Food for thought

I know this is supposed to be a cooking blog. That was my full intention when I began it almost a year ago. I had fully intended on creating a food blog that would kind of chronicle my favorite hobby (mainly for my children's sake - kind of like a family cookbook of sorts). But that's not what it's bloomed into of late. It's a place where I can say out loud the things that I would like to say to others, but no one really wants to hear.

I've been "surfing the web" trying to find wonderful recipes that our entire family will enjoy once I finally go gluten-free. I have discovered an interesting GF food blog that I enjoy. Today's post was particularly interesting. The blog is authored by Shauna James Ahern a.k.a. "The Gluten-Free Girl." Here's a quote from Ms. Ahern's blog post today that really struck home with me. It's quite lengthy, but bear with me.

"Even if you are wobbly at the stove or awkward at chopping or feel annoyed or pressured to be perfect when you cook? Give it time. You’ll find it.

Cooking is connection. It’s not about impressing. It’s about pausing from the chopping to lean your head down toward the board and breathe in the released smell of fresh cilantro. (If you don’t like cilantro, make it basil.) Cooking is about concentrating with an intent focus on something that’s in your hands and your heart, instead of your head. You can slip the day from your shoulders when you cook. You can let it all go. Start slicing the garlic.

If you feel like you don’t have time to cook, because your life is so busy (and believe me, we know busy), take a step back.

Eating great food that you know is gluten-free is your path to healing. Cooking for yourself or your hilarious friends or your kids is a gift you give. Sitting at the table with people is where the stories emerge, the relaxation takes place, the memories are formed. Why don’t you have time for this?

Your entire life is going to change because of this. You might as well allow it to happen fully. Arrange your life differently so you have a little time in the evening to cook.

You don’t want to miss this."

Wow. I've been struggling with a lot of things this year. I've had to morn the loss of friendships because of some life-changing decisions which we had to make (I won't go into those decisions here), and I've yearned to have people over. To have friends to share our life with. Don't get me wrong, Donnie and I have a great relationship. We talk more in one evening than most couples probably talk in days or possibly weeks. We talk about everything. Donnie and I also have 4 beautiful children that challenge and uplift us. But there's just something about having a close friend (or two) that you can share burdens and blessings with. We, like most homeschooling families, have been so busy this year. Especially this year! Being our first year of homeschooling has definitely stretched me to my physical limits. I have been battling the symptoms of Celiac Disease silently (for the most part) because I have no one who really would listen (other than my wonderful husband). My Mom is consumed (and rightfully so) by the needs of my Dad who is a 100 % medically retired veteran. My sister is also a homeschooling mother of 3 kids (who are older and involved in more things than my kids). But enough whining!

I'm ready to start getting my life in order. I can't wait to feel the beneficial affects (effects - I'm sorry. English grammar/composition has always been my stumbling block. But hey! It's a cooking blog, right?! Not a grammar blog!) of going GF! I can't wait to play with my children this summer without having to rest every 15-30 minutes. I'm ready to eat without feeling miserable. I eagerly looking forward to trying new recipes...

So hopefully, sometime in the near future, you will see pictures on this blog. Hopefully some recipes too. Many, I'm sure, will be from other fabulous GF blogs (to whom I will always give credit), but hopefully, many will be my own creations. I can't wait to give this gift to my family, my future friends, and to myself!