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Eat Better Food Today!

Eat Better Food Today!

Written by: Ken Counihan
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 Thinking about making a lasting lifestyle change - but not sure where to begin? Welcome to the Podcast, Eat Better Food Today, where we believe that health and longevity begins with the food we eat. I'm Ken Counihan, and last year I had a serious health scare, which led me to explore, research, and break down what it is we are actually eating, and how to make a change, affordably - for good! I'm not a doctor but I have been reading and practicing healthier living with my wife and the help of the Cleveland Clinic for over a decade. This podcast will be an engaging and empowering vehicle to Inspire, Educate and Enable folks to Live a Healthier Life. We'll sit down with chefs, farmers, industry insiders, medical professionals, businesses, and patients, who will share their stories and add their insight into the most fundamental of health goals - to Eat Better Food Today! A percent of the profits from this Podcast will be put towards erasing child hunger, initially focused on the poorest suburb in America, East Cleveland in Ohio. So join me on this journey, where we'll explore every aspect of living better, living longer, through food, exercise, sleep, community, and purpose. Let's learn together how to begin to Eat Better Food Today! Follow us now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our Eat Better Food Today website or wherever you enjoy your shows. Gratefully yours, Ken. This Podcast is a production of Sante Strategies, LLC. Sante translated is-Health Means Everything. This is the company I have started to begin this health and longevity journey, focused on food. Disclaimer: We are sharing our experiences on this Podcast. Please be sure to consult a medical professional. Website www.eatbetterfoodtoday.com2025 Art Cooking Food & Wine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Farmers are the People who Can have Impact on our Health. And the Environment. Dana DiPrima

    Farmers are the People who Can have Impact on our Health. And the Environment. Dana DiPrima
    Apr 15 2026
    Ep 106: On this episode we are grateful to have Dana Diprima. Dana is the founder of the For Farmers Movement, a dedicated advocate for small farmers, and the host of the One Bite is Everything podcast on Heritage Radio Network. She believes that food is more than just what's on our plates—it's a powerful force shaping our health, communities, environment, and economy and that small local farmers are at the center of driving impactful change. Dana works to bridge the gap between eaters and farmers, ensuring people understand the true impact of their food choices. #EatBetterFoodToday #Longevity #Health #smallfarms #ocalfarmers #community #environment #economy Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com for YouTube videos, this week's recipe, interviews, books, research. Look for information on Dana DiPrima https://boldjourney.com/meet-dana-diprima/ Other Websites mentioned by Dana DiPrima https://www.forfarmersmovement.com What's In Season https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/ Cleveland Kitchen https://www.clevelandkitchen.com/ Donate to Support East Cleveland https://www.thesantefoundation.org Breakfast: Greek yogurt from a Local Farm, Honey from her Beehives 1:35 Morning Routines: Coffee Time with her Husband, then Lift Weights 3:27 Launching the For Farmers Movement 6:28 Small Family Farms vs Large Monocrop (corn) Farms 11:10 Single use GMO corn supported by pesticides is killing our soil99.9 % of our pigs are raised in a box and fed corn in a concrete buildingSmall Farmers are standard bearers. They're innovators.We Need Big Changes.How do we make Small Farmers the Answer to a Lot of Big Questions Climate and Health 19:00 Strawberries Out of Season just Don't Taste GoodThere's a Story Behind Every Good Meal. The Tomatoes. The Chicken. The Farmer.Research shows that People Eat the Best when they Have Children Under FiveInfluencers have People Starting to Pay Attention to What they Eat How Do We Connect More Small Farms to the Market 25:51 Farm to People exists in NYConsumer Pain Points are Cost and ConvenienceAnd Yet Most Small Farmers do not take a Salary and Still lose MoneyThe Hidden Cost of Poor Food is Real – It Affects Your HealthHow Are We Making it More Compelling: Perfect Price Point. Easy to get. It's delicious. And it's going to Guarantee My Health and the Environment.Shop at a grocery store, 15 cents of that dollar stays in your community.Shop at a farmer's market, 75 cents of your dollar stays in your community.You're a Lot Smarter When You Eat Healthy FoodMcDonalds has Earmarked $200M for Regenerative Farming (small $ for McD's)Your Small Actions Can Lead to Big Changes – Just Do Something "For Farmers Movement" Success Stories 42:15 "For Farmers Movement" has 291 Success Stories – Equal to the # of Grants Given in 48 StatesCreated Wish Lists where Anyone can Grant a Framer their Wish – One Farm had 40 Items Gifted"Friend" a FarmerWe should be Sponsored by Kleenex because I can Guarantee You Happy Tears Any Day of the Week First Step to Help Small Farms 47:12 Fulfill a Farmers Wish ListOne Million People Donate $1 Closing: A GAP in the Market 50:57 There's no farmer I've Ever Met that's OK with Somebody Going Hungry.Food is National Security The Recipe: 25 Minute Braised Whole Chicken from a Farmer 55:29 Whole chickens are cheaper than chicken pieces This podcast is about giving back. A portion of our profits supports initiatives combating child hunger in underserved communities like East Cleveland, Ohio. Join me every week as we redefine wellness one plate at a time. Let's make healthy eating accessible for everyone while supporting local sustainable farmers, chefs, businesses, and organizations. Subscribe to "Eat Better Food Today" for weekly inspiration on living a healthier, happier, more meaningful life! This Podcast is a production of Sante Strategies, LLC. Sante translated is - Health Means Everything. This is the company I have started to begin this health and longevity journey, focused on food. Disclaimer: We are sharing our experiences on this Podcast. Please be sure to consult a medical professional.
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    1 hr
  • Zero Waste. Locally Sourced. The Only Restaurant in North America. Chef Chris Locke.

    Zero Waste. Locally Sourced. The Only Restaurant in North America. Chef Chris Locke.
    Apr 1 2026
    Ep 105. On this episode we are grateful to have Chris Locke. English by birth, Chris Locke has honed his culinary skills and knowledge internationally through the UK, Australia and France and Central America. Now currently in Mexico City at Michelin Green restaurant Baldio, Chris has a passion for using locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the best of Mexico's bounty bringing honest and challenging dishes to the table. There is a heavy emphasis on seasonality in his cooking, using fermentation and preservation to lengthen the seasons and transform their flavors. Throughout his travels and culinary journey, there has been a theme that has been consistent the whole time: locality and seasonality. His food philosophy feeds from these two pillars. Whether it is supporting farmers, sustainability, tackling food insecurity, high-end tasting menus or cooking at home, the core values are unwavering. #eatbetterfoodtoday #localingredients #longevity #health #foodasmedicine #zerowaste #farmers #seasonality Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com for this week's recipe, interviews, books, research, videos. Look for information on Chris https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-locke-b72b2124 The Restaurant Site https://www.baldio.mx/en/home/ Please Invest in the The Sante Foundation https://www.thesantefoundation.org What's In Season https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/ Cleveland Kitchen: https://www.clevelandkitchen.com/ Segment Notes: Breakfast: Yogurt, Peanut Butter, Banana. 1:52 The Journey to Baldio: UK to Australia to Canada to Mexico City 2:54 Fermentation to Enhance Flavors 5:08 What is Baldio all About? 8:38 - Zero Waste, Fermentation as an Enabler Supporting the Farmers (Chinampas) 15:36 - Chinampas are Traditional regenerative Farming as has been done for centuries but not certified - The percentage of organic matter in the soil in the Chinampas is around 11% - 85 % of the certified organic produce in Mexico is exported Fermentation to Reduce Waste, Enhance Flavor 19:38 - It has to be approachable and it has to be delicious The Michelin Green Star 23:24 - Food Made Good Accreditation is a more Intensive Process Farming Agri-prenuer Programs 25:49 What's Next for Baldio 28:02 - Byproducts like vinegar being sold at retail locations - Launched a Salsa Inglesa, which is a Mexican version of Worcestershire sauce - Salsa Inglesa currently sold is full of chemicals – Baldio's is not Changing Mexican Cuisine 31:47 - Lots of Michelin Star restauarnats - Growing Middle Class so more Meat Consumption, Growing Obesity - Global campaign - Beans is How? - Its In conjunction with the UN Sustainable Development Goal number two of Zero Hunger - To Increase Bean Consumption as a Sustainable Protein Globally - Corn and Benas a Great Food Combo and Good for the Soil The Recipe 38:02 - A Delicious Dal – Cook Lentils for 20 minutes with some delicious garlic, ginger, aromatics, cumin, ghee. The Sante Foundation, to raise money, bring awareness, and build Centers to bring healthy food and services into underserved urban neighborhoods. In the world we live in today, we all need to do more to support one another and bring Hope into other people's lives. Join me every week as we redefine wellness one plate at a time. Let's make healthy eating accessible for everyone while supporting local sustainable farmers, chefs, businesses, and organizations. Subscribe to "Eat Better Food Today" for weekly inspiration on living a healthier, happier, more meaningful life! This Podcast is a production of Sante Strategies, LLC. Sante translated is - Health Means Everything. This is the company my wife and I have started to begin this health and longevity journey, focused on food. Disclaimer: We are sharing our experiences on this Podcast. Please be sure to consult a medical professional.
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    40 mins
  • Eat Real Food. Not Ultra-Processed Foods. The New Food Pyramid. Julie Ruelle, RD, LD.

    Eat Real Food. Not Ultra-Processed Foods. The New Food Pyramid. Julie Ruelle, RD, LD.
    Feb 24 2026
    Ep.104. On this episode we are grateful to again have Julie Ruelle, who also appeared on Episode 91. Julie is a in Registered Dietitian who began working in corporate wellness, conducting individual and group online and in-person coaching sessions. She went on to manage teams of RD's and in later roles built out and managed nutrition coaching programs. For the last 12 years she has worked for health focused CPG companies, combining nutrition and marketing skills to launch new products, build and manage event and partnership strategies and teams, implement, and manage organic influencer programs, manage content strategy, and serve as the nutrition expert for the company. #EatBetterFoodToday #Longevity #EatRealFood #WholeFoodsAsMedicine #GoCoCo #foodpyramid #dietaryguidelines Please visit our website https://eatbetterfoodtoday.com for YouTube videos, this week's recipe, interviews, books, research. Look for information on Julie https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieruelle GoCoCo website mentioned by Julie: For iOS https://apps.apple.com/redeem?ctx=offercodes&id=1446005742&code=BETTER For Android use website https://www.gococo.app, download for Android, then use the code BETTER every 3mths Food Pyramid https://realfood.gov What's In Season https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/ Cleveland Kitchen https://www.clevelandkitchen.com/ Donate to Support The Sante Foundation in East Cleveland https://link.clover.com/urlshortener/qQtSD2 Segment Notes: Breakfast: Ezekiel sprouted whole grain toast, natural peanut butter, handful of raspberries, coffee 0:40 The New Food Pyramid 1:27 Followed by Government Funded Programs: schools, hospitals, military and veteran meals, WIC, SNAP, other child and adult nutrition programs.More Consumer Friendly at 4 pages instead of 150Fruits & Vegetables at the Top of the inverted Pyramid a PositiveSalmon or Seafood at the Top would be Better than the Big Piece of Steak and CheeseArea versus the Top or Bottom, three quarters is fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans: fresh, canned or frozenA Shift Away from Ultra-Processed Foods (UPF) in the Dietary Guidelines (DGAs)UPFs are Foods with Additives - Flavorings, Colorings, Preservatives, Added Sugar, Fake Sugar.Versus Minimally Processed which Gives us High Quality Food for a Longer Period of Time.Think - Frozen Peas, Canned Beans, we are Minimally Changing it, that's Good Processing.Where the Guidelines have remained the same in that less than 10% of our total calories should come from saturated fatSo that is 22 grams on a 2000 calorie diet. A slice of cheese is 6 grams. Two tablespoons of butter is 14 grams. The big steak is 17 gramsWhat has changed is Going from Low Fat to Full Fat.But Still Eat Mostly Healthier Fats: Beans, Nuts, Nut butter, Avocados, Olive oil, SeedsProtein Guidelines: For 150lb person that's 80-109gramsSpread Quality Protein intake out: we can only absorb 30grams at a Time. Have some with every meal.Protein Foam on a Coffee or in a Pop Tart does Not CountMix it Up – If you Eat Animal Protein also Eat Beans, Nuts, Seeds for the FiberEggs, Seafood and Tofu also Good Sources of ProteinEvery Meal about a Cup of Protein or the Size of Your Fist or a Flat Open HandProtein Keeps us Full Longer and Slows the Absorption of Sugars found in Fruits Why Did the Guidelines Change – They've Been the Same for a Long Time 15:19 90% of US health care spending goes to Treating Chronic DiseaseMuch of Chronic Disease is related to Diet and Lifestyle.75% of US adults report having At Least One Chronic Disease.50% of Americans have Diabetes or Pre-diabetes.Biggest Change to Impact that is Reducing Added Sugars and Ultra Processed FoodsNo amount of Added Sugar or Non-Nutritive Sweeteners is recommendedChildren Under the Age of Four Should Not Have Any Added Sugar School Lunch Impact 18:00 Biggest Win in the New Guidelines: Removing Ultra Processed Foods in SchoolsBut we are going to Need a Lot More Funding, Kitchen SupportSupport To Make Real Food to get down to the Percent of Ultra Processed Foods Now AllowedThat's 150 Million Meals served to Children per WeekSchools that have Already Adjusted: Kids Eat More, Food Waste is Down, Attention Span is Up Missed in the New Guidelines 21:49 Organic. Grass Fed. Regenerative. Eat Local.Front of Package Labeling - What the Bad Ingredients Are – Other Countries Do ThisBack of Package Does Label Added Sugar which Should Be Avoided altogether Food Pyramid, Guidelines Affect on Urban Areas 24:53 Canned, Frozen Fruits, Vegetables Accessible there.Bring Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Food Boxes into those AreasSet Up Farmers Markets ThereCreate Local Urban Gardens First Step Moving Towards the New Food Pyramid 28:32 Eat More Whole FoodsCut Back on Ultra Processed Foods, Sugar Sweetened Beverages, Enriched Grains/FlourPrioritize Protein with Every MealEat High Fiber Carbohydrates: Beans, Lentils, Peas, Nuts, Seeds, Vegetables, FruitsEat Whole Grains: look for 100% Whole Grains on the Package The ...
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    40 mins
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