The Slow Kitchen Podcast

Is Motivation Really the Problem? — Why Wanting to Change Isn’t Always Enough In this episode, we’re looking at what might actually be underneath the behaviors we struggle to change: desire, comfort, our nervous system, past experiences, environment, purpose, identity, and the importance of experiencing a payoff before motivation starts to feel easier. We also talk about why you can’t shame yourse...

Fall brings in the colors and deep earthiness of food. Sage, rosemary, cinnamon, the variety of curries... it all feels so cozy. And then there’s squash. In this episode, I’m giving a little love letter to one of my favorite fall foods. We’ll talk about why squash deserves more than a supporting role at Thanksgiving, how to make it easier and safer to cook, and why you absolutely do not need to wi...

What We Talked About Food allergy vs. intolerance vs. sensitivity What makes a true food allergy potentially life-threatening Gluten sensitivity, celiac disease and wheat allergy Why food allergies may be increasing My first serious allergic reaction and what happened next The hidden mental work of living with a serious food allergy Hypervigilance, cross-contact and the nervous system How food all...

Episode 42: A Slightly Extended Episode: From Honey to Monk Fruit, Why Are We So Obsessed With Sweetness? We talk about sweetness all the time, but rarely stop to ask what it actually does in our bodies, our appetites, and even our palates. Sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, stevia, monk fruit, allulose... they may all make things taste sweet, but they are not metabolically identical. And the answe...

Episode 41: "How to Reduce Food Waste: 7 Delicious Ways to Use Kitchen Scraps" What if some of the food you’re throwing away isn’t actually finished with its job? I hesitate to even call these things kitchen scraps because “scraps” sounds like garbage. Like the food equivalent of, “Well, your job here is done.” But I don’t really think that’s true. A lot of the things we call scraps are...

In this episode, we’re talking about: ⚡️ Why feeling tired, foggy or “just older” may have more going on beneath the surface 🧬 What your mitochondria do and why cellular energy matters for your brain, muscles and metabolism 🔥 How your mitochondria, metabolism and hormones work together 🦋 Why your thyroid helps set the pace for metabolism and energy ☕️ How stress, poor sleep, caffeine, alcohol...

In this episode, we’re talking about: 🥓 What about bacon? Is it safe and healthy for me? 🏋️‍♀️Should I eat before or after my workout, or is it better to train fasted? 🦴 What’s the best collagen for bone, hair and nails? Does it count as protein? 🥄 Can psyllium affect nutrient absorption? 🌱 Should I be afraid of “anti-nutrients” like phytates and oxalates if I have osteoporosis? 🥤 Why do I cr...

Have you ever been called “too picky” about food? I was definitely that kid. I didn’t like my food touching, preferred very plain foods, and absolutely hated fish. And yet, I grew up with parents who loved good food and knew how to cook. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of my very discriminating palate, how my relationship with food evolved, and why I’ve come to see being particular about fo...

Episode Summary What if your struggles with emotional eating, chronic stress, body image, or even health symptoms didn't begin with food at all? In this first expert interview on The Slow Kitchen Podcast, I sit down with my friend and colleague, Dr. Meg Haworth, transpersonal psychologist, holistic chef, bestselling author, and founder of Love School Online Holistic Academy. Together we explo...

Thanks for spending a little time with me in the kitchen today. I hope this episode inspires you to make cooking feel a little calmer, a little more joyful, and a whole lot less stressful. In this episode we talked about: Why the experience of preparing a meal can be just as nourishing as the meal itself. How stress affects digestion by reducing saliva, digestive enzymes, and stomach acid, making...

What we cover in this episode: Why your 3 P.M. energy crash isn't something to fight, but something to listen to The surprising reasons your body may be asking for food, recovery, or simply a break How your morning and lunchtime habits shape your afternoon energy Why your afternoon coffee or chocolate craving may be a learned habit rather than a true need A simple experiment to help you uncov...

What We Talked About Protein has become one of the biggest nutrition conversations of the moment, but it has also created unnecessary stress for many women. In this episode, I unpack why protein matters so much after 50 without adding another food rule to your life. We explore why so many women know protein is important but still struggle to eat enough, and how decades of dieting, low-fat messagin...

🌿 What We Talked About Why plant diversity matters more than chasing superfoods The gut-loving power of herbs, spices, and polyphenols Easy ways to add more plants to your everyday meals How different plants nourish different gut microbes Why it's time to refresh your spice cabinet An invitation to join the Gut Garden Challenge 📚 Mentions & Resources 🌱 Gut Garden Challenge Ready to gro...

Podcast 32:  “Fibermaxxing: My Thoughts on the Internet's Latest Health Obsession” In This Episode You'll Learn: What the fiber maxxing trend gets right—and where it can go wrong. The different types of fiber (soluble, insoluble, fermentable fiber, resistant starch, and FODMAPs) and what each one does in your body. Why fiber is essential for blood sugar balance, gut health, cholesterol,...

🎙️ Episode: The Simple Power of Sprouting: The Food That Grows While You Sleep What We Talked About Why nutrition isn't about choosing plants or protein The benefits of sprouts for nutrient density and plant diversity How sprouting increases nutrient availability The science behind broccoli sprouts and sulforaphane Why sulforaphane may support healthy aging, detoxification, and hormone metabo...

📌 Episode 30: Your Body Has a Clock. Are You Feeding It on Time? What we talked about (key points): Your body runs on a 24-hour circadian rhythm that influences metabolism, digestion, hormones, sleep, immune function, and energy production. Food is one of the strongest signals that helps set and regulate your body's internal clocks. Thousands of genes turn on and off throughout the day accor...

📌 Episode: Why Do We Eat the Same Foods Every Day? What we talked about (key points): Repeating the same foods is often a signal, not a failure Cravings can come from biology (sleep, protein, blood sugar, hormones, stress) Highly processed foods are designed to increase craving and override fullness Habits form through reward learning in the brain, not willpower Food often regulates the nervous s...

What if the way you eat is revealing far more than what's on your plate? In this episode, we explore how your eating habits often mirror deeper patterns around stress, self-care, urgency, presence, boundaries, and how you move through the world. You'll discover: 🌿 How your eating style reflects your life Whether you're a fast eater, slow eater, multitasker, or grazer, your patterns...

By Cat Dillon RHN | The Slow Kitchen Podcast Food is never just about nutrients. It is also sensory experience, nervous system regulation, pleasure, memory, creativity, rhythm, and connection. 🌿 This episode explores why even “healthy” eating can start feeling emotionally flat — and how reconnecting to flavor, texture, desire, and slowing down can completely change the experience of nourishment a...

What We Covered The gap between modern convenience eating and sensory, intentional food experiences Farmers markets as a way to reconnect with seasonality, freshness, and real food Sprouts vs microgreens and their nutrient density, especially broccoli and amaranth varieties Key produce highlights: arugula, Tokyo turnips, yellow carrots, yellow cucumbers, heirloom tomatoes, broccolini, yellow cauli...

What We Covered This episode is a deep dive into the nutrition questions I hear most often, and the answers are more nuanced than the headlines make them sound. Specifically, we covered: Carrots and simple carbs.  Fruit. Why variety beats ranking every time. Natural sweeteners.  Plant fats versus animal fats.  Protein before bed.  Protein powder for midlife women.  Tart cherry juice.  Key Takeaway...

What we cover: Why nutrition can start to feel overwhelming—and how to simplify it What polyphenols are and why they matter beyond basic macros How plant compounds support metabolism, brain health, and resilience The connection between polyphenols and your gut microbiome Why variety—not perfection—is the real missing piece in most diets Simple, realistic ways to bring more color and depth into you...

"Bone loss isn’t just about calcium. If it were, more women wouldn’t still be struggling." What we cover: What’s often missing: absorption, stress physiology, lived history & mechanical load Why bone reflects what your body has lived through —not just what you take How hormones, stress & daily patterns quietly shape bone loss or renewal The core pillars for rebuilding bone streng...

What we cover in this episode: Why bone health is more than calcium, menopause, or a scan How stress, hormones, and metabolism shape bone over time - my story…. The concept of “scaffolding” and what actually builds (or breaks down) bone The role of protein, nutrients, and resistance training in rebuilding Why your nervous system and sense of safety matter more than you think Key Takeaway: - Bone i...

🧠 Key Topics and Takeaways: Why metabolic health is deeply tied to circadian rhythm How blood sugar, cortisol, and hormones interact What “lifestyle jet lag” actually means Why your body feels tired but wired at night A simple nervous system reset if you can’t sleep Practical ways to restore rhythm  💡 Featured Experts Mentioned: The Circadian Code: Lose Weight, Supercharge Your Energy, and Trans...