Please hear me on this one…I beg you to not be afraid of experimenting. Yes, throw foods together. My thought process is, if I like them individually, chances are I will like them together. Now that, when the flavor comes out ‘short’, often there is a way to ‘repair’ it. Being and expecting perfection in the kitchen often leads to not cooking and/or disappointment. Instead, approach the process with curiosity! I used to cook NOTHING, NADA, ZERO. I did put things together like cheese and deli meats on the tortilla. Shredded chicken, added cheese on top and that was my lunch. Drunk the premade juices. Ate all sorts of processed sweets and pastries, added the sugary creamers to my coffee, ate all sorts of fat-free foods, and the list goes on. I also was a master of eating cheese–made my own party sitting in front of the TV with a block of gouda and extra cheddar cheese and a nife. Noticed I did not mention vegetables. A positive, I enjoyed tropical fruits.

Why I am sharing this story? 

It’s because I want to explore. You DO NOT HAVE to be a CHEF. When I was 36 years old, after my ‘come to Jesus self-talk’, I committed to studying me. I committed to disease prevention, the reversal of my prediabetes and chronic digestive issues, and get control of my eating disorder through the building and sustaining a healthy lifestyle. I made compromises, especially when it came to time and activities. I learned the taste of spices. I acquired and renewed my palate. I introduced loads of new foods to my plate. I learned to cook–initially, I followed recipes to the dot.  It was a journey that I learned to appreciate over time. Today, it is easier, faster, and yummy (most of the time). When I mess things up, I mix other foods to it, blend it and done! Something new was just created 🙂 I encourage you to be curious, think of FUELING your,mind and body with nutrient-dense foods. –Maria