311: The Invisible Vegan: How a Plant-Based Diet Intersects with Race, Class, and Gender

The Invisible Vegan: How a Plant-Based Diet Intersects with Race, Class, and Gender

Jasmine Leyva is the director of the feature-length documentary, The Invisible Vegan, a film that chronicles Jasmine’s personal experience with plant-based eating and how veganism intersects with race, class, and gender.


The film also explains how plant-based eating is directly linked to African roots and how African-American eating habits have been debased by a chain of oppression stemming from slavery, economics, and modern agribusiness.



Tune in to find out:
– How veganism intersects with race, class, privilege and gender
– The hair-on-fire Hollywood tale that Jasmine will never forget- How to never take anything personally
And more!

Just “Jas” to her friends — she is unapologetically an artist.  With a Bachelor of Arts in TV, Film and Media and a Master of Fine Arts in screenwriting, she worked as an associate producer on a NAACP winning docuseries entitled Unsung, and shortly after, was given the opportunity to write and produce on Being, a docuseries highlighting dynamic entertainers in film and music. She’s done court shows, casted for Food Network productions and made strides in front of the camera.


She went on to star in commercials and print ads for major brands like Nissan, Sony, Apple, Uber, American Express, Diesel, BlackPeopleMeet, Credit Sesame, Michelle Watches, Elle magazine and more.  She also starred in the Lifetime show, My Crazy Ex, along with other TV projects.


Happy to be doing what she loved, but simultaneously unhappy about not telling her own stories, she decided to let go of her nine-to-five and focus on her own goals.  Just Jasmine.  No limits and no boss except for her own creativity.


Jasmine and Kenny Leyva produced their own feature length documentary, The Invisible Vegan, a film that chronicles Jasmine’s personal experience with plant-based eating.  The film also explains how plant-based eating is directly linked to African roots and how African-American eating habits have been debased by a chain of oppression stemming from slavery, economics and modern agribusiness.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Effectively prevent or plan a pregnancy in 3 quick steps? Natural Cycles is the natural and effective birth control alternative you’ve been searching for. Go to www.NaturalCycles.com/foodheals and use promo code FOODHEALS to get 20% off an annual subscription, plus a free thermometer!


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts!

310: How Western Medicine and Holistic Methods Can Work Together to Beat Cancer

How Western Medicine and Holistic Methods Can Work Together to Beat Cancer

On August 2nd, 2018, Rachel Dye went for a five mile run like she normally did, around a lake near her home in Southwest Washington. Two days later, she was rushed into emergency surgery and had a golf-ball sized tumor removed from her colon.


Just days later, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer. Rachel and her husband, Jamison, were told that she may only have 6 months to live if they did not act quickly with aggressive treatment.


This felt like a death sentence. In fact, the first few doctors they met with acted like this was a death sentence too! Rachel was a 27-year-old wife, mother of 3 young children and that answer wasn’t good enough for her.


This is when their journey truly began. 


Together Rachel and Jamison built a team of oncologists, naturopathic doctors, and advisors and with a combination of western medicine and alternative medicine methods, Rachel was cancer-free!



Tune in to find out:

  • The truth about high dose Vitamin C & hyperbaric oxygen
  • How to use western medicine and holistic methods together to beat cancer
  • The true connection between diet and disease
  • How The Cancer Box helps cancer patients thrive
  • And more!


The Cancer Box is a monthly subscription box for those that see the need to actively fight their cancer or who want to do everything they can do keep it gone. They have sourced the highest quality set of vitamins and supplements as the core of our box for less than it would cost to buy on your own. Each of these has a proven track record in clinical studies to aid in the fight against cancer. They provide detailed instructions and explanations for each because it is so important that YOU buy into why you are doing this. They pack each box with carefully curated items that can range between snacks, desserts, side-effect aids, notebooks, swag, healthy eating guides, and more.


Thank you to our sponsors!

Green Chef is a USDA certified organic company that makes eating well easy and affordable with plans to fit every kind of lifestyle. Recipes are quick and easy with step-by-step instructions, chef tips, and photos to guide you along.

Use code foodheals80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Go to GreenChef.com/foodheals80 to redeem.


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts!

309: Jane Unchained – The Animal Rights Activist Taking the Vegan Movement By Storm

309: Jane Unchained - The Animal Rights Activist Taking the Vegan Movement By Storm

Jane Velez-Mitchell is the founder and editor of JaneUnChained News, a non-profit, digital, news network reporting on animal rights, veganism, health, and climate change. With more than 70 volunteer contributors around the world, JaneUnChained.com’s videos were viewed 17.6 million times in 2018.


JaneUnChained does a daily, live, vegan cooking show via facebook.com/JaneVelezMitchell called #LunchbreakLIVE that has featured many of the best vegan chefs and restaurants in the world.


Tune in to find out:
• The comment that turned Jane vegan overnight

• The truth about fake news from a journalist’s mouth

• How Jane infiltrated Hollywood to be a voice for the animals

• Where to watch New Day, New Chef, the brand new show featuring 15-min vegan recipes 

And more!


Jane just directed JaneUnChained’s first documentary: Countdown to Year Zero, available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video, which lays out animal agriculture’s leading role in climate change and how we must transition to a plant-based culture by 2026 or face ecological apocalypse. It won Best Documentary Feature at the Studio City Film Festival and Jane won for Best Director, Documentary Feature at the Culver City Film Festival.


Jane has won four Genesis Awards/commendations from the Humane Society of the United States for her reporting on animal issues. VegNews named Velez-Mitchell Media Maven of the Year in 2010. In 2013 Mercy for Animals awarded her their Compassionate Leadership Award. In 2014, she was honored for fighting animal abuse by the Animal Legal Defense Fund. In 2015, she received PETA’s Nanci Alexander Award.


For six years she hosted her own show on HLN/CNN Headline News, where she ran a weekly segment on animal issues. Previously, she was a news anchor at KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and WCBS-TV in New York.


Her first documentary, Anita Velez: Dancing Through Life, won a Gracie Allen Award in 2001. Jane is the author of four books, including two New York Times bestsellers. She lives in Los Angeles with her four rescues: three dogs and a cat.



Thank you to our sponsors!

Care/of is a wellness brand that makes it easy to maintain your health goals with a customized vitamin plan that helps you feel your best today and supports you long-term. 

For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code foodheals50.


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts!

308: These Vegans of Color Are Healing the World One Veggie Burger at a Time

These Vegans of Color Are Healing the World One Veggie Burger at a Time

Today we are celebrating 5 vegans of color who are changing the world one veggie burger at a time.

You’ll hear incredible stories from former Food Heals guests Celebrity Holistic Health Coach Koya Webb, Owner of Charlie’s Brownies, Charlie Fyffe, Borough President of Brooklyn, Eric Adams, Vegan Street Fair Founder Jessica Shay, and NBA Star & Vegan Activist John Salley.




In this episode, find out:

  • The tragedy that changed Koya’s life and introduced her to yoga
  • How Charlie’s journey into entrepreneurship led him to the path of veganism
  • How Eric got his vision back and reversed “permanent” nerve damage
  • The shocking discovery that changed Jessica’s worldview
  • What made John’s doctor say, “This is what you need to do if you want to live.”

And more!


Koya Webb is a yoga superstar and celebrity holistic health coach, has appeared on NBC, and was the main character on the reality show Yoga Girls. If you want to feel inspired, her Instagram is the most beautiful feed, full of motivational posts. Like Koya on Facebook, follow her on Twitter, and Instagram.  To hear the rest of our interview with Koya, listen to episode 217. You can also listen to Koya’s full episode on Apple Podcasts. 


Charlie Fyffe of Charlie’s Brownies serves the finest dairy-free and gluten-free gourmet brownies. They use no preservatives or artificial flavors, only a blend of organic ingredients and home-baked love. Their brownies are built especially moist to deliver “The Ultimate Brownie Experience.” Like Charlie on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, and Instagram. To hear the rest of our interview with Charlie, listen to episode 141. You can also listen to Charlie’s full episode on Apple Podcasts. 


Eric L. Adams is a former Democratic State Senator and police officer, and current Borough President of Brooklyn (and social justice warrior). He’s teamed up with schools to teach children to grow food, and runs initiatives like Meatless Mondays and 10-day challenges for people suffering with disease, as well as hosting events to demystify veganism. Like Eric on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, and Instagram. To hear the rest of our interview with Eric, listen to episode 232. You can also listen to Eric’s full episode on Apple Podcasts. 


Jessica Schoech is the founder and CEO of Vegan Street Fair. Vegan Street Fair & VSF Nights are free entry, annual, all ages, vegan food celebrations where local vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants and vendors come together to serve you vegan eats and vegan wares all in one place. Like Vegan Street Fair on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and Instagram. To hear the rest of our interview with Jessica, listen to episode 140. You can also listen to Jessica’s full episode on Apple Podcasts. 

John Salley spent 15 years in the NBA and became the first NBA player to win four championships with three different teams, which he says can be attributed to his healthy diet. John has adopted a plant-based (raw vegan) lifestyle and is a frequent speaker at VegFest’s across the USA. As a Wellness Advocate, one of John’s main missions in life is to continue to educate people on the benefits of living a healthier lifestyle through better eating habits. Like John on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, and Instagram. To hear the rest of our interview with John, listen to episodes 13, 16, 54, and 55. You can also listen to John’s full episodes on Apple Podcasts. 


Thank you to our sponsors!


Want to effectively prevent or plan a pregnancy in 3 quick steps?

Natural Cycles is the natural and effective birth control alternative you’ve been searching for. Go to www.NaturalCycles.com/foodheals and use promo code FOODHEALS to get 20% off an annual subscription, plus a free thermometer.


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts!

307: The Public Health Crisis We Will Solve in Our Lifetime: How to Advocate For Black Lives Matter

The Public Health Crisis We Will Solve in Our Lifetime: How to Advocate For Black Lives Matter

Racism is a public health crisis. All lives can’t matter until black lives matter. Their house is on fire. Their children, brothers, sisters, and parents are dying. We have to put out that fire NOW.

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This is the Food Heals Podcast. Our mission is to teach people that the body is designed to heal itself when given the tools it needs to do so. To stop outsourcing our health to doctors and to take out health into our own hands. I promote nutrition and alternative medicine and healing yourself mind body and spirit.

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But what about the people who can’t afford healthy food? When people in low-income communities cannot afford to eat well, cannot afford to go to a holistic doctor, do not even have access to healthy food because they live in a food desert, there is something very wrong in our society. And it is up to us to fix it.

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We have to be activists, now more than ever. The systemic racism in our country has gone on far too long and it is time to stop being sad about it and start taking massive action.

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So what can we do?⠀

Listen, Love, Educate, Donate, Volunteer, March, Say Their Names, Use Our Platforms for Good, Amplify Voices of Color, and Vote for the World We Want to See.

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We have to be willing to learn and listen. We must be willing to change. We have to act.

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In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”- MLK, Jr.”

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Stand up. Say your peace. Shine your light. #LoveHeals⠀

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Learn more at www.FoodHealsNation.com/BLM

Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and wherever you listen to podcasts!

306: Use Your Own Body’s Wisdom to Overcome Eating Disorders with Cara Cifelli

Use Your Own Body's Wisdom to Overcome Eating Disorders with Cara Cifelli

Cara Cifelli is a passionate coach guiding women into the most confident, vibrant versions of themselves. By helping them leave behind dieting, disordered eating and body shame, they are able to reconnect to the wisdom of their own bodies and show up more powerfully in every area of their lives.


Tune in to find out:

  • How to say goodbye to diet culture
  • The secrets to truly healing your relationship with food
  • How to engage in compassionate self-care, not rigid self-control
  • And of course, how to make a Vegan Buddha Bowl!


You can find Cara’s book Body Wisdom on Amazon, and her second book, Vegan Buddha Bowls was just released this January 2020. Her work has been featured on KTLA Morning News, Elephant Journal, Recovery Warriors, and the Feed Feed.

 
Follow Cara on Instagram @CarasKitchen and check out her blog at CarasKitchen.net.


Thank you to our sponsors!


Americans are spending 4 BILLION dollars a year on cold and flu medicine. Organifi Gold is an all natural, organic superfood tea with superfoods to boost immunity through deep sleep. Fall asleep faster. Sleep deeper, and increase immunity, with all natural superfoods. Go to OrganifiShop.com and use coupon code foodheals to get 20% off your first order. 


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts!

305: Overcoming Abuse and Childhood Trauma with Love, Grace, and Greens

Overcoming Abuse and Childhood Trauma with Love, Grace, and Greens with Letha Staten

Almost half of all American children have experienced at least some form of childhood trauma. In fact, 1 in 4 girls are victims of sexual abuse. Today, for the first time ever, Fitness Trainer and Vegan Chef Letha Staten shares her story of overcoming childhood abuse with love, grace and greens.


Tune in to find out:

  • How to incorporate mind, body, and soul into your fitness routine
  • How Letha lost over 100 pounds by going plant-based
  • How to biohack your food with adaptogens and superfoods
  • How survivors of sexual abuse can find peace in their trauma
  • And more!



Follow Letha’s journey on Instagram.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Care/of is a wellness brand that makes it easy to maintain your health goals with a customized vitamin plan that helps you feel your best today and supports you long-term. For 50% off your first Care/of order, go to TakeCareOf.com and enter code foodheals50.


Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts!

304: How India is Handling the Pandemic PLUS How To Boost Your Immunity with Dr. Platt

How India is Handling the Pandemic PLUS How To Boost Your Immunity with Dr. Platt


In episode 304, Allison speaks with Carrots Restaurant Owner Susmitha Subbaraju to hear how things this pandemic is affecting her life and business in India. Then Alli and Suzy invited Dr. Platt back to the show to break down simple things we can all do to boost our immunity and balance our hormones.


Tune in to find out:

  • How India is handling the pandemic
  • A surprising revelation about Vitamin D
  • Why Vitamin K is our new secret weapon
  • The #1 hormone that directly affects the immune system
  • And more!


PLUS! All the Food Heals Vitamin and Supplement Recommendations (and amazing discount codes) are LIVE on Food Heals Nation – Just click on “COVID-19 Resources“⠀⠀
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Food Heals is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify and wherever you listen to podcasts! 🎧

303: How Meditation Can Help You Combat Fear and Cope with Anxiety with Katie Krimitsos

303 Katie Krimitsos: meditations For COVID-19 on The Food Heals Podcast

When news of the Coronavirus first began circulating, Katie Krimitsos was like many others…frustrated and annoyed that it consumed the news and everyone’s conversation around her. Especially her husband’s. Chris Krimitsos was preparing for his big event at the time and was understandably ingesting – and therefore worrying – about every little news update. He couldn’t talk about anything else. So, out of a deep desire to ease his anxiety, Katie created a Coronavirus Anxiety Meditation for him that she released on her podcast, The Women’s Meditation Network.

In just the first week that meditation went live, Katie was flooded with feedback about it. About how it was helping people sleep when their minds were spinning at night. How it gave people a sense of calm as their lives were changing drastically every single day. How it reminded people to find their own space of awareness without getting saturated by the news.

And as time passed and more serious announcements were made, her initial irritation with the virus turned to intense alertness. And out came the fear, the worry, the anxiety and so much more.

Katie knew she had to do more.

So, she created CoronavirusMeditations.com so you can easily find guided meditations that will help you in the whirlwind of emotions you might be feeling right now.

Included here are meditations from some of the most amazing healers, guides and souls Katie knows so you can have easy access to meditations that will help you let go of the fear and anxiety and connect to the calmness within. So you can navigate these times with presence, love, compassion and kindness.

302: COVID-19 Doctors Orders: Dr. Neal Barnard on What to Eat While Self Isolating to Keep Your Body In Balance

Dr. Neal Barnard joins Allison Melody on The Food Heals Podcast to Discuss What to Eat While Self Isolating to Keep Your Body In Balance.

In episode 302, Allison Melody invited Dr. Neal Barnard, author of Your Body in Balance and president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, to break down the best foods to eat to boost your immunity and how to prevent future outbreaks.

Tune in to find out:

  • Why viruses thrive and spread through wet markets Doctors orders on what to eat to stay healthy while self-isolating 
  • How to use social media while social distancing to spread the broader message of health to those in need
  • What doctors in China and New York are doing to treat COVID-19 successfully
  • PLUS! All the Food Heals Vitamin and Supplement Recommendations (and amazing discount codes) are LIVE at:

FoodHealsNation.com/covid-19-resources