When I was a kid I had three ideas of what I wanted to be when I grew up:

• Broadway Dancer
• Fashion Designer
• Chef

I stopped dancing (competitively) when I was 14. I think the timing was poor and I was only slightly above average in talent. It was the same year that my parents split and while I don’t blame them for my dance career ending, I think it was just the straw that broke the camels back. It was a difficult time in my life, I was lost & confused. I didn’t feel like I had any sense of direction in my life. I associate dance with joy and there was no longer joy, so I hung up my shoes. (secretly I still sing & dance as if I’m on broadway when no one is home or watching)

I’ve always been a doodler. I took Art classes from the time I was in kindergarten through my senior year of high school. As far as style goes, I was never the most fashionable. Yes, I’m a 90’s kid, I don’t think most of us were. But, I found myself doodling the most extravagant outfits, I think I can remember as early as the fourth grade. I was also the gal, post shower, wearing my towel as the most gorgeous evening gown for some swanky party. Sometimes I’d even grab a second towel & create an elegant two-piece ensemble. I took AP art in high school and we had to submit our portfolios to the College for Creative Studies to receive a collegiate art credit. When I expressed my desire to attend CCS one day my teacher told me I would never make it into art school with my portfolio. I mean who am I kidding? Looking back my portfolio probably was half assed which I procrastinated and waited until the last minute to complete all my pieces. That “dream” went south real quick.

Chef… This is one I never seriously pursued & I’m not entirely sure why, but I was always in the kitchen growing up. I think it probably started with eggs in a coffee cup in the microwave. My parents worked odd hours. Nurses & firefighters don’t have the “luxury” 9-5 job (not sure if I would consider it luxury or 9-5 anymore). We had to be self sufficient & ate plenty of leftovers. Egg in a cup is just where it started and led me to always want to be in the kitchen & help with both of my parents. I am extremely lucky that both of my parents are fantastic cooks (I believe I’ve mentioned this before). I would do anything for a home cooked meal right now.

Leftovers in our house were a staple, but not always the kind where you reheat exactly what you had the night before. My parents were creative & innovative. They taught us how to love all foods (we’re not picky eaters). Steak one night turned into Phillies the next or even chili. Chicken one night was a stew or a pot pie the following. No food ever went to waste in our home. The running joke with my dad is “you gonna finish that?”.

Food was a source of happiness in our home. I saw how much food brought our family together, whether it was a family dinner or a big holiday party. The food my parents made brought people so much joy & that’s what I craved. I wanted to bring people together. I wanted to bring people joy & make them smile. That’s not the initial life path I took, but isn’t it ironic thats where fate has brought me? I may not be some fancy culinary chef working for a five star restaurant, but I’m using creativity & nutritional knowledge I have to help bring joy back into people’s lives.

It’s merely the beginning of my journey. One year ago today, I launched my website. I had no idea until just about a minute ago when I looked. FATE. Cheers to one year of business, I am so excited to see where this journey takes me.

“You’re off to great places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting,

So, get on your way!

Dr. Suess, Oh, the places you’ll go.