SensationsSalud

Shirazi salad served with simply cooked stovetop chicken. Demystifying knife skills and changing the narrative on salads. Perfect start to Culinary Medicine elective.

Caught in the act of the moment. Being. In community. Working towards a shared goal.

Truly honored to be part of the incredible team and group of speakers at the 24th Annual Women’s Wellness Days at UCI .institute. It is pretty amazing to be in a space where women finding and supporting their fullest selves is front and center. Grateful to share Culinary Medicine and connect through food, wellness, and community.

Salud! 🥂

Creating a magical evening for 27 guests. Powerful to work with such an amazing team that empowers one another, where we each learned from one another to create a night to remember for people. Thank you for the opportunity and for for who you are and the amazing team you’ve created. Salud!

Uplifting at its best. 2026 has been a lot of growth and stretching. In this I am smiling big for many-year and newer humans on this journey. I thank you. I applaud you. I smile and laugh with you. I am incredibly grateful to have these humans and opportunities in my life. Salud🥂



2026 ha sido un año de mucho crecimiento y de salir de la zona de confort. En todo esto, sonrío en grande por tantas personas —de años y también nuevas— que forman parte de este camino.
Gracias. Les aplaudo. Sonrío y me río con ustedes. Me siento profundamente agradecida de tener a estas personas y estas oportunidades en mi vida. Salud 🥂

English

The teaching kitchen is the learning lab—one of the core pillars of Lifestyle Medicine in action.
This is where principles come alive: reading recipes, cooking, asking questions, and working independently and collaboratively

Learning by doing matters. It’s how future professionals gain the confidence and skills to carry this work forward into real kitchens, real communities, and real lives.

Honored to be part of the community and to work with graduate students in the program as they prepare to take what they learn here into diverse spaces and with diverse communities.



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Español

La cocina de enseñanza es el laboratorio de aprendizaje—uno de los pilares fundamentales de la Medicina del Estilo de Vida en acción.
Aquí es donde los principios cobran vida: leyendo recetas, cocinando, haciendo preguntas y trabajando de forma individual y colaborativa.

Aprender haciendo importa. Así es como los futuros profesionales desarrollan la confianza y las habilidades necesarias para llevar este trabajo a cocinas reales, comunidades reales y vidas reales.

Un honor formar parte de la comunidad de PLNU y acompañar a estudiantes de posgrado del programa iWell mientras se preparan para llevar lo aprendido a espacios diversos y comunidades diversas.

English

In my work, we often talk about the three delights—a simple culinary medicine principle I return to again and again.
By the time dessert arrives, we usually don’t need more food… but we want a finishing touch. Like a bow on a beautifully wrapped gift. 🎁✨

Dark chocolate (≥80% cacao), fruit (fresh or dried), and nuts.
Displayed simply, they make a satisfying snack or a mindful dessert.
Or transform the same ingredients into chocolate bark, chocolate-dipped fruit topped with crushed nuts.

Proof that pleasure, intention, and nourishment can absolutely coexist.



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Español

En el CIA hablamos a menudo de los tres placeres—un principio de medicina culinaria al que siempre regreso.
Cuando llega el postre, casi nunca necesitamos más comida… pero sí queremos un cierre especial. Como el moño de un regalo bien envuelto. 🎁✨

Chocolate oscuro (≥80% cacao), fruta (fresca o deshidratada) y nueces.
Presentados de forma sencilla, funcionan como snack o postre consciente.
O los mismos ingredientes pueden transformarse en bark de chocolate, fruta cubierta de chocolate y nueces trituradas.

Placer, intención y nutrición—juntos, sin conflicto.

Thank you for sharing your story!!! I’ve heard about you since you were super young from you mom. Congratulations Kitchenista!

A curious child.
A passionate high school intern.
A confident young leader. Brenda’s journey with Olivewood Gardens shows what happens when a community invests in its youth.  Join us in building a healthier tomorrow — together.
#BuildingRoots #GrowingLeaders #YearEndAppeal - Una niña curiosa.
Una apasionada estudiante de preparatoria.
Una joven líder llena de confianza. El camino de Brenda con Olivewood Gardens muestra lo que sucede cuando una comunidad invierte en su juventud. 
Únete a nosotros para construir un mañana más saludable, juntos.
#SembrandoRaíces #FormandoLíderes #FinDeAño