Exploring the Kitchen

It is a new year, which means taking a look over the year that just ended and the new year that lays ahead.  Upon reflection, I realised I really want to explore what I am truly passionate about now. This realisation came to me last Thursday after a night out with the girls eating pizza and talking about life.  One friend has become totally aware of what she loves, her last trip was based on it - and much of her free time is focused on the subject. It was so much fun to listen to her talk about her trip, the excitement and passion just bubbled over.  Later that night I got to thinking about the last time I was that excited and on fire about something.

It seems like it has been awhile, though I am sure it hasn't been as long as I think it has. There have been moments throughout 2014 where I felt excited and passionate about life, about what I was doing; however, it just seems that life has become routine and focused on the "have to do's."

So here I am, on an adventure to reignite my passion - find support and go for something bigger than a nightly routine of searching the Internet.

Tonight, was an exploration in the kitchen - making a meal, getting back to cooking and enjoying what I make.  The meal was simple, a spinach salad with homemade dressing, a veggie burger and potatoes.

Although it was a rather simple meal - it was tasty!

For January, I am focusing on Meatless Mondays (hence the vegetarian meal tonight).  This is partly to see if I feel better, but mainly to try and get out of the food rut I have been in for the last month or so. For me this journey is about searching for something that works and finding the spark that used to ignite when I walked into a kitchen.

I sat down at the table and enjoyed my food. I tried my best to ignore the Internet, though I did put on a short video to watch.  Even though I had something playing in the background, I took my time to really enjoy each bite and completely indulge in fulfilling my burger craving.

I find with being single, cooking and eating alone can be difficult. However, I really like food - delicious food in particular.

I finished the evening off by making a chia pumpkin pudding off of Kris Carr's website. This will be my morning snack for tomorrow.  I tried a bite (or two or three) tonight and it is really good. Sometimes, I have to remind myself that it is not about making a complicated dish or a gourmet meal - it is about making delicious food that I enjoy.

I feel just a little bit more energized and uplifted tonight; and that is what this adventure of discovery is all about.  As I look through recipes, I know the graceful (and not so graceful) exploration to find my spark has once again begun.