There is a quiet kind of alchemy that happens in the kitchen. The world outside can be rushing by, but when you step into the rhythm of working with fresh ingredients, preparing them and eating, something shifts. For Lana Almulla, a London and Dubai-based nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner, this is what makes cooking the most profound wellness ritual of all. “To me, cooking is one of the most sacred daily practices. It’s a way of slowing down, reconnecting to myself, and being in service, to my body, to my loved ones, and to something bigger.”
Cooking as Ritual
For Lana, cooking becomes a ritual when approached with presence and intention. “Not just to feed hunger, but to nourish on every level, physical, emotional, even spiritual.”
She sees the process itself as transformative, a practice that shifts cooking from a task into a moment of connection. “When we prepare food with love and care, we infuse it with energy that goes far beyond nutrients. The act itself can be meditative: chopping, stirring, tasting. It roots us in the present moment. And when we eat what we’ve lovingly prepared, there’s a deep sense of self-respect and soul nourishment that comes through. It’s a way of saying: I am worthy of care.”
This philosophy also ties into the way she honours traditions. “They’re everything. So many answers lie in tradition: fermentation, broths, herbal infusions, and slow cooking. These ways of eating weren’t just practical. They were intuitive, seasonal, and community-based. In my practice, I often help clients rediscover their ancestral food roots. There’s so much healing in remembering where we come from.”
Slowing Down to Reconnect
In today’s fast-paced world, cooking can feel like a lost art. Lana reframes it as an act of return. “In a world of Deliveroo and dopamine hits, cooking asks us to be still, to create with our hands, to wait. It shifts us from consumption mode to creation mode. Even making a simple meal invites us to engage our senses and come back to ourselves. It’s a gentle rebellion against hustle culture.”
For her clients facing stress or burnout, she recommends starting small. “I invite them to start with one meal a day, something simple but grounding. It’s not about being gourmet, it’s about being present. I’ll often recommend batch cooking rituals, Sunday soup-making, or even preparing a herbal tea blend in silence. These small acts become anchors in chaotic times.”
Practical Wisdom
Ritual in the kitchen starts with the simplest gestures. “Start small. You don’t need a complicated recipe or an hour in the kitchen. One-pan meals, nourishing stews, or simply roasting veggies with olive oil and herbs, it can be that easy. Keep a few staples in the fridge and learn to cook without pressure. The act of cooking doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.”
She shares a recipe that always grounds her. “Simmer chicken bones with garlic, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, sea salt, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for 6 t12 hours. Strain and sip it warm with lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil. It’s deeply mineralising, grounding, and so comforting. Make a big batch and freeze in portions. It keeps well for up to four months and can be easily defrosted for a quick, nourishing boost.”
And just as important as the recipe is the way you approach it. “Turn off distractions. For me, that’s my phone. Put on music or light a candle. Notice the textures, smells, and colours. Breathe. Let cooking become a conversation between you and the ingredients. It’s not just about getting it done, it’s about how you feel while doing it.”
Personal Roots
When Lana wants to feel grounded, she returns to the food of her childhood. “One is bamieh, a slow-cooked lamb, okra, and tomato stew, rich and hearty, always served with fluffy basmati rice. The other is molokhia, a silky green jute leaf stew infused with chicken broth, coriander, and garlic, finished with a spoonful of tangy vinegar and minced onion. Both are comforting, deeply nourishing, and connect me to home in the most soulful way.”
Motherhood, she says, has furthered her connection to food. “It’s deepened everything. Cooking has become an act of legacy. I’m not just feeding my daughter, I’m passing down values: nourishment, culture, care, and connection. But motherhood also brings the very real challenges of limited time, exhaustion, and constantly shifting needs. As a nutritional therapist, I’m well-informed, but that doesn’t mean I’m in the kitchen cooking from scratch every day. Some days are slow-cooked meals, others are freezer-stash days, and many involve leaning on support, whether that’s family or hired help. I’ve also come to rely on batch cooking and carefully chosen brands that align with my food values: organic, transparent and nutrient-dense.”
“Let cooking be your return. Return to self, to health, to nurturing, to love. You don’t need fancy tools or training, just your hands, your senses, and your heart.”
Instagram: @lunaroniyari
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