The Working Girl posted an article, “10 Things Cooking Taught Me About Life”  by Kim O’Donnell that not only touched her, but resonates with the cook in all of us. BSVCZRN9VZA6

What Cooking Means to Me:

It made me reflect on what cooking means to me.

1.  I find it therapeutic. If I’m cranky I will chop a little harder.  If I’m moping around I can conjure up smells that take me to the happiest of times – a fresh apple pie to remember apple picking afternoons filled with smiling faces.

2.   Cooking connects me with  the cycles of nature. Think about the  day-long pot of spaghetti sauce project necessary to soak up that whole case of tomatoes from the farmer’s market (what was I thinking!).  The trip to the Farmer’s Market was a delight – a warm sunny Saturday, pouring over fresh produce, seeing friends and neighbors, and knowing that the piles of tomatoes will bring summer memories during a cold evening.

3.  Cooking gives me time to step out of my daily routine and think. When I get to cook on one of these leisurely sessions, I turn on classical music and contemplate the more important things in life. I’m frequently thinking about the kids visiting  for a holiday, when I can see my Mom 2,500 miles away and how lucky I am to have family who loves spending time  together.

4.  Cooking let’s me show I care. To me and to many, cooking is a universal display of love and concern. Sometimes words just aren’t enought.  There’s always the “cheer you up from the lost game” dinner or a “friend hurt your feelings, so here’s comfort food” dinner.  One of my favorites is “let me fix your favorite meal to bribe you to come home” dinner.  The fact that they come and are cheered up are my greatest rewards.

What have you learned about life through cooking? Or describe whose life you have touched with your cooking. After all, cooking is all about bringing friends and family together!

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