My Cookbook and Ministry

When I first started writing a cookbook, I was just going to do an organic cookbook. Over time, this project has developed into part of my ministry. I've become very passionate about several things; health, organics, gmo's, fair trade, and God. When I was talking about my ministry with my mentor, who is awesome by the way, I was explaining what was on my heart. I want to reach out to others and teach them about eating to support the body that God gave them, which will strengthen their bodies so that they can have the best possible impact on the kingdom. We can take care of the bodies that God gave us in such a way that brings Him glory and enables us to take the gospel to the lost and hurting in the world.


 I posed this question to my mentor, “How do I start a ministry like that?” She replied, “You are already doing something about it, just keep doing what you are doing and God will open the doors for you when the time is right.” The more I thought about what she said, the more I began to understand what that meant for me. That got me thinking about my cookbook and then inspiration hit! I was going to use my cookbook as my platform for reaching others! I started to rethink the format from being “just” a cookbook, to a book that can inspire others to live a life dedicated to God. Most Christian books focus on the spirit and on certain behaviors or sins. There aren't many books that focus on health and wellness from a God perspective; that the way we take care of our bodies is a testimony, good or bad, to others about how we feel about ourselves and God.


 I desire to teach others not just how to love God, but to love themselves and to see themselves as God sees them - perfect creations worthy of love. It is my opinion that people use food as medication, eating emotionally, and thinking that they aren't worth the trouble to take the time to be careful about food choices. It's so easy to focus on others and neglect ourselves. When we don't love ourselves or see ourselves through God's eyes, we are diminishing the capacity for the effectiveness of our ministry. I had to learn how to love me and how to see me the way God does. That perspective really changed me and my outlook on life and how I see others as well. See, eating healthy doesn't have to be motivated by vanity, eating healthy should be motivated by love for self, others and for God. It's okay to love yourself, vanity comes when you exalt yourself above everyone else. 


 We were all created to be unique. Instead of focusing on our imperfections as negative, we should rejoice in our differences and love the fact that we are different. Each of us has something to offer the kingdom of God, God made us different so we can bring our uniqueness to the table and make the body of Christ whole. If we were all bringing something to a potluck dinner and everyone brought dessert, what would we eat for dinner? If everyone's strength was evangelism, who would be there to pastor, to teach, to lead, to serve, to minister, etc. We each have a role in the church, we each have a gifting, and we have strengths and weaknesses that are used for God's glory not our own.

I am writing an organic cookbook with a focus on God and I want to teach others about issues that surround food; slavery, genetically modified organisms, and society's impact on women. 

My Dream Job: Dreams Realized

This is a picture of a cookie label that I made for my first event, it was a human trafficking awareness event and on this particular night I was announcing my plans to open an organic fair trade bakery. I've always loved baking and cooking but this was the first time that I stepped out, in public, and it made it so real! I didn't have a location, money, or equipment when I did this, all I had was a dream and a passion and I wanted to make a go for it, even if I didn't succeed at least I was going to try.

What is one thing that you have always wanted to do but still have not done? What is holding you back? It is fear, finances, a day job, kids, family responsibilities?

I used to be afraid of everything! I wouldn't talk to people that I didn't know. I wouldn't share my wild and crazy dreams with anyone, not even God - but you know what? Life is too short to hold back! I've come to a point in my life that I've realized I'm not getting any younger. The older I get the more I see my potential and I don't want to squander the gifts God has given me, even if it means putting myself, my dreams, and my heart out there for the world to see. I figured if I just start by telling others what was on my heart, then maybe just maybe my dreams would be realized. I am writing a cookbook with a unique format. I've been working on the proposal and getting ready to submit my work to an agency by the end of the week. I want to open a bakery, I'm going to start out renting a commercial kitchen and build my business by catering and setting up vendor tables at events and farmers markets. I've found that I love to blog and take pictures of food, so this is my avenue for getting my dreams out in the open.

Whatever it is that you've dreamed about, it's not to late to start doing something. Start by talking about your dreams and the ideas will follow.

I've got a long way to go before I open the doors of my bakery but until the meantime I am going to keeping moving forward, jumping hurdles, dodging bullets, and praying my butt off!

My Kids Love Chicken Nuggets!

I make these about once a week or once every other week.  I use organic chicken and soy-free bread crumbs from Whole Foods.  We use different kinds of dipping sauces and they taste so good!  These are so much better than McDonald's chicken nuggets.  These come from happy chickens without hormones or antibiotics.  I've been working hard this week writing the proposal for my cookbook.  I never realized that so much goes into getting published and the process is really exciting to me.  I'll be querying agents starting next week, so wish me luck or pray for me!