We all know that teenagers can be moody, but how can you tell the difference between normal teenage reactions and emotions and what may really be early signs of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. In this episode, we’re talking about pre-teen and teen mental wellness and what you can do as a parent and in the kitchen. Let’s dive in. Studies mentioned: 1) Nutritional Aspects of Depression in Adolescents - A Systematic Review https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6484557/ ...
Mar 03, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 39
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Mar 01, 2022•5 min
Have you ever felt like you fell into a funk while you were sick? Then even after you physically recovered, you still feel a little blue, and are struggling to get back to your typical self? If so, you’re not alone. Not only is there an actual term for this, but Carolyn is in the thick of it right now and in true Carolyn fashion, she dug into the science behind the post-illness blues. In today’s episode, we talk about how those blahs after being sick are a real thing. Mood disturbance after infe...
Feb 24, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 38
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Feb 22, 2022•4 min
You asked, we’re delivering. This episode was requested by you—our podcast listeners. Whether you already knew that there’s a close connection between your thyroid function and mental wellness, or that’s news to you, that’s the topic of today’s episode. We explain how the two are connected, and explore different signs and symptoms of a thyroid imbalance. Plus, hear a few personal stories. Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even ...
Feb 17, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 37
We spend a lot of time indoors. In fact, statistics say we’re inside 87 percent of the day. But getting outside—even just for 5 to 10 minutes—has the power to be an almost instant mood booster and offers a whole host of other mental and physical perks. In today’s episode, we cover the mental health benefits of the great outdoors, as well as exactly how much time you need to spend outdoors, if one environment is better than another, and also how to bring the outdoors inside so you can reap some o...
Feb 10, 2022•40 min•Season 2Ep. 36
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Feb 08, 2022•7 min
Can your Enneagram number predict how successful you might be—or not be—when you’re making big health changes like New Year’s Resolutions? The Enneagram is a popular way to examine your personality type and grow self awareness about everything from relationships to self care, and even the dialogue you have with yourself each day. In today’s episode we brought Enneagram guru (and registered dietitian) Jenna Braddock back to talk about approaching your New Year’s Resolutions based on your Enneagra...
Feb 04, 2022•57 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Dubbed “the original chill pill” by Psychology Today, magnesium is a mineral you definitely need to know more about. Especially considering that the majority of us are probably getting insufficient amounts, or taking other supplements that might be competing with magnesium. In today’s episode we’re zero-ing in on just this one mineral: why you need it, subtle signs that suggest you may need more, and how you can up your intake. You’ll get advice on how to pick a magnesium supplement and also lea...
Jan 27, 2022•39 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Days are noticeably shorter, temps are colder, and if you're struggling to stick with that salad for lunch b/c mac and cheese or chocolate chip cookies sound a whole lot better, this episode is for you. Today we’re talking about why we’re craving carb-rich foods so much more this time of year. Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website! https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com Learn More About Our H...
Jan 20, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 33
It’s that time of year when we’re hyper-focused on what we’re eating or not eating—what diet to follow, what foods to add to your shopping cart, what drinks to avoid. The lists you’ll find, though–and there’s a ton of them right now–are all focused on topics related to your physical health like weight loss. But no one is talking about what you should and shouldn’t be eating for your mental wellness. So in today’s episode, we’re sharing 5 of the worst grocery items for your mental health. And the...
Jan 13, 2022•41 min•Season 2Ep. 32
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Jan 11, 2022•5 min
Did 2021 leave you feeling exhausted, or on edge? Or maybe you’d even go so far as to say 2021 was your worst year ever. You’re not alone. Stress, anxiety, and depression are all on the rise—and some of us may even be experiencing symptoms of a form of post-traumatic stress, that’s being called post-COVID stress disorder. In today’s episode, we say goodbye to 2021, share a little bit about why it wasn’t the year we thought it’d be, explain what post-COVID stress disorder is, and—most importantly...
Jan 06, 2022•51 min•Season 2Ep. 31
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Jan 04, 2022•7 min
The best (and cheapest) therapy for those small things that get under your skin is sometimes a good venting session so you can get it off your chest and move on with your life! And if you’re not privy to the first-hand vent-a-thon, then being a fly on the wall listening is hopefully equally therapeutic and also maybe entertaining. Welcome to Rant Therapy, a podcast short powered by the hosts of the Happy Eating podcast, Brierley Horton and Carolyn Williams, where we periodically share our real-l...
Dec 30, 2021•4 min
The connection between your diet and your mental wellness may seem to be all about how foods and nutrients impact the brain, but that’s only a small part of it. Turns out, what’s more important is how that food impacts your gut and overall gut health. The gut-brain connection is more complex than we ever knew and there’s a lot of truth to trusting that “gut” feeling. What should you eat (or not eat)? Should you take probiotics? We’re exploring all of this and more in this shortened remix of The ...
Dec 23, 2021•42 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Ashwagandha: The Supplement You Need for 2022 I need to take ashwa-whaaatttt? It’s rare that we push taking dietary supplements as a primary way to boost mental wellness, so the fact that we’re doing a whole episode on this naturopathic supplement should tell you a lot. In today’s episode we’re talking about Ashwagandha—the adaptogen that’s skyrocketed in popularity in 2020 and 2021 and it’s powerful potential to help you manage stress and anxiety. Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Pod...
Dec 16, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 29
You’ve probably guessed that a lack of sleep doesn’t help anything, including your mood. But did you know there’s a connection between sleep and mental health conditions—as in a lack of sleep can make daily worries, stress, and even anxiousness worse? And that, in turn, fuel sleep troubles. Today we’re shining a light on the connection between sleep and mental wellness and sharing our favorite 5 tips — that you likely haven’t heard before — for getting a good night’s rest. Does Improving Sleep L...
Dec 09, 2021•33 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Between the family gatherings, get-togethers with friends, and work- or community-related parties, it often feels like we’re jumping from one holiday eating occasion to the next. And if you’re like us, that also might mean some stress and even guilt about indulging in less healthy foods—and what you might have to deal with in January. In today’s episode, we’re talking about holiday weight gain (it’s a lot less than you probably think!), and how to ditch the holiday guilt. Thank you for listening...
Dec 02, 2021•32 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Did you know that the average adult drinks double their usual amount of alcohol during the holiday season? Whether or not your drinking during this time of year increases or not, we’re saying ditch the guilt because sometimes it can be necessary! That said, awareness is super important and so in this episode we’re offering up 5 tips to mindfully enjoy your favorite holiday drinks this season. For a deep dive on how alcohol consumption impacts your mental wellness, listen to Episode 6 in Season 1...
Nov 25, 2021•16 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Even if you’ve experienced postpartum depression or been close to someone who has, you may not realize exactly what it can look like—or how it differs from the “baby blues.” Postpartum depression symptoms actually go beyond the stereotypical ones that you commonly hear, and Brierley touches on that and shares some of her own experience with postpartum depression. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about what new mothers—or people who are supporting new mothers—need to know, including how phys...
Nov 17, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 25
You might assume that signs of a gut health issue surface only through changes and symptoms in your intestinal tract. And sometimes they do. But they can also pop up in other areas of your body far from your gut. Because there is a connection between your gut and your brain, disruptions to your gut health could impact your mental wellness. Today we’re sharing 5 weird signs that you may have a gut issue and what to do about it. Let’s dive in! A fermented-food diet increases microbiome diversity a...
Nov 10, 2021•36 min•Season 2Ep. 24
6 Ways to Manage Holiday Sugar Overload You asked for it, and we are delivering. Halloween is just behind us and we are at the top of the slide of the holiday sugar rush. Maybe you like to say ‘yes’ to the sweets, maybe you hate policing the sweets. Either way you know that too much is not good, but this time of year managing your kid’s sugar intake can feel like an exercise in futility. In this episode, we’re talking about how to incorporate sugar healthfully into the holiday season and sharing...
Nov 04, 2021•39 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Your perception of things and how you approach life overall is very much influenced by your personality. The Enneagram is a popular way to examine your personality type and grow self awareness about everything from relationships to self care and even the dialogue you have with yourself each day. In today’s episode we’re talking all about the Enneagram: what it is, where to find out what your number or type is, and how your type influences your approach to diet, physical health, and mental wellne...
Oct 28, 2021•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 22
Brierley’s on her honeymoon, so this week we’re sharing a remix, slightly shortened version of our most popular episode to date — Can Intermittent Fasting Boost Your Mood? (Episode 4) — where we interview fasting expert and registered dietitian Amanda Nighbert. In the episode, she breaks down the benefits, the different methods of intermittent fasting and tells us what she thinks is the best intermittent fasting method to try to boost your metabolism and possibly mood. Articles on Intermittent F...
Oct 21, 2021•34 min•Season 2Ep. 21
We talk a big game when it comes to healthy eating, but what do meal times really look like at home with our kids? The kids took over the studio with our producer Les Nuby, so get ready for some honest answers when Les asks them all about food, meals at home, and what it’s like to have a mom who’s a dietitian. Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website! https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com Learn...
Oct 13, 2021•35 min•Season 2Ep. 20
From email to Zoom to apps like Slack, it’s harder than ever to escape work. In today’s episode, we’re talking about work-life balance and how for mental wellness it really should be about integrating work into life. Show Notes: Here’s how to follow our guest Jen Fisher, Chief Well-being Officer for Deloitte: @JenFish23 (Instagram) linkedin.com/in/jen-fisher-cwbo (LinkedIn) You can check out her book and podcast here: https://www.amazon.com/Work-Better-Together-Relationships-Well-Being/dp/126426...
Oct 06, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 19
Can Mercury Retrograde Affect Your Health? We kept the discussion going from last week’s episode with media maven and astrologer Valerie Mesa and dove into how Mercury Retrograde may impact our health and wellness. In this episode, Valerie shares how astrology and the pandemic overlap and also gives Carolyn insight on some ongoing health issues in her family. Here’s how to follow our guest Valerie Mesa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriemesa You can check out her website here: https:...
Sep 30, 2021•29 min•Season 2Ep. 18
Ever had a week or two where weird things happen, or just don’t go as planned? Check the calendar to see if Mercury is in retrograde. Looking to the planets for validation may seem a little out there, but Mercury Retrograde is something even science-based minds pay attention to. We chatted virtually with media maven and astrologer, Valerie Mesa, to better understand Mercury Retrograde, and how to harness it to our benefit. Here’s how to follow our guest Valerie Mesa on Instagram: https://www.ins...
Sep 23, 2021•45 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Some diets are better than others for weight loss, but are certain ones also better for your brain and mental wellness? Or could they be making it worse? We're covering the pros and cons of four more popular diets in this week's episode. Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website! https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com Studies mentioned on this episode: 1) Adherence To Low Carbohydrate Diet And Pr...
Sep 16, 2021•48 min•Season 2Ep. 16
