WTF is Wellness with the Culinistas
We talked with the queens of cookings aka the Culinistas, Jill Donenfeld and Tiana Tenet. The Culinistas is a full-service, in-home private chef company committed to hospitality. They facilitate and enhance private chef services, making healthy eating with friends & family easy and accessible -- just what we love to hear!
It started for Jill in 2006, when she moved from being a private chef herself to establishing The Culinistas as an in home chef service company, identifying & helping top culinary talent find private chef work. She honed the concept over a decade, building a strong foundation in hospitality and developing her skills as an entrepreneur, chef, author and expert along the way. And now their mission is to get people back to eating meals together [and healthy ones at that].
So let's learn more about Jill and Tiana and just WTF wellness means to them!
What does wellness even begin to mean to you?
Jill: Feeling good in your body; feeling connected to the environment & fellow humanity; feeling a connection to treating yourself with respect & treating others with respect.
Tiana: Feeling great in your own skin; feeling mentally & physically strong; committing to choices that enhance your life
Is there a routine you do? Or do you prefer to go with the flow?
Jill: I go in phases: intense routines for periods of time, then a total loosening. I am prone to extremism so that feels good to me. It's the best of both worlds -- strictness & total leniency.
Tiana: I start the day strong by waking up early, stimulating my mind, eating well and moving my body. It's when I have the most control of my schedule and sets the tone for the rest of my day.
What’s your relationship to CBD or cannabis? Do you think there’s any part of the latter that’s wellness?
Jill: Both CBD and indica help me sleep. I love sativa for thinking through problems that I need to solve creatively with many peoples interests in mind simultaneously.
Tiana: I'm not against it, but I've yet to explore it.
What are your thoughts on mental health and how that plays into wellness?
Jill: Working towards a state of resting sunniness of the mind with the ability to recognize that clouds rolling in are just passing clouds is the goal.
Tiana: Your mental state is the foundation of your well-being. You cannot achieve a balanced, healthy lifestyle without a stable mental outlook.
What does collective wellness mean to you?
Jill: Looking after each other -- being respectful of your own needs so that you can show up for others.
Tiana: Coming together as a community to enhance your overall well-being.
What part do you play in the collective wellness?
Jill: As a company, we are very committed to encouraging people to sit together for a meal and I firmly believe that that creates a wholly beneficial habit & result. It fosters listening & empathy.
Tiana: Sharing best practices and ways to fuel the body with healthy and delicious food.
What is your mission?
Jill: We want everyone to eat meals together, creating a mindful approach to our bodies as well as fostering a natural connection to one another. Anything else you want to mention?
Tiana: Food fuels the body and facilities relationships. The Culinistas is on a mission to bring people back to the kitchen table to enjoy delicious food and engage in meaning conversation.
To check out more about the Culinistas you can head to their website, Instagram or check out their second issue of their company 'zine, themed BURNT [and has some great info around wellness!]
