When I take the first bite of my favorite meal, something magical happens.
The world narrows and I’m completely present, savoring the flavors with every sense.
Feeling the warmth, relishing the texture, and savoring the taste as if it’s a moment I could stretch forever.
Food isn’t just fuel for the body. It’s an experience, an act of love, and a celebration of hard work.
Every bite carries with it the joy of creation and the satisfaction of something well-earned.
It’s in these simple moments, when we pause and taste, that food becomes more than just nourishment. It becomes fulfillment.
Food holds a sacred place in my heart.
And it’s not just about following a recipe. It’s about understanding the connection between what we cook, what we eat, and how we feel.
That’s why everyone should learn to cook: food is an art, a labor of love, and it brings awareness of ourselves and brings us closer to those we love.
Feeding Your Soul
Some of my fondest childhood memories revolve around food and my family preparing dishes for me.
As a kid, I remember sweet memories of my Lola (my grandmother) cooking my favorite meals. For breakfast, sometimes she would boil hot dogs and serve them with rice and ketchup.
That probably sounds like a wild combination, but I grew up in a Filipino household—don’t knock it until you try it!
A lot of my memories are tied to strong emotions and flavors.
When it comes to food, I love replaying movie scenes of my past life, specifically the first time I tasted certain dishes.
I still remember the moment I realized how much I loved hotdogs, savoring the salty flavor of the meat paired with the tanginess of the ketchup. And the white, fluffy rice that brought everything together, filling my belly with warmth.
Another moment was with my childhood friend—we’d always enjoy those breakfast sausages when I got dropped off in the summer. I can’t recall the brand, but we were absolutely hooked.
Each time I got dropped off to my friend’s house I’d always feel excited and wait in anticipation of eating those sausages with rice and ketchup! As you can see, rice and ketchup is a common theme here.
This kind of food is pretty basic and nothing special. But to me they’re special.
I didn’t know it at the time, but this was where my appreciation of food came from. Any time someone cooked me food I always felt loved and taken care of.
And I’ll never forget my first time trying sushi.
My dad and I went to ShopRite and he bought this grocery-prepared tuna nigiri. I was amazed at the color of tuna and how pink and red the meat was.
I dipped the top part with soy sauce mixed with wasabi and when I took that bite, it felt like fireworks exploded.
As I’ve grown, food has become something I cherish deeply. Like a treasure that has the power to brighten anyone’s day.
There’s an enchanting quality in food, a contagious energy that can shift the mood of a room with just one bite.
Nourishing my soul through food is a source of true happiness for me and I’m grateful to experience that joy every day.
But it’s more than just about me, it’s about sharing that joy with the people I care about.
That’s why I love cooking.
I want the closest people in my life to feel the same warmth, love, and passion that I do when I sit down to a meal.
When they take a bite, I want them to experience a piece of my heart, wrapped in the flavors of my childhood.
Showing Love to Your Circle
Whether you’re single, in a relationship, living with roommates, or anywhere in between, food is a universal love language.
We all have people in our lives we care about deeply—and one of the most powerful ways to show that love is through cooking.
It’s about more than just filling someone’s stomach; it’s the message you’re sending, the tone you’re setting. It’s you saying, “I love you and I want you to feel nourished, to be your best self.”
When you cook for someone, you’re offering more than a meal. You’re offering a piece of yourself.
I’ve seen it firsthand—learning how to cook has transformed my relationships. It’s a way for me to express love to my fiancé, my family, and those closest to me.
And there’s a satisfaction unlike any other when they ask for seconds or when they ask me to recreate a dish again. Their smiles, the way they savor each bite—that brings me pure joy.
I want the people I care about to know that every meal they share with me will be made with love and the best ingredients, every time.
I promise that when you cook for the people in your circle, you’ll see your relationships transform in positive ways you never imagined.
Health Benefits
As much as I love eating out and exploring new restaurants, I know that cooking meals at home with fresh groceries is usually the healthier choice.
I’m a huge foodie and I absolutely enjoy experiencing the craft and artistry of restaurants. On other days, I find comfort in a simple, satisfying burger from places like Shake Shack.
But what keeps me grounded throughout the week is the knowledge that the meals I’ve prepared myself are going to nourish me.
It’s all about balance. If I want to treat myself to dining out on a Thursday or Friday night—or splurge a bit over the weekend—I know I need to fuel my body with healthy meals during the week.
That’s why I believe in the power of buying groceries and cooking at home. It’s about knowing exactly what’s going into your food and making healthier choices.
The greatest advantage of cooking for yourself is that you’re in control. You know the ingredients you’re using. And hopefully, you’re packing each meal with fruits and vegetables.
Vegetables and fruits are like your insurance policy for life. They’re the key to getting the essential nutrients your body needs to thrive. If you make produce a part of every meal, you can trust that you’re fueling your body the right way.
And the best part? Your life will be richer because of all the home-cooked meals that bring you both health and satisfaction.
Take Control of Your Budget and Save Money
One of the best things about cooking at home is the money you save.
Of course, this depends on what you buy and how you shop, but I’ve found a system that works for me.
I allow myself one savory treat and one sweet indulgence each week. For savory, I’ll pick up a bag of chips to last the week—because it’s one of my favorite snacks! For something sweet, I love grabbing a baked good, whether it’s cookies, muffins, or another pastry.
But the real game-changer for me has been finding the right grocery store to make it all work financially. After trying several chains, I’ve found that Trader Joe’s are consistently the most affordable.
I’ve shopped at groceries like ACME, Wegmans, Whole Foods—you name it—but Trader Joe’s has consistently given me the best value.
While rising inflation has driven up grocery prices everywhere, including Trader Joe’s, Trader Joe’s still manages to offer a great deal compared to other stores.
Sure, the trade-off is that they only carry their own Trader Joe’s-branded products. But to me, that’s a small sacrifice for keeping my grocery budget in check while sticking to my personal finance goals.
Also, if I feel like not going out I’ll buy some of their frozen meals which I find pretty delicious as far as frozen food goes. I’m looking at you—orange chicken:
Favorite Winter Recipes
If you’ve made it this far, you are probably drooling and wanting to eat something.
Here are some of my favorite recipes to give you some warmth in this cold weather:
What’s great about these recipes is that they’re flexible and pretty forgiving if you make mistakes. You can add or substitute a lot of the vegetable ingredients with other produce of your choosing.
One rule that I recommend you follow is: less is more.
If the recipe says to douse with a bunch of fish sauce, you should probably try a tiny teaspoon of it in the broth before you add more.
Also, taste your dish as you go. Add salt in layers (i.e., season meat and vegetables separately) and avoid adding too much salt.
Conclusion
If there’s one thing to take away from this blog, it’s to reconnect with your inner child through food.
Every adult has an inner child—one that holds memories of growing up with meals that brought comfort and happiness. Nurturing that inner child can bring a sense of fulfillment and self-care.
When you take the time to care for yourself, you create the space to truly love yourself. And with that love, you’re able to share it with those around you.
Your relationships will deepen and flourish when you share the joy of cooking. Serving someone a meal that carries a piece of your childhood can bring people closer and create meaningful connections.
The love and effort you put into your food won’t go unnoticed. It will shine through, sparking wonderful conversations at the table.
When they ask you how you did it, you’ll be able to share the joy of knowing every detail was made with love and care.
What are your favorite meals to eat? Share your recipes in the comments below!