Do you have kitchen trauma?

What was dinner like for you as a child? Did your mother or father, grandmother or caregiver figure in your life cook for you? Was there love in your kitchen?

This summer, while my husband Joe and I were in Miami, we met up with a good friend of ours who I learned something new about. She was raving about decorating her new apartment and how getting placemats for the kitchen table was a big feat for her. I listened intently and felt happy for her, but had to cock my head a bit and think about the placemat comment. It was a “feat?” Why were placemats such a big deal. I asked and she went on to explain that the kitchen wasn’t her strong point.…

2 steps for overcoming the fear of cooking

Just a week or so ago, Joe and I went on a double date with our good friends, who I absolutely love talking food with. We went to one of our favorite restaurants, Dosa in San Francisco.

While we indulged in our Dahi Vada, it dawned on me that the issue we were discussing wasn’t uncommon. It wasn’t something I’d experienced, so I didn’t tune it right away-so I’m definitely curious if it rings true for you.

We’ll call the female counterpart of these double daters, Sara, and her husband Tom. Sara was telling Joe and I a story about visiting friends on the East coast. It was a joyous conversation until a dreaded question arose. “Tom! What does Sara make you for dinner?”…

Halloween loving and pumpkin carving!

Did you carve a pumpkin this year?! If you did, congrats on being fun and playful. If not, don’t tell me you’re too old. We’re never too old to carve pumpkins!

There’s still time to get your pumpkin carving on!

Even if you’re a grinch of Halloween (I’ll admit that I’ve been know to get a little grinchy during the Christmas holiday) pumpkin carving is always a great idea.

Why am I all about this pumpkin carving business?!  Two main reasons that I’ll elaborate on: inner and outer nourishment.

For my husband Joe and I, opportunities to get messy, silly, and playful together are rarely passed up.  Diving into a big, sticky, squishy pumpkin is full of messy surprises.  Get creative!  …