This week M+K sits across the table with Kate Cook, Director + Founder, The Nutrition Coach and The Business of Wellness, Best-selling Author + Public Speaker, Company Wellness Champion. She talks with us about cooking, creativity and the routines that keep her grounded.
1. My cooking inspiration…
Was my step-mother. We had a battered, old, chugging aga; I would sit on the warm plate lid (not the hot one!) and watch her whilst she cooked, putting the world to rights at the same time. She grew everything fresh in the garden and the idea of good quality food prepared well has never left me.
2. A meal that reminds me of home…
Would be Sunday lunch inevitably. The preparation, sharing and sitting around chatting is my idea of heaven.
3. A life lesson cooking has taught me…
The gift of meditation whilst chopping the veg. When I am chopping veg, all is right with the world.
4. When I want to be creative I…
I turn to the Helmsley sisters’ cookbooks – I love the Art of Eating Well. The book is balanced without being too prescriptive and fussy (well there’s a bit of fussy there but I am a nutritionist!)
5. The most transformational book I’ve read is…
Soil, Soul and Society by Satish Kumar – it explores the connection between soil and life as we know it, which of course includes how we grow our food, and how this fragile planet is so dependent on the alchemy of the soil. Also taking the concept on further, the soil has a microbiome which in some ways mirrors are own microbiome – we are the soil and the soil is us. I read so many books, that in a way Soil, Soul and Society is the latest inspiration! My whole nightstand is piled up with books on a wide range of topics – from nutrition, to history/politics, to philosophy!
6. The routines that keep me grounded are…
Qi Gong (a healing art similar to Tai Chi). It is the most subtly powerful practice that I have ever come across. Practising Qi Gong is literally grounding as it is performed standing up, rooted strongly but flexible and adaptable.
7. I recently learnt…
That food is an expression of society and culture, often an expression of what is not said, and can be powerfully expressed through food. I am undertaking an M.A. in The Anthropology of Food with modules in Medical Anthropology at SOAS (University of London) so I am learning new stuff that blows my mind every day!
8. Favourite random act of kindness…
I talk to everybody – I am like Crocodile Dundee when he visits New York and says G’day to everyone! (well, you have to see the film). Risking being friendly has so little risk and might just cheer someone up!
9. To make a difference in my community I…
Have formed a group which aims to get more communication across groups in our city so we can work together as opposed to in silos.
10. Right now, I’m grateful for…
My immediate family, small but perfectly formed, health, humour and of course good food.
Kate Cook gives talks and workshops to business clients empowering their staff to adopt healthier lifestyles. With over 20 years’ experience, fresh, creative and practical information is delivered in an interactive style that encourages involvement and engagement. Kate is passionate about making nutritional change easy and effective. She is a highly experienced international speaker and her successful practice methods have secured extensive TV appearances, publishing deals, magazine features and commissions as an international keynote speaker.
To connect visit:
Website: https://katecook.biz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katecookbiz
The Business of Wellness: https://www.linkedin.com/company/5090577/admin/
The Nutrition Coach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nutritioncoach/
