My Path to Culinary Creation
I’m Amber, a Nurse Anesthetist with a passion for sharing my love of food with those around me. The journey that has brought me to the creation of this recipe blog has had several different components as you will see.
I have always had a knack for putting an elegant touch on the things, but as I pursued my career and life became busier, it became harder to find time for the hobbies that once provided me with a creative outlet. I longed for that centered, focused level of concentration that only occurs when you are lost in the midst of bringing a mental concept to life. I began to believe that losing touch with my creativity was just a reality of maturing that I would have to accept. So, how did my creativity find its way out through food?
Growing up, a home cooked meal rarely meant that it included minimally processed or fresh ingredients. The freshest “vegetable” I saw on a plate was a baked potato or corn on the cob. Therefore, when I began working at a small café that made most components of their dishes in house, I was mesmerized at how easy it was to create meals from scratch. Quickly realizing that vegetables tasted so much better when they were not petrified in a can, I started to question why I had relied on so many overly processed items when cooking. As my interest in a healthier diet grew, I developed an appreciation for fresh ingredients and began incorporating many of the techniques I observed at work into the meals that I made at home. Over time, food preparation and sharing my creations became a type of love language for me.
In the meantime, as a nurse, I witnessed first-hand what the long-term effects of an unhealthy diet can have on the body. I also quickly realized that what I ate throughout the day directly affected the way that I felt and the amount of energy I had to endure long shifts. Therefore, the importance of meal prepping for the week became somewhat of an obsession. Oddly, the mundane task of meal preparation ignited my suppressed creativity as I searched for ways to make healthy, energizing meals that tasted like the dishes I enjoy at my favorite restaurants or have had while traveling.
I generally prepare plant-based meals to fuel me for the long shifts that I work, but you will find a wide variety of dishes and cultural influences throughout my recipes. Living in the melting pot of the metro-Detroit area for most of my life has inspired many of the recipes featured here. As I continue to build this recipe blog, I am excited to keep introducing unique spices and flavors inspired by exploring different cultures through cuisine.
Although many of the recipes you will find here are vegetarian or vegan, I still have a love for everything food related. Therefore, I have included many of my go-to recipes that contain meat or fish as a source of protein. You will also find some more decadent recipes featured in “The Dark Side” section, the term my mom and I always use to describe more indulgent dishes that we splurge on occasionally. Although most of my recipes are designed to be made as a meal in the evening with enough leftovers for easy lunches throughout the week, they can be enjoyed any way that fits your lifestyle or shared with others.
I’m excited to share my passion for creating clean, energizing meals and hope that my recipes inspire others to use their kitchen as a creative outlet.
