Let’s Give ‘Em Something to Talk About: Women & Food

In an opinionated world, the conversation surrounding food and gender is openly voiced. One of our readers is exploring this correlation, dissecting her own body’s health while investigating society’s negative food stigma towards women.

I have struggled with my weight since I was a child. Even at a young age, my stomach packed on bloat in a round balloon-shape, similar to the looks of pregnancy. I had consistent bouts of candida, which was in result of consuming excess amounts of carbohydrates, taking the shape of thick white coating across the tongue. I can still recall the invasive feeling as I received an internal pelvic ultrasound, the doctor applying pressure to my lower abdomen. It was found that between my two ovaries I had over 70 cysts, represented as small, scattered shadows on the monitor in front of me. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) three years ago at the age of 20, an endocrinological disorder caused by an increase of androgens in the body. While PCOS varies from woman-to-woman, its hormonal imbalance significantly affects your insulin and metabolism. Additionally, other external and internal symptoms can occur such as infertility, depression, acne, and particularly, weight gain.

PCOS was a major contributor to my lifelong symptoms. Throughout my childhood and teenage years, there was discomfort discussing my health. Family members never commented on my eating habits, though jokes lingered throughout spaces. Now, older and aware of my personal relationship with food, I understand the discomfort behind discussing my health was because of my gender.

Women and food are often seen in contrasting lights. Our physical shapes represented on a society-fueled spectrum, endlessly shifting between negative and positive connotation. Food, more times than not, is skewed to be its relentless dictator. In the media, companies use advertising campaigns to dictate unrealistic body types, which manipulates how women view food consumption.

External forces continually try to control how women feel about themselves — for simply looking like themselves. Women are continually oppressed by their right to eat, their need to receive nutrition, yet are rarely given a chance to disclose their own truth. It’s blatantly wrong.

Finding Pineapple Collaborative

In December, I spent an evening surrounded by female-identifying peers who willingly discussed perceptions around food, females & their health, and how that contributes to feeling worthy. We openly debated and respectfully listened to the specific issues others have shied away or heedlessly spoke upon.

I welcome you: Pineapple Collaborative, a physical and digital female food-focused community of over 60,000 members. When I discovered their New York event, “New Year, Same You,” was taking place in Manhattan, I jumped at the chance to attend.

That December night, I saw Pineapple Collaborative create a safe space where women could unravel their life experiences while learning from others. It allowed for healthy relationships to form while acknowledging and discussing female food and health — and for once, their real correlation.

Emi Boscamp, one of Pineapple NY’s leads, said Pineapple Collaborative holds these events so that people will “stay and learn something. To be happy and decompress, while making new connections.”

“I want people to think and enjoy themselves,” Boscamp said. “You’re not hearing one opinion reinforced. We want people to be able to talk and challenge new ideas.”

“New Year, Same You,” Pineapple NY’s Dec event, explored women’s resolutions and intentions set as they entered into 2019. Moderating the event was Maggie Battista, writer and founder of Eat Boutique, a recipe site dedicated to innovative ways to look at food. Battista is also the author of “A New Way to Food,” which released last month. Panelists included Ysanet Batista, founder of Woke Foods, a cooperative that explores healing through Dominican cooking, Jennifer Sterling, a holistic nutritionist actively removing emotional connotation surrounding food, and Rachelle Robinett, founder of Supernatural, a herbal company featuring plant-based remedies and health coaching.

Exploring practical food tips with Rachelle Robinett:

Days later, I entered Supernatural, Robinett’s café and company located in the Woom Center on Bowery St. in Manhattan. The bright-eyed herbalist welcomed me in with a smile, sounds of chatter filled the space behind her, creating a harmonious tune.

“We’re having a sound journey later today,” she said, laughing.

Robinett is a holistic health practitioner with certification in Complementary and Integrative Health. Inside Supernatural, Robinett offers 1-1 wellness consulting, workshops, and health coaching for her clients — as well a fully-stocked menu of superfood products and health remedies such as tonics, teas, and calming herbal chews.

Curious to learn about Robinett’s relationship with wellness, I sat down with Supernatural’s founder to discuss how she has cultivated a space where food heals, uplifts, and strengthens the human body — and willingly talks about it. I hoped through learning about her experience, I could better understand my own body’s health.

At “New Year, Same You,” the panelists discussed a wide range of topics within the month’s designated theme — resolutions and intentions — particularly, how their idea of health was connected to more than food itself.

CQ: What was your reaction to the event’s topic surrounding resolutions?

RR: “It doesn’t even have to be every year. It can be every Sunday night, every Monday morning, every time we see somebody else’s Instagram post.”

CQ: What’s the first step to learning about your own health?

RR: “Keep track of how you feel after you eat. Anything that’s mysteriously bothering you, [asking] ‘Why is my digestion always upset?’ ‘What foods make me tired?’ That can be a really good way to explore how certain foods make you feel.”

Alternatively, Robinett added that if someone has history or is currently struggling with an eating disorder, tracking food may not be the right process.

“There is so much more (and also arguably more important) in the world of health and wellness, women and food, that has yet to be really aired,” Robinett said. “Not that it will not ever be resolved, but we are all working through a lot of things.”

Looking in front of me, “Nerve Less,” Robinett’s organic herbal chew from her line, HRBLS, sits on the counter. I watch as Robinett carefully places labels around the tins, packaging them for customers’ orders.

“Nerve Less,” a plant-based herbal remedy created to ease stress and anxiety, was sampled at “New Year, Same You.” The chew is dubbed as a “dose of piece,” containing a blend of herbal extracts such as honeyed lavender, tarragon, and ashwagandha root.

CQ: So you’re an herbalist and an entrepreneur. How do you define yourself in your career field?

RR: I don’t consider myself an entrepreneur, though it’s clear I’m running a business. I am a student, first. I was just listening to a talk on herbal medicine. I am fascinated and love listening and trying to understand the human experience.

CQ: Where can someone look to for information and guidance if they are unsure about how to enter the food and health world?

RR: There are so many amazing events in New York and Brooklyn. It’s always fun to go to a talk, check out a new store, dig in that way. People can always come in here [Supernatural] and have a chat with me. Come try an herb or bring in a supplement. [Rachelle Robinett is available for 1-on-1 wellness consulting at CAP Beauty on Thursdays, as well as by appointment at Supernatural.]

CQ: What are some of health foods that someone may already have at home, unaware of how beneficial they are to your health?

RR: Those are the best, accessible to everyone. Cinnamon, turmeric, black pepper, star anise… All the fresh green herbs are amazing. Parsley, cilantro, basil, thyme, oregano… Hot water with ginger. If you’re making a dressing, add garlic. Just add them into your food anyway you can.

CQ: What is one thing you want people to understand after they spend time with you?

RR: Food is really just the heart of my work. Never underestimate the power of fresh produce. That’s it.

**Below, check out a recipe for one of Robinett’s favorite smoothies labeled “Save Yourself Deep Green Smoothie,” loaded with lots of fresh greens, which Robinett totes as “food medicine at its finest.”**

Rachelle Robinett is available for 1-on-1 wellness consulting at CAP Beauty on Thursdays. Rachelle also recently announced that Supernatural will be moving to a new location in Brooklyn, NY, expected May 2019.

This one is serious business.

https://rachellerobinett.com/read/2014/10/08/save-yourself-deep-green-smoothie?rq=smoothie)

Juice: Celery Cucumber Collard Greens Spinach Lime Ginger

Blend with: Milk Thistle (powdered herb) Bee pollen Chlorella powder

Don’t be dismayed when it blends into a beautiful shade of… grey. Because it will.