Joy With Food

My 11-year-old son, Zeke, joins me for a conversation about being in the kitchen, cooking shows, mystery basket challenges, making his own lunches, favorite ingredients, kitchen mistakes, and what makes cooking memorable and fun for him. I hope this episode leaves you smiling and inspired to bring a little more curiosity, creativity, and ownership into the kitchen. It's a fun, honest glimpse into...

In this episode, you'll hear why winter can feel challenging around food — and why it’s also the most nourishing season when we stop fighting it and start working with it instead.   The wisdom and magic of this season can be felt so deeply in your body if you let it.  This conversation is about aligning your food, rhythms, and expectations with the season you’re actually in — so food feels easier,...

As we move into a new year, it’s easy to feel pressure to fix, optimize, or reinvent ourselves, especially around food and motherhood. This offers a different invitation. Taking Care of Your Future Self is a conversation about devotion instead of discipline, listening instead of fixing, and why tending to ourselves with food is one of the most powerful ways mothers can create steadiness in their h...

Sugar isn’t just a food issue — it’s an emotional, physiological, cultural, and relational one. If it feels heavy or confusing in your home, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, I walk you through five core themes that explain why sugar feels so hard for so many families — and a kinder, more holistic way to approach it for the long haul. You’ll hear: ✨ Why sugar...

In this episode of Joy With Food, I’m sharing the “Decide Once” principle — a simple but powerful way to reduce decision fatigue, lighten the mental load, and create more room for joy (especially in the kitchen). You’ll hear real-life examples both inside and outside of food, why this matters so much for mothers, and how to create Decide Once rhythms that actually feel supportive — not rigid. We’r...

In this episode, I share what’s really behind food burnout — and it’s deeper than decision fatigue or meal planning. We explore how masculine and feminine energies show up in your kitchen and your body, and how a consistent imbalance between the two can quietly drain your joy. I talk about what happens when fear drives us to control food more tightly, and how to shift from rigidity to a more groun...

If you tend to skip lunch, grab coffee or a bar instead of a meal, or suddenly realize you’re starving hours after you should’ve eaten… this episode is for you.  As mothers, we put so much care and attention into what our kids eat—carefully packing their lunches, thinking through their snacks, making sure they have balanced meals. But what about us? Why do we so often neglect our own nourishment w...

Does food feel the same season after season?  Spring is a season of renewal, and it's the perfect time to refresh our kitchens, our meals, and ourselves. In this episode, we explore how to embrace the energy of spring through food, color, and small shifts that invite lightness and growth into your life. From honoring the subtle transitions of spring to savoring seasonal foods like bitter greens an...

This is a personal update on how I've been feeling lately, noticing shifts in eating behaviors, and using food as source of support.   I talk through: Personal life update Cravings How we listen to our bodies The one question to can ask yourself  Practical ways to support yourself with food in difficult times A book recommendation Resources Mentioned: 🌟 Let's Talk About Sugar Workshop 🫶 Schedule...

This is a great episode to play for the kids!   In this episode, my son goes through the ingredients you need and the step-by-step for how to make deviled eggs, a personal favorite of his these days.  He shares how he got inspired to make them in the first place and how much he loves being in the kitchen.   Kids in the Kitchen, my program that walks you through inviting your kids into the kitchen...

If you find yourself cutting out foods from your diet that you love because family members don't share that love, this episode is for you!  I go into three really important reasons why this really doesn't help anyone.  And this is especially important if you have a picky eater in your family!   It's time to shift that narrative that we're here to serve our families and that we can put our enjoymen...

Ever find yourself in a rut and not sure where to get food ideas from?  Cookbooks can be such an under-utilized source for recipes, ideas, and creative inspiration!  In this episode I break down how I use cookbooks, ways to test them out before adding them to your shelf, and why they are at the top of my list for supporting kids to create a positive relationship with food. This episode will have y...

Do you usually just take a bite of food without considering the transition to eating?  Join me as I share exactly what I do before each meal and why it's so important!  Ritual is essential when it comes to food if we want it to feel embodied, connected, and joyful.  Try this practice on and see how it transforms your mealtime!  I also hope you love the analogy I share in this episode. Need persona...

We are in the height of Springtime seasonal transition right now in the northern hemisphere and this window provides such a beautiful way to connect differently with food.  In today's episode I walk you through how to connect with this energy, what to try out that's specific to Spring, and the ways it can totally break down the monotony of food.  We are cyclical beings and leaning into the changin...

In today's episode I walk you through a new paradigm around, what's often labeled as, "picky eating."  Preferences change throughout our lives and certainly for our growing kids.  I promise that, for most kids, you don't need to do the guessing game dance every day around what they may eat or just serve the same "safe foods" (not a fan of that term) daily.  There's another way that's actually way...

What's it like when you eat by yourself?   When your attention isn't on conversation or being with your kids?  How many other things are you doing?   Do you even take the time for a meal?  If family mealtime is stressful, frustrating, or overwhelming, this episode is your starting point.   Give yourself time to notice how mealtime really feels for you.   Sign up for free The Snack Hack system The...

In this first episode I go into detail sharing my story when it comes to food and my body- from early childhood through today and all the pivotal moments along the way.  I want you to have a good sense of who this is behind the mic and the life experiences that shape why I do what I do!  I hope you love it.  What do you want more of?  Please fill out this 1-minute survey.   Deena Barselah Instagra...