This week, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mohammed from In My Kitchen with Paula. Paula and I share a love of good food, connection, and exploring different cultures.

Paula told me all about how she started In My Kitchen back in 2018 to bring people together and celebrate traditional recipes. We also talked about her podcast, where she shares amazing culinary stories from cooks all over the world. One of my favorite parts of our chat was hearing how online cooking experiences unexpectedly took off during the pandemic—and how food continues to be such a powerful way to connect.

We got into everything from the joy of learning from passionate home cooks, to navigating cultural appropriation in the kitchen, to dreaming up future online classes we’d love to co-host. I can’t wait for you to hear this one—it’s all about food as a bridge, and the magic that happens when we gather around a meal.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:12 Paula's Podcast Journey
02:20 Cultural Connections Through Food
03:33 Challenges and Pivots
05:34 Exploring Iranian Culture
08:10 Food as a Cultural Bridge
21:17 Building Connections Through Virtual Classes
23:11 The Joy of Cooking Together Online
25:51 Acts of Kindness and Culinary Stories
29:38 Cultural Appreciation in Cooking
36:16 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

You can find Paula at www.exploreinmykitchen.com

pod on all major platforms: inmykitchenwithpaula

IG: @inmykitchenpaula

• Follow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchen
• Learn more about Menopause Meal Plans
• Sign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

As the seasons change, it's time to reset your kitchen and life for fall. This week you'll find practical tips for getting back into a cooking rhythm. From pantry refreshes and meal planning to setting routines and embracing small wins, this episode is packed with advice to help you enjoy cooking again. It also touches on mindset practices to make cooking a pleasurable experience. Don't miss the upcoming free Mediterranean masterclass on September 18th for more tips and inspiration.

00:00 Welcome to Fall: Embracing Change

00:47 Adjusting to an Empty Nest

02:17 Finding Your Cooking Mojo

03:22 Practical Kitchen Tips for Fall

03:43 Pantry Refresh and Meal Prep

09:37 Exploring New Recipes and Mindset

10:40 Meditation and Mindset Shifts

13:45 Planning and Rhythm for the Fall

14:30 Join the Mediterranean Masterclass

Register for the September 18 masterclass by clicking here: EmptyNestKitchen.com/masterclass

• Follow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchen
• Learn more about Menopause Meal Plans
• Sign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen

Let's talk about the importance of eating seasonally and locally! From making simple no-cook sauces to grilling the perfect seasonal vegetables, you'll find insights to make your kitchen a place of joy and discovery.

00:00 Welcome to the Empty Nest Kitchen
00:25 Seasonal Cooking: A Journey Through Summer
01:17 The Importance of Eating Seasonally
01:58 Restaurant Tips for Seasonal Eating
04:12 Fun with Figs and Kitchen Gadgets
05:14 Creating Delicious Seasonal Dishes
06:06 Splurging on Quality Ingredients
07:19 Simple and Flavorful Cooking Techniques
09:04 Appreciating Seasonal Produce
09:47 Join the Empty Nest Kitchen Community
10:44 Masterclass and Final Thoughts

• Follow Christine Van Bloem on Instagram @theemptynestkitchen and on Facebook @emptynestkitchen
• Learn more about Menopause Meal Plans
• Sign up for my FREE 10 Essential Tools for the Empty Nest Kitchen