If you've never had kimchi before, you're missing out on not only a delicious dish but also a whole host of health benefits. Kimchi is a traditional Korean dish made with salted and fermented vegetables. It typically contains cabbage and seasonings like sugar, salt, onions, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. But the list of ingredients isn't what makes kimchi so good for you; it's the fermentation process.

During fermentation, lactobacilli bacteria grow and multiply. These are the same types of probiotics that are found in yogurt, sauerkraut, and other fermented foods. Probiotics are beneficial to your health in many ways. They can boost your immune system, reduce inflammation, and even protect against colon cancer.

Let's take a closer look at each of these health benefits in turn...

Benefit 1: Boosts Your Immune System

One of the most well-known benefits of probiotics is that they can help boost your immune system. And since kimchi is packed with probiotics, it...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 37
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hello and welcome to today’s Wholistic Living podcast. My name is Elena Bensonoff and I’m honored to be here with you today and share some tips on how to improve your health and wellness in every area of your life.

On today's episode of the Be the Hero of Your Health series, we will talk about the link between charcuterie and cancer. You must be the hero of your own health when popular trends like charcuterie boards are everywhere and no one is discussing the risks! Let’s dive in to the problems with charcuterie ingredients including some serious chronic illnesses, then we will look at some exciting charcuterie alternatives to offer at your next event as well as the benefits of making the switch!

The Problem With Charcuterie

Did you know that your Pinterest-worthy charcuterie board spread may be putting you at higher risk for...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 36
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hello and welcome to The Wholistic Living Podcast. I am your host Elena Bensonoff. It’s my honor to share with you important information that will inspire, empower, and change your life with each new choice that you make.

Today we continue the Be the Hero of Your Health series and will be taking a closer look at some of the problems with eating pork. I’ll outline the 7 reasons you should consider quitting pork, 5 alternatives to popular pork-based products, and 5 benefits you’ll enjoy when you make the switch!

The Problem With Pork

Many cultures prohibit the eating of pork for cultural or religious reasons - Jewish and Muslim cultures for example. There is more modern wisdom in these ancient dietary traditions than we might think!

Pigs are scavengers and often eat garbage and other refuse when not provided with better...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 34
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hello and welcome to the Wholistic Living Podcast. My name is Elena Bensonoff. I’m excited to have you with me today as we deep dive into important topics that will illuminate and enhance your wellness journey. I will guide you to better understand and support your health on all levels.

Today, we continue the Be the Hero of Your Health series by taking a close look at some of the problems with protein shakes. You may be shocked to find out this wellness-industry favorite contains dangerous heavy metals. We are going to explore the specific dangers of four of the heavy metals found in protein powder as well as some other protein powder pitfalls. Then we’ll cover some high-protein whole foods you can turn to instead as well as the benefits of making the switch!

Protein Shake Pitfalls

Have you ever been looking to improve your...

Over the last 3 years, COVID-19 has tested our resilience in countless ways.

Many people are discovering they are suffering from “long COVID.” This is the continuation of fatigue, cough, shortness of breath, myalgia, brain fog, and a laundry list of other symptoms which may last 5 weeks or longer. Persistent brain fog is a common long COVID symptom which is referred to as “COVID brain.”

If you are struggling with COVID brain post-COVID infection, you are not alone!

In this blog, I’ll discuss COVID brain and how the health of your gut microbiome is the key to overcoming it. I’m also sharing my top 6 ways to re-diversify your gut microbiome to clear brain fog. Stay tuned for info on how to receive one-on-one gut health guidance from yours truly!

Do You Have COVID Brain?

Anyone can suffer from long COVID and COVID brain, even if you did not have any symptoms at the time of the initial infection.

A study of 250,000 people found that...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 33
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hello and welcome to the Wholistic Living Podcast. I’m Elena Bensonoff, your host and guide on your journey to lasting wellness. My mission is to inspire and educate you to make wise and informed decisions when it comes to your health and how you care for your body.

Today's installment of the Be the Hero of Your Health series is about the dark side of energy drinks. In this episode, you’ll learn why energy drinks are not the secret ingredient to powering through a packed schedule as the marketing suggests. We are going to explore the health issues that are associated with energy drink consumption and then I will share 5 ways you can kick the caffeine and generate sustainable energy, naturally!

The Problem With Energy Drinks

Back to school season can be the season of all-nighters. For many people, this means studying for exams,...

If you’re like me, you find peace and satisfaction in cultivating your own garden. There’s something special about watching the fruits of your labor grow. You might also be familiar with the frustration of keeping weeds and bugs from harming your plants…

That’s why so many companies, from landscaping companies to consumer packaged goods companies, turn to weed-killer products for help. You are probably spending time in public spaces that use them, eating foods that have been sprayed with them, or drinking water that is contaminated with them…

Today, I want to raise awareness about glyphosate, a popular herbicide found in weed-killing products. Glyphosate is sprayed over a massive amount of crops such as corn, soy, and wheat. These plants are genetically engineered to be unaffected by the application of glyphosate, while the wild weeds around it die away.

We’ll explore the impact glyphosate can have on the human body and the environment,...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 32
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hi, I’m Elena Bensonoff. Welcome to the Wholistic Living Podcast. Today we are continuing our Be The Hero Of Your Health series. This series is meant to empower you with information so you can be the hero of your own health and feel your best!

Today we will be talking about the deceptive marketing tactic called “Health-Washing” and we will take a look at smoothies as an example. We will talk about how you can heal from the inside out by ditching sugar and I’ll share my simple 5-step process for making a healthy smoothie at home! I’m so excited to share this information with you. Let’s dive right in!

So What Is “Health-Washing?”

It’s a marketing technique used to trick consumers into thinking a product is healthier than it actually is with deceptive images and claims. This happens a lot on...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 31
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

 
Hello and welcome to the Wholistic Living podcast! I’m your host Elena Bensonoff. On today’s episode of the Be the Hero of Your Health series, we will be chatting about the convenience craze of meal replacement bars. I will be sharing why it’s not a good idea to replace" a healthy meal with a bar! We’ll take a look at two of the most popular “clean” bars that seem to promise they are a good choice and learn the truth about this on-the-go option.

Finally, I’ll share a healthy solution you can start today and 5 benefits of prioritizing healthy meals because your body is important. Fueling your body with healthy foods should be worth penciling into your day. By the end of this podcast, you’ll want to take a good hard look at your commitments and reduce the number of obligations in your schedule so you actually have...

Welcome to the WHOLISTIC LIVING PODCAST: Episode 29
Aligning Body, Mind, and Soul with Elena Bensonoff

Hi there and welcome to the Wholistic Living podcast. I’m Elena Bensonoff and I’m excited to share with you another episode in the Be the Hero of your Health series. I’m here to help you look at the daily choices you make and empower you with information to set you on the path to forever wellness and lasting energy.

Today we will be taking a close look at the spooky side of coffee shops. You’ll learn why their coffees are problematic - including a look at the negative effects of sugar, caffeine, mycotoxins, and dairy on your body. I’ll also share a solution that will help support your journey to body, mind, and soul balance.

Overview of the Problem

The once green leaves are changing to oranges and red. The air is crisp and cool. Bundled in your favorite cozy sweater, you join the herd and head to your favorite coffee...