Food used to give me so much anxiety. I thought I was never going to feel truly at peace with eating—like I’d always be stuck in a cycle of overthinking, guilt, or fear around certain foods.

What I didn’t realize was that my nervous system was at the root of it all.

Trauma, past diet rules, and years of labeling foods as “good” or “bad” had shaped my body's neuroception—its subconscious way of sensing safety or danger.

Even when I knew all foods could fit, my body still felt otherwise.

This is why gentle nutrition isn’t just about what we eat—it’s about how our nervous system feels around food.

If our body is stuck in a state of stress, it’s hard to feel at ease with food, no matter how much we try to “think” our way there.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how our nervous system shapes our relationship with food, why food neutrality can feel so hard, and how mindfulness & gentle nutrition can help us create safety around food and truly enjoy eating again.

If food still feels stressful, you’re not alone. There’s a way to find peace, and it starts with regulating your nervous system.

Eileen Mitchell, 500 RYT, INHC

Specializing in Therapeutic Practices for Nervous System Regulation | Holistic Health Coach | Intuitive Eating Counselor

🌎 Website: www.foodfreedomyogi.com

📩 Email: [email protected]

📲 Follow me on Instagram: Food Freedom Yogi

▶️ Watch on YouTube: Food Freedom Yogi

Stress, cortisol, and inflammation often get a bad rap, but what if we could shift our perspective?

In this episode of the Peaceful Plate Podcast, I explore how these natural processes are meant to support us—and what happens when they get out of balance.

Chronic stress keeps cortisol elevated, which can contribute to ongoing inflammation, making it even harder for our bodies to find equilibrium.

Instead of fearing stress or trying to control inflammation through rigid food rules (which can actually create even more stress for both our minds and bodies), we can focus on nurturing our nervous system, setting boundaries, and embracing rest and play as essential forms of self-care.

If you didn’t try my deep belly breathing practice last week to activate your parasympathetic nervous system, here’s the link: Episode #14

This practice helps decrease stress in your body—the foundational step to reducing cortisol and inflammation.✨

Want more support on your journey? Learn more about my Nourished Beyond the Plate Membership Here

Let’s reframe our relationship with stress, cortisol, and inflammation and find a more peaceful way forward.

Press play to join the conversation. 💛

Eileen Mitchell, 500 RYT

Specializing in Therapeutic Practices for Nervous System Regulation | Holistic Health Coach | Intuitive Eating Counselor

🌎 Website: www.foodfreedomyogi.com

📩 Email: [email protected]

📲 Follow me on Instagram:

▶️ Watch on YouTube: Food Freedom Yogi

Feeling overstimulated, pulled in a million directions, and stuck in a cycle of stress and control around food and your body?

This practice is for you. In this guided session, we’ll activate your parasympathetic nervous system—your body’s built-in relaxation response—to bring you back to a place of calm, connection, and regulation.

Through grounding techniques, deep belly breathing, and placing your hand over your heart (directly stimulating the vagus nerve), you’ll gently shift out of the fight-or-flight state and into a place where healing can begin.

Why does this matter for food freedom? Nervous system regulation is the foundation for making peace with food and your body.

When your nervous system is stuck in a stress response, it’s harder to tune into hunger and fullness cues, trust your body, and break free from obsessive thoughts around eating and exercise.

But when you activate your parasympathetic nervous system, you create the safety your body needs to truly heal.

Want to go deeper? Pair this practice with last week’s Episode #13 where we explore how slowing down can help you reconnect with your body’s signals.

Take a few moments for yourself today—this simple yet powerful practice is a small step toward a more peaceful, intuitive relationship with food and your body.

Press play and let’s get started. Your nervous system will thank you.

Eileen Mitchell, 500 RYT

Specializing in Therapeutic Practices for Nervous System Regulation

Holistic Health Coach | Intuitive Eating Counselor

Website: https://www.foodfreedomyogi.com

Email: [email protected]

Follow me on Instagram: @foodfreedomyogi

YouTube: Food Freedom Yogi

Key Points From This Episode:

• The practice is designed to help regulate the nervous system.
• Creating a quiet space is essential for effective practice.
• Mindful breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Curiosity and non-judgment are key to the practice.
• Grounding techniques can be easily integrated into daily life.
• Short, digestible practices can be beneficial for mental health.
• The importance of pausing in our busy lives is emphasized.
• Self-care practices can be simple yet effective.
• Listeners are encouraged to listen to their bodies during practice.
• Regular practice can lead to a more balanced state of being.

Ever feel like you’re stuck in hustle mode, always doing but never reallybeing?

I’ve been there too. In this conversation, I’m getting real about the power of intentional pauses—why they matter, how they help regulate our nervous system, and how they can actually support healing (yep, even from trauma).

Plus, we’ll talk about how slowing down can transform your relationship with food and exercise, bringing more ease and truefood freedom into your life.

I’ll share my own experiences with hustle culture, why rest isn’t lazy, and some simple ways you can start integrating pauses into your day. Because healing starts when we finally give ourselves permission tobreathe. Let’s dive in.

If this resonates, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this reminder!

You can also watch this on my⁠ YouTube Channel⁠

Learn more about⁠The Nourished Beyond The Plate Membership Here⁠

⁠Connect with me on IG @foodfreedomyogi⁠

Key Points From The Episode:

• Savoring the pause is essential for a healthy life.
• Hustle culture misleads us about our worth.
• Pausing signals safety to our nervous system.
• Emotional eating is connected to our stored trauma.
• Healing requires us to address our stored memories.
• Yoga therapy can help release trauma from the body.
• Talk therapy alone is insufficient for trauma release.
• Mindfulness in daily life enhances our well-being.
• We must create space in our schedules for pauses.
• Deep healing leads to freedom in our relationship with food.

Releasing Perfection: How It Helped Me Heal My Relationship with Food, Body, Exercise & Nervous System

Perfectionism affects more than just what’s on your plate—it impacts your entire life and your nervous system.

In this episode, I share how letting go of the need to be perfect has not only healed my relationship with food, body, and exercise but also calmed my nervous system, bringing more peace and balance into my everyday life.

If you're ready to stop chasing perfection and find freedom in your body, your food choices, and beyond, this episode is for you.

Tune in and discover how embracing imperfection can lead to healing and ease, both on your plate and in your life.

You can also watch this on my YouTube Channel

Learn more about The Nourished Beyond The Plate Membership Here

Connect with me on IG @foodfreedomyogi

Key Points From This Episode:

In this episode, we’re diving into a quick and calming grounding practice you can do while seated.

Whether you’re at your desk, on the couch, or even on a park bench, this mini session is designed to help you reconnect with your body, activate your parasympathetic nervous system, and find a sense of calm.

Want to skip the intro? Jump right to the practice at 1:22.

Connect with me:

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@foodfreedomyogi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email [email protected]

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠foodfreedomyogi.com

In this episode of The Peaceful Plate Podcast, we’re diving into the powerful role of pleasure and satisfaction in healing your relationship with food and your body.

We’ll explore how off-the-plate joy nourishes you and why two people can eat the same delicious meal, yet one feels content while the other is left wanting more.

Last week, we explored how play and nervous system regulation influence the way we show up to our plate. If you missed Episode #9, The Power of Play, be sure to check it out!

⁠⁠Free Hunger and Fullness Scale ⁠⁠(Understand your body's cues)

Learn about ⁠⁠The Nourished Beyond The Plate Membership⁠⁠ Here

Key Points From The Episode:

Connect with me:

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@foodfreedomyogi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email [email protected]

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠foodfreedomyogi.com

In this episode of The Peaceful Plate Podcast, I’m diving into something we don’t talk about enough—play.

Yep, play isn’t just for kids; it’s something we, as adults, need too.

Play helps regulate our nervous system and makes life juicy and sweet.

I’m also calling out diet and hustle cultures for making us feel like play is a waste of time. Spoiler: it’s not. In fact, play is a mindset that can make us more resilient and bring a sense of curiosity and lightness to our daily lives.

I’ll share some ideas on how you can invite more play into your routine and why it’s okay—actually, it’s essential—to make space for joy.

Let’s explore how play can be a game-changer for your health and wellness and support you on your journey of discovering food freedom.

Key Points From This Episode:

Like what you’re learning here? You’ll LOVE my online membership, ⁠Nourished Beyond the Plate!⁠ It’s a one-of-a-kind space designed to help you uncover your unique version of food freedom and body peace. Inside, we dive into topics like this and so much more—because true healing and nourishment happen both on and off the plate.

This private membership brings together Intuitive Eating, Holistic Wellness, and Yoga Therapy to support your nervous system and guide you toward a life that feels balanced and fulfilling.

⁠Join the waitlist⁠ today to be the first to know when the doors open!

I mentioned The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in this episode—definitely worth a read if you’re curious about the mind-body connection!

Connect with me:

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@foodfreedomyogi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email [email protected]

Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠foodfreedomyogi.com

This gentle practice is designed to help you transition into a parasympathetic state—the part of your nervous system responsible for rest and relaxation.

Perfect for winding down before sleep, this routine can be done right in your bed, making it easy to drift off afterward.

If you wake during the night, revisit this calming practice to ease your mind and body back into a restful state.

No props or preparation are needed—just get cozy and allow yourself to relax deeply.

A regulated nervous system is key to practicing mindful and intuitive eating. When dysregulated, it can block the freedom and ease we desire with food and our bodies.

Mini practices like this, done consistently, help build nervous system resilience, supporting you in feeling more attuned, grounded, and free.

If you wake during the night or have already listened to the introduction, you can jump straight to the practice, which begins at 5:08.

This practice is a glimpse into the types of Yoga Therapy sessions I offer within ⁠The Nourished Beyond the Plate Membership. To explore more, click here.⁠

Connect with me:

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@foodfreedomyogi⁠⁠⁠

Email [email protected]

Website:⁠⁠ ⁠foodfreedomyogi.com

Looking to deepen your connection with your body’s natural signals? Grab my free Hunger and Fullness Scale—a simple guide to help you better understand and honor your body’s cues. You can grab it here!

The holiday season can be a time of joy and connection, but it can also leave us feeling overstimulated and pulled in many directions.

In this episode of Peaceful Plate, I guide you through a grounding practice designed to help regulate your nervous system and bring you back to the present moment.

In under 10 minutes, you’ll find calm amidst the chaos—all you need is a quiet space and a comfortable seat.

Whether you choose a cozy chair, your bed, or even to lie down, this practice meets you where you are. And if you happen to drift off to sleep, it’s simply your body’s way of telling you what it truly needs.

This grounding practice is an example of the types of tools and techniques I share inside Nourished Beyond the Plate—a membership designed to help you heal your relationship with food, exercise, and your body.

Discover your unique version of food freedom and body peace, and learn how to nourish your whole self—mind, body, and soul.

Somehow, I accidentally unpublished this episode, so this is a re-post. Enjoy!

Click here to learn more about Nourished Beyond the Plate!