I don’t know about you, but lately I’ve really been deep on a path of self discovery. Pulling back the curtain on life to see what truly matters and what’s simply a distraction. Asking myself questions and really digging for the answers that are true for me. Do I really want the things I think I want? Where am I staying quiet just to avoid upsetting someone? Where am I speaking just to fill a silence or to fit in? Are the goals I want to achieve meaningful to me or am I doing them because it’s what I think I should be doing? Do I really need to be doing all the things on my to-do list and are they really as urgent as I think they are? What does success actually look like to me?

The list is long but those are some of the big ones.

I’ve been stripping down so many shoulds, thought patterns, and old beliefs to get to the heart of what really matters.

Honestly that has meant simplifying in so many ways. Because now that I’m clear on what I want to create and what a full life looks like to me, the rest is noise. And man, does it feel like a great, big exhale.

Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t always easy in the world we live in but the word that’s been helping to make everything clearer is; discernment. In any information I take in. Advice I’m given. Choices I’m making. Everything really. Instead of automatically responding, stopping and taking a minute to really feel into what’s aligned for me and what’s not.

Cooking is of course a constant pillar of my life in this way.

But even that has simplified. It of course can and is a beautiful creative playground where I can get really involved or lost in a new and/or labour intensive process (which I’m always going to love because it means I forever have the opportunity to learn and be fascinated by something new) but bringing it back to what’s most important which is feeding myself and my people in the most nourishing way on a day to day basis.

Most times it’s not complicated or anything fancy but I can’t tell you the number of meals I’ve sat down to lately and just been so ridiculously satisfied and ensconced in the pure joy, savouring every bite. Btw, just a reminder that this is how it’s supposed to be!

I know it’s because I’m choosing to be fully present in what I’m doing and how much it matters to take care of myself in this way every day. I’m able to trust in my foundation of basic cooking skills and know my only job is to make it delicious - for me, in my own way. Which, I’m proud to say I’ve become very good at over the years and it’s I want for you too.

The more I’m simplifying, the more present I am to really take in and appreciate how full life gets to be when it’s on my own terms. It feels like life in technicolour - I notice all the amazing things I was to preoccupied to notice before.

This is where the real nourishment is.

The unbridled joy.

The true fulfillment.

And isn’t that the whole point?

ox

*Clam Donburi was one of those recent, ‘OMG this is so good’ meals I’ve cooked. Probably won't ever exactly replicate it but I know the foundations so I don’t need to. And that’s the beauty of it. YUM!!*

In case you missed it, last week’s podcast episode I talked more about the question that’s been really helpful for me - LISTEN HERE

If you need some support in building your cooking foundations, come on over to THE CREATIVE KITCHEN. This baby is getting an upgrade because things are always evolving as I am so this course is changing along with me to help you get better at making anything delicious and savouring more good food from your own two hands. Jump in now and you’ll be the first to see it all shiny and new plus have access to some things that might not make it into the new version.

And here’s a round up of some of my favourite posts when it comes to building the most nourishing, creative cooking practice of your own

The Flavour Equation

Awesome Sauce

Building Foundations

Just Add Water

Mis En Place and Making it Work for You

Intuitive Cooking

Seasoning 101

Cooking with the Elements

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The Communal Table If you don’t know, this is my monthly cooking community where I lead classes, have guest teachers join us, there’s a cookbook club, foodie round tables where we nerd out about all things cooking and food, plus monthly giveaways of my favourite things, and so much more. If you’re looking for a space of rad people who love cooking as much as you do, come join us!

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