Cooking From Scratch

Aliye Aydin

Healthy Eating and Mindful Meals for Women 40+ Welcome to the first non-cooking cooking podcast! Join Aliye Aydin as she inspires you to create nourishing, from-scratch meals that heal your body and soul. In each episode, Aliye chats with chefs, health coaches, doctors, farmers, nutritionists, and healers to explore their unique perspectives on cooking, culture, healing, and mindfulness. Aliye, born and raised in sunny Southern California, discovered her love for cooking as a healing tool following a scary health diagnosis in her teens. She learned to cook to implement necessary dietary changes, which not only helped her heal but also shaped her life's work. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Aliye traveled extensively, diving into international cuisines and cooking alongside grandmas and aunties, including exploring her heritage in Türkiye. Upon returning to the U.S., she attended culinary school and gained experience in various restaurants and catering kitchens. Aliye worked as a culinary instructor and personal chef, and even ran a farm-to-door organic produce delivery service for 8 years in Long Beach, CA, building relationships with top growers and producers. As a certified facilitator in Spiritual Literacy and Transformative Practices, Aliye incorporates mindfulness and principles like hospitality, gratitude, presence, and listening, and more into her cooking, enhancing the overall experience and fulfillment. Aliye empowers her students to make healthy eating easy, delicious, and fun, without spending hours in the kitchen! Explore her latest courses and offerings at www.soulspacechef.com.

  1. NOV 13

    EASY Food Portions: Stay Full Without Calorie Counting with Dariella Gonitzke

    For simple delicious recipes optimized for women 40+: https://www.soulspacechef.com/free-youtube-recipe-vault Food portions made easy is the focus of my conversation with functional nutritionist Dariella Gonitzke. We break down the plate method and why it works, especially for midlife women. We talk about intuitive eating, the truth about calorie deficits, and how protein, fat, and fiber keep you full. Learn how to use visual cues, short-term tracking, and mindful eating for lasting satiety. Connect with Dariella: www.saravitanutrition.com. In this episode you'll hear: The Midlife Plate Secret: Why the simple visual plate method is the non-negotiable key to managing muscle loss and hormones after 40. Beyond Calories: The forgotten metabolic factor (it’s not cardio) that makes the biggest difference for midlife weight loss. Intuitive Eating's Blind Spot: When is listening to your body a bad idea? Learn how external stressors can completely override your natural hunger cues. The Low-Calorie Trap: Why your current diet app is likely slowing your metabolism, and the simple test that reveals your non-negotiable minimum calorie number. The PFF Satiety Switch: How prioritizing three essential food groups instantly sets off your body's most powerful appetite hormones—no willpower needed. Join the Conversation: Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @soulspacechef. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most!

    29 min
  2. NOV 7

    5 Things I Quit to Make Healthy Cooking Easy After 40

    Get the full system to make healthy cooking easy after 40—start your 7-day trial of the Vitality Kitchen Club now. https://www.soulspacechef.com/join-vkc-7-Day-Trial If you feel stalled on your health goals, constantly cycling between guilt and takeout, you're not alone. The problem isn't a lack of information; it's the sheer pressure to be perfect. As a trained wellness chef, host Aliye knows that pressure well. For years, she was stuck on the perfection hamster wheel, which only led to burnout and inconsistency. The real breakthrough for women over 40 isn't about starting a new diet; it's about giving yourself permission to QUIT the habits that drain your energy and sabotage consistency. In this episode, Aliye shares the five biggest game-changers she eliminated, providing a glimpse into the exact strategies and systems found inside her Vitality Kitchen Club membership. In This Episode, You Will Hear: The Stacked Meal Planning secret that replaces the stressful, all-day Sunday meal prep marathon. How to quit the pressure to "perform" by learning to simply assemble great meals in minutes. The "Easy Swap" formula (taught in the Art of Seasoning Masterclass) that allows you to ditch recipes forever.Why embracing the "Good Enough" mindset is the key to consistency—and how to guarantee it always tastes amazing.The single "Compassionate Pause" technique that stops your cravings without a single ounce of willpower.Join the Conversation: Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @soulspacechef. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most!

    15 min
  3. OCT 3

    Unlocking Deeper Nourishment for Women 40+: Can Sleep Fix Your Appetite & Hormones? with Dariella Gonitzke

    Is healthy eating a chore? Discover your personalized path to delicious, consistent meals with our quick 90-second assessment – it reveals exactly what's holding you back! 👉 http://smartkitchenquiz.com Are you a woman over 40 feeling exhausted, battling stubborn cravings, or frustrated that healthy eating feels like a chore? You're not alone, and it's NOT your fault! As our bodies change, sleep becomes the most foundational element for regulating hormones and managing appetite. In this episode I sit down with functional dietician Dariella Gonitzke to uncover the profound impact of sleep on your well-being. You'll be amazed to learn how just a few hours less sleep can hijack your hunger hormones, increase cravings, and make healthy choices feel impossible. Dariella breaks down the science behind those disruptive 3 AM wake-ups and how prioritizing rest is key to building energy and supporting your body's natural processes. In this episode you'll discover: The surprising physiological link between your sleep quality and the hormones that control your appetite.Why sleep is the ultimate foundation for energy, hormone balance, and even muscle recovery for women over 40.The secrets behind managing disruptive night-time hormone surges and what they mean for your metabolism.Actionable strategies for creating a sleep sanctuary and optimizing your body's natural rhythms.How your daily routines – from morning light to evening meals – can dramatically impact your sleep and hormonal health.Why prioritizing rest is more vital than any diet or detox.The single most impactful habit you can adopt for lasting energy and balanced well-being.Want to explore your midlife wellness on a deeper level? Functional dietician Dariella Gonitzke offers a comprehensive resource to help you navigate this transformative stage. Check out The Midlife Wellness Audit: https://saravitanutrition.thrivecart.com/the-midlife-wellness-audit/ Get ready to transform how you feel, eat, and operate by unlocking the power of rest!

    29 min
  4. SEP 19

    7 Simple Eating Habits for Women 40+ to Reach Your Health Goals Faster

    Ready to finally reclaim control over your health and energy, even on your busiest weeknights? Discover your unique cooking style with this FREE QUIZ for Women 40+: http://smartkitchenquiz.com. Are you a woman over 40 feeling sluggish, battling stubborn weight, or frustrated by healthy eating strategies that no longer work? You're not alone, and it's NOT your fault! Your body's needs profoundly shift after 40, requiring a smarter approach to nutrition. In this episode, wellness chef Aliye Aydin, drawing from her 25+ years of experience and personal health journey, shares 7 simple, yet incredibly powerful, eating habits specifically designed to boost your vitality, balance your hormones, and help you reach your health goals FASTER. Get ready to transform how you feel, look, and operate!  In this episode you'll discover: The non-negotiable morning habit for women 40+ to stabilize energy and manage stress hormones. A counter-intuitive eating strategy to conquer afternoon slumps and end evening cravings. How to befriend carbohydrates for sustained energy and hormone balance, without cutting them out. Your most powerful internal guide for intuitive eating that moves beyond rigid diet rules. The smart approach to snacking and hydration that supports your gut and teaches your body to burn fat more efficiently. A simple secret to stress-free dinners that make healthy eating automatic, not a chore. The single most important mindset shift for lasting success and joyful eating habits.Join the Conversation: Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @soulspacechef. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most!

    16 min
  5. AUG 1

    Do You Have These 5 Cooking Habits to Make Healthy Eating After 40 Easy + Delicious?

    Don’t forget to grab your FREE High-Protein Starter Pack and check out the Healthy Cooking Community for Women 40+ — the easiest way to start planning meals that make you feel your best after 40! Feeling overwhelmed in the kitchen after a long day? You want to eat healthy, but cooking sometimes feels like a battle. What if a few simple habits could completely change your experience—making healthy meals easier, more enjoyable, and truly delicious? In this episode, Aliye Aydin, a trained health-supportive chef specializing in helping women over 40, reveals five key cooking habits that can transform your kitchen routine and support your health goals. Whether you’re short on time or unsure what to cook, these insider tips will help you feel confident, reduce stress, and create meals you love. Ready to make healthy eating more manageable and satisfying? Hit play and discover where you might be missing out—and how to fix it! In This Episode You'll Hear: A kitchen habit that can save you time and keep you organizedThe surprising ingredient planning trick that supports muscle health after 40How flexibility in cooking can actually simplify your mealsWhy quality beats complexity when it comes to ingredientsThe mindset shift that makes cooking—and eating—more enjoyableJoin the Conversation: Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @soulspacechef. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most!

    13 min
  6. JUL 20

    The Truth About Cooking with Fat — What Women Over 40 Need to Know with Ilkay Basugur

    Don’t forget to grab your FREE High-Protein Starter Pack! It’s a complete toolkit with 5 easy recipes, simple meal plans, and organized grocery lists to make high-protein eating effortless. If you’re looking for more support and inspiration in the kitchen, check out the Priority Protein Kitchen Membership — it’s designed to help you build confidence with high-protein cooking, understand nutrition for midlife, and stay consistent with a real-food approach. Are you still afraid of eating fat? Do you wonder if eating meat, butter, or full-fat dairy will sabotage your health goals? You’re not alone — and it’s time to clear up the confusion. In this episode, I’m joined by nutrition expert Ilkay Basugur to debunk common fat myths and uncover what the science really says about fat, hormones, heart health, and midlife metabolism. If you’re over 40 and trying to eat better, this conversation is a must-listen! In this episode, you’ll hear: What kinds of fats support your metabolism, brain, and hormones — and why they matter even more in midlifeThe major difference between animal fats and seed oils — and how one contributes to inflammationThe surprising way your body stores fat (and why it’s not as simple as “eating fat makes you fat”)Why your hormones, insulin, and cravings are all affected by how you pair fats and carbsHow traditional low-fat diets may actually cause the opposite of what they promised — and what to do insteadThis episode will give you a fresh (and science-backed) perspective on fat and help you make empowered choices about what you put on your plate. Join the Conversation: Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag me @soulspacechef. I’d love to hear what resonated with you the most!

    48 min

About

Healthy Eating and Mindful Meals for Women 40+ Welcome to the first non-cooking cooking podcast! Join Aliye Aydin as she inspires you to create nourishing, from-scratch meals that heal your body and soul. In each episode, Aliye chats with chefs, health coaches, doctors, farmers, nutritionists, and healers to explore their unique perspectives on cooking, culture, healing, and mindfulness. Aliye, born and raised in sunny Southern California, discovered her love for cooking as a healing tool following a scary health diagnosis in her teens. She learned to cook to implement necessary dietary changes, which not only helped her heal but also shaped her life's work. After graduating from UC Berkeley, Aliye traveled extensively, diving into international cuisines and cooking alongside grandmas and aunties, including exploring her heritage in Türkiye. Upon returning to the U.S., she attended culinary school and gained experience in various restaurants and catering kitchens. Aliye worked as a culinary instructor and personal chef, and even ran a farm-to-door organic produce delivery service for 8 years in Long Beach, CA, building relationships with top growers and producers. As a certified facilitator in Spiritual Literacy and Transformative Practices, Aliye incorporates mindfulness and principles like hospitality, gratitude, presence, and listening, and more into her cooking, enhancing the overall experience and fulfillment. Aliye empowers her students to make healthy eating easy, delicious, and fun, without spending hours in the kitchen! Explore her latest courses and offerings at www.soulspacechef.com.

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