Sometimes the best conversations happen when there’s no big plan—just two friends sharing what’s working. In this relaxed episode of My Zero Carb Life, I sat down with my dear friend Karen Miles, a six-year carnivore, to talk about a little bit of everything: our favorite salts, simple lifestyle tips, tools that make carnivore easier, and Karen’s surprising update after repeating her coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan. It’s the kind of conversation that reminds us that healing often happens quietly, one small habit at a time.
Small Carnivore Tips That Make Life Easier
We started with something simple: salt. If you’ve been eating carnivore for a while, you know that a good finishing salt can completely transform a meal.
Recently, I discovered a butter-infused flaky salt that is incredible on eggs—especially when I order poached eggs at restaurants. Poached eggs are my go-to because they’re cooked in water instead of seed oils. I just ask for them unseasoned and add my own salt.
Karen shared a fun experiment she tried with a sampler pack of flavored salts. She boiled eggs, cut them in halves, and sprinkled a different salt on each one. Eight eggs, eight flavors—instant carnivore taste test!
We also talked about other little lifestyle tweaks that can make a difference:
- Peppermint chlorophyll drops for keto breath or coffee breath
- Sparkling water in a fancy glass instead of alcohol
- Red night lights that don’t disrupt sleep
- Castor oil patches for skin, digestion, and general wellness
None of these things replace the basics—but they can make the journey more enjoyable.
The CAC Score Surprise
The most exciting part of our conversation was Karen’s heart health update.
Two years ago, Karen had her first coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan, and the score came back at 369—high enough to alarm her doctor.
Even though her follow-up angiogram showed her arteries looked incredibly healthy, the number still felt scary.
Fast forward two years.
Karen repeated the scan and her score dropped by 120 points, landing at 249.
That kind of drop is unusual. Most doctors expect CAC scores to slowly increase with age. But we’ve seen stories like this pop up again and again in the carnivore community.
For Karen, it was a powerful reminder that healing doesn’t always follow the rules we’re told.
The Foundations Still Matter Most
As fun as it is to talk about salts, breath drops, or wellness gadgets, Karen and I both agreed on something important.
The biggest difference in our lives didn’t come from any product.
It came from eating real meat and removing the foods that were hurting us.
Meat, eggs, seafood, some butter—and a lifestyle built around nourishment instead of restriction.
Everything else is just a bonus.
Community Matters.
One of the most powerful parts of this way of eating is the community. Healing is easier when you’re surrounded by people who understand what you’re doing and why it matters.
In my coaching groups, we share lessons, troubleshoot challenges, celebrate wins, and support one another through the process. Karen Miles and Kathy also host breakout sessions where members can talk openly about anything—from food questions to real-life struggles.
