The Dutch Guide to Healthy Living

This episode marks the end of season 1! Merijn and I take a look back at our favorite parts of season 1 - and we preview what is to come in season 2. 

Be sure to send us your comments, questions and ideas! 
Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod

On today's show we dive into the incredible Dutch cycling culture. We look at everything from the history of the bike, to the way the Dutch have facilitated biking through daring infrastructure. To sort it all out, I talk with Chris and Melissa Bruntlett, cycling experts who moved to the Netherlands from Canada to live the Dutch cycling life. And, of course, you'll hear from Dutchomter Merijn Soeters.

For more information about Chris and Melissa, visit their website here: http://www.modacitylife.com/
They have two books: Building the Cycling City and Curbing Traffic (to be released in June)

Fat – it’s the age-old ‘hot’ topic, but it’s a sensitive one too. Why? Because there are still incredible stigmas around being overweight and obese and it’s about time that we deal with it. 

Fat is not only vital for our evolutionary existence, when it’s in balance it contributes to a health daily life. But when it gets out of balance, it seems to almost control us. In today’s episode I talk with Dr. Mariette Boon. She is a doctor and researcher who studies fat – she literally wrote the book on it (click here). We cover everything from why fat is important to the serious societal and health implications of fat-shaming and stigmas about overweight and obesity. Of course, you’ll hear from the Dutchometer, Merijn Soeters. 

To buy a copy of Mariette’s book – click here: https://g.co/kgs/J6uGfK 

In this episode we look at overweight and obesity in the Netherlands with Dr. Karen Freijer. Just how skinny are the Dutch? What are the health ramifications of overweight and obesity? And why did this all become even more important with the coronavirus pandemic? Karen takes us through it all – including why we need to get rid of stigma around overweight and obesity. And, of course, we get input from the Dutchomter Merijn Soeters. 

Here are a few more resources mentioned in the episode

 Partnership Overweight Netherlands (Dutch): https://www.partnerschapovergewicht.nl/ 

Nutrition Center Netherlands (Dutch and English): https://www.voedingscentrum.nl/

‘Lifestyle Against Corona’ website (Dutch): https://www.leefstijlencorona.nl/

To read the letter sent to the Dutch government asking healthy lifestyle to be included in the fight against corona, click here.

We make on average 35,000 choices per day! The majority are subconscious, but what about the rest? Choice stress refers to the fatigue we feel when we have too many options to choose from – and even too many choices to make. But the Dutch might just have a solution. I talked to three experts to get the full scoop. You’ll hear from Happiness Pyschologist Josje Smeets, as well as Lifestyle Design Podcast hosts Tim Daalderop and Ruben Klerkx. And of course, you’ll hear from our very own Dutchometer, Merijn Soeters. 

To find out more about Josje, visit her website: https://www.hellobetty.nl/gelukspsycholoog-1
You can also order her book (in Dutch): https://www.hellobetty.nl/happyin100dagen 

To find out more about Tim and Ruben, or to listen to their podcast, visit their website:  https://lifestyledesignpodcast.nl/ 

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

In part two of the work/life balance theme we look at the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on work and life. Does working from home affect introverts and extroverts differently? Should we try to keep barriers between work and life? And - how two freelancers used the coronavirus to finally try a shorter work week. Spoiler alert - the freelancers are me and Merijn.

I welcomed back  Josje Dikkers, who was on the last episode, to explain more about the coronavirus, barriers and work/life balance for freelancers. Josje studies work/life balance and lectures at the University of Utrecht.

Find out more about Josje Dikkers here: https://www.hu.nl/onderzoek/onderzoekers/josje-dikkers 

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
 Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
 Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

In this two-part episode we look at the controversial and highly-anticipated topic of work/life balance. The Dutch have the highest percent of part-time workers in the world! And according to the OECD, they have the best work/life balance, which correlates significantly with both mental and physical health. But it’s not all rosy. There are still fairly traditional gender roles – and even policies. To dig into it, I talked with Professor Josje Dikkers, who wrote her PhD on work/life balance. And you’ll hear from Marina, who moved from the U.S. to the Netherlands because of the more balanced way of life. And, of course, our Dutchometer Merijn Soeters will weigh in with his thoughts. 

Find out more about Josje Dikkers here: https://www.hu.nl/onderzoek/onderzoekers/josje-dikkers 

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
 Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
 Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

On this mini-episode Merijn and I explain the Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas. Don't be confused, it's not Santa Claus, but rather another St. Nick figure that comes to the Netherlands to distribute presents. Except he stays for three weeks, rides on a white horse and puts presents in children's shoes. Listen to learn more about this Dutch holiday tradition.

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

In today's episode we take a look at the Dutch healthcare system. The system has been touted as one of the best in the world and the Dutch have the lowest 'unmet healthcare needs' in Europe. So, why is it so good? And how do they manage to only pay 100 euros per month in health insurance? We talk to Dr. Roland Bal, who leads a team of 50 researchers studying the Dutch healthcare system, to find out more. And you'll hear from my friend Fawzi Shamsi, a pharmacist from Syria about the use of medicine in the Netherlands - and, of course, the Dutchometer Merijn has a few stories up his sleeve.

For more about Dr. Roland Bal - click here.

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

In this second episode, we dig deeper into the Dutch diet. How did it develop? What were the major influences along the way? And what was the role of the infamous potato - a single ingredient that led to the majority of traditional Dutch dishes. We hear from cultural historian Jon Verriet, American immigrant Jonathan Groubert and, of course, our Dutchometer, Merijn Soeters.

What do you think of the show? Do you have a great story for me? Feel free to contact me:
Email: jillian@thedutch.guide
Instagram: @thedutchguide
Twitter: @dutchguidepod  @jillianomara
Website: https://thedutch.guide

It's all about potatoes, fish, vegetables and lots of coffee. In this first episode, we take you through the modern-day Dutch diet. You'll hear from nutritionist Annelies van den Hoven, American immigrant Jonathan Groubert, and our very own Dutch specialist, Merijn Soeters.

Visit http://thedutch.guide for more information.