Henry David Thoreau
Lately I've felt a little swallowed up by my daily routine. You know how it goes...another day, another sink full of dirty dishes, another pile of laundry to fold, another meal to prepare. One day feels pretty much like the next. I've let busyness push out my pursuit of the purposeful.
I've been so caught up in getting things done, that I've forgotten about the higher ideal of getting things done well.
Life has a way of gently reminding us what is most important.
My gentle reminder, this time, came in the form of a professional chef, a conversation, and an expensive cookbook.
A few days ago, I learned that a local kitchen supply store would be hosting one of my favorite chefs, who was on tour promoting her new cookbook...Sara Moulton! I remember watching her show years ago, "Sara's Weeknight Meals", and instantly liking this very easy-going, smiling, chef, who had a gift for taking the intimidation out of cooking. Sara Moulton was going to be just a few minutes from my house! I had to go.
I knew that this was a book signing, but buying a new cookbook wasn't exactly written in the week's budget. I planned on saying a quick hello, snapping a picture, and heading out.
When my husband, (who I dragged along with me), and I walked through the door of the store, we were immediately greeted by the question, "Are you here for the book signing?" And then, handing me a copy of the cookbook, "Great, we'll get you set up."
With new cookbook in hand, I headed toward the smiling face in a blue chef's coat. I handed Sara my book for her to sign, and then blundered off something about how I was a big fan, and so excited to meet her. She was kind and personable, and didn't seem to notice how I had become suddenly nervous and star struck. She asked me what I liked to cook. I told her how lately I had been pushing myself a little, to try new things that were intimidating for me, like soufflés and croissants. (See 30 Day Challenge, Day 21). She seemed impressed with my culinary ambitions, and we talked easily about cooking, my family, and how she thought I must be a glutton for punishment to have six kids. She signed my cookbook, was gracious enough to take a quick picture with me, and I walked away feeling something different than I felt when I walked in the door. Flipping through the cookbook, with photographs of beautiful, delicious, healthy food, I realized what that feeling was. It was excitement, it was motivation, it was a zeal for cooking that I haven't felt in a while.
Suddenly, I felt the heaviness of my daily routine slough off, and I felt renewed. A few minutes with Sara Moulton, and a new cookbook I couldn't afford, was all it took to remind me that the daily grind doesn't have to drag us down. Life can be full and beautiful and delicious, if we make it that way.
I started thinking about my recent adventures with the soufflé and croissants. I thought of my earlier blog post on the importance of family dinners. I realized that family dinners were one area that had definitely fallen under neglect with my recent struggle with the routine. I had let family dinners become a burden, forgetting the power that a good meal has to bring families together.
Flipping through my new beautiful cookbook, tempting and intriguing recipes like, "Stuffed Egg Roulade", "Portobello Cheesesteaks", and "Butternut Squash, Chestnut, and Gruyere Crostata", caught my interest. When was the last time I had cooked a meal with heart? I determined right then that it was time to take back my family dinners. It was time for another challenge. NOT a 30 day challenge. I learned my lesson. This challenge would be to put my heart into the family dinner again, by making time at least once a week for a real meal. In the spirit of "Julie and Julia", I determined to challenge myself with the recipes from Sara's new cookbook. (Sara and Kara?)
I have to pause here to make it perfectly clear that as much as I believe in the power of a good healthy meal, I absolutely also believe that there is no shame in sometimes having cereal for dinner. We're all busy. The idea behind this challenge is to remind us that a little shifting of our energy and our focus can help us remember what is most important, not to make us feel guilty for not putting a
restaurant quality meal on te table every night.
So my friends, stay tuned for the results of a return to cooking with heart. Once a week, for the next four weeks, I'll put a little extra love and time into a real, home-cooked, family meal. I can't wait to see how a little extra effort to make life more purposeful will affect my family, our health, our spirits, and our hearts.
Today's a new day; let's make it purposeful!
Kara