How did I end up cooking for Better Health and creating all of these amazing recipes?
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The story goes way back to my grandmother’s fruit and vegetable garden. Everything we ate grew in our garden, passed through my grandmother’s hands and landed on our kitchen table. Raw foods were transformed from the simplest fresh produce to elaborate delicate appetizers, and hearty meals. There was always someone in our house sharing our food, the bread was baked at home and making sweets were a delectable ritual from start to finish.
Growing in our garden a long time ago was a grapevine, a fig tree, an apricot tree, an olive tree, a blackberry tree and a fully seasonal vegetable garden. There were chickens in our garden and pigeons too giving us and the entire neighborhood an endless supply of eggs. My grandmother knew from an unknown ancient source passed down through the generations how to apply natural ingredients to everyday ailments. I would sit with her while she kneaded bread and listen to her telling me that caraway seeds are great for indigestion and bad breath and that everything in Nature had a place and a reason for being there. So from a very young age I knew about the healing properties of Garlic, Ginger, Chilli, Honey, Yoghurt, Olive Oil, Seeds, Nuts and Legumes. Food was a major part of our lives and community. |
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The sensational tastes of those early years have stayed with me my whole life. These days I am a mother of two, a Teacher, a Nutritionist and Counsellor/Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with 10 years experience using Food as a motivational Tool to improve quality of life, relationships and self care. I am known locally as ‘the food lady’ and what a privilege to have food as my wand to connect with others and help heal and discover more amazing things about ourselves.
There are those that would say that a life passionate about food, cooking it, eating it and even dreaming about it is a frivolous life. I would disagree. For if we do not care about what we eat and where our food comes from, then we do not care about ourselves. And if we do not care about ourselves, how can we care about others? Food is more than sustenance for the body. It also plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy mind and spirit. In my workshops we learn how to enjoy food that encourages love, laughter and togetherness. We can all do with a bit more of these strong and positive emotions in our lives.
I am more than happy to share knowledge and thoughts with everyone in my classes. I often see people change in big ways after they’ve attended a class. Disease dissipates, calm sets in, families come together around the dinner table again, self esteem increases and within a short amount of time people are feeling happier and better about themselves.
Yours in Health, Maria.......
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