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Ever feel that tug at 6 p.m. to open DoorDash or Uber Eats?

In this first episode of our Growing Well-Being with Meal Planning season, I sit down with Dr. Faith Karas for a candid, practical reset: moving from app-fueled “care” to kitchen confidence—without perfectionism or pricey rules.

Faith shares how pandemic habits, a breakup, and long workdays made delivery feel comforting—and how the financial, physical, and emotional costs slowly crept in. Together, we reimagine dinner as an act of self-respect.

We talk about:

• Food as love in Filipino culture
• Class memories and the meaning of “making do”
• Who cooks, who delivers, and what that says about power
• The convenience paradox of the $25 salad
• Health markers like cholesterol and energy

Then we get tactical.

We map a week that works:

• Plant-forward bowls on Monday
• Tacos midweek
• Filipino Friday
• Two flex nights that welcome leftovers instead of shaming them

You’ll hear how to:

• Shop your kitchen first
• Choose 1–2 simple theme nights
• Batch one anchor ingredient
• Create a categorized list that ends aisle zigzag
• Plan dine-out nights intentionally

Meal planning isn’t about control. It’s about alignment.

If you’re ready to spend less, waste less, and feel better—without chasing perfection—this is your on-ramp.

Download the free Meal Plan With Purpose template in the show notes, try one theme night this week, and tell us your must-use ingredient.

If this episode helped, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review to help others grow well-being in their own kitchens.

RESOURCES + LINKS

•  Watch the PBS segment on Kitchen Activism 
•  Join the 4-week Kitchen Activist group (closes Sunday) 
•  Preorder The Kitchen Activist 
• Start Meal Planning to Save the Planet and Money! started.
• Sign up for my weekly newsletter. 
• Get a copy of the EAT LESS WATER book.
  
  Reach Florencia Ramirez at info@eatlesswater.com