We are thrilled to announce that we have been featured in the July 2021 issue of Hemisphere Magazine! This magazine is in every United Airlines flight. Our spread can be found on page 13 of the issue. Thank you to Hemisphere for featuring us!
Here are Naked Bacon, we love good food. Yes, that’s probably pretty obvious, but what can we say? Julia Child was right when she said, “People who love to eat are always the best people.”
We share lot of bacon-tastic recipes via Instagram and on our Recipes Page, but we wanted to find another way to share our favorite recipes with you at home!
Well, here it is! Our brand new, 100% FREE recipes e-book, containing a bunch of our favorite clean-ish and delicious recipes, all featuring Keto friendly, Whole30 Approved Naked Bacon.
To get your copy, you can download it by clicking the button below. Save it to your phone, computer, or tablet, print it, share it, and more than anything, we hope you enjoy it! And then be sure to tell us which recipe you’ll make first!
Written by Gabriel Patel
If you’ve noticed some extra inches on your mid-section since you started self-isolating, you’re not alone. With constant access to the fridge and not much to keep busy, it’s no wonder that people are noticing they’ve gained weight during isolation. With some planning and motivation, you can get rid of the extra weight by changing your snack options in budget-friendly ways and adopting some easy at-home exercises.
Between working from home and cancelling all social activities, there’s suddenly far more time spent at home for most people. Many of us tend to snack when we’re bored or at home all day, and if you’re loading your pantry and fridge with salty or sugary snacks, it’s likely that your snacking is adding to your waistline.
Luckily, your snacking doesn’t have to be eliminated altogether: rather than reach for a bag of potato chips, come up with some healthy meal options with items you probably already have in your pantry, such as legume quesadillas. To make a healthy quesadilla, use tortillas, a low-fat or vegan cheese, and a can of beans. Consider baking the quesadilla rather than frying it in order to cut down on calories.
Another healthy option is an “empty-the-pantry-stew” which can be made from various cans of beans, tomato sauce, soup stock, and potatoes. There’s hardly a limit to what can go in this type of soup, and you’ll be clearing out space and saving money by using ingredients you bought back when you first stocked up for self-isolation.
If you have a loaf of bread on hand, consider making a soup and sandwich combo. Any can of soup will do, and when paired with a sandwich such as grilled cheese, can be a hearty and nutritious snack or meal. You can add a sweet and savory coleslaw—made with Naked Bacon, which is chemical-free—to include veggies in your meal.
Some gyms around the country have started reopening, but there are inherent risks to using them. If you’d prefer to keep isolating, there are plenty of exercises you can do from the comfort of your home.
For example, yoga is an excellent option for a low-impact exercise that can be done in your living room. There are plenty of online yoga teachers who provide free videos, which can be great for your budget and for the convenience factor. Check out some popular online teachers and find an instructor whose classes are easy to follow.
Another great option is body weight training. The exercises aren’t overly complicated, and usually involve activities such as push-ups and squats. You don’t need any major equipment, making it a budget-friendly way to work out at home.
One of the easiest forms of working out is walking or running around your neighborhood. If you’re new to running, it’s a good idea to start off slow and with short distances. Slowly increase your speed and distance each time, and you’ll see results quickly. Consider running or walking with a family member to make it more social, or take advantage of the solo-time if you need to clear your head.
While the pandemic has forced many of us to be more sedentary than usual, it’s possible to shave off those self-isolation pounds with some tweaks to your diet and by exercising more. Consider making healthier snacks and meals, cleaning out your pantry at the same time to save money. Try out some home exercises, and look into online classes to get started. And be sure to use coupons when you look for workout gear and clothes to stay within your budget.
Gabriel Patel helped create Health Well Wise to help inspire others to find health and happiness in their lives.
Written by Eric Kelly of My Dad Adventures
Learning to cook—or practicing new recipes—might seem intimidating. But there are many ways to make it easier and more fun with the help of the internet. Here’s how to make cooking simpler and more enjoyable, thanks to technology.
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re surfing the web for new recipes. But spending too much time online can mean huge data overages if you’re not linked to Wi-Fi. To avoid drowning in data fees with your smartphone or tablet, be mindful of your data usage.
If you’re passionate about food, odds are you’ve been to a restaurant that has dishes you couldn’t stop raving about. The good news is, you can recreate those recipes at home—with or without the help of your favorite chef.
Consider reaching out to ask for advice (and a sneak peek at their recipe card!) if a local chef or bartender is responsible for the evening’s epic food or drink. Either way, you can still attempt a recreation of your favorite dish, and happily, Mayo Clinic notes it will likely turn out healthier than restaurant options.
Also, keep in mind that one study found people preferred healthy food that they made themselves over the commercially prepared alternative. So, you might have better results duplicating a restaurant’s kale salad anyway, rather than their chocolate milkshake.
Tutorials are popular among many home chefs—including 59 percent of those ages 25 to 34—and for a good reason. Keeping your tablet or smartphone handy while you whip up breakfast, lunch, or dinner is crucial for nailing a new recipe or technique.
What’s so great about online tutorials is you can play and pause as many times as necessary. The same goes for cooking shows, whether streaming or on live TV. You can pause and rewind to follow each step in the recipe, ensuring everything turns out just-so.
Many videos also come with a blog post or a recipe card you can save for future reference. Once you get the techniques from the tutorial down, you can practice later while offline. Still, you’ll need ample data for the first few practice runs.
While grandma’s old recipe cards are nice for holiday dinners or those nostalgia-inducing sugar cookies, modern chefs can enjoy branching out with new recipes and appliances like an electric pressure cooker. Whether you’re running the pressure cooker for a quick dinner or need to make a recipe gluten-free for allergies, the internet provides plenty of support for every cooking direction.
Because the internet is always changing, new ideas are always emerging, and that means more flavors and techniques than you could ever try in a lifetime. You can even subscribe to the best cooking channels for ever-changing meal ideas.
Of course, you can also glean inspiration from cooking apps with user-recommended dishes. This way, someone else has already done the trial and error part of cooking for you.
ReviewGeek recommends trying a cooking app like Tasty, BigOven, or Yummly for fresh new ideas for your plate. The best part is, many are free to download and use.
There’s nothing like preparing to make a delectable dish and then discovering you’re missing a necessary ingredient. With the worldwide web at your fingertips, however, you can easily search for a suitable swap—such as applesauce for oil or lemon juice for vinegar.
You can also find simple substitutions for special dietary needs. An app like Substitutions tells you what to exchange in a pinch. Also, tools like the Allrecipes Dinner Spinner can suggest meal ideas based on the ingredients you have in the pantry—making meal prep a snap.
Are you ready to get cooking? Whatever your motivation for tying on an apron and getting busy in the kitchen, there are ways to make cooking more fun and more rewarding. From tech help to networking to find the best flavors out there, there’s no stopping today’s super-connected home chefs.
Eric Kelly is a graphic designer by trade and has always been an adventurer at heart. He is a single dad who lives in Los Angeles with his 3-year-old son, Gus. He created Dad Adventures to share tips, advice, and resources he continues to pick up along his parenting journey.
We’re sitting down with our friend Addison LaBonte from the popular healthy recipes blog Organically Addison to talk a little bit about her background, cooking routine, and of course, bacon!
I've always been super active and into sports and I played Division 1 college soccer. After college, I decided to start running distance and I began to notice the link between eating healthy and how I felt running. After going gluten free (due to Compartment Syndrome), I decided to start sharing my recipes online so others who are gluten free could get some new ideas and recipes. Since then, I've really enjoyed creating new recipes in my kitchen. After coaching my dad through a Whole30 and see it change his life, I became passionate about living and eating Whole30.
My advice to those new to eating healthy is to start small and make small changes at first. It can be scary making a lifestyle change, but every little bit counts. I also think having an accountability partner or friend can make all the difference!
I don't really believe in the concept of "cheat meals" because I like to achieve balance through my daily eating. As opposed to eating healthy all week and then having one cheat meal on the weekend, I like to eat mostly healthy every day with one or two sweet treats. I can rarely go a day without dark chocolate, and to me that's just enough.
I like to be prepared for when life happens by meal prepping and always keeping healthy foods on hand. On Sunday afternoons, I spend a few hours in the kitchen prepping healthy meals for my busy week. Unfortunately sometimes serious life matters can happen, and I think we just have to deal with those as best as we can. Life is unpredictable and as much as I prepare, sometimes other things in life become much more important than meal prep.
I really love the Original Naked Bacon! It sears up beautifully and has such a hearty flavor. I love bacon alone, but I also enjoy adding it to soups and stews as well. I recently made a Whole30 Bacon Cheeseburger Skillet and I think that one takes the (Whole30) cake!
Check out some of Addison’s recipes on her blog and follow along on her Instagram page @organicallyaddison for more!
It’s September Whole30, so you probably know at least one person currently taking on The Whole30 right now. We know you love seeing your friends make healthy changes in their lives and in their relationships with food, and perhaps you’d like to do the same some day. But if right now isn’t the right time for you to do The Whole30, you can still take steps towards improving your health!
Whole30 Coach Shani is sharing four steps you can take, one at a time, toward your goals. Conquer them at your own pace, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling like a rock star and ready for your first Whole30!*
Master eating whole, unprocessed foods, drinking water, sleeping, and movement, and you’ll be on your way to feeling your best!
Be sure to check out Shani’s Whole30 Bacon Ranch Dip, featuring Whole30 Approved Naked Bacon! It’s the perfect healthy snack or appetizer that’s sure to please a crowd, too!
Coach Shani is a great resource for all things health, wellness, and Whole30, so be sure to head to her website to learn more!
Whole30 Certified Coach Shani Hiraoka
Shani is the founder behind the blog “Simple. Whole. Paleo.” which focuses on simple cooking techniques using whole ingredients and eating mostly Paleo. She has spent a lifetime fighting her own obesity, and failing at practically every diet available.
The Whole30 has helped her release the cycle of diet failure, guilt, and calorie restriction, and learn to eat what nourishes her to achieve her health and fitness goals. She’s located in Honolulu, Hawaii. Connect with her through her blog or on Instagram.
*Please note: Neither Shani or Naked Bacon are medical professionals, so please consult with your physician prior to making any changes to your lifestyle or diet.
Jalapeño Sugar Free Naked Bacon is one of the most unique and flavorful products out there right now, and it just so happens that it’s Whole30 Approved, too! For generations, our family has known that when you source the best ingredients available and adhere to the slow, traditional methods of curing and smoking meat, you don’t need sugar, nitrates, chemicals, or any other junk. We make bacon, exactly the way bacon should be.
Naked Bacon is spiced with ultra-high quality ingredients, cured by hand in super small batches, and then slowly smoked over fruit and hardwood, and the taste is UNBELIEVABLE. But don’t be afraid to try our Jalapeño Bacon, because it’s not too spicy. It has all the delicious heat of Jalapeño without burning your tastebuds to shreds. And since it’s Whole30 Approved, you can trust it’s sugar-free, nitrate-free, and 100% natural.
“Give me all the Jalapeño bacon!” -JoAnn
”Ohhh my! Total game changer! -Christine”
Here are just some of the ways our Jalapeno Bacon is making the rounds on Instagram:
Alexis of Paleo Rookie makes a killer sweet potato toast topped with a runny egg, avocado, pico, and Jalapeño Naked Bacon!
Dolly from A Dash of Dolly made Kimchi Cauliflower Fried Rice with Jalapeño Naked Bacon! Get her recipe here.
Head to our online store to shop our line of Whole30 Approved bacon and links! Our bundles all include shipping, and we recommend checking out our Nice to Meat You or BYO BLT bundles to start. But of course, all of our products are available a la carte as well! When you share on Instagram using #nakedbacon, you’ll be automatically entered to win a Nice to Meat You!
We’re chatting with our friend, Whole30 Certified Coach, and the sparkliest person around, Jaclyn Sanguinetti. Jaclyn is a life and wellness coach in California who’s passionate about helping others with setting goals, removing barriers, dreaming big, and believing in themselves so they can live the life they desire! She shares her personal journey and lots of inspiration on her blog, Mind, Body, Soul and Sparkles, and on her Instagram and Facebook pages.
Growing up I was really overweight. I come from an Italian family and food was and is always a big deal. I was unhappy with my weight all through middle and high school but didn’t really have the right tools or support to change anything on my own. Right after I graduated high school and started doing hair I decided I wanted more for myself. I went and got myself a gym membership and started working out. I felt desperate to get the weight off and like everyone else, I was looking for the quickest fix to this weight. I met a girl who sold supplements. Not knowing any better, I began drinking shakes that accompanied them and with her “help” started eating “healthy”. I lost a ton of weight, but not in a good way and was left pretty unhealthy. That began a long journey finding my way.
I tried SO many things and was actually fairly “healthy” by most people’s standards when I found Whole 30. It was recommended to me because I was still having a lot of inflammation, gut issues and reactions to food. I did my first Whole 30 in 2014 and it was complete magic how good I felt! Because I was documenting it all on Instagram, I had a lot of people reach out to me asking me to help them with their own Whole 30. I started coaching people and loving it. But I had no formal certification. I researched health certifications and none really resonated with my new found beliefs around food. So instead I went to life coach school. I figured I would sharpen my coaching skills there and be able to coach people in other areas besides food, because let’s be honest it’s never just about the food.
About a year after that I started getting a ton of messages saying Whole 30 created a coaching program and I would be perfect for it. I actually resisted it at first and didn’t think I wanted to do it at the time. But when something is meant for you the universe will not let you miss it! I continued to get soooo many people sending me info saying DO THIS! So, I finally took the leap, and I am so glad I did. It has been such a fun opportunity to be able to coach people, be part of the Whole 30 coach community, and lead by example on the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. You can read more details on my journey and story at www.mindbodysoulandsparkles.com
My two biggest life lessons have been:
1. Listen to my intuition - I am a really intuitive person. My birthday is 11/20 which makes me a Scorpio, and they are known for being very intuitive. I feel like so many of my life choices and decisions that did not have a positive outcome were a result of me not listening to my gut. I do not “regret” not listening to my gut because ultimately these lessons are what made me who I am today. But I will say a lot of heartache and time wasted could have been prevented if I would have trusted myself and my feelings.
2. Let Go! - I have always been a determined girl, but sometimes this determination has prevented me from moving on from people, and situations that are no longer serving my highest good. I dig my heals in and have the “I will not give up” mentality. That is great for a lot of things, but sometimes you need to give up and surrender for your own well -being. You can see how these two go hand in hand because I have learned that I need to trust myself and my instincts enough to know when it is time to let go. So looking back that is the advice I would have beat into myself. LOL!
Oprah is one of my biggest role models. I love how she has used her platform for the greater good of all. I could go on and on, but I mean, do I have to? You all know Oprah! Also, Katie Wilcox who is the owner of the brand Healthy is the new Skinny. She has such a positive outlook on life and she is really guiding woman to shift their mentality around body image, dieting, and how we as a culture and women approach all of it. Her page and her approach are AH-mazing.
TRUST THE PROCESS, and do it EXACTLY as prescribed! I hear allllllll the time how people are doing a Keto whole 30, a Whole 30 with wine, a Whole 15 etc. That is NOT Whole 30. There has been 10+ years of documented data and research around Whole 30 and it is not meant to be changed. The timeline is so spot on accurate for most people. So, you can see exactly why the ENTIRE 30 days is necessary. You need to trust it to be successful. Can you live a Whole 30 life style but adapt it to be Keto, have some occasional wine or just do 15 days to clean up your diet? SURE! After you have already done a by the book, tried and true Whole 30 round, a proper reintroduction, and hopefully began your own journey with food freedom. I promise committing to the 30 days will change your life if you allow it to, and that is SO worth it!
Is this a trick question? ;) I love them all! BUT I will say Jalapeño is my absolute favorite because it combines my two faves, spicy and bacon! I love adding it to lettuce wraps with turkey, avocado, tomato, onion, and a drizzle of a compliant Whole 30 sauce as an easy lunch. Or on top of a burger is soooo good!
Coach Jaclyn’s Chipotle Naked Bacon Deviled Eggs are always a hit! Get the full recipe on the “Cooking with Sas” section of her blog.
A blog post that isn’t about bacon? Well, in a way it’s about bacon… because really, isn’t everything is about bacon? Naked Bacon, that is. When we found out that today is National Puppy Day, we just couldn’t let it go by without sharing about the newest member of the Naked Bacon family, our sweet Chesapeake Bay Retriever pup, Amelia!
Amelia wearing her Naked Bacon hat!
She’s always the first one to come running whenever we’re cooking up Naked Bacon, so we think she’s crowned herself our official mascot! It seems her favorite flavor is Original Bacon, although it seems like it might be an even tie between it and our Sugar-Free Links (in fairness, that’s a tough choice to make for anybody!)… and can you tell we’re completely smitten with her?
Amelia snuggling with our CEO, John Kreilich!
We hope you’re celebrating the four-legged friends in your life who make every day so much fun! In the comments below, tell us about your furry friends!
Today we’re talking health and wellness with our friend Tracey Grant of Whole Daily Life. Tracey is a Registered Dietitian sharing whole food based nutrition and a holistic approach to wellness through her blog and Instagram. In her practice she specializes in autoimmunity, digestive concerns, and weight management, and is also known for sharing some amazing meal plans and delicious, healthy recipes! We asked her to share a little about herself, her philosophy, and of course, bacon!
What is your health philosophy?
To me, health is the ability to live the life that I want from a bodily and mental/emotional standpoint. It is feeling strong, full of life, and able to go and do! It is also the freedom to indulge in foods that I love without guilt or fear, because I believe that food is both for nourishment and pleasure. I have experienced the power of food as medicine first hand through therapeutic diets, and that completely changed the way that I practice as a dietitian. Finding the balance between prioritizing healthy food and movement and also living to the fullest is the essence of health!
What inspires your cooking?
Nutrient density is my guiding concept! I like to pack as much nutrition onto my plates as possible by adding things like micro greens, herbs, ferments, tons of veggies, healthy fats, etc. I also love color, and creating a meal that has lots of colors, textures, and flavors is a dynamic and fun eating experience. Most of the time I tend to keep my meals pretty simple, but I do also love to get creative with new dishes! Traveling and experiencing local cuisine always leave me with plenty of inspiration as well.
If you could go back in time 10 years, what piece of advice would you tell yourself?
Gosh, 10 years ago I was still eating tons of processed foods and pulling all nighters in college. If I could go back, I would tell myself to chill out, create some routine, protect my sleep, and eat some real food! I would also tell myself to be more judicious with antibiotics. I relied on them a lot (and even requested them) growing up for things like simple respiratory infections, and my gut health has taken a toll because of it!
What is a regular struggle you face, and how do you overcome it?
One life struggle that I encounter regularly is creating work/life balance. I'm ambitious, and it's hard for me to say no to things that I see value in! It's easy for me to overcommit myself and end up feeling stressed or not getting enough rest, which I can always identify because I lose motivation and have a hard time actually getting things done. To help overcome this, I have created some boundaries around not working during certain hours of the day or while eating, as well as taking weekends off. I prioritize hiking and going to the farmer's market every weekend, and cooking and going on a date with my husband. Protecting my weekends has really helped me balance out the hustle of my work week! I'll also mention a health struggle that I deal with on a regular basis, which is managing my digestion. My gut has never been the same after a particularly potent round of antibiotics a few years ago, and I am continually experimenting to find how I can most effectively support my system. I LOVE good food, but I have to be judicious with my choices and how they will impact me. This is something that I'm still practicing, and is part of why I answered the first question the way that I did!
Who are your role models, and what do you admire about them?
I don't know that I have a specific person in mind, but I love the Italian and French cultures. In particular, I appreciate how mindful and attentive they are with their food, their emphasis on quality, and my perception (whether it's reality or not) of their slower pace of life! I have an upcoming trip abroad, so I've got travel on the brain :) Also, I don't know if I would call it a role model, but my celebrity girl crush would definitely be Emma Watson!
What's your favorite flavor of Naked Bacon and favorite way to eat it?
Original! It's the first one I tried and I've been hooked ever since. Honestly, I like it all by itself so that the flavor can really shine! I'll have it as a side to some soft scrambled eggs and a piece of GF sourdough toast with butter and cherry jam or some avocado and roasted sweet potato! However, I've also really been enjoying it as a BLT lettuce wrap with avocado, tomato, sprouts, and green onion.
These are just some of the amazing meals Tracey shares on Instagram! Be sure to follow her to get more of this delicious cooking inspo!
By now you’ve probably heard about our upcoming limited-release bacon flavor. You’re on the edge of your seat, waiting to learn more about exactly what it is and how you can get it. Well, you’re not alone! Jaws have been dropping and mouths have been watering all across the country ever since we announced it. We’re excited that you’re excited! So we’re here to tell you a little more about the new, highly anticipated limited release bacon — Bourbon Barrel-Aged Naked Bacon. We sat down with Naked Bacon CEO John Kreilich to get a little more info for you! Keep reading:
Q: How is this new limited release bacon made?
John: Well… we can’t release all of our secrets, but we’ll cure it using a special small-batch bourbon by hand using slow, traditional methods. Then we age it in Bourbon Barrels to impart even more flavor. In the same way Bourbon’s flavor is refined when it ages in oak barrels, the bacon will take on some of the notes of flavor from the bourbon-soaked oak wood. It’s going to be unlike anything you’ve ever had before, because we’re the first bacon company to do this, ever. Just consider us the first micro-distillery of bacon!
Q: Is it still sugar-free and lower in fat than other bacon?
John: Yes! The bacon will still be completely clean, 100% sugar-free, and all that good stuff. Like all Naked Bacon products, we never take shortcuts or use nitrates, phosphates, or any gross stuff to make our bacon. You can trust us that this product is held to the same, ultra-high standards.
Q: Can you please make it a permanent part of the Naked Bacon line of products?
John: For now, the plan is a just one-time release. This bacon is made in super small batches and is very labor intensive, but never say never! We can definitely see about adding it to the permanent line of Naked Bacon products… and even partnering with new distilleries for each release!
Q: Has any other bacon companies ever done this?
John: Never, nada, nope.
Q: Okay, I’m dying to get my hands on some. HOW??
John: Because we’re only making a small batch of this bacon, we’re keeping its release date a secret and only offering the chance to buy it to our best customers, a select few members of the exclusive Bacon Club. If you’re in the The Club, you’ll be entered into a lottery to win the purchase rights as soon as it becomes available… but you only get to purchase the bacon if you WIN the lottery drawing.
*To become a member of the Bacon Club, you must have spent at least $300 in the last 6 months on our website… so keep ordering and you might just get the chance to buyBourbon Barrel-Aged Naked Bacon!
Remember, our online shop is always open, so head there to make sure you’ve hit the mark to be in the club!!
Back by popular demand, we’ve decided to offer our Free Bacon (or Links) and some other miscellaneous promotions every so often. Now we know you’re excited to hear that, but try to keep the cheering down, because we’ve got some info about it that we want to share!
We keep the dates of these super special sales as secret as our 150 year old bacon recipe, so you’ll definitely want to be sure you’ve subscribed to our newsletter, that way, you’ll be the first to know when we announce it. Because if you miss it, you miss it, and you’ll just have to cry yourself to sleep knowing you came oh so close to scoring a discount on your Naked Bacon.
And when you get the email, you know it’s go-time. Follow the instructions in your email to take advantage of the deal —- so hurry and make your purchase!
If there’s no code needed, you’ll automatically see “Free Bacon Day” or “Free Links Day” with a 1 cent discount when you check out, then you’ll automatically get it included with your shipment!
If you need to input a code, you can do that during the checkout process.
First, offers are not valid on purchases of gift certificates, subscriptions, or tee shirts.
And one other thing - two offers can’t be combined. You’re welcome to take advantage of any other promotion we may be running instead, but if you enter a separate or second coupon code at checkout, it’ll replace the first offer (whether or not you had to add a code to begin).
Do you have questions? Let us know & we’ll be happy to answer them! Always feel free to reach out to us on Facebook or Instagram at or Customerservice1@nakedbaconco.com.
We’re catching up with Recipe Creator and Blogger Extraordinaire Bailey Ryan of Whole Kitchen Sink. Read more about her health philosophy, cooking style, and personal thoughts below!
What is your health philosophy?
My health philosophy is that there is no destination when it comes to health or wellness. I’ve learned that what works for me right now, might not work for me in a year, or might not be the same thing that worked the best for my body 6 months ago. It used to be a struggle for me to never feel like I’ve “arrived” at the “perfect” diet because my needs and goals were always changing, and with that, I had to keep making changes with my dietary lifestyle. Which felt defeating when I was searching for that unrealistic perfection.
I’ve learned that if I look at it instead from the perspective of continually evolving and never getting to a destination, I can be excited about the opportunity to keep learning and understanding health in new and different ways.
What inspires your cooking?
When I first started cooking for myself, I had no idea what I was doing and I was very short on time to do it. Because of that, my cooking needed to be easy, and not take up more time than I had to give it. Those two things are what inspires my cooking and recipes now. Because I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with cooking and have a busy schedule, I want to make sure my recipes are always attainable, approachable AND taste good so that I can help the average person see that they’re capable of making healthy changes.
If you could go back in time 10 years, what piece of advice would you tell yourself?
I’d tell myself that it’s okay to feel pain and not try to numb it. I spent a lot of years using unhealthy coping mechanisms to deal with life and the way I felt - from compulsive and binge eating, toxic relationships, risky behaviors, picking up smoking and other risky coping behaviors. They all were a way to escape pain and discomfort but would ultimately lead me to feeling even more when I eventually had to face it. That being said, it’s all brought me to the place I am now, so I’m not so sure I’d change it :).
What is a regular struggle you face, and how do you overcome it?
A regular struggle I have is one that I think a lot of us have is getting to the gym or working out consistently. Developing a habitual routine around exercise has always been something that I’m not great at. Something that helps me overcome that and become more consistent is by committing myself to some sort of event or agreement. I’ll sign up for runs a few months away that I’ll have to train for, pay for workout classes up front or sign up for ones that charge a fee if you cancel last minute and make plans with friends that include being active. These things help set me up for being successful because it provides an external motivation for the times where it’s hard for me to do it just because I should.
Who are your role models, and what do you admire about them?
One of my role models is my Uncle Mike. I’ve always looked up to him, and grew up watching him raise his family while hustling and growing the business he started into an extremely successful one. I’ve watched the sacrifices he’s made, and now that I have my own business, he’s been one of the few people in my life that understand the choices I’m making. He gives me the best business advice, life advice and gets the behind the scenes stuff that few others do. What I admire most about him is that he shows through example that being a good person first and foremost, and a champion of other’s success, are two principles both business and life should be built on.
What's your favorite flavor of Naked Bacon and favorite way to eat it?
I love the Jalapeño Naked Bacon in a Whole30 breakfast skillet. I’m not a huge fan of spicy food, but this bacon adds the perfect amount of flavor throughout the whole skillet recipe and it means I don’t have to add any additional spices! Plus it goes awesome with potatoes and other veggies in the breakfast skillet!
Here are some of Bailey’s Bacon-licious creations - You can find the recipes to these and more on her blog!
Get Bailey’s Paleo Bacon Ranch Flatbread recipe on her blog!
Get the recipe for Bailey’s Instant Pot Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin on her blog!
Be sure to visit Bailey at WholeKitchenSink.com, where she shares healthy and mouthwatering recipes and tips for healthy living!
We’ve started a Bacon Club! No, it’s not a sandwich, it’s an invitation-only group of Naked Bacon customers that’s reserved only for our most loyal fans. Trust us, you’re going to want to be in this club... because members will be the only ones who can win the rights to buy the new, ultra-exclusive private reserve bacon we'll be releasing twice a year. This is BIG, because we anticipate these flavors to sell out almost immediately.
Our first limited release private reserve is a BOURBON BARREL AGED SUGAR-FREE BACON. Our *new* super-secret recipe imparts the most amazing, decadent flavor to this private reserve bacon, so this will be the most special variety of Naked Bacon yet. And since we're the first bacon company in the world to do this, we're the first micro-distillery of bacon. EVER.
Only 40-50 people will have purchasing rights to this small batch made bacon, so if you hope to get your hands on some, you'll want to get in the club, and you’ll need to act fast! Members will be entered into a lottery to win the purchase rights, and will receive an email notifying them if they win as soon as it’s available. To become a member, a customer must spend at least $300 at our online store in a six month period.
Do you want to get into our Bacon Club in time for our first limited release? Make sure you meet the requirements so you can get in the running! Go to our online shop today!
*Lottery winners will be chosen at random once the bacon is available for purchase, and will need to contact John@nakedbaconco.com to claim their prize— the right to purchase Bourbon Barrel-Aged Naked Bacon.
On The Dr. Oz Show titled, “The Truth About Nitrate-Free Bacon,” Dr. Oz discussed the problem with nitrates, a common additive to most bacon and known carcinogenic (cancer causing agent). If you’re a bacon-lover, you’d be right to be very concerned! But do you have to give up bacon for good? Dr. Oz says no! Because a truly nitrate-free bacon, Naked Bacon, is on the market.
Nitrates are carcinogenic, meaning they’re known to cause cancer. So why do big bacon companies use nitrates?
Investigative journalist Mark Schatzker answered this question, saying, “Time is money. This is one of the reasons the industry loves nitrates - it speeds things up. It also gives it that nice pink color, it also extends your shelf life. So it basically makes life easy.”
But Naked Bacon doesn’t use any shortcuts when we produce our bacon, especially not one that puts our customers’ health at risk!
Mark went on to look at some uncured bacon option that use more naturally occurring nitrates, those found in celery. He said, “When you add nitrates to meat, it forms compounds called N-nitroso compounds, and those are the suspects. If you’re using nitrates in celery, or chemical nitrates, it’s kind of the same thing.. so from a risk point of view, I don’t think this is any different.”
So don’t be fooled by marketing tricks, bacon companies that use nitrates of any kind should be off the table (literally). Dr Oz responded with, “Don’t go for this anymore, guys.”
Naked Bacon doesn’t use nitrates. Does it still taste good?
Yes! Naked Bacon is famous for its “you’vegottatrythis” taste. We were even voted Best Tasting Bacon by Food & Wine Magazine. To impart the most flavor possible, we use our family’s 150-year old secret recipe to cure the bacon by hand for a minimum of seven days, then we slowly smoke it over only fruits and hardwoods. But don’t just take our word for it.. read what Dr. Oz had to say when he tried it:
Dr. Oz introduced Naked Bacon by saying, "No one wants to give up their bacon... but there are healthier ways to enjoy it. We're going to start off with new truly nitrate free bacon that is entering the marketplace right now. These are dry cured over a week's time.. The taste to me is very similar. It’s really good the way it is. I'd be okay with the switch by avoiding any potential risks. So no matter what anyone says, I think you ought to be trying out these new ideas."
"The crunchiness is there, the pull is really nice. I really like it!" added a guest.
Dr. Oz enjoys a taste of Naked Bacon!
This Veterans Day, we wanted to show our thanks to those who’ve proudly and bravely served our country. We told our followers that we’d like to choose TWO to win a sampler of our bacon. Then we asked them to share a photo nominating their favorite Veteran, and to tell us why they love them. The response was overwhelming!
Thank you to all those who participated in the Naked Bacon Veterans Day giveaway! We randomly chose two winners to take home a prize bundle of our all-natural, nitrate free bacon. Here they are:
Caleb was nominated by his wife, Kelly. She calls him a Ron Swanson-type of guy who always orders all the bacon when they’re out at restaurants. She calls him, “the absolute greatest human on this planet… kind, respectful, generous, and determined.”
Sherry nominated her husband and three children, all veterans! Together, they’ve served a combined 50 years in the military. Her husband served in the Coast Guard, her daughter in the Air Force, and her sons in the Army. They plan to enjoy the bacon together when they’re all home for Christmas.
Remember to check out our all-natural Naked Bacon line of products! If you didn’t win this time, please stay tuned (and follow us on Facebook and Instagram) - we’ve got more fun planned!
As the holiday season approaches, we know you’ll be wondering what to gift the special people in your life. If there’s a bacon-lover on your list, it’s a no-brainer. But maybe you know someone who wants to support small businesses. Or someone planning to start a January Whole30. Or someone who just enjoys cooking! Well, we’ve got your covered for all of their gifts, because we’re now offering GIFT CERTIFICATES in our online store!
Purchasing a gift certificate will instantly generate a unique code that can be applied to any order of our award-winning bacon and links, and it never expires.
We can email the code to the recipient directly, or if you’d prefer to hand deliver it, just choose the option that emails the code to you, then download and print our Typeable Gift Certificate.
So the only question left is, how many gift certificates would you like?
To our Veterans: For your bravery and service, we want to take this time to honor you. You’ve chosen to put your lives on the line for others, and your sacrifice can never be repaid.
As our small way of saying thank you, we’re choosing TWO veterans to win a month’s supply of Naked Bacon.
If there’s a Veteran in your life who would enjoy some FREE bacon (who wouldn’t?!), post a photo to Instagram or Facebook, and tell us why you love them. Make sure to use #nakedbacon and tag us so we can see!
Note: Two winners will be chosen 11/11/18. This giveaway is not sponsored or endorsed by Facebook or Instagram. US only. By participating in this contest, you are giving expressed permission for the image to be reposted by Naked Bacon.
Over the last few months, we’ve been hard at work coming up with ways to get Naked Bacon into your bellies a little easier. Well, we’ve found a way!
For a limited time, we’ve packaged up our most popular products into handy dandy bundles, and every bundle INCLUDES DOMESTIC SHIPPING!
Which bundle will YOU try first?
Nice to Meat You: The best way to get acquainted with all the NB products at once!
The Whole30 Shebang: Trust us, you’re going to want a month’s worth of Whole30 Approved bacon & links for your next round!
Rise & Swine: Are you a breakfast lover? This is definitely for you!
Spice Up Your Life: Stock up on our Chipotle & Jalapeño Bacon!
6 Degrees of Naked Bacon: All of our bacon bundled together, just because we like you!
I Link I Love You: Get fully stocked on our AIP breakfast links!
The Squeal Deal: A big ol’ bundle of our best sellers!
Head to our Shop page to see them all! And please don’t fear, our products are still available a la carte, if you’d prefer that!
John at his home in Webster Groves, MO.
You might know John Kreilich best for his bacon. After all, he’s the founder and CEO of Naked Bacon, Food & Wine Magazine’s choice for Best Tasting Bacon. In food circles, he’s famous for being committed to producing his bacon by adhering strictly to traditional methods— Naked Bacon is hand-cured and slow smoked to impart the most flavor possible without any of the shortcuts that other companies take. But making the best bacon in the country isn’t all he’s about, in fact, it was a natural extension of one of his other passions, nature. And it isn’t just his business that reflects his passion for nature, his home does too. John’s own backyard is a Certified Wildlife Habitat.
A biologist by profession, John focuses on co-existing with nature to create an environment in his garden that benefits Missouri wildlife. For a backyard to be certified as a Backyard Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation, the space must: provide food, water, cover, a place to raise young, and be maintained in a way that has a positive effect on the health of the soil, air, water, and habitat for native wildlife. It’s necessary for native plants to be present to provide food, cover, and places to raise young, and the land must be cared for thoughtfully and as naturally as possible. John avoids the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, reduced the area that turf grass occupied, and minimized water use in order to maintain the integrity of the soil, air, and water in and outside of the habitat. Some of his regular visitors include wild turkeys, foxes, coyote, bees, hummingbirds, deer, and butterflies.
John has received recognition for his other contributions to the environment. His garden is a certified butterfly garden by the North American Butterfly Association, and he’s been recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for his Missouri Prairie as well. It’s no wonder Naked Bacon is bacon the way bacon should be. Whatever John does, he does intentionally, to benefit the health and wellbeing of others.
Read more about John’s recent feature in the Webster-Kirkwood Times. And to taste the Naked Bacon difference for yourself, place your orders here.
