Meet Rama
Rama: Mom of 3, Chef & Entrepreneur
Read more of Spark Wonder’s Interview with Rama to learn about food, picky eaters and an inspiring mama!
Rama started her own company - WannaBee Chef. She offers online cooking classes for all ages, catering and personal chef services. See more at WannaBee Chef
Mona @ SW: Where did your love for cooking come from?
Rama @ WBC: “I grew up around food. My mom was a great cook and spending time with her in the kitchen was a way for us to bond. It was our love language. My mom worked full time and came home and prepared full, delicious and various meals all the time. I was drawn to being around her and just bonding with her while she cooked.”
Mona @ SW: What is your take on picky eaters? How do you manage that?
Rama @ WBC: “Food is about exposure. Don’t give up because they didn’t like it the first time. Get them involved in preparing meals. Have your children touch, smell, rub ingredients and they will be more likely to try it. We eat with our senses, it’s not just taste. One thing I dislike is kids' meals! We are already creating a label that children’s food needs to be different and they won’t like what we are ordering. It shouldn’t be different, children need to try everything and not just once or twice but many times before they like it. If we don’t give them enough exposure we are the ones that are making them picky eaters.”
Mona @SW: What is something families can do easily to make meal time easier?
Rama @WBC: “Bring back the basics. Sit down and eat together, no distractions just spend time together. Children are watching so if I am eating in front of the TV or my cell phone they will want to do the same thing. Sitting down together and breaking bread really changes the connection we have with food. It allows for more mindful eating. It’s tough to do everyday when juggling so many different schedules but make a conscious effort to do it a few times a week.”
Mona @SW: How do you manage being a mom of 3 and your own business?
Rama @WBC: “I started my business when I was pregnant with my first child and I didn’t even know I was pregnant. I was having two babies at one time - my business and my baby, baby! I had to learn to manage both in harmony and that was a challenge. I remind myself to keep things in balance. In fact I have the word ‘Balance’ written very large on my desk because it’s a reminder. Balance is my mantra. I also remind myself to make time for self care. Mom guilt makes that hard at times, but I am better off when I do take time for myself.”
Mona @SW: What advice do you have for other moms?
Rama @WBC: “Don’t be hard on yourself. Let go of the pressure to be the perfect mom, perfect cook or perfect wife. Be your own perfect - if that means being in sweats for the day or ordering in do that. Be your own version of perfect.”