Marin Mama’s First Podcast and Links to My Favorite Things

Marin Mama's first podcast

Ok, so I did my first PODCAST EVER a few weeks back, and it was SO MUCH FUN!  I was asked by Sarah of Another Mother Runner if I would be willing to chat with her about nutrition, food and kids on one of her weekly podcasts!  I of course excitedly raised my hand and said, “YES” as I love to talk and share. I mean I create, talk and share with you all on a weekly basis, so a podcast was a natural progression for me!

Like I said, it was my first podcast, so I was extremely nervous, I rambled on quite a bit, and I also think I talked a bit TOO MUCH, but it was live and there were no re-takes, so it is what it is. In the podcast I’m talking about kids and nutrition, family, and sharing some things I learned at natural chef school, as well as my fitness routine! I come into the podcast at the 7:30 minute mark! So if you have some free time on your hands, or are on a long car drive and want something to listen to, then check it out, Marin mama cook’s first podcast with Another Mother Runner!

One quick note for all my vegetarian and vegan readers out there….

I didn’t want to offend anyone on my vegetarian/vegan views in the podcast. Sara and I had spoken earlier about how her children are thinking of switching over to a vegetarian diet because they believe, or had heard that it was healthier diet for their bodies. I guess I got a bit preachy because I’ve seen this trend happening a lot in our culture, and in my local community with kids and teens, and they’re not making the switch for ethical reasons. Most kids I run across are making a switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet because they think it’s a healthier choice for them for weight loss or nutrition, or they’re doing it because it’s in vogue in their circle of friends. They also make the switch because it’s a way to control something in their lives. I mean let’s face it, food is an easy thing for kids to control. I do recognize that there are kids out there that are making the switch for ethical purposes, and those are not the kids I am speaking to in this podcast.

I also just wanted to let parents know that eating animal protein and eggs is ok, and not “bad for you” like we’ve all been told. I was giving parents and kids the hall pass that pasture raised organic meat is a healthy part of a normal diet, not an unhealthy choice, as most people have been led to believe.

Animal protein (including eggs) is the best way for kids to get their 8 essential amino acids, as animal protein contains all 8 essential amino acids that our bodies need, but can’t produce. Kids especially need these amino acids to grow.

Most kids I run across won’t eat the other things that it takes to maintain a healthy vegan or vegetarian diet, (tofu or tempeh etc) they won’t always eat the nuts, seeds, grains or vegetables and the other essential nutrients needed for a healthy plant based diet. Meats paired with healthy fats, proteins and slow burning carbohydrates are what kid’s growing bodies need. So I apologize for those of you that may be offended, as I truly didn’t mean to offend you, or say that being vegetarian or vegan was not a healthy choice or lifestyle!

In the end, it’s all about individual constitution, as each of our bodies are different, and food effects each of us differently.

So let’s talk a bit about exercise….

Jackie collage of outdoor sports

SO, you all know I’m into eating healthy, but I’m also a BIG believer in exercise, as food is only part of the equation to a healthy mind and body. Exercise is equally as important. You need movement to get oxygen into your cells. Exercise not only helps your body, but lifts your spirits, helps relieve stress and heals your mind. Getting out into the great outdoors is my favorite way to get exercise. I feel ALIVE and FREE when I’m outside exercising, and it feels like play, and not a chore.

My favorite ways to stay fit are; running, surfing, mountain biking, road biking, skiing and even hitting the gym for strength and muscle building. I love variety, and variety helps to keep the boredom of of working out.

I’ve just recently (over the past 2 years) gotten into skiing, road biking and surfing and I’m loving all three of them!  My belief is that it’s never too late to try a new sport. Hey, I’m 45 and I’m trying these things, so you can too..

It’s great to get out there and face your fears and to challenge your body in different ways. Yes, I’ve only gotten up on the surfboard a handful of times (can count the number of times on my fingers and toes), flipped over in my skis a dozen of times and fell flat on my face in the powder, and even cried on top of a huge scary ski run holding onto the side of the hill, asking/begging if I could just walk my skis down. I’ve crashed my mountain bike endless times, (clipless pedals, gotta love them on single tracks) and had to walk my bike up a few steep hills, but you know what? I keep getting back out there and trying these sports over and over again, because I love the challenge each new sport brings, as well as how great my body and mind feel after. I feel ALIVE and GRATEFUL everyday that I’m physically able to do these sports, and I never take it for granted.

Plus, you never know who you’re going to run into while out and about! I ran in to Ted King this past weekend while mountain biking on Mt. Tam, and he gave me one of his maple waffles for some energy, pretty cool and pretty tasty!

Marin Mama mountain biking and eating untapped maple waffles

Links to my favorite products discussed in the podcast!

In the podcast, I also talk about the benefits of coconut oil, and people have since asked me what my favorite brand is, and whether to get refined or unrefined. First off, get unrefined virgin coconut oil, as it’s pure coconut oil and smells like coconuts. The refined coconut oil has been processed, so you don’t want that. Also, get whatever brand is on sale and works for your budget. I like these two brands, and always pick up few extra when they go on sale, Dr. Bronner’s Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut oil. You can pick up either of these at most grocery stores, and they do go on sale quite often, so check the expiration dates and stock up!

Unrefined virgin coconut oil

I use coconut oil on all of my roasted vegetables, when cooking up eggs, in most of my baked goods, my oven baked brown rice, and even put a tablespoon in my morning coffee or tea. It’s good stuff!

I also use this medium-chain triglycerides coconut oil from Sports Research. This oil is liquid in form, doesn’t have any flavor, and can even be used in salad dressings. I haven’t tried using it in a dressing yet, but when I do, I’l let you know. I always put a tablespoon of MCT in my water when hitting the gym, going for a run, or on a mountain bike ride. I also put this one in my coffee, as it’s just easy. You can link over to their Amazon page to see all the benefits and info on the product! I purchased a bottle back in December and I’m still using it, so it goes a long way.

MCT oils

I also spoke about chia seeds in the podcast and I’m a huge lover of those tiny black seeds. I love that they’re packed with Omega-3 essential fatty acids, are high in protein and fiber, and they help the body maintain sustained hydration! I mean just two tablespoons of chia seeds contain 10 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, and more antioxidants than blueberries.  Pretty cool how awesome these little seeds are. I love this brand from Nutiva.

Nutiva chia seeds

I put these bad boys in lots of things. I’ll put 1 tablespoon on my peanut butter or almond butter and jelly sandwiches. I just add a tablespoon to the jelly on my sandwich, mix it in and chow down. It adds a nice crunchy texture, but no taste, which is great for the kiddos.

I love them in my overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with strawberries and chia. I use 2 tablespoons here!

Overnight oats with strawberries

They’re awesome in my no-bake cacao superfood energy bites. They actually just add a cool crunchy texture!  Zoe said the crunch from the chia seeds reminded her of a healthy crunch bar.

No bake cacao superfood energy bites

I always add 2 tablespoons to any of my hot oatmeal or quinoa breakfasts bowls!  See, you can add these cute little seeds to just about anything.

Overnight oats with blueberries

Here are some of the recipes that I talked about in the podcast

One pan Mexican quinoa wraps. These are super easy and super tasty, and one of our favorite weeknight meatless meals!

One pan mexican quinoa wraps

Quinoa wraps with black beans, feta and avocado.  This was Sara’s favorite!

Quinoa wrap

Easy oven baked brown rice. This rice is SO easy and SO tasty with the coconut oil!

Easy baked brown rice

Quick and easy guacamole. Seriously, you have try this guac! It’s ultra simple, requires only 5 ingredients and takes just 10 minutes to make. No excuses folks!

Quick and easy guacamole

Oven roasted sweet potato halves. These sweet potatoes get all caramelized on the tops, and the coconut oil brings out the natural sweetness of the sweet potato even more! Delish!

Oven roasted sweet potato

Last but not least. I also talked about the “art of chewing.”  We’ve been trying to chew our food a bit more in this house. Chewing is the first step in digestion, as it helps break down the food, thus making it easier for your body to digest. Taking the time to properly chew your your food also helps you realize when you’ve had enough. We tend to be a society that gulps and inhales our food, and thus we’re eating way too much, and our bodies are not recognizing when we’re full until we’ve had too much to eat and are stuffed. So chewing is actually a good thing, and can help with maintaining your weight, as you’re body will be able to digest naturally and tell you when it’s had enough.

Also, by slowing down and chewing your food you will actually TASTE your food, and if you’re eating good food, well then it’s a good thing! 🙂

I hope you all enjoyed the podcast! Please let me know if you have any questions, or if I forgot to link over to anything!

With love Jackie
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6 thoughts on “Marin Mama’s First Podcast and Links to My Favorite Things”

  1. Hi, I just want to tell you that your recent suggestion of beets with avocados has completely won me over. I have been roasting my vegetables on parchment paper with coconut oil and sea salt (as you have always suggested), so I knew where you were going with the roasted beets, but then pairing them with avocados? YUM! I stopped at the store that day you posted and bought beets and avocados. It was my lunch the next day. Yesterday I had some and my husband thought I was nuts. I urged him to try (because he claims he does not like beets) and he LOVED it. I actually gave him my lunch. I was just so happy he loved it. So thank you so much! I make so many of your recipes! We have many family faves. You cook the way I love to eat and my family has no choice if they want to be fed! I always look forward to your posts. They are enjoyable and there is always a treat (a new recipe to try). Lacinato Kale salad is my personal favorite. Love the chick pea veggie burgers, blood orange smoothies, fall roasted vegetables (you made me love brussel sprouts) and more…..and now I love beets on my pizza. Delicious! Thanks for all you do!

    1. Hi Beth! Yay! I’m so happy that my simple photo of beets paired with avocado won you over! I’ve been trying to Instagram and photograph my simple snacks or meals, just because I think it gives people ideas, so I’m glad it inspired you to try beets and avocado together! SO cool that you converted your hubby over to beets! He He! You go girl!

      I’m super elated to hear that you make so many recipes from the blog, and that they’re right up your alley! Hearing comments like yours totally motivates me to keep this blog going. Thanks for taking the time to comment and share with me your favorite recipes and just your overall super sweet comment! You rock!

      xoxo, Jacquelyn

  2. I found out about your blog from the AMR podcast. I enjoyed the podcast and have since been enjoying your blog! I have been trying a lot of the recipes. My favorite so far is the oven brown rice. Thanks for all your hard work!

    1. Hi Jill! I’m so happy to hear that you discovered my blog via the AMR podcast! Yay, that you;re trying tons of recipes, there are tons on here, so please let me know if you need or want any recommendations! We LOVE the brown rice, and it’s a weekly staple in our house as well, because it’s easy, tastes great and can pretty much go with anything! Thanks so much for saying hi Jill! xoxo, Jacquelyn

  3. Sarah Kiriliuk

    Hi Jacquelyn,
    I was happy to see this post on your site, as I listened and enjoyed every word of the AMR podcast you were a guest on. In fact, since the podcast, I’ve made a deep dive into your recipes and made some BIG changes in my kitchen. #1 was getting rid of aluminum foil and using parchment paper on my baking sheets. I had no idea foil was toxic! I’ve also made quite a few of your recipes (crispy chicken, parmesan pork chops, sweet potato fries) and I’ve been living on the avacado tahini wrap! Today at dinner I made your fluffy oven baked rice – YUM! I’ve read other recipe blogs before and tried to follow other online food sites, but what made your recipes stick for me was your approach: you break everything down into easy steps and you answer all my silly questions like “can I bake something in the oven when my sweet potato fries are in there?”. Your tutorial on how to prep kale is another great example of something super easy that makes a mom’s life in the kitchen easier. Thanks for the inspiration!
    Sarah

    1. Hi Sarah! Wow, your comment seriously made my night! I’m super grateful that you took the time to listen to the podcast, and that it got you to make some HUGE changes! That’s why I continue with this blog, I want to share the knowledge and teach people about nutrition and getting back to eating whole foods. Simple is what works for us all, and that’s what I try and do on the blog, create simple and healthy recipes. I’m so happy that you’ve tried so many recipes and that you had great success. Yippee! I test each recipe multiple times before I post it, so that I can pretty much answer any question that may pop up, and there are no SILLY questions girl 😉 I write this blog as if I’m reading the recipe, so I get very detailed in posts because I want detail for myself. I hope you have continued success with the blog and that you try many more recipes. I really appreciate your super sweet comment and for taking the time to say hi! I know everyone is busy, but it’s just awesome to hear from readers, so thanks Sarah! xoxo, Jacquelyn

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