Have you ever seen a commercial that just sticks with you because it is making a message that transcends the product it is selling, or attempting to sell to consumers? I have a few, but one of them for me is a commercial for Wolf stoves, a top of the line appliance company. Years ago, I saw this commercial, where this “spirit,” was watching a woman prepare an ambitious meal in her apparently new Wolf stove. He was trying to place doubts in her mind that she could prepare what they wanted one to believe was a challenging dish to prepare. Eventually, her faith in herself and her confidence in her abilities caused him to leave and she continued on with the preparation of her meal.
Read moreAre you ready to go through the door?
There is a Chinese proverb that teaches, “Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself.” Cookbooks, culinary classes, recipe websites, are awesome and can be a great source of inspiration when cooking. I have learned a great deal about cooking from these sources. For me, these have all been teachers. Even watching the Food Network and The Cooking Channel have and continue to be teachers. However, one of the things I have had to remember is that I cannot depend on the teacher for my wisdom, knowledge, and understandings. To do so, keeps me in a prison where I sacrifice my adventure, freedom, and creativity.
Read moreGoing with the flow
For the last few weeks, well four now, I have been on this spiritual writing adventure. One of the techniques we have been using is called streaming. It is literally just writing from your stream of consciousness, letting the ideas flow through you like water through a creek bed. This whole notion of streaming has reminded me of a quote by Chuang Tsu, who wrote, “flow with whatever may happen and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing. This is the ultimate.”
Over the last few weeks, this whole notion of going with the flow has kept appearing in my life.
Read moreThe Biggest Change in My Kitchen
About 3 years ago now, we began the process of having our house made wheelchair accessible. One of the rooms, which needed to be addressed, was the kitchen. Neither my walker, nor my wheelchair could fit through the space between the counter and the peninsula. So I would have to transfer to this little secretarial type chair on wheels and use that in the little cooking area. This past spring, after waiting “patiently” for a few years, our kitchen was made accessible for my wheelchair. One of these days, the cabinets will also be accessible, but that is another storyJ. Anyway, I share this because the other day a friend, who had not been here since the renovations, was over and asked me if I cooked better because my kitchen was more accessible. I had to laugh.
Is it easier to cook – yes. Do I cook better – no.
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