I·SPARC is pleased to present the Food is Medicine cooking show! Join us alongside everyone’s two favourite dietitians, Rachel Dickens and Fiona Devereaux, as they take us on a cooking journey that celebrates the people and foods of this land. Rachel and Fiona both have extensive backgrounds working with Indigenous communities and are passionate about nurturing our bodies through mindful nutrition and connection to land, water, and each other.
In each episode, Rachel and Fiona explore recipes that are accessible and nutritious while celebrating traditional foods. The four-part series travels from Ahousaht to W̱SÁNEĆ, with our hosts sharing their knowledge while also learning cultural and culinary tidbits from community members and inviting guests to reflect on food.
Grab yourself a cup of tea or get ready in the kitchen to follow along with Fiona and Rachel as they take us on a cooking journey that celebrates how food is medicine to our bodies, minds, and spirits.
The show is always evolving and we’re currently planning two more episodes featuring communities in the Interior. If you would like your community to be featured on the show, please get in touch with us!
Episodes Overview
In episode one, The Gift of Water, Rachel and Fiona were welcomed to the beautiful community of Ahousaht where they shared simple and nutritious recipes using ingredients from the land and sea. Join our hosts as they cook salmon cakes with a garlic and lemon aioli, as well as a special Kwakmis recipe from Rachel’s mother. Episode 1: Food is Medicine: The Gift of Water
In episode two, Camp Style Cooking, our hosts give us a special twist on camp style cooking on the traditional territories of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. They walk us through how to cook a nutrient dense elk chili with a variety of vegetables, a quick stove top style cornbread and fruit crisp that you can make on your Coleman stove. The episode includes four community guests to share the meal and reflect on their connection to food as medicine. Episode 2: Food is Medicine: Camp Style Cooking
In episode three, Wild about Snacks, our hosts journey to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet First Nation) to share some snack food favourites with special guests. This episode features nettle pesto, smoked salmon dip and seaweed salmon rolls great for sharing and connecting with friends, family, and community. Episode 3: Food is Medicine: Wild About Snacks
In episode four, Protein Power, our hosts journey to the Quw’utsun homelands to share their teachings on protein with two Métis youth – one past North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) athlete and one aspiring NAIG athlete. Join them as they explore the endless recipe possibilities of overnight oats and take fish and chips and roasted vegetables to the ultimate challenge – the air fryer vs. the oven baked method! Episode 4: Food is Medicine: Protein Power Recipes
Check out the Recipe Book!
Where to Watch
Episode 1: Food is Medicine: The Gift of Water
Episode 2: Food is Medicine: Camp Style Cooking
Episode 3: Food is Medicine: Wild About Snacks
Episode 4: Food is Medicine: Protein Power Recipes