Feb 18 2025 38 mins
In this engaging conversation, Yamel Belen and Ciji Castro explore the intersection of culture, family, and cooking. They discuss the importance of food in expressing love and heritage, the challenges of being a working mom, and the evolution of cooking practices in modern households. Ciji shares her journey of reinventing Latin cuisine while maintaining health consciousness, offering practical meal prep hacks and sustainable cooking tips. They also delve into the dynamics of feeding picky eaters and empowering children to make food choices, all while navigating the complexities of family life. In this conversation, Ciji and Yamel discuss the importance of understanding food intolerances in children, particularly how they can be mistaken for pickiness. They explore essential ingredients for healthy Latin cooking, emphasizing the need for fresh, clean ingredients. The duo also shares creative twists on traditional Latin dishes to make them healthier while maintaining authentic flavors. They highlight the significance of reading labels and making small changes in meal preparation to improve family nutrition.
Ciji Castro is the founder and owner of Domestic Gourmet, a company dedicated to crafting high-quality, handcrafted gourmet Latin foods that are free from artificial colors and preservatives. With a deep respect for tradition, Ciji’s mission is to provide families with delicious, wholesome kitchen staples that evoke the warmth and memories of ancestral cooking while promoting healthier more mindful eating.
Key Takeaways:
- Cooking connects us to culture, love, and tradition.
- Meal prepping and planning reduce stress and save time.
- Reinventing traditional dishes can make them healthier without losing authenticity.
- Frozen and pre-chopped ingredients simplify weeknight meals.
- Sustainable cooking reduces waste and saves money.
- Involving kids in food choices fosters independence.
- Understanding food intolerances can help address picky eating.
- Cooking once, eating twice is a practical strategy.
- Reading labels ensures better food quality.
- Small cooking changes lead to healthier meals.
- Broth is a nutritious, versatile ingredient.
- Supporting local farmers enhances meal quality.
Connect with Ciji HERE & via Instagram
Purchase Organic Annatto Oil use code: MOTHERHOODKIT at checkout
Keep in touch and in the loop with Yamel on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
•This episode is powered by One Love Doula Services, follow us on Instagram to learn more about our work.
•You can access The One Love Childbirth Preparation Course here.
•Visit One Love Nanny’s website here
Keep in touch and in the loop with Yamel on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.