Episode 8: Culinary Highs: Unpacking Cannabis Cuisine with Chef Teresa Hansen
Episode Summary:
In Episode 8, join us as we delve into the intriguing world of cannabis cuisine with renowned Chef Teresa Hansen, owner of High Vibe Kitchen Collective and Director of Edible Operations at Copperstate Farms. An advocate for wellness, Chef Teresa shares her unique journey from battling health issues to creating delicious, healing dishes and sweet treats. Get a sneak peek into her culinary process, which champions the use of fresh, organic ingredients and the integration of cannabis. Learn her top wellness practices, explore her favorite recipes, and discover how mindfulness and community shaped her path to success. Chef Teresa’s story is a testament to the transformative power of food and passion — you won't want to miss this episode!
Show Notes:
Introduction [00:00:56 - 00:01:38]
Introduction to the episode, mentioning guest Chef Teresa Hansen and the themes of the conversation including plant-based diets, mindfulness, cannabis-infused cooking, and her personal health journey.
Teresa’s Introduction to Plant-Based Foods and Healthy Lifestyle [00:01:39 - 00:03:45]
Chef Teresa shares her story of adopting a healthier, plant-based lifestyle after facing health challenges.
Discussion about the challenges of changing dietary habits and how Teresa overcame them.
The Role of Cannabis in Teresa's Journey [00:03:46 - 00:06:55]
Teresa shares how cannabis became an important part of her health and wellness routine.
She discusses the stigma around cannabis and her efforts to educate others about its benefits.
Cannabis as an Ingredient in Cooking [00:06:56 - 00:10:27]
Chef Teresa describes her approach to cooking with cannabis and how she uses it as an ingredient.
She talks about the types of dishes she creates and her process for determining the right dosage of cannabis in her recipes.
Teresa’s Cooking Classes and Edible Experiences [00:10:28 - 00:13:15]
Teresa speaks about the cooking classes she offers, where she teaches how to incorporate cannabis into various dishes.
She also shares details about the "edible experiences" she provides, which involve multi-course meals infused with cannabis.
Diversifying Cannabis Consumption [00:13:16 - 00:16:14]
The hosts and Teresa discuss how cannabis can be consumed in many ways, not just by smoking.
They highlight the benefits of consuming cannabis in edible form, including the longer duration of effects and the elimination of potential harm from smoking.
Building a Tolerance to Cannabis [00:16:15 - 00:20:08]
The conversation shifts to the topic of building a tolerance to cannabis and how regular users may need to consume more to achieve the same effects.
They also touch on the concept of "microdosing" – consuming small amounts of cannabis to achieve desired effects without becoming overly intoxicated.
Effects of Cannabis on the Body [00:20:09 - 00:22:59]
The group discusses how cannabis affects different people in different ways due to variations in individual body chemistry.
They mention how edibles can provide a more consistent and controlled dosage compared to other forms of consumption.
The Future of Cannabis and Its Acceptance in Society [00:23:00 - 00:25:25]
The hosts and Teresa express optimism about the growing acceptance of cannabis and its potential to replace more harmful substances like alcohol or opioids.
They also anticipate that cannabis will become a more mainstream part of people's health and wellness routines.
High Vibe Kitchen Collective and Its Purpose [00:25:26 - 00:28:40]
Teresa introduces her business, High Vibe Kitchen Collective, a Chef-Owned kitchen that offers private dining and cooking workshops.
She explains her goal to create a safe space where people can explore their relationship with cannabis and learn about its health benefits.
The Link Between Yoga and Cannabis [00:28:41 - 00:30:45]
The group discusses the synergies between yoga and cannabis, highlighting how both can help individuals achieve a state of relaxation and mindfulness.
Creating Cannabis-infused Products for High Vibe [00:30:46 - 00:32:37]
Teresa describes the process of developing cannabis-infused recipes for High Vibe, focusing on creating healthy options like juices and smoothies.
She also reveals the challenges faced during this process, particularly in ensuring the right dosage and maintaining a consistent product.
Chef Teresa’s Personal Cannabis Use and Habits [00:34:22 - 00:37:08]
Teresa shares details about her personal relationship with cannabis, including her habits and frequency of use.
She emphasizes her approach of tuning into her body to determine what it needs, whether that's cannabis or another form of self-care.
Discussion on Cannabis Edibles and Beverages [00:37:09 - 00:39:22]
The conversation turns towards the growing popularity of cannabis edibles and beverages.
They discuss how these products offer a more socially acceptable way to consume cannabis, and note their increasing presence alongside alcohol in social settings.
Future of Plant Medicine and Global Health [00:39:23 - 00:40:44]
Teresa shares her views on the future of plant medicine, expressing optimism about the rapidly accelerating research and acceptance of substances like cannabis, psilocybin, and MDMA for healing purposes.
They talk about the potential of these substances to address global health challenges by offering new avenues for mental health treatment.
What Chef Teresa is Reading [00:40:45 - 00:41:45]
Chef Teresa shares the health-focused books she is currently reading, including Dr. Mark Hyman's anti-aging book and a book about life-changing foods.
She also mentions a book by Teresa Strasser, a former client, about her experiences with grief and loss.
Chef Teresa’s Health Routines [00:42:17 - 00:44:04]
Teresa describes her morning health routines, which include drinking hot water with lemon, doing Pilates, and drinking celery juice.
She credits these routines with giving her the energy to maintain her busy schedule and work on her business.
Closing Remarks and Advice from Chef Teresa [00:44:05 - 00:45:24]
Teresa offers some parting advice to listeners, encouraging them to stay open to new experiences and perspectives, and to focus on nourishing their bodies, minds, and souls.
She underscores the importance of empathy and understanding, as everyone is on their own unique journey.
End of Podcast and Contact Details [00:45:25 - 00:46:22]
Teresa provides her contact details, and the hosts wrap up the episode.
They encourage listeners to subscribe and follow their Instagram and YouTube channels.
Fun Facts about Teresa [00:46:23 - 00:47:52]
The hosts ask Teresa for some fun facts about herself.
She shares her love for animals, her experiences living in different parts of the world, and her hidden talent for singing.
Teresa’s Favorite Healthy Recipes [00:47:53 - 00:50:28]
Teresa shares some of her favorite healthy recipes, which include a variety of plant-based meals and cannabis-infused dishes.
She emphasizes the importance of using fresh, organic ingredients and discusses her love for flavorful, international cuisine.
Teresa’s Message to Aspiring Chefs [00:50:29 - 00:52:19]
Teresa gives advice to aspiring chefs, encouraging them to follow their passion and experiment with different ingredients and flavors.
She emphasizes the importance of perseverance and patience in the culinary field.
The Role of Community in Teresa’s Journey [00:52:20 - 00:54:36]
Teresa highlights the significance of community in her journey to health and wellness.
She expresses gratitude for the supportive network of friends, mentors, and peers she has built in the plant-based and cannabis industries.
The Power of Mindfulness in Everyday Life [00:54:37 - 00:57:12]
The discussion turns to mindfulness, with Teresa sharing how it plays a key role in her daily routine and wellness philosophy.
She provides tips on how listeners can practice mindfulness in their own lives, such as through yoga, meditation, or simply being present in the moment.
Wrapping Up and Thanking Teresa [00:57:13 - 00:58:55]
The hosts wrap up the conversation, thanking Teresa for her time and insights.
They encourage listeners to explore Teresa's work and to consider incorporating some of her wellness practices into their own lives.
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