Bacon Friends: Tracey of Whole Daily Life

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!

Bacon Friends: Bailey Ryan of Whole Kitchen Sink

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!

Bacon Friends: Megan from Second Heart Paleo

We sat down to chat with Megan from Second Heart Paleo. Megan is a heart transplant recipient and healthy cooking blogger from Texas. She shares more about her story in our interview with her below, PLUS a delicious recipe for Naked Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers over on our Recipes Page.

Can you share a bit about your story?

At age 14, I received a heart transplant. I was born with a congenital heart defect and had multiple open heart surgeries as a kid. In 2015, I began eating paleo and realized how amazing my body can feel with real, whole foods. In 2017, I was also diagnosed with Crohn's. It's made things a bit more complicated, but sticking to paleo has really helped me!

Other random things about me: I have a mini Australian shepherd named Gundy. I love Texas with all my heart. I attended Oklahoma State University (go pokes!) and received a degree in strategic communications. I have my dream job. I’m obsessed with kombucha and cold brew.

What is your health philosophy?

My health philosophy is do what works for you, and no one else. I know a lot of people hear about Paleo, Keto, etc. and think if it works for one person, it has to work for you too and it's not true. Do what makes your body feel its best.

What inspires your cooking?

Feeling my best by fueling myself with the best food possible. I've learned that 90% of the time, I can make whatever I'm craving into a paleo option...even if it's paleo ice cream or jalapeno poppers, there's almost always a way to make it better for you!

What's one thing you do that you would recommend to other people?

Be open to trying new things! Yogurt made out of cashews and chips made out of Cassava might sound crazy - but they're so delicious and great alternative if you can't have dairy/grains.

What have been your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?

My biggest challenge is probably giving into crappy food...when I feel like crap.

Who is your role model?

My brother! He's always done what he says he's going to do. Whether it's become a doctor, run too many marathons or move to Tahoe - he's always followed through!

What's your favorite flavor of Naked Bacon?

Chipotle! It has such an amazing flavor!

You can learn more about Megan's story on her blog, Second Heart Paleo and connect with on her Instagram or Facebook pages.