“I made it with love.”

      It’s a running joke in my family, whenever anyone says something I cooked is good, I always respond, “Because I made it with love.” It started when I opened a coffee shop years ago in Gardner, KS to house Evolving Woman. The Mayor at the time would come in several times a week. After eating whatever lunch I prepared that day, I’d hear her comment to her companions, “The food is so good here because she makes it with love.” Ever since then, my daughters tease me with the phrase.

     Yet, it’s true. I never realized I created food with love, but feeding and nurturing others is a passion of mine. I enjoy reading about food, buying food, playing with different recipes, combinations and creations. I love food and the entire process of preparation—as well as feeding others. So, I do make everything with love and verve and passion.

     That is why this is one of my favorite themes in Evolving. Healthy dining and all it entails are my passion. The articles this month exemplify the essence of truly healthy cooking, eating and living.

    Natalie George writes about a café that changed her life and how we can all incorporate the restaurant’s philosophy of gratitude while eating into our lives. Jane Van Benthusen explores the very real and very debilitating self talk that we sometimes allow to destroy our healthy eating habits. And Debz Shakti Buller discusses the importance of how we prepare our food and the necessity to make it with love.

     Here’s to the joy of cooking—and infusing it with Love.