Wake Up and Read the Labels!
Wake Up and Read the Labels!
Jen Smiley
Wake Up and Read the Labels is your guide to eating simple and feeling good. If you want to eat clean and feel your best, you’re in the right place. Join us each week as we talk about real ingredients, ethical brands, and the stories of people just like you who woke up and read the labels.
This Chip Changes Everything: Clean Ingredients, Big Mission
Can a chip company actually make a difference in your health—and in the world? Sarah Tanus, founder of Tatemada, thinks so. In this episode, she shares how she built a clean-label snack brand rooted in tradition, purpose, and real ingredients. From nixtamalization to avoiding inflammatory oils, Sarah explains how her chips and salsas deliver bold flavor without compromise—and why consumers should care about what goes into their favorite snacks. Key Takeaways:Tatemada chips are oven-baked, never fried in seed or inflammatory oilsMade from whole nixtamalized corn, not processed corn flour or fillersNo preservatives or artificial ingredients — just real, recognizable foodThe nixtamalization process enhances flavor, nutrition, and digestionSalsas contain 5 ingredients or less, like tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and pink saltOnly use non-GMO citric acid when needed to maintain safe pHWoman-owned and B Corp certified, with a mission to support rural women farmersAvailable at Sprouts, Whole Foods (Southwest), select Costco locations, and more 🔗 Mentioned in the Episode:Tatemada – chips, tostadas, and salsas made with clean ingredientsUse Code “TatemadaReadsTheLabels” for 20% off when ordering on their website Disclaimer: The content provided by Wake Up and Read the Labels and Jen Smiley is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Jen Smiley is not a licensed nutritionist, dietitian, or health professional. All recommendations and insights are based on her personal research and experiences. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or wellness routines.  Additionally, some of the links shared may be affiliate links, meaning Wake Up and Read the Labels may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This supports our ability to bring you quality content. Jen’s Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakeupandreadthelabels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WakeUpAndReadTheLabels  The Wake Up Label Letter: https://jensmiley.substack.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-and-read-the-labels/id1618784569 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7v3WcgicHQrjU9iCEcLZLX  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 29, 2025
20 min
Blending Clean: How Tess Masters Uses One Tool to Transform Health
Can your blender really transform your health? Best-selling author and blending expert Tess Masters—aka The Blender Girl—joins Jen to share how one powerful kitchen tool can unlock better digestion, tastier veggies, and hormone balance. From ditching dairy to smoothie wow-factors and menopause transformations, Tess unpacks the small daily habits that create big results. With over 30,000 women supported through her programs, Tess offers practical strategies for joyful eating, strategic nutrition, and gut-first wellness—no extremes required. Key Takeaways:Why plastic vs. glass blenders matter more than you thinkSmoothie “wow factor” tips: lemon zest, red bell pepper, and even red onionExtreme dieting vs. strategic eating—why under-eating may be sabotaging your healthThe #1 key to thriving in menopause: gut healthHow to make veggies craveable using bold sauces and blender-made dressingsMindful living defined: “Paying attention without judgment”One clean swap to make this week: cut back on non-nutritive sweeteners and sugar-free products 🔗 Mentioned in the Episode:More Tess MastersMore The Blender GirlTess Masters on Instagram Disclaimer: The content provided by Wake Up and Read the Labels and Jen Smiley is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Jen Smiley is not a licensed nutritionist, dietitian, or health professional. All recommendations and insights are based on her personal research and experiences. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or wellness routines.  Additionally, some of the links shared may be affiliate links, meaning Wake Up and Read the Labels may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This supports our ability to bring you quality content. Jen’s Links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakeupandreadthelabels Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WakeUpAndReadTheLabels  The Wake Up Label Letter: https://jensmiley.substack.com/subscribe Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wake-up-and-read-the-labels/id1618784569 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7v3WcgicHQrjU9iCEcLZLX  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Jul 22, 2025
42 min
Is Your Food Fueling Your Anxiety? The Gut-Brain Connection with Dr. Nicole Cain
Anxiety isn’t always just a mental issue—it can start in your gut. In this eye-opening episode, Jen sits down with Dr. Nicole Cain, a naturopathic doctor and clinical psychologist, to explore how food, trauma, and environmental toxins play a hidden role in anxiety, panic attacks, and brain fog. Dr. Cain breaks down the science behind the gut-brain connection, explains why your symptoms are signals—not problems—and shares simple ways to reclaim your health, naturally.
Jul 15, 2025
38 min
The Truth About Herbal Tea: Healing vs. Hype with Stephanie Wakefield
Think all tea is healthy? Think again. In this episode, Jen Smiley sits down with Stephanie Wakefield from Your Tea to expose the truth behind trendy detox teas and why traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) blends are different. From digestive support to fertility breakthroughs, Stephanie shares how Your Tea’s herbal formulas address root causes—without the gimmicks, sugar, or harsh laxatives. If you’ve ever sipped a “detox tea” and wondered why you still feel bloated or burnt out, this one’s for you.
Jul 8, 2025
34 min
35 Years of Detoxing: Troy Casey on Parasites, Fasting, and the Truth About Clean Living
Most detox programs promise results in 3, 7, or maybe 21 days—but Troy Casey has been detoxing for 35 years. In this episode, Jen sits down with the Certified Health Nut himself to explore what it really takes to maintain long-term wellness in a toxic world. From dry fasting and parasite cleanses to rebuilding gut health and boosting testosterone naturally, Troy shares his unconventional (and highly effective) protocols to raise your body’s vibration, avoid chronic illness, and reclaim your health at any age.
Jul 1, 2025
47 min
Is Your “Healthy” Diet Making You Sick? The Missing Link in Wellness with Erin Holt
You’re doing “everything right”—eating clean, working out, and taking supplements—but you still feel tired, inflamed, or bloated. Sound familiar? In this episode, Jen is joined by Erin Holt, a functional nutritionist and founder of the Functional Nutrition Academy. Erin shares the hidden reasons your body might be fighting back, even when your habits look healthy on paper. From trauma and stress to restrictive eating and the nervous system, this conversation reveals what wellness routines often leave out—and how to truly heal from the inside out.
Jun 24, 2025
32 min
Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed (and Other Health Hacks You’ve Never Heard)
Most of us think our homes are safe—but what if your bed, your humidifier, or even your receipts are making you sick? In this episode, Jen talks with Dr. Tania Elliott, a dual board-certified physician in internal medicine and allergy & immunology, about the surprising ways everyday habits and home environments may be harming your health. From dust mites and mold to hormone-disrupting toxins, Dr. Tania shares powerful insights and practical fixes—without the fear-mongering.
Jun 17, 2025
32 min
5 Popular “Health” Foods to Ditch in 2025
Everyone’s asking: What should I stop eating in 2025? Jen breaks it all down with five sneaky "health" foods that are secretly spiking your inflammation, disrupting your gut, and keeping you tired and bloated. From sparkling water to yogurt and bread, she reveals what to ditch—and what to swap in instead—for more energy and less confusion at the grocery store.
Jun 10, 2025
15 min
NBA Exec Turned Health Coach: Jared Ralsky’s Wake-Up Call
After nearly 15 years as an executive and talent scout for four NBA franchises, Jared Ralsky looked like he had it all. But behind the scenes, he was struggling with anxiety, inflammation, and feeling “skinny-fat.” In this episode, Jared joins Jen Smiley to share how clean eating, ancestral health, and learning to read labels transformed his life. From boardrooms to infrared saunas, Jared’s story proves that peak performance starts with what’s on your plate—and what you believe about your body.
Jun 3, 2025
40 min
Still Inflamed? Why Infrared Saunas Might Be the Missing Piece
You’ve cleaned up your diet, ditched the seed oils, and started reading labels—but you still wake up feeling puffy, tired, and inflamed. What gives? In this solo episode, Jen Smiley breaks down one of the most overlooked tools for detox and inflammation: infrared saunas. She explains how they work (spoiler: it's not like the steam room at the gym), why they’re a game-changer for your lymphatic system, and how to get started without breaking the bank. Plus, Jen shares her personal routine and the brand she trusts in her own home.
May 27, 2025
12 min
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