Food is more than fuel. It is a form of medicine, a source of connection and at times, a mirror of our relationship with ourselves.
For much of my adult life, I lived with convenience. Having the resources to dine out often meant I evaded the process of preparing meals for myself. I made food choices based on feelings rather than nutritional needs - unless my body screamed for water, fresh fruit or a home-cooked plate. Because I have lived alone for nearly 90% of my adult life, I came to view dining out as not only nourishment but also social connection.
But what seemed harmless eventually impacted my health in ways I did not fully realise at the time.
The Wisdom of My Grandmother
My late paternal grandmother embodied the sacredness of food. Well into her old age, we’d often find her chopping vegetables late into the evening, baking “just because” or cooking a hearty meal from scratch “just in case” one of her sons might stop by.
At the time, her consistency and depth of intention were easy to overlook. Only after her passing did I understand the gap her presence left. I remember when I got engaged, just months before she transitioned, her only advice to me was:
“When a man takes care of your wellbeing, you too should take care of his nutritional needs with the fruits he brings home to the best of your ability, so that he can continue to show up as his best in the world, for your family’s sake.”
Initially, I dismissed it as a patriarchal message. But with time, I came to appreciate the depth of her wisdom - that food is an act of nurture beginning first with ourselves.
The Heart Behind a Meal
Over time, I also learned that food carries the heart of the one who prepares it. Because of this, I have become intentional about whose food I eat and the energy it carries.
As a child, when I was forced to cook, something would almost always burn or come out wrong - because my heart was closed. Yet when I cooked out of genuine joy or curiosity, I would often surprise myself with delicious results. The difference was not in my skill, but in my heart.
Today, I can feel the same difference in meals made by others. Food prepared with love and openness nourishes in a way that food made in resentment or haste simply cannot.
Lessons From Pain
I also carry memories of seeing my grandmother take multiple pills later in life, something that left me with a distasteful perception of dependency on medication. It made me reflect on how sacred her earlier lesson on nourishment truly was: to care for ourselves in ways that prevent depletion, rather than patching it afterwards.
In my own life, I’ve also experienced painful reminders of how the choices around food and drink impact wellbeing. From the trauma of having my drink spiked in 2023, to being left in vulnerable states by people I once considered friends only for them to record my vulnerability for public ridicule and private silence, I realised how critical it is to protect my body with intentionality. My recovery from those experiences deepened my gratitude for my body’s resilience and my need to respect it with care.
Falling in Love With Real Food
These lessons inspired me to transform not only my dining choices but also my relationship with food itself. I’ve discovered the profound difference in how fresh, organic, preservative-free food impacts my emotional, mental and physical health. The taste is distinct. The texture is alive. And the effect on my energy and mood is undeniable.
Today, I love food that is cultivated as close to nature as possible - and prepared with care.
Why It Matters for Wellness
Our mental, emotional and physical health are intertwined with the food we eat. Fresh, intentional nourishment supports emotional stability, sharpens mental clarity and strengthens the body in ways medication alone cannot. And the heart with which food is prepared is just as important as its ingredients.
My journey with food has become one of the most transformative aspects of my wellness path - shaping not only my health but my perspective on gratitude, boundaries and self-care.
An Invitation to You
At Home of Nula, food is part of the broader story of wellness. It is not just about eating; it is about being nourished - body, mind and spirit.
🌿 May this reflection invite you to reconsider your relationship with food - not only what you eat, but also whose heart it carries.