Food For Thought - the Podcast

How to Help a Buddy: The Power of Conversation

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 little as possible, except under very particular circumstances. 

What we hope this episode does, is to create the circumstances such that everyone wants to engage in some form of conversation more often than they currently do. We need to practice talking about the stuff that doesn't matter, so that we can get better at talking about the stuff that does. We need both kinds of conversations and the more we can practice when the stakes are low, the better we are likely to be when things get a little more intense! 

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Surviving the Holidays - Staying on Track with Wellness

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 through 365 more days of ups, downs and reality checks. Join Nicole and Charissa as they break down some of the simple things that you can do to find the sweet spot on that often wildly swinging pendulum to keep your physical, mental (and even financial) wellness on track over the holidays. 

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Warming Up and Cooling Down - Waste of Time or an Investment?

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 often overlooked. Join us as two special guests, Jena MacLeod and Philippa Arbiter, share their extensive knowledge of just why we need to rethink how we start and finish our workouts!

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

The Truth About Protein

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 need more than others, but it is not the fast-track to buff-dom nor will it guarantee weight loss. So listen in if you would like to hear the truth the about protein. 

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

How do you Define Success?

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 provoking and that it, not exactly lets you off the hook, but eases whatever self-or societally induced pressure there might be to "be" a certain way. 

It's also MOVEMBER, so I would encourage you to check out the "Don't Change Much" podcast put on by the Men's Health Foundation - listen to it here https://menshealthfoundation.ca/dont-change-much-podcast/ and check out the most recent episode featuring Kevin Bieksa. 

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

To Carbo-load or Not to Carbo-load...That is the Question!

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 - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Sleep and Performance

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 - it's for everyone!

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.

Caffeine, Taurine and Guarana - Oh My!

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 through exam crunch time, but there is no longer just one option out there. From Energy shots, to extra-caffeinated cola's to every imaginable iteration of energy drinks, there is something out there for almost everyone. Join Nicole and I as we take a look at the why's and the cons (there might be a few pro's but you'll have to tune in) and how you might be able to navigate the landmines that are energy drinks!

Thanks for listening - be sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! F4T is available to be heard on Podcast Addict, Podchaser, Pocket Casts, Deezer, Player FM, Tune-In, Spotify, Google Player and of course Apple Podcasts.

Food for Thought is brought to you by Charissa McKay and Nicole Emerson and all our great guests.

All production, post-production and promotion by Charissa McKay, music by UppBeat. Recorded in Edmonton, or Amiskwacîwâskahikan, Treaty 6 land, Metis Nation Region 4, home to the first peoples including the Cree, Dene, Stoney, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Blackfoot.

Find more Health Promotion content at www.cfmws.ca/edmonton and search for Health Promotion Edmonton.