“Brilliant!” exclaimed Annie. “I love your new podcast format, Cassie.”

“Thanks, Annie. I want to make the podcast more interactive. I think sending out a calendar of food-as-medicine topics and recipes will make the experience more impactful and memorable for listeners.”

“Your idea is so thoughtful. Scientists say,

“Eating behavior is strongly influenced by social context. We eat differently when we are with other people than when we eat alone. Our dietary choices also tend to converge with those of our close social connections.” – Science Direct

So by using a lunch-and-learn format, you are helping anchor healthy food choices in the attendees’ minds. Your audience feels connected like we’re all on this journey together.”

“Annie, you are like a ray of sunshine. You really know how to make someone feel good about themselves. I want everyone listening to the podcast to feel like they were part of a conversation with friends with similar food habits.”

“My pleasure, Cassie, and thanks for the invitation to participate in this first interactive podcast to talk about the best calcium-rich summer foods. Calcium is a mineral found primarily in our bones and teeth. It’s also found in lesser amounts in nerve cells, body tissue, blood, and certain other body fluids. The presence of calcium helps squeeze and relax muscles, send, and receive nerve signals, regulate heartbeat, and control the release of chemicals, including hormones. It is recommended adults between 19-50 get 2500 mgs of calcium daily. Over 50 should have 2000 mgs per day. Not enough calcium regularly can eventually result in osteoporosis, where bones become fragile, you begin to lose height, and fractures occur. In anticipation of the podcast topic, I brought this recipe for a delicious Summer Fig, Almond, and Parmesan salad with avocado. Figs are a high calcium summertime fruit. Avocados contain vitamin K, which helps absorb calcium, and almonds have more calcium than other nuts.”

“Sounds healthy and tasty. In summer, people tend to be more image-conscious, so this should be a big hit. I’m also looking for some recipes that include Papaya, oranges, kale, spinach, and soybeans; they’re all high calcium foods too.”

“I love a papaya and orange smoothie,” said Annie. “My favorite is Papaya Orange Drink. It includes unsweetened coconut milk, also a good source of calcium. A large orange has about 74 milligrams of calcium. One cup of mashed Papaya contains about 46 mgs of calcium, while a cup of cut-up papaya has roughly 29 milligrams.

I have a Korean Kale and Spinach recipe that’s a savory combination of baby spinach and kale tossed in soy sauce and sesame seed dressing. Kale is a superfood that is the best-known source of vitamin K, which regulates calcium in your body through calcification of bones and the activation of osteocalcin. This protein boosts the accumulation of calcium in bones and teeth. Spinach is also a superfood and high in vitamin K, which supports calcium’s blood clotting ability. However, high amounts of spinach can interfere with blood-thinning medications. Soy Sauce is made from soybeans, a good calcium source. And Tamari, a Japanese soy sauce made from soy and wheat, also has a good amount of calcium.”

“There’s so much more about calcium I didn’t know. I’m looking forward to this podcast,” mused Cassie.

Annie nodded, “I’m glad we’re talking about it too. Calcium is important in our anti-aging toolbox, along with vitamin D and bone-strengthening exercise to prevent osteoporosis. I brought my running shoes if you have time for a quick jog.”

Cassie laughed, “let’s go.”

Annie and LJ are a fictional couple. Their storyline promotes healthy eating and earth-friendly practices.