Food For Thought - the Podcast

Sorry folks - things happen and we weren't able to get the December episode recorded. But fear not - we will be back in January with a slightly modified version! Seasons greetings from all of us in Health Promotion, can't wait to get back out there with more great information about anything and everything as it pertains to health! Cheers! Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you ge...

Think you know about messes? Do you go? Do you avoid going? Why? What is the history, why do they exist? How have they changed? What do they offer? These and many more questions are answered by my two amazing guests, Dawn DeCosse, Edmonton Garrison Officer's Mess Manager (EGOM), and Maj JP Wright, PMC of the EGOM. It's an interesting and insightful discussion that will definitely impact your under...

The Healthy Relationships Campaign kicks off the 16th til the 27th so we are talking with the MFRC to learn more about their role in the campaign, how they can help you navigate the challenges of keeping your relationship in the green or dealing with it when things may be shifting to those "other colours " (yellow, orange or red). Ang Vidic gives us the lowdown on different programs, resources and...

On this first episode of Season 7, we are honoured to discuss the challenges and steps that we all need to take to move towards a place of Truth and Reconciliation as we approach the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. MCpl Phoenix George of LdSH(RC) speaks about what the day means, both generally and to her personally, her role as the Alberta Military Co-Chair, Defence Indigenous Ad...

It's Season 7 of the Food For Thought podcast - the healthiest podcast on the Internet, and it's going to be a good one. We've got co-chairs, we've got SISIP, we've got PMC's and hopefully a whole lot more! We're excited to be talking to more CAF members to get their insights into a variety of topics, and some more experts in their fields to help steer us in the right direction of health, in all t...

So concussions...what's the deal with them? How do you know you have one, what would the symptoms look or feel like? What is available to help you? If you have ever asked yourself these questions, or even if you haven't, this is an episode worth listening to because it will arm you with what you need to know in the event you or someone you know does in fact have a concussion. There is help, there...

We've all tried to start something new, and a lot of times we either lack that kick in the pants to actually get going, or we are gung ho at first and then things go off the rails somehow. We know how important it is to have good habits - that will keep us healthy, make sure that we pay our taxes on time or remember to take out the garbage (sometimes the bar is very low!). But what goes into creat...

In this (longer than usual) episode we hear from two experienced CAF members who between the 2 of them have 14 tours and years and years of experience both military and life. We talk about men and mental health, not because there aren't women in the military or because women don't have mental health challenges, but because men tend to be more resistant to acknowledging and doing anything about it....

It's Mental Health week, so what better way to celebrate, than to talk about talking to others to help them? But when we do that, what are we tapping into? Compassion, empathy, sympathy? Does it matter? Join us this week as we talk to our very special guest, a Chaplain with the CAF, right here in Edmonton (it's a surprise who it is - you'll just have to listen) about a topic that has become someth...

If you've ever been outside after a bad day and felt better by virtue of just where you found yourself, then you have experienced the healing power of nature. Join Nicole and I as we talk about all things nature in this episode as Nicole shares what she learned about how much of a positive impact nature can have on our overall wellbeing. As we are in and around the time of Earth Day, we thought it...

When you stop to think about the sheer volume of gimmicks and fads that are out there, it is a wonder there are people eating real food at all...unless it's clean...whatever that means. What are you hearing about or seeing in your various feeds? In this episode we tackle some of the things that we've been hearing a lot about lately, but that sadly, have been around for some time. Some of these thi...

So you're thinking about using a Pre-Workout Supplement, or maybe you already are and you have some questions. What are they, what's in them, what are they actually doing or supposed to be doing? These are good questions to be asking, and really, ones that should be asked any time someone tells you that you "should" be buying something. We should all be able to make an informed decision about what...

Meal Planning - it can be a daunting thing to consider. How do you start, what do you include, is there a "right" way to do it? These questions and more will be answered in this episode as we dive into Meal Planning with Base Dietitian Cheryl Nickurak. We'll look at simple ways to start, how to make the most of canned goods that doesn't rely on Top Chef'esque skills to get something on the table a...

When we think about a person who has had a heart event of some kind, we often think about the things that they have to do for their rehab and recovery in terms of the physical things. Changing their diets, changing what they do for or how often they participate in physical activity. But what about the effect of such an event on our minds, on our mental well-being? And how about the effects of our...

Self-care is perhaps more in vogue now than it has ever been, but it is still something that can cause some confusion, misgivings and in many cases even a sense of guilt - both for doing it and not doing it. So in this episode we tackle why we all need self-care, what it is, what it is sometimes confused for and how to do it in a way that is manageable and hopefully sustainable. If you think it's...

When was the last time you had a deep and meaningful conversation with someone? When was the last time you just shot the breeze and talked about anything that came to mind? Who are the people that you had those discussions with? Is this the norm? Or was it unusual? We all fit on a broad spectrum of people who talk to one another (or ourselves) all the time all the way to those of us who say as lit...

It's a wrap - Season 5 concludes with a look at what we can do to keep our wellness top of mind even as we try to find the time to unwind, recharge and enjoy this time of year. It can be stressful for people so finding ways to continue doing the "right things" but maybe in a way that is a bit more flexible is key to being able to tackle the New Year with the energy and motivation needed to get thr...

If you would prefer to just jump right into your workout and get into it, you are not alone. There are many people who don't give warming up the props it deserves. And if you'd rather hit the shower and grab some grub after your workout, you are again, not along. Lack of time, too many pressing priorities and a lack of understanding of why these two components are but some of the reasons they are...

People LOVE their protein. Whether it's Alberta steaks the size of your head or a big plate of chicken wings (not really that much protein there by the by) or a protein shake at some time in your day, it has an almost mystical quality to it. It's as though the angels sing when proponents of protein wax poetic about it. But alas, it's just not all that magical. It's important, we all need it, some...

Hello listeners - this is just a short and quick monopod as we are struggling with the onset of cold and flu season. So we are a little short-handed, but I wanted to make sure that we had something to deliver to the airwaves so I'm talking about success...what does it mean in the context of performance and the topics that we have been discussing this season? I hope that you find it thought provoki...

It's hard to say exactly when the idea of carbohydrate loading really, solidly took off and when it might have started to either wane in popularity or that people realized that there are specific circumstances in which it is truly helpful. Join us as we discuss the history, the rationale, the merits and the caveats that are part and parcel of this, somewhat contentious topic.  Thanks for listening...

When even Peter Mansbridge is talking about the importance of sleep, you know it has to be serious. Join Nicole and Charissa as they tackle the question of role of sleep on performance and keep listening as they go over tips that anyone could benefit from whether it's to help them achieve that next level in their fitness journey or simply to get the most out of life. Sleep isn't just for athletes...

Energy drinks - it's hard to know how many people drink them, but it's a safe bet to say that it's a lot. Seeing as how there are always 2 for some dollar amount deals at your gas station or convenience store, the marketing is working and people are snapping them up like hotcakes, or in this case, canned-pick-me-ups! In my university days, there were those students that relied on Wake-Ups to get t...

The mediocre middle. What is it? How do we get there? Should we avoid it and if so why? And how? All these questions and so much more will be answered as Jeremy and I kick off Season 5 of the Food for Thought podcast with a look at how we workout in a way that might inadvertently lead us down the garden path where we don't actually want to go. How do we become aware of this? Who might we talk to t...

We're baa-aaack! After a delightful summer break we are going to be back bringing you all things health - and in this season we're kickin' old school - well back to where we began by refocusing on nutrition - specifically as it relates to those love 'em or hate 'em macronutrients, training in a way that will help you avoid or at least be aware of why you might be seeing less progress than you woul...