Once upon a time, in a time not so long ago, people believed food was a social activity. They grew their food on their land, nurtured it, harvested it, and created really good meals.

They’d bring those meals to their neighbors, and break bread with others in town. They’d sit down and talk, share ideas and conversations, and enjoy their time together.

Compare that today. Glance at your watch – 30 minutes to get from here to there. A quick stop at the drive-thru, and order another “yellow” meal. Scarf it down as you drive, sitting in traffic and breathing in fumes from the cars next to you. Pop a pill later in the day because your stomach is causing you havoc.

Stark difference, yes?

Yet that’s our reality. Thanks to a world that’s spinning faster and Big Corps demanding more money, most of us eat meals like this several days a week.

It’s time for a change …

How we lost touch with our food supply

Why is it so difficult to link food and health together? I’ve pondered that question a lot in the past 30 years.

Almost thirty years ago, I was a very busy 20-something living on the fast track and climbing the corporate ladder. Health was nothing more than quick meals and running to the next activity.

Can you relate?

I came home late one night, and my husband met me at the door: “It’s your dad…”

When he died at fifty-four of a massive heart attack, everything changed. I went looking for answers and was shocked at all I found.

In our quest for industrialization, we looked for shortcuts to food production. And it’s shown up BIG TIME in our health.

Did you know doctors receive very little training in nutrition? Most complete one course in medical school that touches on how food impacts health.

Why?

Think about that for a minute. Food is energy. You need energy to thrive. It only makes sense that the energy you feed your body will impact the way your body performs.

For thirty years, I’ve paid attention to the food supply because of what I’ve learned through my dad. If you put good food in, you have better energy to give back.

How does this impact cooking?

Before I thought much about the energy of food, I was a person who didn’t know much about the process.

We went out to restaurants many nights a week. I thought nothing of picking up the phone and having something delivered.

Cooking gave me a chance to explore who I was. Yet cooking had no meaning – my mom was not a good cook. So I’d buy a few things at the store and whip something together. It usually looked like this:

A chicken breast, veggies from a can, and a box of rice or noodles.

Over and over and over again.

How boring!

I look back now and realize the error in my ways.

It’s because I didn’t realize the quality of the food I produced. I didn’t focus on the energy. And I didn’t approach each meal with love and affection.

Don’t worry if this sounds “out there” or “woo woo”. I get it. I was there once too.

This is something that takes time to grow and nurture.

But the good news is: You CAN fall in love with your kitchen. You CAN fall in love with cooking! I’m proof!

Three easy ways to fall in love with cooking

What does it take to fall in love with cooking? A change of perception. I know that sounds easier than it actually is. But I will tell you it happens one day at a time.

I changed my eating habits because I learned what BAD food does to a body. It no longer matched my desire for clean, healthy living.

So I moved into my kitchen, and started changing things for the better. You can do it too.

Turn your kitchen into paradise

Is your kitchen a place you love to explore? Or is it just another room in your home, one you visit when you need a drink of water?

Kitchens can be the hub of the home. They can also be one of the biggest disasters.

I remember visiting a friend, and offering to help clean up after the meal. I dried a dish and asked where to put it. She motioned to a cupboard, and I pulled it open … only to find a gazillion plastic containers stacked every which way. She had a selection of Tupperware, others that were mix-and-match left over from previous potlucks. Some were delivery containers from various restaurants.

“I hate that cupboard,” she said. “I just can’t throw them away.”

She had many cupboards like that. And let’s be frank; I think most people do.

That’s a very good reason to hate entering your kitchen. If you hate opening cupboards and drawers, or can never find what you’re looking for, how do you expect to create something Gorgeous there?

In order to find its charm, you have to create a kitchen you want to explore. It’s time to find paradise right inside your kitchen.

Throw away those old plastic containers. Send bowls, plates, and never-used small appliances to the thrift store. It’s time to create a happy place that you can’t wait to explore.

Paint the walls. Replace the decor on your countertops. Buy yourself that mixer you’ve drooled over every time you head into your favorite shop.

Give yourself a touch of paradise, right in the middle of your home.

Cooking is an art form

When did we start teaching people that cooking was just a chore? When, in fact, cooking is a sensual experience.

Maybe it’s because food is in such abundance, it’s now just an afterthought. Hungry? Pick up the phone. You can have anything delivered in 30 minutes. No thinking. Just consuming. With very little energy put into the process.

I love this definition of art:

The process of creating an expressive work intended to be appreciated for its beauty or emotional power.

If you’ve ever made a Gorgeous entree that’s plated to perfection, or created a Gorgeous cake that your family squeals over when you present it, you know cooking is truly art.

That’s because cooking appeals to all five of our senses.

You can add beauty as you focus on the little details. You see it in the final presentation.

You can smell it as it cooks. It makes your mouth water from the aroma.

You can listen and hear your meal as it transforms into something Gorgeous, sizzling in the pan.

You can taste it – and you should – every step of the way. Learn to tell if it needs more spices, needs more salt.

You can feel it in so many ways. Squishing between your fingers as you form a dough. Slicing as your knife cuts through the tomato. Appreciating it as the flavors swirl over your tastebuds.

Feel that energy. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Surround yourself with story

I know there’s a lot of debate over Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule. In his book “Outliers,” he makes a case that it takes 10,000 hours for complete mastery of complex skills. The more time you spend doing something, the better you’ll get.

I don’t believe it takes nearly 10,000 hours to fall in love with something. But I do think the concept is spot on. Putting in time definitely makes you fall in love. If you surround yourself with everything it takes to perfect your interest, you’ll naturally get better at it.

That’s why I recommend turning your kitchen into a paradise you can’t wait to get into. Or buying plates and bowls that are simply Gorgeous, and you can’t wait to use them.

It’s also why I highly recommend you start collecting cookbooks.

Not just any cookbook. Gorgeous cookbooks filled with stories, photography, and recipes you adore.

Here’s my secret. When I learn of a new cookbook, I check it out from my local library. I thumb through it, try a few recipes, and get a good feel of how well I like it. If I love it, I buy it.

And I use them to create magic in my kitchen every night of the week.

In the mood for Chinese? I have a cookbook for that. Want a crisp salad? I have a recipe for that. Want a Gorgeous holiday meal? I have my go-to resources waiting for me to dive in and use.

And if I ever need a little inspiration, they’re there for that too.

It’s your turn – Fall in love with cooking

Stick around here long enough, and I’ll inspire you to try something new. If you want to get better at cooking, it’s time to get started.

Gorgeous Wellth is all about taking control back from Big Pharma and Big Ag. We don’t have to rely on fast anything to feed ourselves well and keep us fit.

We can do that all by ourselves.

Are you ready?