Azélie says, “During lockdown I was most of the time alone with my mother who was sick. It was stressful. Many people used social media to communicate and to share and there were many messages around diet culture. Although my mother’s cancer was unpredictable, my eating disorder wasn’t predictable either, but it was a way of controlling my body; choosing to be sick, even though you don’t choose but it’s you orchestrating your own symptoms, when it’s cancer it’s more the body who is sick.

I don’t know how to formulate it without saying people with an eating disorder have a choice - I don’t think so! I just think that the control you think you have when you have an eating disorder was maybe for me, at the time, a response to the unpredictability of cancer.”

Azélie developed anorexia in response to her Mother’s cancer but it was during lockdown that she had the space to “indulge” it and use social media.

Her turning point came when joined a running club and felt her anxiety dissipate. In order to run well, she had to eat. Not just to fuel her body but also to align with her peers. What everyone was having for dinner was a regular and cheerful topic of conversation.

Azelie is the youngest guest I’ve had the pleasure to host on the podcast. I was greatly moved by her story, insight and emotional intelligence as I’m sure you will be. Tune in!

This episode is dedicated to Azélie’s Mum.

PS. Azélie mentions the book Famished: Eating Disorders and Failed Care in America by Rebecca Lester toward the end of this episode, which I heard as Rubika! When I asked afterwards, who is Rubika, (should have asked during the recording) we ascertained she meant Rebecca Lester.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

• [03:34] - Food Friend or Foe
• [04:55] - Early Roots and Lockdown Triggers
• [08:16] - Relapse and Stress Abroad
• [09:44] - Control and Cancer Uncertainty
• [12:59] - Diet Culture and Social Media Spiral
• [21:00] - Recovery Is Not Linear
• [22:58] - Underlying Stress and Need for Control
• [24:49] - Exercise and Therapy
• [25:23] - Finding the Right Help
• [26:28] - Running Club Recovery
• [29:45] - Family Support and Loss
• [32:27] - Managing Relapse Risks
• [35:39] - Stigma and Stereotypes
• [40:12] - Beyond Diagnosis Labels
• [42:35] - Hope Through Research

CONNECT WITH AZÉLIE:

• Azélie's Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

• 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download]
• The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
• Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™
• Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma

Happy 2026!

One of the reasons I created Love This Food Thing was to help people find their way to good health and well being which is why we’re excited to bring you this new year episode with amateur expert mycologist Anna Middleton.

“The core reason I love mushrooms is to do with the health properties - physically, mentally and emotionally they are incredible - but they’re also great connectors. They help us connect to each other and ourselves. I have one foot in the science and one foot in the magic. Our relationship with funghi is old! I like to consider mushrooms as our ancestors.”

A brief overview:

1. Origins and history of Funghi
2. Medicinal and functional aspects of: reishi, chaga, cordyceps and Lion’s Mane.
3. Plus a psychedelic ending on Psilocybin and Flyer Garrick.

Always do your own research and consult a medical practitioner where necessary.

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

1. [00:18] - Meet Anna Middleton: Health and Nutrition Coach
2. [01:05] - The Healing Power of Mushrooms
3. [02:45] - Understanding Fungi: The Ancient Organisms
4. [07:48] - Mushrooms in History and Their Uses
5. [14:29] - Reishi: The Meditation Mushroom
6. [24:34] - Chaga: The King of Mushrooms
7. [35:31] - Enhancing Fertility and Libido with Mushrooms
8. [37:21] - Cordyceps: Energy and Performance Enhancer
9. [42:22] - Lion's Mane: The Brain-Boosting Mushroom
10. [58:35] - Exploring Psychedelic Mushrooms

CONNECT WITH ANNA:

1. Anna's Instagram
2. Anna's Website

For the products we mention you can either go straight to the supplier: thebristolfungarian.co, londonootropics.com, hybridherbs.com and hifasdaterra.com or you can order from naturaldispensary.co.uk using Anna’s affiliate code AMNI15 for a 15% discount.

Disclaimer: Anna receives a commission when you use this code.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram

Welcome back to our mini menopause series with nutritionist and health coach, Lisa G where we chat about some individual aspects of the menopause, or as we’re calling it ‘Four Short Dives from Two Short Divas’.

In this fourth and final episode, we chat about sex, because it’s important, and no one needs to suffer in silence - plenty do - around libido/sex drive, vaginal dryness, ways to feel more sensual and to remind you that everyone’s sexual drive fluctuates during menopause.

We discuss how hormonal changes can impact libido, body confidence, and vaginal comfort, and why women shouldn’t suffer in silence. Lisa shares practical insights around vaginal dryness, pain, UTIs, and the benefits of localised vaginal estrogen, probiotics, and pelvic health check-ups, alongside the importance of honest communication with partners.

The conversation also expands beyond sex into sensuality and self-connection; exploring how touch, creativity, rest, scent, movement, and simple self-care rituals can help women reconnect with their bodies.

Don't forget, Lisa is offering a free 20 min consultation, you can find her contact details on her website!

EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

1. [00:40] - Sex Drive and Intimacy Issues
2. [01:36] - Addressing Vaginal Dryness
3. [03:05] - Importance of Communication with Your Partner
4. [06:40] - Sensuality and Self-Care
5. [08:38] - Embracing Change and Self-Love

CONNECT WITH LISA:

1. Lisa's Website
2. Lisa's Instagram

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know your thoughts on Instagram @lovethisfoodthing and consider leaving an honest review and rating for the show - we’d be extremely grateful.

WAYS WE CAN HELP YOU:

1. 6 Things to Help You on Your Road to Recovery [Free Download]
2. The Guide You Need to Help You Recover and Live an Extraordinary Life!
3. Stay on Track with Your Recovery Journey, Start or Accelerate Further with Our Creative Recovery Accelerator™
4. Virtual 1:1 Mentorship with Jemma