Real Food Recovery

Just dropped on Apple, Spotify and YouTube! Food addiction, ultra processed food recovery, and self trust are explored in this episode of Real Food Recovery Podcast™. This conversation focuses on rebuilding food freedom after ultra processed food patterns and how internal change supports lasting recovery.
Real Food Recovery Podcast™ was created from a society wrestling with ultra-processed food addiction and the deep exhaustion that comes from feeling trapped in destructive patterns. After decades of obsession, frustration, and starting over, Paige Alexander holds this space to speak honestly about what it takes to heal, offering lived experience, grounded perspective, and practical tools to rebuild a life rooted in peace instead of chaos.
In this episode, Paige welcomes back Caren Michele Paskel to explore what it really looks like to step into a new chapter of life, one built on self trust, clarity, and choices that truly support your well being. This conversation goes beyond surface level change and into the internal shifts that make lasting transformation possible.
Caren shares her journey from feeling stuck in fear and uncertainty to creating a life that feels aligned and sustainable. Together, Paige and Caren discuss how rebuilding trust with yourself impacts everything, from the way you eat to the way you live, and why recovery from ultra processed food patterns is about more than just food.
They also explore how to move out of fear based decision making, how to begin trusting your own voice again, and what it looks like to choose a path that nourishes both your body and your life.
If you are feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for a new chapter in your recovery, this conversation will meet you where you are.
Learn more about Caren Michele Paskel at carenpaskel.com.

Questions, stories, or thoughts can be shared anytime at [email protected] and more resources can be found at www.realfoodrecovery4u.com.
Real Food Recovery Podcast™ is an original educational podcast focused on sustainable nutrition, self trust, and recovery aligned living.
© 2026 Paige Alexander All rights reserved. Unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution of this content is prohibited. This podcast feed and all episodes are original works created and owned by Paige Alexander under Real Food Recovery™.

Self Trust and Food Freedom After Ultra Processed Food Addiction | Caren Michele Paskel Podcast Episode · Real Food Recovery Podcast · June 4 · 59m

A small change can make a big difference.
Lately, my weight lifting workouts have left me feeling hungrier, so I decided to experiment with my lunch salad. I swapped 300 calories of walnuts for 300 calories of chicken breast.
The walnuts provided about 8 grams of protein. The chicken breast provides about 60 grams.
One of the reasons this matters is that protein is the most satiating macronutrient. In other words, it tends to help us stay fuller longer and better supports muscle recovery from strength training.

Will I stick with this forever? I honestly don’t know. I love walnuts on my salad. But instead of following rigid food rules, I’m trying to pay attention to what my body needs right now. I may eventually land on the perfect compromise and do half walnuts and half chicken.

Recovery isn’t about doing the same thing forever. It’s about staying curious, making adjustments, and finding what works for you in this season of life.

Find out more at realfoodrecovery4u.com

Sometimes the things we bring home from travel aren’t really souvenirs.

They’re reminders.

Reminders to slow down.
To notice life.
To create peace intentionally.
To have the courage to build a different kind of life.

The older I get, the more I realize recovery isn’t just about food.

It’s about learning how to truly live again.

Find out more at realfoodrecovery4u.com

Just dropped on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Food addiction, ultra processed food recovery, and metabolic health are explored in this episode of Real Food Recovery Podcast™. This conversation focuses on how lifestyle medicine can support recovery from ultra processed food patterns and improve long term metabolic and chronic disease outcomes.
Real Food Recovery Podcast™ was created from a society wrestling with ultra-processed food addiction and the deep exhaustion that comes from feeling trapped in destructive patterns. After decades of obsession, frustration, and starting over, Paige Alexander holds this space to speak honestly about what it takes to heal, offering lived experience, grounded perspective, and practical tools to rebuild a life rooted in peace instead of chaos.
In this episode, Paige is joined by Dr. Ann Hester, a double board certified physician in Internal Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine, to explore how everyday choices, especially food, directly impact metabolism, inflammation, hormones, and long term health. This conversation brings clarity to what is often overcomplicated and highlights a more sustainable, evidence based path forward.
After more than three decades in traditional medicine, Dr. Hester shifted her focus to addressing the root causes of chronic disease through lifestyle medicine. Her approach centers on nutrition, movement, sleep, stress, and behavior change, helping people move beyond symptom management and into real, lasting health.
Together, Paige and Dr. Hester discuss the connection between ultra processed food consumption and chronic disease, how inflammation and metabolic dysfunction develop over time, and what it looks like to begin reversing that process with simple, consistent changes.
They also explore how to cut through the noise of conflicting health information and build a foundation that supports long term vitality without extremes or overwhelm.
If you are looking for a more grounded, science backed approach to healing your body and creating lasting health, this conversation will meet you where you are.

Lifestyle Medicine for Food Addiction Recovery | Dr. Ann Hester Podcast Episode · Real Food Recovery Podcast · May 28 · 56m