In this solo episode, Gila Glassberg reflects on personal experiences and recent life updates. She opens up about the birth of her daughter, Shulamis Tehila, and her progress on an upcoming ecookbook. Gila explores the cultural and emotional significance of food in Jewish traditions, particularly during Chanukah, while addressing the pressures of body image, societal expectations, and weight concerns. She also shares her reflections on a 2023 blog post about the connection between Chanukah, diet culture and anti-Semitism, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded in Jewish values and traditions. Throughout the episode, Gila highlights the emotional role food plays in connecting people and stresses the importance of approaching food with joy and intuition, rather than fear or restriction. Gila also opens up about her experiences as a mother, particularly her daughter Shulamis' arrival and how motherhood has shaped her approach to online sharing and privacy. She reflects on two inspiring books she read about women overcoming drug addiction, despite their controversial nature. Gila also introduces a blog post, "What's the Scariest Part of Chanukkah," which explores the deeper layers of the holiday. Moving to Chanukah traditions, Gila explains the origins of eating fried foods, linking it to the miracle of the oil lasting for eight nights. She also touches on current events, particularly the rise in anti-Semitic sentiment following the October 2023 Hamas attack, and encourages her audience to focus on the true meaning of the holiday rather than societal pressures on food and body image. Gila shares personal stories about her children, including her son's birth and how she chose her daughter’s name, Tehila, as a tribute to her late mother. She describes the importance of naming a child shortly after birth and reflects on the impact of her mother’s joy-filled life. Gila updates listeners on her cookbook project, which includes easy, yummy, nutritious recipes and personal stories about the emotional and cultural significance of food. She shares a personal story about a recipe that went well and how the process of cooking brings her joy. Gila also touches on her evolution from struggling with food as a teenager to becoming a dietitian who creates family-friendly, emotionally nourishing recipes. Further, Gila discusses how food connects people and how cultural meals, like those in Jewish traditions, hold deep meaning. She also shares a heartwarming note from a client who worked with her on body positivity and who named their daughter Penina, symbolizing transformation. Finally, Gila talks about her journey to self-love and body positivity, highlighting the importance of food not just for nourishment, but for connection, joy, and emotional well-being. She briefly discusses her thoughts on weight loss medications like Ozempic, stressing that genuine connections are based on who we are, not our outward appearance. As the episode wraps up, Gila reflects on the irony of avoiding fried foods during Chanukah, a holiday centered on oil, and ties it into her personal story. She closes by encouraging feedback and announcing the upcoming ecookbook project, inviting listeners to engage and collaborate. Check out the blog post here Reach out to work with me here! Check out some free recipes here!
