New Chapter, New Kitchen

Is there anything more contagious than watching someone thrive and succeed? Think about it– anytime you watch an inspirational movie, chances are that you leave the theater or the couch that you called home for the last two hours with a sudden “euphoric” feeling inside. You feel an energy that makes you evaluate your own scenario only to realize that you’re more capable than you sometimes give yourself credit. This doesn’t just have to be in terms of thinking big; making life goals or long-term commitments. It can be as little as successfully following a recipe, sticking to a healthy habit such as taking the stairs at work, etc.

I purchased a new cookbook about a month ago. This cookbook exceeds all the others I own in terms of content, accountability, and downright deliciousness. It’s Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I lucked out and found a 50th Anniversary addition which included a beautiful cover that matched the hues in my kitchen, and a short story written by Julia herself as a “thank you” for purchasing the book– as if the recipes weren’t enough.

This cookbook has a deeper meaning (to me) than simply learning how to make Coq Au Vin. It symbolizes taking risks, and being part of something greater you ever imagined.  To steal a line from possibly my favorite movie Julie & Julia (shocker)– “Julia Child was not always Julia Child”.

Does that phrase resonate with you the way it does me? Think about it– people don’t always wake up one day, think of something they want to be, and then magically become it. Life happens along the way. Ups, downs, and everything between make us who we are and who we strive to be.

It is public knowledge (if it wasn’t before, it definitely is now) that I will soon be a mother [insert massive smile and quick clapping hands here]. I am fourteen weeks pregnant and feeling better than  ever I have in the last few months, which by the way weren’t as bad as they could have been! The idea that my life will change so vastly in six months is a concept that becomes more of a reality with each time I hear our baby’s heartbeat–every 4 weeks.

Besides always knowing that I wanted to have a profession in the culinary field, I knew whole-heartily that I wanted to be a mother.  Now that that is happening, I’m beyond excited and eager to see how the roles as a wife, mother, entrepreneur, and foodie mesh.

With that reality, expect new recipes (including homemade baby food), and experiences that will be shared on Christina’s Kitchen. It will be an outlet for beautiful, difficult, random, and delicious moments; I do hope that you will join me in my kitchen and on the journey.