Rachel- I am Grateful

For Christmas, I gave my mother a vegan all raw cookbook called I am Grateful.
We've loved reading and learning from this book, and trying out some delicious and healthy recipes, especially the kale salad, this is the book's photo of it!

I realized as I came out of the dining hall with my take out box full of raw veggies to prepare in my dorm room kitchen tonight that people just don't seem to appreciate food. This realization came to me as I passed hordes of hungry students with mountains of food on their plates and then I passed the depository belt where everyone discards their used plates and silver ware, only to see piles of uneaten food on similar plates.

I am Grateful takes the art of preparing food (and eating!) to a different level. The author talks about being grateful and appreciating everything that you eat, even if you would have prepared it differently or if the meal isn't perfect.

So, next time you're in the kitchen, appreciate what you're doing. Appreciate the vegetables and materials that you're using. Feel the knife in your hand as you chop your garlic. Appreciate that someone took the time to raise or grow what you are preparing and appreciate that energy and time that went into your material's production. Treat the material accordingly, with respect. Appreciate whatever you are eating, something that was prepared for you, probably filled with a lot of love. And next time you eat a fabulous meal, be sure to tell your chef that they're amazing.