Catch Ups In My Kitchen

In my kitchen this week I am joined by Lauren Vaknine, who has one of the most extraordinary health stories I’ve ever heard.

Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis as a toddler, Lauren’s condition became so severe that by 18 she was wheelchair-bound and living with arthritis throughout her body. At 29, after years of exploring a more holistic, whole-person approach to her health, Lauren went into remission.

Lauren is now a holistic health and life coach, wellness educator, writer, TEDx speaker, podcast host and mother. Her work focuses on something we talk about so much on this podcast: looking at the whole person, not just the symptom and considering our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing together.

What I found so fascinating about Lauren’s story is the role intuition played in it.

She describes having an inner knowing that disability wasn’t going to be the rest of her story. Rather than continuing to rely solely on conventional medicine, she began researching, questioning and taking greater ownership of her health, exploring everything from nutrition and movement to emotional healing, spirituality and the mind-body connection.

This conversation isn’t about telling you what you should or shouldn’t do with your own health. It’s about being curious and asking questions rather than taking things at face value.

Are we sometimes treating the symptom without asking what else might be going on?
Could there be more to healing than medication alone?
And how much attention are we paying to what our own bodies are trying to tell us?

In this episode we discuss:

Her journey from diagnosis to remission
Fluoride and why we should be opting for Fluoride Free
Alcohol and how it's a toxin
The role Homeopathy has played in her healing
Western vs Homeopapthy
How she healed holistically and what that means
What health means to her today

Whether you’re dealing with chronic illness, feel frustrated because you haven’t been getting the answers you need, or simply want to become more intentional about the way you look after your mind and body, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.

It might just make you look at your health — and what “healing” really means — differently.

Please note: This episode shares Lauren’s personal experiences and perspectives and is intended for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always speak to an appropriately qualified healthcare professional before changing medication or treatment.

Sponsors:

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ZAPP discount code - ZAPPKITCHEN - £10 off your first 4 orders over £30

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This episode was hosted and produced by Georgia Symonds

Georgia’s Instagram - click here!
Georgia's Substack to hear the conversations we have Off Camera - click here!
Lauren's Instagram - click here!
Lauren's Substack - click here!
Lauren's membership programme - click here!
Get her programme for £60 a month with code RISE60

For more information and other interesting articles check out our website: www.catchupsinmykitchen.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my kitchen this week I am bringing you many a guest as I share some of my favourite conversations with leading experts to give you practical, balanced nutrition advice that actually lasts. The following guests cover everything from gut health and the importance of food quality to hormonal balance, intuitive eating, and creating sustainable, healthy habits.

This week's episode it is a compilation from the following episodes.

Episode 137 Navigating Gut Health with Dr Emily Prpa
Dr Emily Prpa on the incredible connection between gut health and overall wellbeing, and why looking after your microbiome is one of the best things you can do for your health

Episode 158 90% of your health comes from the food we eat with Niall Kiddle
Niall Kiddle, founder of Organised, on why nutrition is about so much more than what's on your plate. We explore the food system, the importance of connecting with nature, and why understanding where our food comes from matters just as much as what we're eating.

Episode 148 Clean Eating and Hormonal Acne with Bonnie Weddell
Bonnie Weddell shares her approach to balance—learning to listen to your body, supporting hormonal health, nourishing both your mind and body, and moving away from restrictive eating.

Episode 115 "I've been in Wellness for 10 years: and here is what you need to know with Madeleine Shaw
Madeleine Shaw, who has spent over a decade in the wellness space, explains why the secret to good health isn't found in the latest trend or quick fix. Instead, she shares how to build sustainable habits that support your health and wellbeing for the long term.

Whether you're looking to improve your gut health, understand nutrition from a fresh perspective, or simply find a more balanced and sustainable approach to eating, this episode brings together expert advice from a range of viewpoints to help you feel informed, empowered, and inspired. It could also be the little refresher you need to stay on the right track

If you're looking for one episode packed with practical nutrition wisdom, this is the one.

Sponsors:
Healthy Habits - Try mouth tape today and get 20% off your first purchase with code CATCHUPS20
click here

ZAPP discount code - ZAPPKITCHEN - £10 off your first 4 orders over £30

HEXCLAD - CATCHUPS20 - 20% off your order

This episode was hosted and produced by Georgia Symonds

Georgia’s Instagram - click here!
Dr Emily Prpa Instagram - click here!
Niall Kiddle Instagram - click here!
Bonnie Weddell Instagram - click here!
Madeleine Shaw Instagram - click here!

For more information and other interesting articles check out our website: www.catchupsinmykitchen.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week in my Kitchen, I'm joined by Lucy Watson, creator, author, entrepreneur, influencer and mum.

Best known for her time on Made in Chelsea, Lucy has also become one of the UK's most recognisable advocates for the vegan diet and lifestyle. She is the author of three vegan cookbooks, with her latest, Feed Me More Veggies, inspired by her son, Willoughby. Designed with families in mind, the book encourages parents to introduce more vegetables into both their own diets and their children's from an early age. Lucy is also the founder of Renue The Label, a sustainable cotton underwear brand.
In this episode, we explore Lucy's journey to veganism, why living a vegan lifestyle remains so important to her, how she's stayed committed despite the recent rise in popularity of meat-heavy and carnivore diets, and why she and her husband have chosen to raise their son vegan. For Lucy, veganism is far more than what's on your plate, it's a way of life and we dive into every aspect of what that means.

Having previously run a vegan business and followed a vegan diet myself, this was a fascinating conversation. I share my own experience of reintroducing more animal products into my diet, while also explaining why I still believe a predominantly plant-based diet is one of the healthiest and most nutrient-rich ways to eat. It's an honest, respectful discussion where we challenge each other's perspectives, find common ground, and explore the evidence behind one of the most debated topics in nutrition.

In this episode we discuss:
Why Lucy turned Vegan
The vegan lifestyle and how her beliefs go beyond just food
The Plant-Based "Trend"
The new Carnivore obsession
Whether Lucy has ever been swayed against her Vegan beliefs
Raising her child Vegan and the why behind it
Her new book Feed Me More Veggies
Being pregnant and her fertility journey
Her brand Renue and previous businesses in the Vegan space

Sponsors:
Healthy Habits - Try mouth tape today and get 20% off your first purchase with code CATCHUPS20
click here

ZAPP discount code - ZAPPKITCHEN - £10 off your first 4 orders over £30

HEXCLAD - CATCHUPS20 - 20% off your order

This episode was hosted and produced by Georgia Symonds

Georgia’s Instagram - click here!
Lucy's Instagram - click here!

For more information and other interesting articles check out our website: www.catchupsinmykitchen.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my kitchen this week, I'm joined by Mira Manek an internationally recognised author, entrepreneur and leading voice in modern Ayurveda. Mira has dedicated her career to making the ancient principles of Ayurveda accessible for today's busy lifestyles, showing how small, intentional daily habits can have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing.

Mira is the author of three bestselling books, Saffron Soul, Prajna: Ayurvedic Rituals for Happiness, and The Book of Chai: History, Stories and Recipes, which blend timeless Ayurvedic wisdom with practical advice for everyday living. She is also the founder of Chai by Mira, whose signature chai spice blends are served in hundreds of cafés and restaurants, while also bringing authentic chai rituals into homes around the world.

Rather than focusing on quick fixes, Ayurveda looks at digestion as the foundation of overall health. Together, we unpack practical habits that you can start incorporating today to support your gut, improve your energy and build a healthier relationship with food.

Topics we discuss:
What it means to follow an Ayvuedic life?
What are the key Ayuvedic principles?
How the temperature of your food and drink can affect your digestion
Cooked foods over raw
The benefits of spices to your diet
Black Seed oil and Castor Oil and the benefits to your digestion

Sponsors:
Healthy Habits - Try mouth tape today and get 20% off your first purchase with code CATCHUPS20
click here

ZAPP discount code - ZAPPKITCHEN - £10 off your first 4 orders over £30

HEXCLAD - CATCHUPS20 - 20% off your order - shop here

This episode was hosted and produced by Georgia Symonds

Georgia’s Instagram - click here!
Mira's Instagram - click here!

For more information and other interesting articles check out our website: www.catchupsinmykitchen.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In my kitchen this week I am joined by one of the most positive girls on the internet right now, Faye Plunkett. This episode is about finding joy in everyday life, embracing dopamine dressing, showing up for yourself as a woman, and discovering simple ways to make even the hardest days feel a little lighter. It's an uplifting, honest conversation full of practical reminders that happiness isn't about perfection, it's about the choices we make every day.
In todays world, conversations like this are really important, often we are so negative, talk to ourselves so badly and constantly feel like we aren't enough, but after this episode that will all change.

The topics we discuss are:
Faye's journey to sharing positive videos online
Tips for being a positive person
The power of positivity over negativity as an energy
How to build a positive relationship with yourself
Dopamine dressing and what that is
Why it's important for women to find their voice
Mo Gawdats theory on naming your brain
How fun is a pillar of health that needs to be taken more seriously
The difference between worth and confidence
Not listening to the inner critic

Whether your looking to re-wire your brain to think more positively, are feeling down and need a pick me up or just love filling your cup up with positive conversations, I know you are going to love this episode and come back to it time and time again

Sponsors:

Healthy Habits - Try mouth tape today and get 20% off your first purchase with code CATCHUPS20
click here

ZAPP discount code - ZAPPKITCHEN - £10 off your first 4 orders over £30

HEXCLAD - CATCHUPS20 - 20% off your order

This episode was hosted and produced by Georgia Symonds

Georgia’s Instagram - click here!
Faye Plunkett's Instagram - click here!

For more information and other interesting articles check out our website: www.catchupsinmykitchen.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.