Infused Wellness: Inside Tamara Anderson’s Cannabis-Forward Thanksgiving Cooking Class

Every holiday season, I find myself returning to the same questions: 

What does care look like in my body right now? What does nourishment feel like? How can food be more than just food?

This is especially top of mind as I continue to navigate life post-anorexia. So when I heard about Culinary & Cannabis’ Infused Thanksgiving Side Dishes class, led by nurse, pastry chef, and wellness advocate Tamara Anderson, I was intrigued to learn more. 

As someone who healed from anorexia, food is no longer just a nutritional formula: I finally view it as community, connection, and something I’m learning to experience with softness instead of fear. Cannabis has played a powerful role in that process. It helped me reconnect with hunger cues, calm the mental anxiety around eating, and make mealtime feel less like a battlefield and more like a grounding ritual.

Anderson’s mission lives at an intersection I’m fascinated by: culinary arts, plant medicine, wellness culture, and patient empowerment. She founded Culinary & Cannabis to bridge all of those worlds: the kind of bridge the wellness space has been needing for a long time.

Who Is Tamara Anderson?

As a registered nurse, Anderson witnessed how many patients were craving tools for pain, nausea, chronic illness, stress, and quality of life. 

“My background really prepared me for this work without me even realizing it,” Anderson said. “Nursing gave me a deep understanding of the plant’s medicinal benefits and the language to communicate that to patients and professionals. Baking taught me precision, flavor, and the role food plays in our lives. When I first tried to learn how to infuse properly and couldn’t find reliable, approachable information—despite being a pretty good detective—I realized others were probably struggling too. That’s when Culinary & Cannabis was born.”

A Space Where Safety and Curiosity Coexist

One of the things I love most about Anderson’s approach is the atmosphere she creates.

Her events aren’t just “infused dinners.” They’re comfortable, low-pressure spaces where:

• Non-consumers feel welcome

• Beginners feel supported

• Seasoned consumers feel inspired

• Medical professionals feel included

“We create an environment where everyone feels welcome,” Anderson said. “From the moment you walk in, the space feels comfortable, safe, and open. People feel empowered to ask questions they may have never felt comfortable asking before, and that makes all the difference.”

It’s cannabis education as community care: the kind of environment that makes you exhale the second you walk in.

What Makes an Infused Thanksgiving Class Healing?

This particular experience—happening November 21 both online and in person—focuses on infusing holiday side dishes with cannabis in a way that feels thoughtful and wellness-forward.

Anderson’s number one rule for beginners will sound familiar to anyone in recovery from anything: Start low, go slow, and keep a journal.

“I always tell beginners to keep a journal like this one by Goldleaf,” Anderson said. “Track how much you took, how it made you feel, how long it took to kick in, and how long it lasted. And try your first infusion at home or in a safe, relaxed environment. Understanding your body’s response is the key to having a good experience.”

The Real Impact

Anderson’s events aren’t just cute, Instagrammable cooking classes. They’re legitimately shifting lives. 

“We’ve seen people with conditions like MS and fibromyalgia gain enough relief to return to work,” Anderson said. “We’ve also sparked collaborations between brands, chefs, and even celebrities. The ripple effect is real—our events are helping shift the culture toward a more informed, inclusive, and wellness-centered understanding of cannabis.”

Culinary & Cannabis is expanding quickly across the U.S., UK, Australia, and beyond. If you’re drawn to cannabis but don’t know where to start, her events are a great entry point.

And if you’re exploring cannabis for pain, anxiety, chronic illness, appetite support, or a healthier relationship with your own body, Tamara offers two grounding pieces of advice:

“First, come to one of our CannaSpa events,” Anderson said. “Education and comfort go hand in hand. Second, schedule a consultation with a cannabis nurse; I always recommend The Kush Nurse. And always remember: start low, go slow, and do your initial dosing at home where you can really pay attention to how your body responds.”