Cooking

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes and I started to panic. Before, I didn’t know how to cook, but now I’m teaching myself and I’m working with different ingredients to see what they taste like when they’re put together - it’s really fun! I’d rather cook now than order a meal.

I make it a point to do my own home cooking and I try to stay away from fast food restaurants because it doesn’t do my diabetes any good. It’s really healthy to cook because it’s full of vegetables and nutrients that I need to keep my A1C in check.

Early on, before the internet, cookbooks were real important to me and I loved going searching for them, finding one in a wide variety of places. You find out a lot about different cultures and what’s common in different areas.

I love cooking and having an organized kitchen makes it more enjoyable because I don't have to muddle through the drawer to look for something.

Back in Junior High, my Home Economics teacher emphasized very strongly the importance of measuring things accurately

This was my first time using an air fryer and it makes food taste so much better than an oven! I needed to modify my diet and not eat grease anymore because of gallbladder issues. It crisps up food nicely and I don’t need to add grease to it. I can’t live without my airfryer now!

Three of those spices I actually got from my garden last year. I dry them myself and then I just use the mortar and pestle to grind them when I want. Spices can do a lot to enhance food!

This is from a recipe I found online, it's a slow cooker chili.  I think it was a cold day and having anything warm really helps and it's just a kind of a more healthier meal.

I enjoy learning new skills, such as how to use a cast iron pan and how to take care of it. It’s fun becoming more seasoned in it and learning little things is interesting to me, like protein will adhere to the pan if you just throw it on there and heat it up.