the joy of the kitchen.

If there's one thing I love doing no matter what mood I'm in or have been in, it's cooking! The repetitive chopping motion, the patient wait for the water to boil, the smells and sights, the crackles and sizzles. They relax me, calm me, and I find such joy in them.

I love trying new recipes. I will be the first to say I'm a fan of pinterest, but I rarely find a recipe I follow to a T. I'm rather meticulous about my boards and have probably 8 or more food boards. Yet they're filled with recipes that serve more as inspiration than anything. Since I'm just coming out of college, I'm still working hard to build my pantry of spices and other staples that I can actually afford to replenish regularly and therefore, I feel like I'm getting more and more adventurous with cooking, as well as perfecting my tastebuds and my own pallet. I feel more confident and better equipped to handle a kitchen and being able to cook a meal for not just myself, but others.

Cooking for others is part of the joy of cooking. I'm lucky to have a roommate and her fiance that always are available to try my recipes. Meal sharing is such an important fellowship tool for me. It's something I put so much value in. I love cooking for people and baking for people. I'm all over potlucks! I love the joy my cooking brings to others and the joy that happens over a meal shared with friends and family. It may be selfish of my to enjoy it so much but if my joy brings joy to others, who's to say it's so selfish?

Studies have said that sharing a meal with others, rather than alone, actually leads to being healthier and happier! Family's rarely share meals together anymore and "dinner time" is almost a lost concept. The family's that do, however, are better connected, better with communication, and overall happier as a family unit.

Look at the intimacy Jesus and his disciples shared over the last supper. It wasn't just a final time to share a meal together, it was a time for fellowship, connection, and shared wisdom. It was at this table Jesus first said he would be betrayed and denied. It was the last time Jesus was able to truly connect and share with his disciples. Jesus found great joy and art in meal sharing, so I think it's a pretty good path to follow.