarmersMarketThisWeekend.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Serotonin is a major regulator of mood and depression risk. These are important, vital roles, to be sure. Your mood describes how you experience and interpret the world. If it’s consistently bad, you’regoing to have a rough time. Yet, serotonin is much more than the “feel-good hormone.” It also influences sexual desire and helps us remember. It’s the precursor to melatonin, the neurotransmitter that allows us to sleep.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May242017-10TipsForBoostingYourSerotoninLevels.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

While I don’t recommend making Primalized versions of grain-based foods a staple, the fact remains that people love them. They’re going to want them. There’s not much you can do about that. And if we want to incorporate pancakes, muffins, cookies, and other flour-based items into our diets without ruining everything we’ve worked toward, we need the healthiest, most Primal flours.

The alternative flour market has exploded in recent years. A decade ago, you had gritty almond flour and fibrous coconut flour, and that was about it. Today, there are many more flours to sift through. But what are the best ones? Which ones fit best into a Primal way of eating, and why?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May232017-8PrimalFriendlyFlours.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In response to my post on oral health a few weeks ago, one reader offered a comment about the oral biome, and it’s a worthy follow-up, I’d say.

The human oral cavity is home to hundreds of microorganisms. Latest estimates place the number of bacterial species in your mouth at close to 700, with the odd fungus, protozoa and even virus thrown in for good measure. This oral microbiome isn’t a whole lot different than that of our gut, but where things get interesting is when we consider the diverse range of habitats within the mouth: teeth, tongue, cheeks, gums, tonsils. All provide different living conditions for those microorganisms that colonize them, but that diversity of habitats also encourages a diversity of species.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May182017-HowYourOralBiomeInfluencesYourOverallHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Wheat gets a bad rap in the alternative health sphere, receiving blame from all sides. Today, I’m here to provide the other side. Today, I’m going to give you seven solid reasons to love wheat, ranging from its effects on the environment, its role in the foundation of the American republic, its effect on gut bacteria and your health, its ability to stamp out hatred, its protective role in the lives of Bronze Age Chinese women, and its status as an enduring symbol of human rights and prosperity.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May172017-7ReasonsToLoveWheat.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats about living an expanded life with Adam & Vanessa Lambert - both exceptional paleo health and lifestyle coaches who make a uniquely formidable team. Adam’s knowledge is rooted in research, and he approaches wellness largely from a scientific perspective. Vanessa is more of an experiential learner who relies on intuition and feeling in her coaching practice. Together, these pros have all the bases of the wellness picture covered—which is why they appeal to such a broad and diverse spectrum of clients.

Through Bee The Wellness and its diversity of programs and offerings, Adam and Vanessa leverage their incredible wealth of knowledge to help clients make real, manageable changes that are sustainable for life. They are known for their non-judgmental point of view, caring nature, passion, and commitment to helping people achieve their own personal formula for success. These traits are what truly make them a one-of-a-kind wellness team.  Use the code "primal" to receive a 10% discount on the Bee The Wellness 2017 Costa Rica Retreat.

Direct download: Ep_169_PrimalBlueprint_AdamVanessaLambert.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

As much as humans think they’re objective beings whose every decision emerges from cold logical calculation, we’re just irrational, emotional animals. That’s why stories and anecdotes are more convincing than facts, why people fear losing money twice as much as they enjoy making it, and why the guy making $100k per year feels poor if his neighbors make twice that. This kind of phenomenon is best explained by behavioral economics, a method of economic inquiry that uses psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social factors to explain why we make the often-irrational financial choices we do. And it has some interesting applications for health…

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May162017-HowShouldWeHarnessBehavioralEconomicsForBetterHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The paleo diet and Primal Blueprint way of eating (a.k.a. Primal) are both based on similar evolutionary science. The story goes something like this. Our modern Western diet bears little resemblance to the eating habits of early humans throughout several 100,000 years of evolutionary history. Instead, since the Agricultural Revolution some mere 10,000 years ago, we’ve adopted a nutritional regime to which our physiology is poorly adapted. When the basics of our diet return to the patterns of our pre-agricultural ancestors, we work with, instead of against, our physiology. More simply: eat as our ancestors ate, and we’ll be healthier for it.

 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May112017-WhatsTheDifferenceBetweenPrimalAndPaleo.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT


Elle Russ chats with Devyn Sisson about her new book Kitchen Intuition. Devyn Sisson is an author, artist, culinary enthusiast and restaurateur involved in the launch of the Primal Kitchen fast-casual restaurant chain. After graduating from the The New School in New York City with a degree in Psychology, she started to express her creativity with a deep immersion into the study of nutrition with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and self-improvement through the Spiritual Psychology program at The University of Santa Monica. She lives in Southern California where she is kind of successfully training her new dog, Ninja.

Direct download: Ep_168_PrimalBlueprint_DevynSisson.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

It almost goes without saying: Stress is at an all-time high. Not the kind of major traumatic stress we see elsewhere, sure. At least in the Western world, there aren’t any horrific sectarian conflicts scouring the landscape and generations to come. Our infrastructure is built to withstand most natural disasters. Our world is safe and predictable and sterile. But we’re stressed out just the same, afflicted with the kind of pernicious, low-level, unending stress that drives people into substance abuse, that promotes depression and suicide and broken relationships. The type that never quits. The kind you just want to drown out with Netflix and Facebook and anything at all to take your mind off the churning within.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May092017-10ActionsForAnAntiStressProtocol.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

With conventional wisdom’s take on oral care, we’re left with a pretty superficial understanding of oral health. What if, for instance, cavities imply more than bad brushing habits? What if we changed the entire template from one focused on cosmetic and sensory criteria to an understanding founded on whole health principles? Answer: we’d be much closer to the truth.
 
(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)
Direct download: MDA-May042017-APrimalGuideToOralHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

I’m of two minds when it comes to blood testing. For myself, I’m not a huge fan of obsessive, frequent testing and optimization. I have a good idea about how to optimize my health through the actions I take and the foods I eat, and by monitoring how I’m feeling, looking, and performing in response. It’s worked well for me. Whenever I do get a checkup or have blood drawn, my numbers are great.

But many people are the opposite. They like to quantify what’s happening under the hood. That’s great, and often necessary. The problem is that there are big problems with many of the most common blood tests.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May032017-PopularBloodTests.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Description:  Elle Russ chats with Dr. Foresman about all things vaccines - the controversies, the dangers, and the benefits.  Dr. Foresman opened a private practice, he quickly became dissatisfied with the inability of established Western medical treatments to effectively treat many of his patients—many of which suffered from thyroid disorders. Determined to help his patients, he began investigating alternative therapies and has since expanded his training in many systems of healing—not just through Ayurveda, meditation, and stress management, but also using botanical, orthomolecular and functional medicine systems. His precise, scientific mind, combined with a holistic integrative perspective, makes him not only an exceptional diagnostician, but also a skilled practitioner who can therapeutically synthesize optimal healing modalities for each individual.

In-depth commentary on thyroid issues by Dr. Gary Foresman can be found in The Paleo Thyroid Solution written by Elle Russ.

Direct download: Ep_167_PrimalBlueprint_GaryForesman_Vaccines_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

 
It’s no secret that it’s one of my favorite subjects—the burgeoning field of human gastrointestinal microbiology. I know…it’s easy to get caught up in the comparative excitement of it all.

The microbiota is familiar territory to most Primal types, but with time and research, we come to understand the nuances of the terrain a little better. New terms pop up. Novel discoveries grab our attention. Promising connections become apparent. It feels like a good day to go over a bit of the latest—to provide a little refresher for those who’ve joined us recently and most of all to offer some additional perspective on what we’re learning as studies branch into new depths. 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-May022017-TheLanguageOfMicrobialCulture.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Every former competitive athlete's worst nightmare is that moment when you lose to a younger person doing the sport you love. When the cocoon of invincibility and superiority you've erected around yourself comes crashing down and a piece of your self-identity shatters. It can truly feel like the end.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar022017-HowToMoveThroughLifeWithAnEdge.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

I’ve written about extending your life by slowing down the apparent passage of time. I’ve written about some interesting predictors—but not necessarily causes—of longevity, and the common characteristics of centenarians. Today, I’m going to describe several unconventional causal means of extending your life.

I’m talking about cold, hard days, weeks, and months. Ticks on a clock. Objective measurements of time. Not just the perception of time, although that matters too.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Apr262017-5UnconventionalWaysToExtendYourLife.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Mark Sisson chats with celebrity nutrition and fitness expert JJ Virgin - who teaches clients how to lose weight and master their mindset so they can lead bigger, better lives. She is author of 4 NY Times bestsellers: The Virgin Diet, The Virgin Diet Cookbook, JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet, and JJ Virgin’s Sugar Impact Diet Cookbook. Her memoir Miracle Mindset: A Mother, Her Son, & Life’s Hardest Lessons explores the powerful lessons in strength and positivity that she learned after her son Grant was the victim of a brutal hit-and-run accident. JJ hosts the popular JJ Virgin Lifestyle Show podcast and regularly writes for Huffington Post, Rodale Wellness, and other major blogs and magazines. She’s also a frequent guest on TV and radio and speaks at major events. In addition to her work with nutrition and fitness, JJ is also a business coach and founded the premier health entrepreneur event and community, The Mindshare Summit.

Direct download: Ep_166_PrimalBlueprint_JJVirgin_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Elle Russ chats with Justin Stenstrom, a nationally-acclaimed life coach, best-selling author, and speaker. He's the founder of EliteManMagazine.com and the host of the Elite Man Podcast where he interviews world-class experts every week. Once anxious, insecure, depressed, and unhappy, Justin has overcome many of life's greatest obstacles and loves nothing more than helping others do the same!  Coming up in May 2017 - Justin is holding the 2017 Elite Man Conference in Boston, MA.

Direct download: Ep_165_PrimalBlueprint_JustinStenstrom.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Sure, they’re not exactly the sexiest body part, but it’s fair to say that life with substandard ear health would be notably less enjoyable. And as it happens, millions of Americans would be able to speak to that.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Apr122017-EarHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Description:  Elle Russ chats with Carrie and Mark Sisson's grown children, Devyn and Kyle Sisson, about their new business endeavor - opening up a Primal Kitchen Restaurants franchise in Culver City, CA this Summer! You will hear all about "growing up Sisson" in this episode as Devyn and Kyle look back on their lives and share pieces of wisdom and guidance from their parents, while also sharing their personal health journeys.

Direct download: Ep_PrimalBlueprint_SissonKids_REVISED.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Conventional wisdom has decreed that "detox" is a myth. They're not even sure if toxins even exist, as far as I can tell. On the other side, you've got detox gurus prescribing cayenne-maple-lemon tea and glasses full of charcoal water as cures for essentially everything. Where's the truth lie?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Apr052017-HowToAugmentAndSupportYourNaturalDetoxCapacities.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Description: Elle Russ chats with Integrative Physician Gary E. Foresman MD about an often overlooked topic in thyroid discussion...HYPERthyroidism.  While Hashimoto’s disease, hypothyroidism, and Reverse T3 hypothyroidism are widespread and on the rise, having hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) can be even more dangerous and problematic than having an underactive thyroid.  Too many doctors are uninformed on how to diagnose and treat the various nuances behind thyroid disorders—leaving millions of patients un-diagnosed or symptomatic.  Dr. Gary E. Foresman, MD, is not only a Primal functional medicine doctor well-versed in all things paleo/primal, but also an informed integrative physician who Elle Russ chose to interview for her book, The Paleo Thyroid Solution.

When Dr. Foresman opened a private practice, he quickly became dissatisfied with the inability of established Western medical treatments to effectively treat many of his patients—many of which suffered from thyroid disorders. Determined to help his patients, he began investigating alternative therapies and has since expanded his training in many systems of healing—not just through Ayurveda, meditation, and stress management, but also using botanical, orthomolecular and functional medicine systems. His precise, scientific mind, combined with a holistic integrative perspective, makes him not only an exceptional diagnostician, but also a skilled practitioner who can therapeutically synthesize optimal healing modalities for each individual.

More in-depth commentary on thyroid issues by Dr. Gary Foresman can be found in The Paleo Thyroid Solution written by Elle Russ.

Direct download: Ep_163_PrimalBlueprint_GaryForesman_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

I get a lot of industry news. I eat out a fair bit. I talk to people whose job it is to spot and track health trends. I'm privy to some of the greatest, most innovative minds in the alternative health community—my readers. And you guys are always sending me interesting links. Today, I'm going to discuss some trends of Primal interest. I might poke fun at some of them, and others might be relatively small-scale, but even the silly or minor ones point to interesting movements in the health and fitness zeitgeist.

So, what are the 9 I'm highlighting today?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Apr042017-9TrendsOfPrimalInterest.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

For all the focus on hearts and arteries, brain tissue and muscle mass, we tend to neglect one critical part of the body with dramatic influence over how we fare in later decades. It’s little surprise really. Feet don’t exactly garner much attention, let alone media time. Yet, the stakes are big.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar302017-ThePlightOfTheModernFoot.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Everyone reading this knows about the macronutrients. You’re all eating enough protein, fat, carbs, and the various sub-categories, like fiber, omega-3s, MUFAs, SFAs, linoleic acid, and so on. You know the major micronutrients, like magnesium, calcium, vitamin B12, and most of the minor (but still vital) ones, like plant polyphenols, iodine, and vitamin K2. Today I’ll be talking about the truly obscure nutrients. The ones health food hipsters were super into like, five years ago (“I’m taking beta-1,3-glucan, you probably haven’t heard of it, there’s only one group at Hokkaido University doing any research, you can only get it off the DarkNet using bitcoins”). The ones Grok was super into like, 50,000 years ago.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

 

Direct download: MDA-Mar292017-5ObscureNutrients.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Dave Asprey, founder and CEO of Bulletproof, the world's first human performance and nutrition company.  Dave is a Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur who spent two decades and over $1 million to hack his own biology. Dave is the creator of the widely popular Bulletproof Coffee, host of the #1 health podcast Bulletproof Radio, and author of the New York Times bestselling book, The Bulletproof Diet.  

Dave lost 100 pounds without counting calories or excessive exercise, used cutting-edge techniques to upgrade his brain and lift his IQ, and lowered his biological age while learning to sleep more efficiently in less time. In his new book, Head Strong, Asprey shows us that all of this is possible—and more. Using his simple lifestyle modifications (or "hacks") to take advantage of how the structure of your brain works, readers will learn how to take their mental performance to the next level. Combining the latest findings in neuroscience and neurobiology with a hacker-inspired "get it done now" perspective, Asprey offers a program structured around key areas of brain performance that will help you:

Power the brain with exactly what it needs to perform at its best all day long. Eliminate the sources of "kryptonite," both nutritional and environmental, that make the brain slower. Supercharge the cellular powerhouses of our brains, the mitochondria, to eliminate cravings and turn up mental focus. Reverse inflammation to perform better right now, then stay sharp and energized well into your golden years. Promote neuron growth to enhance processing speed and reinforce new learning—hotwiring your brain for success.

Asprey’s easy to follow, two-week program offers a detailed plan to supercharge brain performance, including: which foods to eat and which ones to avoid, how to incorporate the right kinds of physical activity into your day, a detox protocol for your home and body; meditation and breathing for performance, recommended brain-boosting supplements; and how to adjust the lighting in your home and work space to give your brain the quality light it thrives on. A better brain—and a happier, easier, more productive life—is within reach. You just need to get Head Strong!

Direct download: Ep_162_PrimalBlueprint_DaveAsprey_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

You are not the person you were fifteen years ago. The cells that compose your tissues and deliver oxygen have been recycled many times over. Your face has changed. You move differently. You’re probably slower and weaker, or, depending on your daily habits, faster and stronger. As it becomes available, you incorporate new information into your belief system. Even the neat narrative we imagine we’re orchestrating unbroken in our heads has nightly intermissions lasting hours during which we have no real clue what happens.

 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar282017-TheEmpathyEffect.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Autoimmune diseases really throw the body for a loop. You're attacking your own tissues. Your inflammation is sky high. What's usually good for you—like boosting the immune system—can make it worse. You'll often restrict eating certain foods that, on paper, appear healthy and nutrient-dense. You take nothing for granted, measure and consider everything before eating or doing it. Sometimes it feels like almost everything has the potential to be a trigger.

Is it true for exercise, too? Must people with autoimmune diseases also change how they train?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar232017-HowToExerciseWithAnAutoimmuneCondition.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

A few years ago, I wrote a long post listing cosmetics, soaps, and other personal products made with healthy, non-toxic ingredients. It's a sad thing when you basically have to assume the worst about the average product designed to be slathered all over the largest organ of your body—your skin. But that's the situation in which we find ourselves now.

Today's post is an update of sorts. What products am I using? Which ones have I used? And are there any others that I can safely recommend? It won't be as comprehensive as the last one. It will be more personal.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar212017-19_PersonalCareProductsIUseOrLike.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Helen Marshall who faced a long list of debilitating digestive and mental health issues until she turned to a Primal diet in a desperate attempt to reset her health.  Initially, the prospect of food elimination sounded insane to her but Helen has never looked back since.  Amazed with how her health transformed solely by changing the foods she ate, Helen felt called upon to help other women realize that their health problems were not their fault and that they were not alone.

Helen started a blog to share recipes and soon realized that many people felt "time-poor" and often complained of "falling off the wagon."  Helen created a food range of Primal Alternatives to the foods we love and started to produce from home and sell at her local farmers’ markets, cool cafes, gourmet pizza shops and health shops.  The feedback Helen got was that her Primal Alternative range was life-changing for people.  Helen ultimately became a  Primal Health Coach and now runs a thriving and successful global health coaching business. Helen is inspired to bring Primal Alternative to the whole of Australia and she has franchised her successful business model to empower creative Moms like her with a passion for Primal, to run a successful business from home. She has called this the Primalista Licence, and Helen is always looking to recruit new Primalista's to her supportive community!  Helen lives on 100 acres alongside a multitude of kangaroos in the Australian bush.

Direct download: Ep161_PrimalBlueprint_HelenMarshall_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Back in 2008, I provided a brief look into deconstructing egg carton labelling. That simple guide to egg purchasing has gotten a fair amount of attention and shares over the years, so I’m revisiting the subject to update and elaborate where it makes sense. I don’t see eggs ever losing their place in paleo/Primal eating, and I know others share my enthusiasm.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar222017-HowToBuyAndAppreciateEggs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In 2002, Gary Taubes penned a New York Times piece that questioned the legitimacy of the presiding low-fat dogma. His article made a persuasive case for the safety—and metabolic urgency—of eating more animal fat and fewer carbs. It shifted the national conversation on healthy eating and paved the way for the rise of the ancestral health community. If the experts were that wrong about a healthy diet, what else were they getting wrong?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar152017-SugarsDayIsDone.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Robb Wolf about the surprising truth is that we are genetically wired to eat more and move less, the exact opposite of the advice we are often given.  Now there is a more customized weight loss solution that works with your body, a solution based not on arbitrary restriction of foods but on what works for YOU. Developed by former research biochemist, health expert, and bestselling author Robb Wolf, Wired to Eat offers an eating program, based on groundbreaking research, that will rewire your appetite for weight loss and help you finally determine the optimal foods for your diet and metabolism.

With his bestselling book, The Paleo Solution, Robb Wolf helped hundreds of thousands of people lose weight by eating a low-carb Paleo diet, but Paleo is only a starting point, not a destination.  Now, he'll share a more customized way of eating that may be the key to permanent weight loss and better health. You'll start with Wolf’s 30-Day Reset to help you restore your body's blood sugar levels, repair your appetite, and reverse insulin resistance. There are more than 70 delicious recipes, detailed meal plans, and shopping lists to aid you on your journey. Wolf also includes meal plans for people who suffer with autoimmune diseases, as well as advice on eating a ketogenic diet. Once you've completed this phase of the plan, the unique 7-Day Carb Test will help you determine what amounts and types of carbs you can tolerate.  No more guessing. Now you can find out for yourself which foods you can and cannot eat, instead of relying on a one-size-fits all diet. Transform your diet by discovering your personalized weight loss blueprint with Wired to Eat.

Direct download: Ep_160_PrimalBlueprint_RobbWolf_NEW.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Last month, I installed an infrared sauna in my house. A company offered it to me to try out, and I was willing to give it a go, knowing a little about them already. It also inspired me to dig into the research—to test it personally but also to see what studies had demonstrated in terms of benefits. I'll say I've been pleased with what I've found from both angles.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar142017-AreInfraredSaunasBeneficial.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

By next year, Americans are expected to spend nearly 11 billion dollars on skin care annually. By some estimates anyway, the biggest share of this market goes to “anti-aging” products. Anti-aging… As I noted in an offhand way a few years back, there's a certain enjoyment in looking good naked (or just looking good), and there’s nothing wrong with that. Looking “good” is largely a reflection of optimum inner health—nothing un-Primal about that. Great health is what we’re all here for. The “extra” rewards that come with it aren’t anything to shake a stick at—or to be sheepish about.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar092017-APrimalLookAtSkinCare.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

The older you get, the more important strength, agility, power, and lean mass become. This isn't how most people approach old age. They expect strength and all the other trappings of physical capacity to degenerate, and so they do. It's what happens all around us, every day. Seniors are feeble, right?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)


Mark Sisson chats with Christine Hassler, best-selling author of three books, most recently Expectation Hangover: Free Yourself From Your Past, Change your Present and Get What you Really Want. She left her successful job as a Hollywood agent to pursue a life she could be passionate about. For over a decade, as a keynote speaker, retreat facilitator, spiritual psychologist and life coach, and host of the top-rated podcast “Over it and On With It”, she has been teaching and inspiring people around the world. Christine believes once we get out of our own way, we can show up to make the meaningful impact we are here to make. Christine is also on the advisory board for our Primal Health Coach Program.

Direct download: Ep159_PrimalBlueprint_ChristineHassler.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

There’s a saying that people who snore always fall asleep first. My days of overnight sports chaperoning and group camping trips have frequently confirmed that notion. Most people would say that snoring is less a problem for the snorer than anyone lying awake in the vicinity, and on those specific nights in memory I probably thought as much. But the health researcher in me knows there’s more to the story.

 

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Mar012017-IsSnoringReallyAHealthProblem.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with husband/wife team Cindy Lu and Earl Martin who founded Malibu Essential Oils in 2013. After experiencing profound personal benefits, their curiosity led them to become Internationally Certified Aromatherapists. Now they blend both their classical training with modern essential oil usage which includes internal applications. They are education driven, teaching classes weekly in various locations. They believe that aromatherapy is a healing art and they enjoy helping their clients choose the purest oils available and let them develop their own personal style that they feel is safe, beautiful and effective. As master blenders, their unique oil offerings such as High on Life (an energizing mood booster), Brain On (for mental clarity), Deep Sleep and Sex Mix are sought after week after week. They also create customized blends based on client needs, scent preferences and muscle testing.

With clients worldwide, private consultations are available in person, via phone or Skype. Their mentor program trains oil enthusiasts to become a part of their team, build their own essential oil businesses or become healers in their own homes. Googling "essential oils" is a rabbit hole of unregulated yet FDA restricted advice that is hard to decipher in its contradictions and opinions. Cindy and Earl like to teach people their options and how to find the most reliable information and the purest oils. Don't let the confusion and the ineffectiveness of many store bought brands discourage you. Therapeutic grade oils are versatile and gentle, yet potent enough to effect real change.  Cindy Lu is also the author of the internationally acclaimed dating book, The Four Man Plan, a Love Coach and Ian ntuitive Interdimensional Guide. Earl is an Emmy nominated post-production sound mixer with TV credits such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Wilfred and The League. Earl is very excited to have just started  the Primal Blueprint Health Coach program. Cindy and Earl are both living a Primal lifestyle.

Direct download: Ep158_PrimalBlueprint_CindyLuEarlMartin.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Humans are competitive animals. We like a challenge because it compels us to rise to the occasion, prove ourselves, get better at something, or become a bigger version of ourselves. For people, challenges are like hormetic stressors—they often cause suffering and require hard, unpleasant work but provoke a beneficial response that makes us stronger than we were before the challenge.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb282017-8PrimalFoodChallengesYouCanTake.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

 

Sometimes it seems like this world is built for extroverts. The most successful politicians, entertainers, and public figures are (or at least come off as) extroverts. One of the “Big 5” personality traits we use to judge and praise people is extraversion (Introversion, falsely assumed as simply the lack of extraversion, doesn’t merit mention.) Certain studies suggest that extroverts make more money than introverts, on average. Extroverts tend to be happier than introverts, regardless of the cultural context. Introverts are more likely to suffer from depression and asthma.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb222017-ThePersonalityFactor.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Intermittent fasting, schmittermittent schmasting. The hot new trend is the extended fast—eating nothing and drinking only non-caloric beverages for no less than three days and often as many as 30-40 days. A mere compressed eating window this isn’t.

If fasting for more than three days sounds riskier than just skipping breakfast, you’re right. Long fasts can get you into trouble. They’re a big commitment. You shouldn’t just stumble into one because it sounds interesting or some guy on your Twitter feed wrote about it.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb232017-AreLongFastsWorthTheRisks.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Roland & Galina Denzel about their new book Eat Well, Move Well, Live Well - 52 Ways to Feel Better in a Week.  Roland is a weight loss coach whose first client was himself! Overweight his first 35 years, he lost over one hundred pounds in 2003, and has kept if off since. Along the way, Roland developed a passion for health, fitness, and nutrition that’s not only kept him slim and healthy, but allowed him to help others just like himself through his writing and coaching. Roland is an IKFF trained kettlebell coach, a certified personal trainer, and a sports nutrition and weight loss coach through Precision Nutrition. He has co-authored five books, including The Real Food Reset, and Man on Top, which was inspired by his own journey to becoming healthy, slim, and fit.

Galina Denzel specializes in helping people in chronic pain and helps her clients return to a life of functional movement after an injury, accident, or trauma through a variety of corrective exercise methods and healing modalities. Galina is a Nutritious Movement certified Restorative Exercise Specialist, certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, author and educator. She is the author of The Real Food Reset and Man on Top in English, as well as The Art of Real Food in Bulgarian. Together, Roland and Galina have a health coaching practice, serving local and online clients, in Orange County, California. They write and podcast regularly at EatMoveLive52.com.

 

 

Direct download: Ep157_PrimalBlueprint_RolandGalinaDenzel.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Last week, Chris Kresser wrote a great article discussing the emerging—and likely causative—link between poor gut health and childhood misbehavior. He explained potential mechanisms for the association, as well as solutions to counter it.

But as any parent knows, getting a picky child to adopt your arsenal of perfect gut-supporting foods and supplements isn’t always easy. Not every kid immersed in the righteous anger of the terrible twos will stop what he’s doing to drink sauerkraut juice, nibble on kimchi, take resistant starch, drink kefir and bone broth.. It’s certainly a major part of the problem and the solution, but are there any other dietary causes? What else can a parent try to stem the flood of tantrums?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb212017-SomePrimalAnswersForKidsProblemBehaviors.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

In recent years, I’ve regularly vouched for the gut as our long-abused secondary brain. Given what most of us grew up learning in school, it can feel like a mammoth shift. Science and philosophy have long revered the brain as seat of consciousness, even the seat of humanity itself. But when it comes down to it, everything is interconnected. Our consciousness extends well beyond the brain. How we feel and who we are encompasses a much more expansive and intricate system than any of us learned in high school biology. At the center of this paradigm revision is something called the vagus nerve.

Vagus…as a word it sounds a little off-putting. If someone called me a vagus, I’d probably be mildly offended. But the literary origins of this word are actually kind of mystical: “vagus” in Latin translates to “wandering.” And I’d struggle to find a more apt definition.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb162017-WhatIsTheVagusNerve.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Here at Mark’s Daily Apple, I avoid writing off anything without first investigating it. I keep one foot in the “alternative” health world and one in the “conventional” realm, making sure to maintain a skeptical—but openminded—stance on everything. There’s no other way to do it, if you’re honest. At least as far as I can tell.

No, not every alternative therapy works. A lot of it is pure hogwash. But whether we’re talking about off-label uses of conventional drugs and illegal drugs, natural pharmacological agents, or downright outlandish-sounding interventions, some therapies are worth considering. Not trying, necessarily. Considering.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb152017-8AlternativeTherapiesWorthConsidering.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Jeff Scot Philips -  a nutritionist, professional speaker, and the author of BIG FAT FOOD FRAUD. In his early twenties he founded the company Fit Food, a food delivery company that sold healthy meals to gyms, weight loss centers, and grocery stores. He then co-founded a food manufacturing business, producing and private labeling meals for other companies and brands. Topics discussed in this episode:  ”Edutising": how food companies disguise advertising as education, and why consumes shouldn't trust anything you see in the news. How food companies turned gluten-free, among other trendy things, into a scam and why health food can be worse for people than junk food. The various ways food companies manipulate nutrition facts and ingredients, why they do it, and how to look out for it. Working with the USDA / FDA, and how lethargic, and sometimes harmful, they are (e.g. making food companies put sugar --breads, pastas, etc. -- in frozen dinners, and how the FDA told Jeff that unless his food starts making people sick, they didn't want to regulate him. Why the FDA's new food labels (2018) will be even worse for consumers than they are now.

Direct download: Ep156_PrimalBlueprint_JeffScotPhilips.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Every pregnant woman I’ve ever known has hated the oral glucose tolerance test. Yet, they still do it. Drinking a tall glass of sickly sweet orange-flavored glucose water on an empty stomach is thoroughly disgusting, but it, apparently, offers a rare and valuable glimpse into the state of a woman’s perinatal health.

What they’re testing for is gestational diabetes mellitus—a variant of diabetes characterized by pancreatic insufficiency during pregnancy.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb142017-APrimalLookAtGestationalDiabetes.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

I’ve always believed you could tell a lot about a person based on when they laugh. Or if they laugh at all. Laughter provides a brief but in-depth window into arguably the most enigmatic organ in the body—as well as the idiosyncrasies at work for that individual.

I’ve suggested before that we adults take life way too seriously . Compared to the average child, who belts out around 400 laughs a day, we summon a measly 15-18 per day. Somehow I think we’re missing out with all that seriousness—mentally and maybe even physically.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb092017-HumorForHealth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

We’re a little more than a month out from New Year’s, and most people have abandoned their resolution efforts. Gyms are emptying out; the squat rack is free again. Cars are piling up in the drive-thrus, the farmer’s markets are noticeably emptier. Was it all for naught? Are the grand visions, the big plans, the lofty resolutions really going to culminate in a sad sputter…a fizzle? Will one-time optimists resign themselves to just another personal failing, another reason to slink back into despair? If January is about hope and ambition, what’s the lesson for February?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb082017-TheProblemWithSelfImprovementCulture.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Dr. Gary E. Foresman about breast health, breast cancer prevention and a variety topics surrounding breast health (This episode is part 3 of 3 podcasts dedicated to this topic). When Dr. Foresman opened a private practice, he quickly became dissatisfied with the inability of established Western medical treatments to effectively treat many of his patients—many of which suffered from thyroid disorders. Determined to help his patients, he began investigating alternative therapies and has since expanded his training in many systems of healing—not just through Ayurveda, meditation, and stress management, but also using botanical, orthomolecular and functional medicine systems. His precise, scientific mind, combined with a holistic integrative perspective, makes him not only an exceptional diagnostician, but also a skilled practitioner who can therapeutically synthesize optimal healing modalities for each individual.  In-depth commentary by Dr. Foresman in the new #1 bestseller The Paleo Thyroid Solution.

Direct download: Ep155_PrimalBlueprint_GaryForesman_BreastHealthPt3.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

Every year, it’s the same thing: U.S. News and World Report ranks 38 of the most popular diets from best to worst. And every single time, the paleo diet—or some variant, in this case the Whole30 plan—comes in dead last. I’ve written about this before. You know my stance. You know how silly the whole thing is, and why you shouldn’t care about a ranking, especially when you’ve transformed your health eating the “worst diet in the world.”

Frankly, I’m skeptical these reports have much impact anymore.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb022017-WhatsWrongWithTheBestDiets.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Earlier this month, a reader posed a fantastic question that prompted today’s post. It was long, so I’ll give the choice bits rather than quote the entire thing:

Where do I start? I’d be interested in seeing your opinion on the relative impact of various primal lifestyle changes… Eating “clean” would be a 10, etc… but what about subtler things like sprinting, IF, quality sleep, sunlight, and play… So I guess I’m asking you to write on a 30,000ft level, how all these things interplay and what their relative contributions are to overall wellness.

Where does one start indeed?

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Feb12017-WhereDoIStart.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Elle Russ chats with Drew Canole—a rockstar in the world of fitness, nutrition and mindset, with a huge heart for others and doing his part to transform the world, one person at a time. As the founder and CEO of Fitlife.TV, he is committed to sharing educational, inspirational and entertaining videos and articles about health, fitness, healing and longevity. He is also a best selling author and the founder of Organifi, an organic, incredibly delicious greens powder, chock-full of super-foods to make juicing easy no matter your busy schedule.

Direct download: Ep154_PrimalBlueprint_DrewCanole-2.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:55am PDT

The most basic advice I can give about hiking is to go find a natural space and walk around. That’s it. It’s not sexy or particularly exciting, but it’s good enough.

I do have some additional thoughts, though. If you want to get deeper, if you want to “upgrade” or “hack” your hiking, you’ll find today’s post useful. I’m going to offer some ideas on how to get the most out of your forays into wilderness.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jan312017-14PrimalTipsForBetterHiking.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

What’s motivating you right now? How do you feel yourself settling into the practices you’ve adopted since the first day? Even if you’ve experienced some wavering (that’s no reason to abandon the venture, you know), what brings you back to the center of your intention? How do you reclaim the moment?

Reclaim the moment…. A rather powerful concept. It reminds us that—at any time—we can realign ourselves with the now. Moving our attention from the past (regret) or the future (pessimism, anxiety), we claim the potential of the present. We apply ourselves mindfully. In possessing the moment, we achieve self-possession.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jan192017-4WaysToHarnessMindfulnessForHealthGoals.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT

Some people don’t need any help finding physical challenges. They naturally and intuitively figure out ways to engage physically with the world and test their prowess. But that’s not everyone, or else we’d see people sprinting down the street, hurdling park benches, climbing flagpoles, and swinging from tree branch to tree branch. It’d be a cool world, to be sure. It’s just not the one we live in.

In this world, where physical challenges are usually optional, we have to go looking for them.

What are some fitness challenges to try? I’ve got 11.

(This Mark's Daily Apple article was written by Mark Sisson, and is narrated by Tina Leaman)

Direct download: MDA-Jan182017-11PhysicalChallengesToTakeThisMonth.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:00pm PDT