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

Rachelle talks to Star Review.

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.

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.

this post appears originally here