Middleish

In a world of devices, schedules, meetings and endless distractions, the concept of eating quietly... mindfully ...can be a bit daunting. We can totally relate! Which is why we want to offer some simple steps to infuse a little mindfulness into your next eating opportunity. Join us as we present a case for tuning into the moment next time you're about to put food or drink in your mouth. Learn abou...

We all learn about food at some point in our lives, whether we like the process or not. It starts during infancy (actually en utero but we don't get into that here), proceeds through childhood and by the time we're adults we have well-established opinions on food.   "That tastes amazing."   "That stinks!"   "Eeeeeewww I hate [insert gross-to-you food here]."   Whether you have...

Our faithful listeners are well-acquainted with "Meaning in the Mundane," included in every episode. We wanted to share the story behind this practice and why it has become an integral part of the podcast.    Beyond its inclusion in Middleish, finding meaning in the mundane has unexpectedly rooted itself in our lives. It is interesting how we often overlook the most treasured aspects of...

Few things get people fired up like a good, healthy competition. But what if a perceived "healthy" competition is anything but? Yes, we're talking about weight loss competitions. In this episode, we talk about the give and take with turning weight loss into a competition. Be it in the workplace, on television (hello, Biggest Loser) or simply within yourself, competing against the scale doesn't alw...

We're willing to bet that most of our listeners have heard the phrase, "Abs are made in the kitchen." This and many similar proclamations swarm the internet under the guise of inspo or "wellness" motivation.  The truth is, soundbites and memes leave no room for nuance or rational, evidence-based discussion. Furthermore, many of these phrases are nothing more than diet culture propaganda desig...

Plant-based eating has become a very popular in recent years, and as with many food trends there's a boatload of terminology and misconceptions. Vegan, Whole Food Plant-Based, all the different "arians" are just a few of the variations on plant-based eating. It can be so confusing even Erin missteps in defining them!   Let's get clear on these eating patterns, what they do and don't entail an...

Most people love when their lives are made easier. Technology has given us automobiles and copy machines and microwaves and computers. The health and fitness industry is no different, promoting plentiful quick fixes with little effort. But is convenience really the tool we need to grow and improve? In this episode, we showcase some of the trade-offs when approaching this yin-yang of life. Through...

We apologize for Erin's audio during this recording. Due to some computer adjustments we didn't realize her Zoom settings had been reset and the "good" mic was not picking up. It was early morning...surely you can forgive us. ;-) How many of you have felt utterly dazed by the conflicting dietary recommendations you see and hear? Eating should be simple! Yet society has found a way to make us quest...

Chances are you've heard the term, "trust your gut." But did you know that your gut actually has a mind of its own? How about the fact that you're hosting billions of little organisms in your digestive tract that rely on YOU to feed them? Did you know that this massive colony within you could impact disease risk, skin health and even your mood? Join us for this interesting but not-too-scientific l...

Have you heard the term "self-care?" Recent focus on mental health and coping with continued stress throughout the pandemic has brought this concept to the forefront of health conversations. But what does it really mean? Misconceptions abound, like assuming self-care is "lazy" or means that you're selfish. It's time to set things straight! Erin and Michael have advocated for self-care since day on...

What is it about celebrity lifestyles that cause people to abandon all reason and follow like lemmings? Fad diets, fitness regimens, complicated or rigid daily practices and cleanses are seductive yet misguided methods that celebrities promote to their fans.    We're here to investigate a few of the most popular cult followings of late. Adele, Tom Brady, Gwyneth Paltrow and Beyonce are o...

The fear of failure is a common part of being human. When faced with the possibility of falling short of your goal, how do you respond? Some people avoid setting goals for this reason. Others charge forth with such a fixation on "not failing" that they run themselves ragged and lose sight of the learning in the process. And even though it might sound odd, the fear of success can actually be just a...

As we launch into 2021, many of you are no doubt getting hyped up about starting something new. We at Middleish know all about the resolutioner's mission, especially since the top targets are diet and exercise. And we want to help you be successful! In this episode, we discuss the virtues and pitfalls of following the standard resolution trajectory of old. We highlight some of our favorite ways to...

"Write that down" is more than a catchphrase or a punchline. Turns out, there are tangible advantages of unpacking your brain onto paper the old-fashioned way. In our experience, just about everyone can benefit from keeping journal. Some have experienced revelations. Others do it to organize their thoughts or schedule. We share how we have tried various types of journaling and discovered perks for...

If there's one aspect of "moderation" that's been hammered (pun intended) home, it's the consumption of alcohol. We've heard health accolades of moderate alcohol intake and warnings of too much. How is moderation really defined when it comes to enjoying that adult beverage of choice? Why do some people handle their drink better than others? How did Michael end up regretting an encounter with grand...

Do you want a plan to hate exercise?? Have we got a deal for you!  Kidding...we want you to LOVE moving your body and finding joy through exercise.  In this episode Erin and Michael challenge many assumptions about exercise: that it needs to be hard, painful, extreme and unenjoyable. Whether you're just starting out with exercise or if you're a seasoned athlete who has executed a number...

This week Erin and Michael have the pleasure of interviewing Pratik Patel, a motivated and insightful coach, Registered Dietitian, author and advisor. Pratik walks us through his trajectory of learning about health, fitness and human behaviors that led him all the way to a groundbreaking role in the NFL. Through his passion for personal growth and humility to make some missteps along the way, Prat...

Evangelism has religious connotations, and no disrespect is meant by using the term "Food Evangelism." The evangelism explored on this episode of Middleish has to do with the overzealous advocacy of what many deem the right-- the only-- way of eating or being healthy. Whether it is from a stream of self-proclaimed visionaries on social media or from your friend who seeks to convert you to their ri...

Erin and Michael have had the privilege of hearing a wide variety of personal stories over the years. Lezlie Walla is one such story that shows just how diverse someone's health journey can be. From drug addiction to eating disorders and living through two different bariatric procedures, Lezlie candidly reveals how she's gotten where she she is today (being an avid runner!) and why she still has s...

With Thanksgiving coming this week, many people find themselves in a challenging world of food, stressors, jacked-up schedules and misdirection. We've been there and want to offer some simple guidance to keep you on track this holiday season. From trying to justify all those calories at Thanksgiving dinner, to coping with family expectations during celebrations, we've got a nice dose of self-care...

We've all experienced it: go on a restrictive diet with specific rules and a list of what NOT to eat. Consequently we tend to want exactly what we're not "supposed" to have. This is simply part of being human and it doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you. It does mean that food restriction in any form has both mental and physical consequences.  With this in mind, Erin and Michael walk t...

All of us have done hard things. And we can all count on hard things in our futures. How do you process the phrase, "it's hard," in your own life? Some people acknowledge the hard thing and it ends with a period. Basically like saying, "it's hard, so I won't do it." Is this you?   Join Erin and Michael as this phrase is explored through various lenses. How does self-talk and conditioning your...

This week we have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, a licensed, practicing board-certified family physician and "memeologist." He is known for his cheeky yet provocative social media presence, which uniquely pairs mainstream health and fitness claims with evidence-based guidance. Dr. Nadolsky graciously sat down with us to discuss the challenges with social media in the health an...

For many parents, the little ghouls and goblins running around on Halloween are far less scary than the notion of having excessive amounts of candy around the house. How do I manage my child's candy stash? How do I control myself around those delectable, bite-sized nibbles calling from said stash? Should I place limits on my child's candy? Or pitch it after a month? Erin and Michael have encounter...

As health professionals, we often get asked, "so what do you make for meals?" Our answers are usually surprisingly simple! So we thought we'd share some of our favorite standards and how we approach cooking, meal planning and our own nutrition needs with all of you.  What other questions do you have about recipes, cooking and meal prep? Shoot us an email at middleish@gmail.com. Erin Green is...