Can We Health You?: Recent Episodes
Can We Health You?
A nutritionist and a yoga instructor get together to talk about nutrition and wellness trends throughout history--from the unique to the disturbing to the effective. Join us as we journey through time and discover the unusual and, at times, crazy side of wellness and nutrition through the lens of history.
In this season two finale, Alice and Leslie talk about Ukraine. Alice explains why Ukraine is Europe's breadbasket and discusses the consequences of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown on the food systems. Leslie delves into Slavic Mythology and the alternate stories behind how Christianity came to Ukraine.
In part two of our two part episode on the World's Fair, Leslie unearths some strange but true facts about various World's Fairs--one being human exhibitions. She also talks about yoga's introduction to America and how the Latter Day Saints used the fair to their advantage.
In this part one of our two part look at the World's Fair, Alice talks about the foods that claim to have been invented at the World's Fair and discusses why necessity is the mother of invention. She also let's us know how the St. Louis community of Dogtown got its name--it's not great.
Alice and Leslie chat about the Golden Age of Hollywood. Leslie discusses the studios' not-so-secret practice of drugging their talent. She also reveals which leading man was a big proponent of LSD. Alice tells of actresses dieting habits and grosses Leslie out by talking of the health benefits of organ meat. Alice's dog, Charlie makes her podcast debut in this episode, too!
Alice and Leslie talk about Franklin Delano Roosevelt in this episode. Alice tells us how Eleanor wanted to eat like a typical American family and Leslie discusses a possible alternate diagnosis for his condition as well as giving some tantalizing details about the White House swimming pool.
Is it sanatoriums or sanatariums? Alice and Leslie answer this question while discussing the scourge of tuberculosis. Hear about the disease's ancient origins, the disgusting ways it was diagnosed, and about a few peculiar 20th century treatments. They discuss antibiotics and, of course, COVID makes an appearance.
This time Alice and Leslie chat about the amazing Frida Kahlo. From the accident that changed her life to her love life to her political leanings, this episode is full of fun facts and speculation.
Alice and Leslie chat about the Ottoman Empire. They talk about its founding, its religious tolerance, brutal succession rules, and its vast contributions to the culinary world. This episode is full of juicy details and tasty food.
In this episode Alice and Leslie delve into the world of Antarctic discovery through the eyes of the great explorer, Ernest Shackleton. Did he eat his dogs? Did he eat penguins and seals? What happened on his ill-fated last adventure? Listen to find out!
In this episode Alice and Leslie chat about Henry VIII. Alice sings a song and tells of the unusual fare found on the Tudor dining table. Leslie discusses theories as to what might have lead to Henry's obsession with procuring new wives and siring male heirs as well as his exercise habits--yes he did exercise!
Alice and Leslie chat about the famous Joan of Arc. From her heroic charge to crown the King of France to the reasons behind the voices she heard to a mysterious cult she may have been a member of, this episode dives deep into the life of the iconic teen.
Alice and Leslie tackle space travel in this episode. From the Challenger disaster to space travel's origins to aliens to food and exercise, this topic is full of interesting tidbits.
This episode focuses on the mighty and brilliant Genghis Khan. Alice and Leslie discuss his early life, god-like status, and what made him--and his army--so successful.
Alice and Leslie tackle salt in this episode. From its origins to how its harvested to all the weird superstitions and health myths surrounding it, this topic has it all!
Alice and Leslie chat with Shannon Vaughn, founder of Pursoma about her company's therapeutic natural bath and body treatments. From bath salt to body oils to herbal teas, Pursoma offers lots of goodies to help you relax, detox, de-stress and (finally!) get a good night's sleep.
Alice and Leslie talk about the iconic--and poorly organized--music festival, Woodstock. From the invention of granola (what!?) to newbies tripping on acid and (presumably) freaking out to mind control experiemts, there's lots to dive into in this episode.
Alice and Leslie cover Amelia Earhart. They talk bout her her history--she was evidently unpopular in school, what she ate in flight--she kept it simple, and her mysterious disappearance.
Alice and Leslie take a look at sumo wrestlers and their habits. From copious amounts of food to maintain their girth to their training to stories of gambling and plastic surgery, there's lots to cover in the episode.
Alice and Leslie talk about the overachiever that was Benjamin Franklin. From inventing to vegetarianism to an illegitimate child, there's a lot that is not widely known about one of America's most famous Founding Fathers.
In this season two premiere episode Alice and Leslie talk about the Heaven's Gate cult. They discuss the leader's decent into madness and discover the cult members' unusual habits, including how they ate.
Sources & Further Reading:
Wikipedia: Heaven's Gate, Museum of Death
History: Heaven’s Gate cult members found dead, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/heavens-gate-cult-members-found-dead
Space.com: Hale-Bopp: The Bright and Tragic Comet, https://www.space.com/19931-hale-bopp.html
Britannica: Heaven's Gate, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Heavens-Gate-religious-group
AL.com: 7 creepy things we learned about cult leader and former UA teacher Marshall Applewhite, https://www.al.com/life/2020/12/7-creepy-things-we-learned-about-cult-leader-and-former-ua-teacher-marshall-applewhite.html
Vice.com: Higher Source: The Immortal Web Design of the Suicide Cult 'Heaven's Gate', https://www.vice.com/en/article/pgapzy/heavens-gate-web-designers-higher-source-suicide-cult
Alice and Leslie are taking a short break. We'll be back--better than ever--on June 21st. We have lots of great subjects we're planning on covering. Follow us on our social media @canwehealthyou_ on Insta and @canwehealthyou on Facebook. Thanks for listening!
Alice and Leslie cover the original Renaissance Man, Michelangelo. He was rich but lived poorly, learned about the human form in an interesting way, and had drama problems with his boss.
Sources & Further Reading:Medium.com: Michelangelo and Divinity, https://medium.com/reflections-in-the-portrait/michelangelo-and-divinity-d90db004accb
sciencedirect.com: Michelangelo: Art, anatomy, and the Kidney, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0085253815468516
Hektoen International: The Anatomy of Michelangelo (1475-1564), https://hekint.org/2018/04/11/anatomy-michelangelo-1475-1564/
Medical News Today: What was medieval and Renaissance Medicine?, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323533
Wikipedia: Renaissance, Michelangelo
Live Science: Sistine Chapel: Facts, History & Visitor Information, https://www.livescience.com/40802-sistine-chapel.html
Great Names in History: How Michelangelo Painted the Sistine Chapel, https://100falcons.wordpress.com/2010/07/25/how-michelangelo-painted-the-sistine-chapel/
History.com: 7 Things You May Not Know About the Sistine Chapel, https://www.history.com/news/7-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-sistine-chapel
Brittanica: Michelangelo
Bella Online: Food in the Renaissance, http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art20864.asp
eHow: Food During the Renaissance Period, https://www.ehow.com/about_6351452_food-during-renaissance-period.html
Ayurvedum: Eating With Your Hands: Easy, Hygienic & Nourishing For Your Health, https://www.ayurvedum.com/eating-with-your-hands/
The Guardian: Poverty of world's richest artist, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/nov/30/artsandhumanities.arts
Grand Voyage Italy: Michelangelo's Shopping List, www.grandvoyageitaly.com/cucina/michelangelos-shopping-list
Alice and Leslie talk pirates this week. From cannibalism to butchering whole cows to crusades and female pirates, this episode is a fun look at the swashbuckling days of yore.
Sources and Further Reading:
Privates and Privateers: Pirates and Religion, http://www.cindyvallar.com/Religion.html
Mensa: Western Religions’ Influence on Piratical Endeavors During the Golden Age of Piracy, https://www.us.mensa.org/read/bulletin/features/western-religion-influence-on-piracy/
Wikipedia: Golden Age of Piracy, Dutch Revolt, Ottoman Empire, Cotton Mather
Atlas Obscura: The Chinese Female Pirate Who Commanded 80,000 Outlaws, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-chinese-female-pirate-who-commanded-80000-outlaws; How Two 18th-Century Lady Pirates Became BFFs on the High Seas, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-two-18th-century-lady-pirates-became-bffs-on-the-high-seas
Alice and Leslie are joined by Rise Up Coffee's Head Roaster, Noah Kegley to talk about one of our favorite beverages, coffee. Learn about the process by which coffee is made starting with the beans, ending in your morning mug.
Alice and Leslie talk about one of their favorite drinks, coffee. Learn about the Sufi Mystics who used coffee in their rituals, notable figures with clear coffee addictions, and what coffee does to your body. Spoiler: drink more water!
Sources & Further Reading:
BBC: Coffee and qahwa: How a drink for Arab mystics went global; https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-22190802
NCA: The History of Coffee; https://www.ncausa.org/about-coffee/history-of-coffee
Redlands Daily Facts: History of coffee linked to Islam; https://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/2013/04/24/history-of-coffee-linked-to-islam/JSTOR Daily: How Coffee Went from a Mystical Sacrament to an Everyday Drink; https://daily.jstor.org/how-coffee-went-from-a-mystical-sacrament-to-an-everyday-drink/
Magellan TV: Light and Dark: Two Legacies of the History of Coffee; https://www.magellantv.com/articles/light-and-dark-two-legacies-of-the-history-of-coffee
Liam Singer: Magic, Ceremony, and Alchemical Mysticism in Coffee; https://liamsinger.medium.com/magic-ceremony-and-alchemical-mysticism-in-coffee-765caca52f12
In this week's episode, Alice and Leslie talk about Easter. From the origins of our traditions to customs worldwide (some are really unusual) to all the candy we consume, this episode is a fun look at one of our most important Christian holidays.
Sources & Further Reading:The Conversation: Why Easter is Called Easter and Other Little Known Facts About the Holiday, https://theconversation.com/why-easter-is-called-easter-and-other-little-known-facts-about-the-holiday-75025
Britannica: Easter Holiday, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday/Liturgical-observances
The Guardian: The Pagan Roots of Easter, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2010/apr/03/easter-pagan-symbolism
History: Easter Symbols and Traditions, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols
Woman's Day: 17 Easter Traditions From Around the World, https://www.womansday.com/life/travel-tips/g2175/easter-traditions/
Atlas Obscura: Giant Omelette Festival, https://www.atlasobscura.com/foods/giant-omelette-festival
The World: This Greek Island Celebrates Easter by Throwing Pots of Water out of Windows, https://www.pri.org/stories/2018-04-07/greek-island-celebrates-easter-throwing-pots-water-out-windows
Barcelona Yellow: La Danza de la Muerte de Verges, https://www.barcelonayellow.com/bcn-tourist/570-la-danza-de-la-muerte-de-verges-dance-of-death
IceBreaker Ideas: 50 Easter Trivia Questions and Answers. https://icebreakerideas.com/?s=easter
Wikipedia: Easter, Easter Traditions, Easter Egg
MSN.com: 18 Surprising Facts about Easter Candy, msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/foodnews
The Spruce Eats: Traditional Passover Seder Foods, https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-passover-seder-foods-1807638
Wonderful Italy: The chocolate Easter Egg was born in Torino,https://wonderfulitaly.eu/en/meraviglie/the-chocolate-easter-egg-was-born-in-torino-5506
Foodal: Traditional Foods of Easter, https://foodal.com/holidays/easter/the-traditional-foods/
Alice and Leslie talk about the great Lucille Ball and her show, I Love Lucy. From Lucy's crazy antics to nearly getting drowned on stage, this episode is a fun stroll down memory lane.
Sources and Further Reading:
Ridiculously Retro: The Secret to Women’s Exercise Routine in the 1950s, https://ridiculouslyretro.com/2018/10/05/the-secret-to-womens-exercise-routine-in-the-1950s/
Dusty Old Thing: How Many Calories Did a 1950s Housewife Burn in a Day, https://dustyoldthing.com/calories-burned-per-week-1950s-housewife/
Norton Center For The Arts: "I Love Lucy" Confronts the 1950s American Housewife Ideal, http://nortoncenter.com/2015/02/02/i-love-lucy-confronts-the-1950s-american-housewife-ideal/
Wikipedia: Jack LaLane, I Love Lucy
Taste of Home: Our Favorite Food Moments on I Love Lucy, Ceara Milligan, https://www.tasteofhome.com/?s=Our+Favorite+Food+Moments+on+I+Love+Lucy%2C+Ceara+Milligan+
Role of a 1950s American Housewife History Essay, ukessays.com
National Women’s History Museum: How Highly Processed Foods Liberated 1950s Housewives, https://www.womenshistory.org/articles/how-highly-processed-foods-liberated-1950s-housewives
The share of ultra-processed foods and the overall nutritional quality of diets in the US: evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional study, E. Martinez Steele
BMJ Open
In this week's episode, Alice and Leslie tackle Mount Everest. From its indigenous names to the food people eat to fuel their quest; this episode looks at those who revere Everest's majesty, those who exploit it, and the copious amounts of trash (and poop!) on the mountain.
Sources and further information:
Alpine Ascents: https://www.alpineascents.com/climbs/mount-everest/training/
National Geographic: Everest 1953: First Footsteps - Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/sir-edmund-hillary-tenzing-norgay-1953; Mount Everest, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/mount-everest/; Our team climbed Everest to try to solve its greatest mystery, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/article/our-team-climbed-everest-to-try-to-solve-its-greatest-mystery-feature
Outdoor Journal: Everest: Queues, Theft and Death on the Mountain Once Known as Chomolungma, https://www.outdoorjournal.com/news/everest-queues-theft-and-death-on-the-mountain-once-known-as-chomolungma/
Druva: Surviving the Everest Avalanche: a First-Hand Account, https://www.druva.com/blog/surviving-the-everest-avalanche-a-first-hand-account/
Top China Travel: Preparation for Mount Everest Climb, https://www.topchinatravel.com/mount-everest/perparation-for-climbing-mount-everest.htm
Wikepedia: Edmund Hillary, Mount Everest, Sherpa People
BBC: Everest through the eyes of a Sherpa: 'Climbers need to wake up’, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-48464030
New York Times: As Everest Melts, Bodies Are Emerging From the Ice, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/30/sports/everest-bodies-global-warming.html
Mount Everest, National Geographic
Sherpa Culture of Nepal: Food, History, and Traditions, Michelle Della Giovanna
fulltimeexplorer.com
Sherpa Tea Recipe: How Butter Tea Helps you climb Mt Everest, Karl Burton
Bettermindbodysoul.com
Food on Everest: What to Eat and How it Gets to the Mountain, Adrian Ballinger
Alpenglowexpeditions.com
15 Foods People Eat When Climbing (and trying to survive) Mount Everest, Pauline Lacsamana
Soyummy.com
Food, climbers mounteverest.net
Alice and Leslie look at the circumstances that led to the fall of the Romanov Imperial Dynasty. This episode is full of fascinating facts, from a population constantly on the verge of starvation to a madman's hold over the royal family.
biography.com: Rasputin, https://www.biography.com/political-figure/rasputin
history.com: Romanov Family, https://www.history.com/topics/russia/romanov-family
Wikipedia: House of Romanov, Nicholas II of Russiaalphahistory.com: Rasputin and the Tsarina, https://alphahistory.com/russianrevolution/rasputin-and-tsarina/ time.com: 5 Myths and Truths About Rasputin, https://time.com/4606775/5-myths-rasputin/
nytimes.com: Rasputin Unravels the Myths of the ‘Mad Monk’, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/books/rasputin-biography-douglas-smith.html
Alice & Leslie chat about The Simpsons in this week's episode. From Duff beer to Butterfingers to satirical spirituality The Simpsons never fail to entertain--most people. Listen to find out which of the ladies isn't a fan.
Sources/Further Reading:
Wikipedia, The Simpsons
Simpsons Wiki, simpsons.fandon.com
10 Classic “Simpsons” Episodes About Food, Adam Campbell-Scmitt foodandwine.com/news/10-classic-simpsons-episodes-about-food
Taillie, L. S. (2019). Governmental policies to reduce unhealthy food marketing to children. Oxford Academic, 77(11), 787-816. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz021
World Religion News, "The Simpsons and Religion" https://www.worldreligionnews.com/religion-news/christianity/the-simpsons-and-religion
Beliefnet, "Apu, Springfield's Intro to Hinduism" https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/hinduism/2001/05/apu-springfields-intro-to-hinduism.aspx
CNN, "The Simpsons’ guide to satirizing Islam" https://www.cnn.com/2015/06/23/us/islam-satire-simpsons
Alice & Leslie tackle Mardi Gras in this week's episode. From a day of cheese to cream-filled buns to Roman celebrations, Fat Tuesday celebrations are as varied as they are fun.
carnaval.com: Myth & History, https://www.carnaval.com/cityguides/neworleans/history.htm
townandcountrymag.com: 10 Things You Didn't Know About the History of Mardi Gras, https://www.townandcountrymag.com/leisure/arts-and-culture/g16129475/mardi-gras-traditions-history/
tripsavvy.com: A Brief History of Carnival Celebrations in the Caribbean, https://www.tripsavvy.com/brief-history-carnival-in-caribbean-1488004history.com: Saturnalia, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia; Lupercalia, https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/lupercalia; From King Cake to Zulu Coconuts: The History of 6 Mardi Gras Traditions, https://www.history.com/news/from-king-cake-to-zulu-coconuts-the-history-of-6-mardi-gras-traditions
washingtonpost.com: The obscure origins of American Mardi Gras, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/01/06/the-obscure-origins-of-american-mardi-gras-which-begins-today/
Alice and Leslie answer the question: Beatles or Rolling Stones in this episode. They also dive into the Beatles' move towards vegetarianism and spirituality as their fame grew and their relationships cracked.
Sources and further reading:
How Stuff Works: Did the Beatles Introduce Yoga to the Western World? https://people.howstuffworks.com/beatles-yoga.htm
The Yogi Press: The Beatles, Yoga and how their Trip to India changed Everything https://www.yogi.press/home/the-beatles-yoga-and-how-their-trip-to-india-changed-everything
Rolling Stone: The Beatles in India: 16 Things You Didn’t Know https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/the-beatles-in-india-16-things-you-didnt-know-203601/
Men's Health: What Working Out Looked Like 50 Years Ago https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/g30871117/working-out-through-the-years/?slide=4
Mental Floss: 4 Fab Facts About Ringo Starr https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/65767/4-fab-facts-about-ringo-starr
WebMD: Transcendental Meditation https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/transcendental-meditation-benefits-technique
Alice and Leslie travel to Pompeii in this week's episode. From eating parrots to preserved beans to gladiator contests, Pompeii is a time capsule worth diving into again and again.
Sources:
Jashemski, Wilhelmina Feemster. Pompeii. Britannica www.britannica.com/place/Pompeii
Laden, Jonathan (December, 2020) Pompeii Fast Food Restaurant Uncovered. BiblicalArchaeologyStudy.org www.italyguides.it/en/campania/pompeii
David, Ariel (May, 2005). Researchers compile recipes that give flavor of Pompeii. Retrieved January 26, 2021 from: https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/researchers-compile-recipes-that-give-the-flavor-of-pompeii/
Ilaria (6 years ago) The story at the table: the typical dishes of ancient Pompeii www.pompeiitaly.org/en/food-drink-the-typical-dishes-of-ancient-pompeii/
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harpastum, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompeii, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladiator
History: 10 Things You May Not Know About Gladiators, Evan Andrews https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-roman-gladiators
Pompeii Online: Pompeii Thermal Baths https://www.pompeionline.net/en/archaeological-park-of-pompeii/pompeii-thermal-baths
tributesandtraining.org: Gladiator Training
History Ten: Top Ten Famous Roman Gladiators https://historyten.com/roman/famous-roman-gladiators/
Health Ahoy: Roman Harpastum https://healthahoy.com/ancient-sports/roman-harpastum-ball-game/
Join Alice and Leslie as they answer questions about nutrition and yoga. Alice tells us her opinion on the keto and paleo diets and Leslie talks about her fear of handstands. It's an informative and funny discussion that occasionally goes off the rails.
Alice and Leslie talk about the age of the samurai. From combat swimming to beheading to rice and whale meat, this episode takes you back to a time when warriors were the ruling class in Japan.
PBS.org – Japan, Memories of a Secret Empire
Ranker.com - Bizarre Samurai Traditions No One Knows About
historyhit.com - Six Weapons of the Japanese Samurai
History.com - What is Seppuku
Sportsrec.com - Ancient Japanese Training Methods
Japanguide.com - Buddhism; Samurai
Factsanddetails.com - Samurai Warfare, Armor, Weapons, Seppuku, and Training
Alice and Leslie discuss the, at times difficult, subject of America's Westward Expansion. From canning to kitchen gardens to civilized tribes, this episode explores the idea of Manifest Destiny and its effects on the land and the people who lived on it.
Alice and Leslie welcome their guest, Trish Brady who tells the story of her life in Crete; how she got there, why she stayed, and what to do when you can travel there yourself.
Alice and Leslie talk about Ancient Greece. From nudity at the ancient Games to the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, there's lots of ground to cover--and lots of laughs--in this episode.
Alice and Leslie talk about the 1980s. From Jenny Craig to Jane Fonda to Richard Simmons, the 80s offered a lot of big ideas and even bigger shoulder pads.
Alice and Leslie journey to China and explore the origins of acupuncture and cuisine across multiple dynasties.
Alice and Leslie dive into the Beautiful Age in France and discover the origins of haute cuisine and the scandalous Tour de France.
Alice and Leslie tackle the Viking era in this episode. From boiled meat to parasites to Norse gods, the Vikings were full of interesting surprises.
Alice and Leslie look back thousands of years to discover ancient Egyptian nutritional and healing practices.
Alice and Leslie cover the 1920s. From copious amounts of drinking to plastic girdles to séances, the Jazz Age was full of fun and frivolity the likes of which had never been seen before.
Leslie and Alice cover the Salem Witch Trials. From Voodoo to fortune-telling, to contaminated rye, this episode is a wild, witchy ride.
Leslie and Alice talk about what types of classes there are and what to expect when you go to them.
Alice and Leslie talk about the decade they were born in: the swinging 70s! From Bikram yoga to slim fast, to the wine diet, the 1970s was a decade of interesting and crazy health trends.
Warning: this episode briefly discusses sexual assault.
Alice talks about nutrition in this bonus episode, giving her advice on what to eat to stay healthy during the pandemic.
Alice and Leslie laugh and cringe (a little) as they discuss what people were doing to stay healthy during the 1918 flu pandemic that swept the globe like an untamed beast.
Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Alice Lloyd and Registered Yoga Instructor, Leslie Orndoff talk about health practices throughout history. Sometimes it's good, sometimes not. Listen to find out what worked, what didn't, and what's still out for debate.