The Zest Podcast: We asked to share a Tasty Year in Review
Whether you’re wrapping gifts, road-tripping or running off the holiday stress, let The Zest Podcast keep you company. As our show’s tagline goes, “The Zest celebrates cuisine and community in the Sunshine State.” As we get ready to close out 2025, we’re sharing some of our favorite episodes we think you’ll love!
Lunchbox makeover:
The new year is a time for adults and kids to reset our eating habits. As a pediatrician and the face of Wholistic Pediatrics & Family Care in Tampa, Dr. David Berger sees every day how nutrition — or lack thereof — affects kids’ health and behavior.
Quick tip: Limit ultra-processed foods, such as Lunchables. “If it's got chemical names in it,” Dr. Berger says, “it probably is ultra-processed.”
Hear more: Pediatrician Dr. David Berger on School Lunches & Ultra-Processed Foods (season 11 episode 5, originally published Feb. 27, 2025)
Kids in the kitchen:
Winter break is the ideal time to teach children some basic cooking skills, according to Wendy Wesley, a registered and licensed dietician and nutritionist based in St. Petersburg. “I love restaurants,” Wesley says, but adds, “I think that today we rely too much on others to prepare our food … for the health of our nation, we have to get back into the kitchen. We need to bring up this next generation of home cooks.”
Quick tip: Making healthy food involves chopping fruits and veggies, so if kids are going to participate, they’ll need the right equipment. For older kids, that means sharp knives. Younger ones can use serrated nylon knives and a stool to reach the countertop, stove and sink.
Hear more: 10 Tips for Cooking with Kids (season 5 episode 8, originally published March 10, 2022)
Growing confident kids:
To grow successfully, kids need a good foundation, nourishment and a lot of care — kind of like a garden. So when Tampa community activists Jeanette Bradley and Diana Kyle wanted to positively impact local schools, they decided to get their hands dirty. In 2018, the two founded SEEDFOLKids After School Garden Experience, a free program in select Tampa schools. “The kids are becoming more confident as a result of the work that they get to do in the garden,” Bradley says. In this episode, you’ll hear from the students and adults involved with the program.
Quick tip: Cook what you grow. Chips and salsa are much more exciting when kids cultivate the tomatoes and peppers themselves.
Hear more: SEEDFOLKids After School Garden Experience Grows Much More Than Food (season 12 episode 5, originally published Sept. 12, 2025)
Be a goal getter:
While you’re helping your children to become healthier and more confident, don’t forget to put yourself on the list. For inspiration, look no further than Sira Garib of Trinity. After perfecting her plant-based baked goods for loved ones, Garib started a business. Betting on herself, Garib has baked for some pretty big names, including actress and vegan influencer Tabitha Brown, comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish and former NBA star Dwyane Wade. Whatever your goal, Garib encourages you to go for it. “Show up for yourself,” Garib says. “Just take every opportunity that comes in.”
Quick tip: If you’re interested in going vegan, remember that it’s a lifestyle, not a diet. Make changes gradually.
Hear more: Pure Vegan Cakes CEO Sira Garib on Baking Tabitha Brown’s Birthday Cake and Showing Up for Herself (season 11 episode 14, originally published May 1, 2025)
You can find The Zest wherever you listen to podcasts or at thezestpodcast.com.
Related:
From Cart to Kitchen: Feast Without the Fuss with Kroger Delivery