There is something magical about the kitchen and how it radiates our memories and moments. The aroma of garlic simmering in olive oil brings a sense of comfort while the smell of warm cookies directs my thoughts back to childhood. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary where we recall life moments and take joy in the presence. While I am not a great cook and far from being a Julia Child, I can still find clarity in the kitchen. The act of cooking reaches far beyond preparing food. Cooking has become a rhythm, a way to restore balance, and a bridge between the noise of the world and my inner calm. While I stand at no level of cooking mastery, rather the opposite, I still enjoy the art of creating and blending spices into a meal, even when the final product is imperfect.
For me, cooking invites a creative focus and a positive challenge. The sound of chopping vegetables and the warmth from an oven cascading into the kitchen helps me channel into a state of mindfulness. The fun challenge of creating a dish feels purposeful and grounding, reminding me that culinary creativity is key to my mental health. I have come to realize that the process of cooking is restorative even when the effort feels rigorous and sometimes beyond my skillset.
Cooking has always been one of the ways I express care for myself, my family and guests. Sharing a meal encourages conversation and laughter, bringing people together in a joyful setting. The dinner table becomes a place of exchange and the place where my family shares gratitude for the day. We discuss lessons learned to moments of reflection and how we helped a community member. The food almost becomes secondary to the joy of togetherness and shared dialogue.
About four years ago I noticed how my body reacted to certain foods. This led me to rework our meal choices with less sugar and lower acidity. What began as restriction and bland meals turned into discovery of new food choices that expanded my cooking repertoire. I started to experiment with new ingredients, adjusting flavors and learning what made my body feel nourished while keeping the family happy. Thus, cooking taught me greater patience and acceptance on how to care for the body while appreciating new spices and recipes. I have learned that the practice of cooking reminds me pause and to appreciate the process over the outcome, for food has a wonderful way of bringing balance into our lives.
Mindfully curated by Deb Gudema for Well&Co.
📸: Mindfulness Box