"Be Fearless in What Sets Your Soul on Fire."

Greetings, friends!

I can't believe it's been over a year since I sat down and opened this page. I've no excuses for my hiatus, I've no good reasons. But I can tell you with all certainty that I've missed it, that I'm excited to be focused anew, and that I'm looking forward to sharing with all of you.

Is it coincidental that I'm starting this off in 2018, New Year's Day?  Well, no. I'm not really about the "new year, new me" that so many embrace this time of year, but I do happen to believe that every day is an opportunity to make new choices and be the best version of yourself. Today is as good a day as any!

I've been playing tug-of-war in my brain with what I'm meant to do in this lifetime, where I'm meant to be, how I'm to get there, and who I'm taking along with me. (The fact that the Powerball is over $400 Million may play a small part in my day dreaming!) And, well, let's face it... I'm not getting any younger. Having kids who are all but out of the house, and grandgirds (grand daughters) to boot makes you stop and think about how you spend your time. When it's just me, the hubster and our puppa - what will occupy my time? Will I be happy? Successful? Content?

I'm the only one responsible for my happiness. And I've decided that it's time to do what I love. It's time to make the things that light me up a permanent part of my daily routine.

Writing. Writing has always lit me up. Sure, sometimes it's newsletters for my employer, jokes and handwritten notes to friends and loved ones, a silly semi-comic book style story about my dogs... whatever it is, I enjoy the process of it. I enjoy the discipline of it, the revisions, seeing things through new eyes, the art of it - painting a picture in my mind that I can share, but mostly I love that it's mine. It's selfishly, wonderfully mine. An exercise for my mind, relaxation for my soul, humor for my heart, and break for my body.

You know what else really gets me going? EATING. I love to eat. I love colorful dishes presented beautifully (you'd know this if you follow me on Instagram). Sometimes it's an easy meal I've prepared, or something that I've ordered at a restaurant - but the way food LOOKS is sometimes as great as how it tastes.  I love to try new and exotic foods. Not like bugs or animal feet or anything, but combinations of spices and seasonings, new veggies and fruits that aren't in my weekly grocery basket, and new combinations of the foods I already know that I love.

So - what am I getting at? I'm going to combine 2 of the things that light me up as a weekly practice.

A couple years ago, a friend gave me a cook book as a gift: "Eat, Drink, Shine: Inspiration From Our Kitchen" by the Blissful Sisters, Jennifer, Jessica and Jill Emich. This is a beautifully illustrated cookbook that is both gluten-free and Paleo-friendly.  It's been sitting on my counter, hiding behind dishes drying on the mat, between the bread maker and the Blendtec. Well, it's time to get it out!

I am not following any special diet, nor am I restricting foods that I can eat. What I am interested in is approaching food with a different perspective, broadening my horizons to more whole foods and recipes that require more time and care. 

I want to enjoy shopping for the items in the recipes separate from my weekly family grocery trip. I'll share where I find the ingredients and how a trip to the grocer doesn't have to be hurried and stressful, but an errand of self love and care.

I want to share how I prep food in my home. We live in modest home, without all the ooh la la granite, stainless and fancy kitchen gadgets. We live here, we eat here, we laugh, and make messes, and scratch the wood finish on the dining table  (I call it 'character'!). But it's real.

I want to share visually and through words - how it looks in process and on my plate. I want to tell you how it reheats (you know that the hubster won't eat most of these recipes - he's quite finicky)  because I love leftovers! I want to share with you the approximate cost per meal/per person, so you can see that many of these recipes are practical, delicious and can be part of your weekly menu.

I'm going to combine my love for writing and food to take myself through the cookbook, one recipe each week. 

(BTW - Full disclosure, I'm not affiliated in anyway with the Blissful Sisters, their shop in Colorado or their publisher. I'm not being paid, reimbursed or in any way compensated for these entries. It truly is for me, an exercise in self love.)

This exercise will help to keep me focused on practicing my writing, sticking to deadlines, and staying true to my mantra that "Food is fuel, but that doesn't mean it has to taste like crap!"  Ha!

I hope you will join me each week to see what's cookin' (I'm so punny!) and share with me your thoughts on the recipes, life, whatever! I'd love this to be a conversation among friends, and conversations are best when they go both ways!

I'm off to bed soon, but wanted to get this out - mostly so that I can't chicken out! Stay warm, stay happy, but most of all...

"Be Fearless in the Pursuit of What Sets Your Soul on Fire!"

- unknown

All my best,
Jen