Unlocking Inner Wisdom: How Body Image Shapes Our Lives

Conversation with Deb: caregiving

Welcome to the Queendom of the Kitchen Table. This is a space for slow conversations about nourishment beyond food — about relationships, culture, belonging, and the ways we learn to live well in a fragmented world. Before we begin, a brief note. I’m Iliana Lanuza — a coach working with people around nourishment beyond food, life transitions, and the ways our personal stories are shaped by culture and relationships. If this conversation resonates, you can find more of my work on Substack. Season two opens the table wider. This season, I’m interested in the meaning of health and holistic living — not as a formula, but as a lived experience. We’ll explore how relationships, culture, memory, and care shape the way we nourish ourselves and each other. I invite you to listen to Deb as she shares her journey in caregiving, looking after her father. Deb is a certified functional health coach. To learn more about her work, please find her at https://www.facebook.com/debbi.comen For more information about my coaching practice, please follow me https://substack.com/@nourishbeyondyourplate Thank you for listening, Iliana

Unlocking Inner Wisdom: How Body Image Shapes Our Lives

Welcome to the Queendom of the Kitchen Table. This is a space for slow conversations about nourishment beyond food — about relationships, culture, belonging, and the ways we learn to live well in a fragmented world. Before we begin, a brief note. I’m Iliana Lanuza — a coach working with people around nourishment beyond food, life transitions, and the ways our personal stories are shaped by culture and relationships. If this conversation resonates, you can find more of my work on Substack. Season two opens the table wider. This season, I’m interested in the meaning of health and holistic living — not as a formula, but as a lived experience. We’ll explore how relationships, culture, memory, and care shape the way we nourish ourselves and each other. In today’s world, many struggle with their relationships to food, body image, and health. This blog post highlights a conversation with Diana Dorell, a women’s empowerment coach who transitioned from battling anorexia to embracing a holistic view of nourishment. Diana, a professional dancer with a background, offers valuable lessons on self-love and acceptance. She discusses her body image challenges, explaining how the pressures of dance led to her diagnosis of anorexia. "I went through anorexia during my dance career," she recalls, emphasizing the importance of viewing our bodies as deserving of love and care. Her Colombian and Venezuelan heritage has also shaped her perspective on food and body image. Diana encourages embracing unique body shapes as reflections of our identities, rather than viewing them as flaws. By understanding the cultural narratives surrounding our bodies, we can foster greater self-acceptance. ** Key Insights:**- **Break Free from Societal Expectations:** Challenge media-driven ideals of beauty and define it on your own terms.- **Nourish the Body and Soul:** Diana emphasizes that nourishment is about more than food; it includes mental and emotional well-being. - **Mindful Eating:** Focus on joy in eating rather than guilt.- **Colorful Plates:** Incorporate a variety of colors in meals for a balanced diet. The conversation with Diana underscores that nourishment is a personal journey shaped by our cultural backgrounds and relationships. By embracing our unique stories, we can cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling approach to life. Stay in touch: Free gift: Grounded Goddess Meditation www.DianaDorell.com/Sassy [http://www.dianadorell.com/Sassy]Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DianaDorell [http://www.facebook.com/DianaDorell]IG: www.instagram.com/DianaDorell [http://www.instagram.com/DianaDorell] https://substack.com/@dianadorell Thank you for listening. Iliana

The Art of Being Seen: A Conversation with Tom Gregory

In this episode of Queendom of the Kitchen Table, Iliana Lanuza engages in a deep conversation with photographer Tom Gregory about the cultural significance of pinup photography. They explore how pinup photography empowers women, the difference between boudoir and pinup styles, and the importance of agency in self-expression. Tom shares insights from his book, 'The Art of Being Seen,' emphasizing the need for women to admire themselves and claim their space in the world. The conversation highlights the transformative experience of photography and its impact on self-perception. Follow iliana Lanuza at: https://substack.com/@nourishbeyondyourplate Instagram: @nourishbeyondyourplate @queendmofthekitchentable Follow Tom: Instagram:  @sodacitypinupFacebook: LuxVerumProductionsTikTok: @sodacitypinuplinkdin: Lux Verum Productions (I think that's it. Let me know if you find me that way, or give me yours and I'll find you!) Website: https://sodacitypinup.com. [https://sodacitypinup.com/] Anyone who signs up for my "bombshell club" on my website will receive an ebook copy of "The Art of Being Seen."  Thank you for listening! Iliana

The Journey of Motherhood: Identity and Emotion with Lara.

Introduction: In this episode of Queendom of the Kitchen Table, host Iliana Lanuza engages in a heartfelt conversation with artist and mom Lara Georgine. They explore the complexities of motherhood, identity, and the delicate balance between personal and professional life, shedding light on how relationships and culture shape our experiences. A Space for Nourishment Beyond Food Iliana opens the conversation by welcoming listeners to the Queendom of the Kitchen Table, a platform for discussing nourishment that goes beyond just food. She emphasizes the importance of exploring relationships, culture, and our individual stories, especially in a fragmented world. This sets the stage for a meaningful dialogue about the lived experiences of motherhood. Introducing Lara Georgine Lara, a mother of four and an artist living in New York, shares the various layers that make up her identity. She reflects on how becoming a mother changed her perception of herself and her career aspirations. Lara beautifully compares her journey to peeling back the layers of an onion, revealing how each child brought about a new version of herself, while her passion for art remained a constant. Lara candidly discusses the identity shift that many mothers experience. She recalls her early days as a working mother, feeling a sense of loss regarding her professional identity after having her first child. The emotional toll took her by surprise, as she vividly remembers dropping her firstborn off at daycare and feeling overwhelmed with grief. This emotional component is often overlooked in conversations about motherhood, yet it profoundly impacts how mothers navigate their roles. As Lara talks about her transition from the fashion industry to motherhood, she highlights the challenges of balancing work and family life. With each child, she found herself reassessing her priorities and values. The conversation brings to light the importance of acknowledging that every mother's journey is unique, and the emotional struggles they face are valid and shared by many. Despite the challenges, Lara’s love for art and creativity never wavered. She shares her journey of starting a sock company inspired by her son’s larger-than-life feet, illustrating how personal experiences can lead to entrepreneurial ventures. This insight emphasizes the idea that motherhood can inspire new passions and business opportunities, highlighting the importance of pursuing creativity alongside family life. In this engaging conversation, Lara Georgine illustrates the intricate dance of motherhood, identity, and creativity. Through her experiences, she offers valuable insights into the emotional shifts that accompany motherhood and the importance of embracing one’s evolving identity. Key takeaways from this episode include the notion that it’s okay to feel lost during transitions, the significance of maintaining personal passions, and the beauty of sharing our stories to foster connection and understanding. Follow Lara @larageorgineillustration Thank you for listening, Iliana Tags: Motherhood, Identity, Work-Life Balance, Holistic Living, Personal Growth, Parenting, Entrepreneurship, Creative Pursuits, Emotional Well-being, Community.

Reclaiming Our Eating Boundaries with Shirley Billigmeier

Welcome to the Queendom of the Kitchen Table. This is a space for slow conversations about nourishment beyond food — about relationships, culture, belonging, and the ways we learn to live well in a fragmented world. Before we begin, a brief note. I’m Iliana Lanuza — a coach working with people around nourishment beyond food, life transitions, and the ways our personal stories are shaped by culture and relationships. If this conversation resonates, you can find more of my work on Substack. Season two opens the table wider. This season, I’m interested in the meaning of health and holistic living — not as a formula, but as a lived experience. We’ll explore how relationships, culture, memory, and care shape the way we nourish ourselves and each other. This week on Queendom of the Kitchen Table, I’m honored to welcome Shirley Billigmeier, a pioneer in the field of holistic eating and intuitive nourishment. With more than five decades of work helping people reconnect with their natural eating boundaries and find freedom in their relationship with food, Shirley brings a depth of wisdom that comes from a lifetime of listening to bodies, to instincts, and to lived experience. Summary In this enlightening conversation, Shirley and I explore the profound connection between holistic eating, intuitive nourishment, and the impact of societal rules on our relationship with food. They discuss the importance of reconnecting with our innate eating boundaries, the evolution of eating rules over the decades, and the role of fear in our food choices. The conversation emphasizes empowerment through choice, the joy of eating, and the significance of listening to our bodies. They also touch on the influence of media on food perceptions and the need to address food waste and fasting practices in a mindful way. Follow Shirley on her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirleybilligmeier/ Thank you very much for listening Iliana Lanuza