This week's episode is a little different — it's an Ask Me Anything. These are the kinds of questions that come up inside my Resets, in The Weekly Table community and with 1:1 clients — the everyday, real-life questions about food, cooking and staying well when life feels full-on.

As always, there's a running theme through my answers: it's not about perfection. It's about flexibility, instinct, and finding what works for you.

Here's what we cover in this episode:

• Whether you should follow a meal plan exactly or just pick and choose what fits your family (and how I really feel about meal plans)

• If shop-bought foods like falafel, soups or sauces are "good enough" — and what to look for on the label

• The truth about mushrooms — are the exotic ones really better for immunity, and what's actually hiding in the stalks of your chestnut mushrooms

• Simple swaps for "wellness" ingredients like cacao nibs and enoki mushrooms, without losing their benefits

• Whether it's OK to fall asleep to a podcast and how to make your bedtime phone habits less disruptive

• Freezing ginger, garlic or lemon — does it change their nutritional benefits?

• How to stay on top of cooking and meal planning when life feels chaotic (including why progress over perfection always wins)

If you love this kind of practical, gentle food chat, you'll love The Weekly Table — my weekly meal-plan subscription that's more like a guide than a rule book. Each week you get:

• Real-life, family-friendly meal plans

• Flexible prep tips and leftover ideas

• Nourishing recipes for when you've got 30 minutes or less

Join via Substack: https://tashadcruz.substack.com.

And if you have a question you'd like me to answer in the next AMA, send me a WhatsApp message — I'd love to include it.

Connect with me:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tashadcruz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tashadcruznutrition Website: https://tashadcruz.com/podcast Loved this episode? Leave a review and rating on Apple Podcast. Subscribe to my YouTube channel @tashadcruz⁩, leave a comment and a thumbs up.

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on tashadcruz.com is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you may have heard on the podcast or on the website. I may earn commission on shopping links to external sites, e.g. Amazon. This doesn't change the price you pay but gives me a small commission which goes back into keeping the podcast running.