Thrive State Podcast

EPISODE 17: The Synergistic Healing Energies of Culinary Alchemy

Episode 17: Serena Poon

FOOD IS MEDICINE, FOOD IS LOVE

I think at this point, we have come to a common understanding that food plays a major role in our health. Like MAJOR. Yes?

Not much convincing is needed for most people to understand that what you eat – what you put into your body among others – is just basically what your body yields. (Wait, still unconvinced?! Listen to my previous podcast episodes, check out my book, Thrive State, and we’ll see about that.)

But let’s dive a little deeper.

We also know that our relationship with food has evolved so much from the earth-to-mouth consumption that our ancestors used to have during the…what, hunting and gathering age? So the discourse gets a bit more complicated. It becomes non-linear—a lot of other things influence that relationship now.

For one, we have come to understand that food is not fed just because we’re hungry. Food is medicine and food is a vehicle of energy—of the Earth (from the ground), of the stuff we use to prepare it, and of course, of the people that put their hands on it along the process. Celebrity chef, clinical nutritionist, and reiki master Serena Poon, through her work on Culinary Alchemy, explains exquisitely how food is connected to energy and how it can carry a positive frequency like love.

Food carries not just nutrients but also messages. And our DNA actually responds to these different energies that they are interacting with moment to moment. Because the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects are always in a dynamic interplay with our DNA that actually informs our health. When we eat in a state of stress, we’re not actually absorbing the nutrients very well and the toxins pass through the gut. And so even if all the right food is in front of you, they don’t necessarily connect to our healing intuition. But when we prepare and eat with gratitude—this emotion being one of the highest vibrational emotions and anti-aging medicine—food becomes more than a salad or a tasty soup.

To harness food’s innate gift to nourish our health, we should remind ourselves to practice a mindful combination of food, nutrition, and healing intuition. And Chef Serena, in our latest podcast episode, has been so generous in sharing practical tips and advice to rebuild your relationship with food as medicine.

From her personal experience taking care of her dad struggling with cancer and being sick herself with MRSA and then, Covid19, Chef Serena is just an inspiring example and reminder, even at a scary time like this, that our bodies are designed to heal and that Earth has gifted us with everything that we need to nourish these bodies. Not just physically but also emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We have everything that we need to THRIVE.

Pro-Tip from Chef Serena: Do a meal prep ceremony

Before taking out those greens from the fridge or even squeezing the lemon into your morning water, connect with your gratitude. Connect to this powerful positive emotion until you actually feel it. Honor whatever’s in front of you. Even if it’s just a carrot. Don’t think of this as silly! Remember, whatever emotion or energy you transfer to the food that your prepare will go along with it as you eat or drink. Shift to a state to receive. Take each moment to savor not just the taste but the energy that food brings.

Be sure to listen to our latest podcast episode with Chef Serena and find out more about her great work at serenaloves.com and @chefserenapoon on IG!

Show notes

01:15

The Journey to Food as Medicine: Caring for her father who was struggling with cancer led her to find ways to use food as medicine, not just to heal the body but also the soul; how to use the energy of love through food as vehicle.

10:57

Culinary Alchemy: Beyond the recipe, it’s the education around food. Everything has a frequency. Energy is connected to food – it is more than you put in your mouth cause you’re hungry.

13:28

Meal Prep Ceremony: Before doing anything else, connect with your gratitude until you actually feel it. That connection is what you’re going to take to your food or anything that you put into your body and into others. That frequency – that’s love. Take that moment to really savor and honor what’s in front of you.

17:22

The emotion of gratitude is one of the highest vibrational emotions and anti-aging medicine. When we eat in a state of stress, we’re not actually absorbing the nutrients very well and the toxins pass through the gut – an inflammatory way to eat even if you’re eating the right food!

19:16

Go-to for Anxiety and Stress: Ashwagandha and holy basil are very accessible and can be consumed in different ways. Lavender, chamomile, passionflower (great for sleep), and guava. Foods that are grounding; foods that come from the earth like root vegetables, sweet potato.

22:41

Food and Rituals for Sleep: Unwind, have a cup of tea, reduce the amount of caffeine and blue light towards the end of your day, listen to music, breathwork. Having a few key practices or rituals regularly tells your body that when you’re doing that, you’re telling your body to slow down and prepare to sleep.

28:03

Covid19 is Real: So much of the recovery process, if you don’t have severe preexisting conditions, is truly a matter of mindset. It’s hard to be fully grounded on that and help heal with your because there are so many unknowns – there’s so much information and misinformation. But you’re mindset is the most powerful driving factor behind your immune system.

32:31

You are completely empowered to take care of your body. Our bodies are designed to heal. Lean in with your mental health, your support system that is your community, and to the faith that we are incredible systems.

36:24

Gems from the Community: We are powerful, we are resilient and we can thrive. Energy is a tool for our health and mind. The stillness is one of the most powerful biohacks that the pandemic has given us—the pandemic created space for us to reconnect with our resilience.

42:46

Serena’s Best Medicine: Going back to myself. Remembering what my mission is. Remember that there’s always so much more than what we think we see right in front of us.

Other episodes you might be interested:

Relevant Links:

Where to find Doctor V…

Enjoying my content? Follow my social media accounts to stay updated:

Want to work with me?

Send me an email

DID YOU KNOW that you can stay on top of your health just by reading 2 to 5 pages of my book a day?

When asked what surprised him most about humanity, the Dalai Lama replied, “Man! Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.”

Get Your Blueprint For Optimal Health, Longevity and Peak Performance

Yes!! Check it here