• Wake Up and Read the Labels!

  • By: Jen Smiley
  • Podcast
Wake Up and Read the Labels!  By  cover art

Wake Up and Read the Labels!

By: Jen Smiley
  • Summary

  • Wake Up and Read the Labels is your guide to eating simple and feeling good. If you want to eat clean and feel your best, you’re in the right place. Join us each week as we talk about real ingredients, ethical brands, and the stories of people just like you who woke up and read the labels.
    © JEN SMILEY
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Episodes
  • The Benefits of Fresh Food for Dogs with Dr. Jennifer Kwon
    May 28 2024
    Commercially produced kibble has been a go-to option in canine diets. While undeniably convenient, these dry foods may often contain fillers, byproducts, and preservatives that may not be ideal for a dog's overall health. A growing trend in pet nutrition emphasizes a diet rich in fresh, whole ingredients. This shift to fresh food emphasizes minimally processed meals that retain nutritional value, making those nutrients more bioavailable and digestible for canines to absorb and utilize. In this episode, Jen talks with Dr. Jennifer Kwon, Director of Veterinary Partnerships Education and Outreach at JustFoodForDogs, a pioneer in fresh pet food. Dr. Kwon is passionate about promoting pet health and well-being through nutrition. She has been with JustFoodForDogs since its inception and has played a key role in developing healthy and balanced dog diets. With her expertise and dedication, Dr. Kwon has helped countless pets improve overall vitality and thrive on real, fresh food. Jen talks with Dr. Kwon about the importance of feeding dogs real and fresh food. Dr. Kwon explains the difference between food and feed when it comes to dog nutrition. She sheds light on the benefits of feeding dogs a diet free from processed kibble and addresses common health issues in dogs, such as obesity, skin issues, and allergies, as well as how a fresh diet can help alleviate these problems. Key Takeaways [02:10] - The founding of JustFoodforDogs. [03:05] - The difference between food and feed for dogs. [04:40] - The potential impact of pet food on dog's health. [06:06] - Why fresh food matters for dogs. [07:59] - The different types of food and flavors available at JustFoodForDogs. [09:11] - How to determine the best diet for dogs and how to order. [10:44] - JustFoodForDogs' approach to traveling and refrigeration. [11:53] - Testimonials about dog's transformations after consuming JustFoodForDogs products. [13:40] - Sensitivities of dogs to certain foods. [16:17] - Dog snacks from JustFoodForDogs. [18:36] - JustFoodForDogs adoption program. Quotes [06:28]- "Fresh food really matters because, just as we see in human health, consuming fresh whole foods plays a crucial role in promoting the well-being of our pets. Fresh whole foods are cooked minimally. That makes the nutrients more bioavailable and digestible, leading to better nutrient absorption." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon [09:44] - "We believe that every dog is an individual. Just like humans, everyone is different. And because we're so bio-individual, we don't want a cookie-cutter diet for everybody." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon [19:32] - "We want more lives, more love, and more dogs to live longer and healthier." ~ Dr. Jennifer Kwon Links Dr. Jennifer Kwon JustFoodForDogs JustFoodForDogs on Instagram JustFoodForDogs on Facebook JustFoodForDogs on X / Twitter Shawn Buckley PAWS Chicago Korean K9 Rescue Wags and Walks Connect with our host Jen on Instagram Jen on Facebook Wake Up and Read the Labels! Schedule a 15 Min Breakthrough Chat with a WURL Food Coach! Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts
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    24 mins
  • Simple Ingredients, Extraordinary Fruit Snacks with Simón Sacal
    May 14 2024
    The food industry has long recognized the consumer demand for clean, healthy snack options. However, many store-bought snacks, while appearing healthy on the surface, contain hidden sugars, additives, and preservatives. Solely recognizes these needs and is up to the challenge. They lead the clean snacking movement by offering simple, transparent, and delicious snacks made with whole, organic fruits. Their commitment to using only a few natural ingredients sets them apart from other brands that rely on artificial ingredients. In this episode, Jen talks with Simón Sacal, Founder and CEO at Solely. With more than 20 years of experience in the food industry, Simón is a pioneer in creating healthy snack options. He started Solely by inventing a technology to make fat-free potato chips and has since expanded the brand to include fruit jerky, gummies, dried fruit, and pasta. Simón's mission is to provide consumers with clean, nutritious, and guilt-free snacks made from ingredients that humans have used for thousands of years. Simón talks with Jen about how Soley uses real ingredients, like organic fruit, to create their fruit jerky, gummies, dried fruit, and pasta. Simón also shares how he sources organic fruits and the challenges in developing these products. He highlights the significance of organic farming in ensuring that the fruits used in their products are free from harmful chemicals. Key Takeaways [01:30] - An overview of Simon's background and how Solely got started. [02:59] - The fat-free movement. [05:04] - The challenges of creating clean and simple snacks. [07:21] - The challenges companies face in creating clean snacks. [09:18] - Solely's source for organic fruit. [11:15] - Solely's fruit jerky products and their taste profile. [14:57] - How Solely's fruit gummies are produced. [16:02] - Harmful ingredients in popular fruit snack brands. [20:13] - How Solely produces its pasta options: spaghetti squash and green banana. [23:34] - The best way to get Solely products. Quotes [04:08] - "At Solely, we go far beyond better for you. We do good for you. So, we only have food that humans have been eating for thousands of years and that we know nourishes and is good for you." ~ Simón Sacal [09:34] - "Being close to the farmers is a huge part of the business in many ways. It makes it sustainable. It makes it human. It makes it work. It's the only way you can really control the fruit and make it long-term sustainable." ~ Simón Sacal [10:19] - "Sometimes, you think you're eating clean because the ingredients look clean. But if you have a lot of pesticides on the product, it could be even worse than having something that is not perceived as clean. So, we make a huge effort to go organic." ~ Simón Sacal Links Simón Sacal on LinkedIn Solely Fruit Snacks Solely on Amazon Jimbo's Naturally Costco Kroger Albertsons Target Connect with our host Jen on Instagram Jen on Facebook Wake Up and Read the Labels! Schedule a 15 Min Breakthrough Chat with a WURL Food Coach! Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts
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    27 mins
  • Simple Ingredients and Big Impact with Nick Meyer
    Apr 30 2024
    Have you ever craved more snacks after eating one? That's because sugary snacks often leave us wanting more. But Bearded Brothers offers a refreshing change in the crowded snack market by providing healthier options. In this episode, Jen talks with Nick Meyers, President of Bearded Brothers, about how his journey into Bearded Brothers began, why organic ingredients are essential to their mission, and their special Yo bars designed for kids. In this episode: [01:49] - How and why Nick got involved in Beared Brothers. [05:25] - Why organic ingredients and clean labels are important to Beared Brothers. [13:36] - Nick talks about Beared Brothers Yo Bars for kids. [17:27] - Where you can find Bearded Brothers. Quotes [03:53] - “You look on the back, you read the ingredients, you know the ingredients, and not only do you know them, you feel good about them.” ~ Nick Meyer [09:27] - “You want to eat clean and feel good about it, but you want to enjoy your food too.” ~ Nick Meyer [12:29] - “When we created a lot of these bars, we wanted to stick to the cleanest ingredients possible.” ~ Nick Meyer Links Nick Meyer LinkedIn Bearded Brothers Breaded Brothers Instagram Costco Amazon Whole Foods Market Connect with our host Jen on Instagram Jen on Facebook Wake Up and Read the Labels! Schedule a 15 Min Breakthrough Chat with a WURL Food Coach! Subscribe and stay in touch Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Get 25% off your Bearded Brother purchase. Use the code Wakeup at https://www.beardedbros.com.
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    21 mins

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