PHOTOS BY LAURA PETRILLA

It has been an absolute joy the last few months opening Mic’s, figuring it all out, launching exciting foods, beverages and new products, and overall just experiencing it all.

With this full-service micro-grocer we are creating a wellness community within Sewickley and Pittsburgh and its neighboring pockets.

There have been some prevalent themes on this journey that I would love to share, and, in some cases, debunk.

1. “Red meat isn’t good for you.”
I often hear the same false blanket statements from customers, whether it’s about eggs, chicken, yogurt, oats — you name it. I will tell you this: I have tried every fad diet and every type of eating. I’ve researched many food philosophies and have noticed a running theme: whoever is pushing, selling or preaching how to eat usually has some skin in the game. I’ve learned that overly simple messages are often too good to be true. Plus, what works for some might not work for others.

So, with that in mind, my general food philosophy has always been the following: eat whole foods and things found in nature. Specifically, aim to eat high-quality options with a focus on protein.

Of course, red meat is wrong in some cases. Of course, greasy burgers with a white bun and cheese won’t be your healthiest option. But consuming high-quality lean red meat shouldn’t be considered taboo, especially when done in moderation. Further, combining it with vegetables, fiber, healthy fats and resistance starch makes for a well-rounded, highly nutritious meal.

2. “My doctor told me to be vegan.”
Being a vegan has many pros and is indeed better for animals. I myself was a devout vegan for 1.5 years. But there was a point where my body needed something more, so I re-introduced fish. I eventually found that eating high-quality animal products made me feel better and more vibrant (you can not replicate the amino acid profile in red meat).

Cutting out dairy, meat, poultry and animal products may, of course, have certain benefits (i.e. weight loss), but it comes with its drawbacks, too: a lot more sugar, carbs, processed products, and less protein. French fries (fried in vegetable oil) are vegan, as is most candy.

Often, professionals tell people to change their diets drastically because it is a lot easier and far less time-consuming than diving deeper and putting in the work. But there are no quick fixes when it comes to health. If you have high blood pressure, I can guarantee it didn’t happen from eating one burger, and I can almost promise that exercise, proper sleep and hydration have yet to be considered. Advocate for yourself. Avoid the temptation of quick fixes. Know that real change takes time and patience.

3. “Healthy food is expensive.”
I am happy we’re having this conversation! Yes, whole-grain cereal with high-quality ingredients for $11.99 sounds like highway robbery at first glance. But the truth is, diabetes is expensive. And so is poor health. Even getting my comprehensive blood panels done every quarter costs me, but I know I am being proactive and eyeing longer-term longevity. Fruit loops are $4.99 and offer zero nutrition. Zero. They house a future of poor health and more significant problems. So spending $7 more on a cereal that has protein, better ingredients and unprocessed food may seem costly now, but what’s more important than health?

4. “But you’re so healthy, you don’t need to fix anything.”
If I want to get vulnerable with you, some of my biggest fears involve my health. I quit drinking, I move my body six to seven days a week, meditate, sleep, hydrate and eat high-quality foods. However, even though I am doing my best, certain genetics and pre-dispositions play a part, too. I have a family riddled with cancer. I have seen people close to me struggle with illness and disease, and I do my best to prevent that as much as possible.

There are no guarantees, but if something were to happen, I would know I did what I could with what I had control over. I have a tumor on my thyroid, which could potentially become cancerous, so it is my job to get a yearly biopsy and test my thyroid hormones to make sure I am OK. Though that may be an overshare, we all have our issues. Don’t compare your journey to others. We are all in control of our own bodies.

If you’re not feeling vitality and energy, think of it as your body offering you an invitation to dig deeper. You can feel good every single day. It really does feel good to feel good.

5. “I can’t lose weight. I can’t sleep. Eating healthy is expensive.”
If I hear this from someone drinking two to three glasses of wine each night, therein lies the problem: First of all, wine is expensive. Consider budgeting differently to prioritize healthy eating. Second, wine disrupts sleep, wrecks your cortisol, and is pure sugar. It leaves you bloated and sluggish and interrupts your entire system; you are ingesting a toxin. Try exercising during the day to release happy endorphins, drink calming tea at night to take the edge off, and use the wine budget to buy a beautiful, nutritious meal.

Yes, the latter sounds boring, but boring can be better than remaining in a cycle of poor health brought on solely by things you can control. Reaching for wine is the easy solution that produces the most complex results. Making the “harder” choices produces ease of living. Choose your own adventure! You are in control.

Hard decisions in the short term bring ease in the long term. It didn’t happen overnight; I have been on this journey for years. But there is not a single day I look back and think, “Wow, I wish I still felt like crap.” Some days, though, I opt for the pizza. Freedom from food. 80% great diet, 20% freedom — it works every time.

Follow me for more yummy recipes and tips @michaelablaney or subscribe to my newsletter michaelablaney.com

Whoever said no good story started with a salad has never had one of mine. (It was me, I used to say that). 

But here’s the truth: I am not naturally fit or thin and don’t naturally reach for vegetables. I am not a chef, but I’m good at assembling ingredients. I put in the work. I believe in feeling and looking my best — but not compromising. So, here you will find good ingredients and real wellness made fun.

More formally, I cook up clean comfort food, am a passionate health coach, ritual maker and health product queen and I’m a Certified Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition with a specialty in hormone health.