I’ve faced my fair share: cancer, a divorce, moving cross country, twice and even a house fire that took everything. It’s easy to feel lost and broken in the face of such challenges.

But here’s the thing: I found a path to healing and it surprised me. It wasn’t therapy (though that does help), or some big exotic vacation to a tropical island. It was my kitchen.

Chopping vegetables was a sort of mediation. The smells of a simmering pot held the promise of a warm and nourishing meal which is a form of self-care. Sharing these meals with friends and family, brought connection and community back into my life.

Life can throw some serious curveballs

Cooking became my therapy, my solace, and [along with my faith], my source of strength.

Really, cooking is a metaphor for rebuilding -

it takes raw ingredients and transforms them into something delicious and sustaining. It’s about facing challenges head-on and creating something beautiful from the ashes. And finding joy, in the simple act of creating a meal, even when the world around seems dark.

Now, I’m sharing my journey with you. Together, we’ll explore the food that has nourished me, tips for navigating the kitchen even on the hardest days and stories of resilience and hope.

Because you see, grace, grit and gratitude are the secret ingredients to healing.

Entertaining and cooking are about more than perfection.

Remember those picture-perfect table scapes and impossibly layered cakes in Martha Stewart magazines? We’ve all been there, feeling the pressure to live up to an idea that’s, well, not very real.

This space is about finding grace in the kitchen. We will explore recipes that are easy to master, share tips for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, celebrate the incredible beauty that is a relaxed gathering, and most importantly, give ourselves the grace to enjoy the process!

Together, let’s embrace the joy of learning, laughing, and imperfection.

grace

challenges are opportunities to learn and grow

Ever hosted a dinner party where disaster struck? The chicken, the star of your meal, was a tad pink in the middle. Or the rice became a burnt layer on the bottom of the pot while you were answering the door and chatting with guests.

In the moment, you forced a smile, closed your eyes, and silently swore off entertaining forever. Then, a few days later, you see a recipe and think it’d be great to make for your friends. And you’re sure–this time will be different.

That, my friend, is grit. It’s the determination to dust yourself off after a culinary fumble and try again.

This space is here for all of the brave souls who embrace the challenge of cooking for others. We will celebrate kitchen victories, big and small. Remember that burnt rice doesn’t equal social doom. And together, we’ll chose to look at those disastrous dinners as opportunities to learn and grow as a better host, a better cook, and a better person.

grit

being grateful shifts your perspective

Even on those frustrating days, I try to find moments of gratitude. It might be for a well-stocked pantry, a beautifully sharpened knife or the patience to start over. These small expressions of gratitude help shift my perspective and make challenges in the kitchen a little less daunting.

While cooking, take a few deep breaths. Focus on the present moment. Be grateful for the simple act of creating a meal. Express gratitude for the food you are preparing and reminded of the countless people who brought it to your table–farmers, truckers, producers and everyone in between.

The true joy of cooking comes from sharing it with loved ones. Feeling grateful for the opportunity to nourish and connect with others can add a deeper meaning to your time in the kitchen.

Let’s explore recipes and stories that celebrate the bounty of our table and the gratitude for those sharing a meal with you.