What if the key to better energy, stronger immunity, and real healing wasn’t another supplement… but your food source?

Getting nutrient-dense, toxin-free food is vital for good health. Again and again when I work with clients, I see how much progress depends on the quality of what’s on the plate — and not all “healthy” food is created equal. In this episode, I sit down with Angie Gillette and Crystal Branch of the Tyler REKO Ring to talk about where to buy local organic food and why it truly matters.

They break down how to choose the best locally grown produce, meat, and poultry — and what signs tell you it’s the real deal. We talk about whether locally grown and raised food is actually healthier (and why), why organic produce often costs more and whether it’s worth the extra investment, and the important difference between grass-fed and grass-finished. They also share red flags that something hasn’t actually been grown by a local farmer — even when it’s being marketed that way.

If you’ve ever wondered what a REKO ring is, how it works, and how to get involved, this episode gives you a simple, practical guide to getting started. Whether you’re working on your health, feeding a family, or just wanting to be more intentional about your food, this conversation will help you shop smarter and support your local food community with confidence. This episode covers:

-What should you look for when buying locally grown produce, meat or poultry?

-What's a REKO ring and how do you shop?

-Is locally grown and raised food actually healthier?

-Does locally grown food taste better?

-Why is organic produce more expensive and is it worth the extra cost?

-What's the difference between grass-fed and grass-finished?

-What are red flags something hasn't actually been grown by a local farmer?

Tyler REKO Ring: https://www.facebook.com/TylerFarmtoTable

Grace Rooted Herbalist: https://www.facebook.com/gracerootedherbalist

What happens when the herbalist is the one who’s run down, overwhelmed… and not taking her own herbs?

In today’s episode, I’m getting more personal than usual. Over the past six months, I’ve been injured or sick more often than I’d like to admit. In the last month alone, I caught what was going around twice—and I was slow to recover. If a client told me that story, I’d immediately say, “Let’s figure out what’s going on.”

The truth? I already knew. Long-term stress.

A family member recently said to me, “Physician, heal thyself.” Ouch. She wasn’t wrong. I spend my days helping others build herbal protocols that are thoughtful, specific, and sustainable—but I had quietly pushed my own needs to the back burner. And eventually, my body made sure I couldn’t ignore it anymore.

I’ll be honest—I feel a little vulnerable sharing this. It’s not easy to admit when you’re struggling, especially when you’re the one people come to for guidance. But if opening up about my season of stress, slow recovery, irritability, and emotional heaviness helps even one of you feel less alone—or nudges you to prioritize your own support—then it’s worth it.

In this episode, I walk you through the exact herbal regimen I’m currently using to rebuild resilience, stabilize my mood, and support my immune system. I share:

• 🌿 Why Skullcap is my go-to for overstimulation, irritability, and that “everything is too much” feeling
• 🌞 How St. John’s Wort brings emotional lift when things start to feel dark and heavy (plus important safety considerations)
• 💧 When Blue Vervain helps with tension, stubbornness, and that tight, overachieving drive
• 🌱 Why I chose Shatavari as my adaptogen for dryness, perimenopausal shifts, immune support, and nervous system resilience

I’ll go into dosing, preparation methods (tea vs. tincture vs. powder), and how I simplified everything into one manageable tincture blend—because consistency matters, and even the best herbs won’t help if we don’t take them.

This isn’t medical advice—just education and a window into how I personally work with plants during a high-stress season. As always, do your own research and consult appropriately, especially if you’re on medications.

More than anything, this episode is about humility, resilience, and remembering that sometimes we all need to pause and apply the wisdom we so freely give to others.

If this conversation resonates with you, I’d be so grateful if you’d leave a review, share the episode with a friend, or reach out. Your support helps this podcast reach more people who may need it.

Thank you for being here. Truly. 🌿

How do you pick the right herbs and supplements and where can you get them? If you've ever felt frozen in the aisles staring at a sea of options or overwhelmed by the sheer number of online retailers, this episode is for you.

Granary Health Foods Regional Manager Wynn Worthen explains how the leading multi-location chain evaluates for quality and purity. He also gives specific trustworthy brand names and shares why they choose some suppliers over others. We even cover the difference between herbal extracts and ground herb capsules - which is stronger and when you might choose one over the other.

Health issues discussed:

• IBS, digestive issues
• Crohn's Disease
• Bloating (Wynn suggests an herb that might help right away!)
• Arthritis, joint pain, back pain
• The "Thyroid Storm"

A few of the supplements covered:

• Ashwagandha
• Ginger
• Licorice root
• Turmeric/curcumin
• Iodine

Educational purposes only, not medical advice, talk to your doctor before adding or changing supplements.