In Episode 63 — Bringing Connection and Joy Back intoYour Life — I’m joined by registered dietitian Cristel Moubarak for a thoughtful conversation about the importance of joy, connection, and flexibility in our overall wellbeing. Restrictive diets and food sensitivity fear can slowly take the pleasure out of eating and leave people feeling disconnected from themselves and others. In this episode, we discuss how thishappens, why it matters, and practical ways to reconnect with your body and joyful eating experiences!

Cristel Moubarak is a registered dietitian with a non-diet, weight-inclusive, and trauma-informed approach. She believes that food is meant to be a source of joy and nourishment, not stress, fear, or judgment. Through one-to-one coaching, group workshops, and an active social media presence, she helps people heal through food, joy, and connection.

You can contact Cristel through her website (cristelmoubarak.ca) or Instagram - @itsmecristelm.

Dr. Ric Arseneau shares practical tools that are good for everyone but are especially helpful for those living with chronic conditions such as mast cell disease, fibromyalgia, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), long COVID, and others. While stress does not cause these conditions, the body’s stress response can significantly amplify symptoms. Dr. Arseneau explains how this process happens and offers techniques to soften the stress response and support healing.

Ric Arseneau, MD FRCPC MA(Ed) MBA FACP CGP, is an academic general internist working out of St. Paul’s Hospital and private practice. He is a Clinical Professor at the University of British Columbia. He has a special interest in medical education and has a master’s degree in Adult Education. Inaddition, he holds an MBA and is certified as a group psychotherapist. Dr. Arseneau is the medical director of the BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia (BC-CLMF).

You can learn more about the BC Centre for Long COVID, ME/CFS, & Fibromyalgia here and reach Dr. Arseneau through his receptionist (bruno@drricarseneau.ca).

In this episode, Susan Watson and I explore the challengespeople face when certain foods feel uncomfortable due to their sensory characteristics — such as smell, taste, or texture. Susan shares both her personal experience with sensory differences and the valuable insights she’s gained through her work in nutrition counselling, helping clients navigate foodrestrictions with understanding and self-compassion.

Susan Watson is a registered dietitian and eating disorderspecialist, and the founder of A Little Nutrition and Therapy Services Winnipeg—a multidisciplinary practices that help individuals heal their relationship with food and body through a compassionate, weight-inclusive approach. With over 15 years of experience in nutrition counselling and mental health, Susan is passionate about bridging the gap between nutrition care and mental well-being.

You can reach her at www.alittlenutrition.com or info@alittlenutrition.com.