The Big Reveal: My Aspiring Grain-Free Cookbook Journey and Your Invitation

“Decide that you want it more than you’re afraid of it.”

– Bill Cosby

As the vibrant days of June draw to a close, marking the halfway point of 2014, it feels incredibly fitting to pause and reflect on the journey so far. This mid-year milestone often serves as a natural prompt for introspection, a moment to assess how far we’ve come and where we’re headed. It’s a time when many of us revisit our intentions, celebrate small victories, and perhaps, bravely confront those resolutions that remain steadfastly on our to-do lists, year after year. For me, this particular June brings a revelation that has been brewing for quite some time, a dream so significant it now demands to be shared.

Can I tell you a secret? A deeply personal one that has been a silent companion throughout my life?

Every single year, without fail, when I dedicate time to penning down my new year’s resolutions – whether it’s in the quiet pages of my trusty notebook or meticulously typed into a digital document – there’s one particular aspiration that consistently secures its spot at the top. Yet, despite its persistent presence, it’s the one dream that has, until now, remained largely unfulfilled. It’s a resolution that embodies a core part of who I am, a yearning that has shaped my perspective and passion for decades. This year, however, something feels different; the time has come to actively pursue it, rather than merely list it.

If you’ve been a loyal reader of this little corner of the internet for any length of time, you might already be well aware of my lifelong ambition: to become a writer. It’s not just a casual interest; it’s an intrinsic part of my being, a calling that resonates deep within my soul. I’ve known this truth ever since I was a spirited ten-year-old, crafting elaborate, make-believe novels filled with adventurous tales and, admittedly, a consistent cast of blond-haired, blue-eyed main characters. Those early stories, scribbled on loose-leaf paper, were my first taste of creating worlds with words, and the joy they brought me was unparalleled. This dream of writing, I’ve always felt, is something so inherently mine that no one, no circumstance, could ever truly diminish or take away from me. It’s my personal anthem, much like Katy Perry’s “Part of Me,” a testament to an unshakeable connection that offers an open window to my innermost thoughts and feelings.

The only significant challenge I’ve faced throughout this enduring journey is that while I’ve always known writing is deeply entwined with my destiny, and that one day I desperately want to publish a book, I’ve never had a crystal-clear vision of *what kind* of book that would be. Would it be fiction, delving into the realms of fantasy I explored as a child? Perhaps a memoir, reflecting on life’s experiences? The possibilities always seemed endless, yet nebulous, leaving me without a definitive path. However, in recent months, a powerful and rather unexpected idea has taken root in my mind: the concept of writing a cookbook. It has firmly planted itself, refusing to budge, and has begun to blossom into a compelling vision. To be entirely candid, I never, ever anticipated that my inaugural published work would be a book centered around food, much less a dedicated cookbook. The thought still takes some getting used to, but the more I allow it to marinate, the more perfectly logical and utterly right it feels.

I mean, when you truly think about it, food is such an undeniably immense part of my everyday life, my identity, and my passion. My days are often spent joyfully crafting posts and articles about culinary delights for this very blog. Weekends are frequently dedicated to the exciting process of testing and experimenting with new recipes, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary. Beyond the creation and consumption, my deepest joy comes from the act of sharing delicious food with cherished company, creating memories around the table. So, it seems almost inevitable, a natural convergence of forces, that my two profound loves – writing and food – would eventually clash head-on at some pivotal moment in my life. And in that beautiful collision, amidst the aromas of a bustling kitchen and the quiet hum of creative thought, the compelling idea of writing a cookbook was emphatically born. It’s a testament to how our passions can intertwine, creating entirely new avenues for expression and purpose.

This evolving dream recently received an invigorating boost during a wonderful dinner with my dear friends, Reuben and Joyce, who were in town last week. Given how much I trust their judgment and value their honest opinions, I broached the cookbook idea with them once more – a concept we had briefly discussed back in March, when the first faint seeds were initially sown. Their reaction was nothing short of incredible; both of them were so genuinely excited and supportive, practically urging me to dive headfirst into the project. However, with characteristic wisdom, they also suggested a crucial first step: to thoroughly test the feasibility of this grand idea. Their encouragement, coupled with their practical advice, has truly empowered me to take this significant leap.

So, here I am, standing before you, metaphorically speaking, and posing the question directly to you, my cherished readers – what do you think?

I feel as though I’m laying my heart bare, exposing a deeply personal aspiration for the world to see, and it’s undeniably a pretty daunting and scary thing to do. Yet, the profound wisdom of the quote at the beginning of this post echoes powerfully in my mind: I must decide that I want this dream more than I’m afraid of it. And isn’t it true that if your dreams don’t possess a certain magnitude of fear, if they don’t push you beyond your comfort zone, then perhaps they aren’t quite big enough to truly transform you? This is precisely what this cookbook journey represents for me – a dream so expansive, it both exhilarates and frightens me in equal measure.

And so, this is my huge dream, one that sometimes sends shivers down my spine with its sheer ambition.

The very notion of openly declaring it, of putting it out on this blog for every single one of you to read, is quite frankly, overwhelming. But I am plunging ahead, with the same determined spirit I summoned when I went cliff-diving in Boracay, the Philippines, a thrilling act of faith and courage. And I’m approaching this endeavor with the same head-first, intrepid mindset I embraced four years ago when I made the life-altering decision to relocate to Buenos Aires. This is a leap of faith, a step into the unknown, and I’m ready to embrace it. As I mentioned, this idea is still very much in its nascent stages, a tender seedling awaiting nurturing. But because you, my incredible readers, mean the world to me and are an integral part of this blog’s community, I wanted to share this intimate aspiration with you first. I am genuinely eager to hear your opinions, your valuable suggestions, and absolutely anything constructive that could help me transform this exciting dream into a tangible, delicious reality. Your insights could be the very fuel that propels this project forward.

So, tell me honestly: Would you be interested in a grain-free cookbook crafted with passion and dedication? Would you be willing to support me in taking a lifelong wish and making it undeniably come true?

I am so incredibly excited that I can hardly keep still; I’m literally bouncing in my chair as I type these words onto the screen! The sheer joy and anticipation are almost too much to contain, much like Tigger exuberantly bobbing up and down. Oh my goodness, it’s such an immense relief to be able to finally let this all out, to share this deeply personal journey with you. It feels like a weight has been lifted, replaced by a surge of creative energy and renewed purpose. This isn’t just about cooking; it’s about storytelling through food, creating recipes that nourish both body and soul, and building a community around healthy, delicious living. My vision for this grain-free cookbook is not just a collection of recipes, but a guide to vibrant eating, filled with wholesome ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, all born from my own culinary explorations and experiences.

Dear friend, please, please, please, if you’re out there reading this, I implore you to take just one minute of your precious time and share your thoughts with me.

I am not just asking, but quite literally begging for your support, your ideas, and your honest feedback. If you feel that this blog, my recipes, or my stories have made even a small difference in your life, I deeply urge you to contribute your voice to this pivotal moment. Your encouragement, your constructive criticism, and even your simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ will be invaluable as I navigate this exciting, yet daunting, path. Help me shape this dream, not just for myself, but for a community that values wholesome, delicious food.

Thank you all so, so much, from the deepest corners of my heart, for being a part of this journey and for considering this big step with me.

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Nourishing Body and Soul: Slow-Cooked Beef Ragu with Creamy Polenta, Inspired by the Power of Words

It’s one of those characteristic rainy spells in Buenos Aires once again – the kind of day that begins with the sky shrouded in heavy, ominous clouds, promising to linger indefinitely. The weather forecast paints a picture of persistent grey, forecasting a week dominated by heavy showers, interspersed only by fleeting drizzles. As these melancholic, moisture-laden days often do, the weather invariably steers my thoughts towards broader reflections on life itself.

This morning, as I slowly rubbed the sleep from my tired eyes, an email landed in my inbox. It was a message about the importance of being a person who consistently follows through on their commitments and words. Within minutes of reading it, I found myself enveloped in a state of pensive contemplation, reflecting deeply on the aspects of myself and my life that I wish to change and improve. This introspective mood stayed with me as I began my workday.

During a much-needed lunch break, I found solace in sifting through some of my favorite blogs. It was then that a profound realization struck me: the bloggers and writers whose work consistently captivates me are often those who possess a grander vision—an image of a life that transcends their individual selves, aiming for a larger, more impactful purpose.

Finding Inspiration in the Midst of Grey Skies

Nicole Gulotta, the creative force behind Eat This Poem, stands as a significant source of inspiration for me. Her dedication and vision are truly remarkable. Nicole founded The Giving Table, a commendable not-for-profit organization that strategically supports various campaigns and fundraising initiatives for carefully selected causes. This year, her focus is squarely on The Lunchbox Fund, an organization I had the privilege of mentioning in an earlier post dedicated to raising awareness about global hunger.

It is profoundly humbling to witness the efforts of a single fellow blogger who can channel the collective power of numerous individual bloggers, focusing that immense energy on raising awareness about the pervasive poverty in South Africa. This is a harsh reality that most of us can scarcely begin to comprehend, yet it is the daily truth for countless children living there. It’s equally breathtaking to grasp that, by actively participating in this movement to combat hunger and spread the word, a significant number of children will directly benefit from the generous donations galvanized by Nicole’s noble cause. Her work exemplifies how individual passion can spark widespread positive change.

Once again, and certainly not for the first time in my life, I find myself utterly astounded by the sheer, unadulterated power of the written word. When wielded thoughtfully and intentionally for the greater good, the written word possesses an incredible ability to manifest tangible improvements in the lives of people whom we may never even have the chance to meet. I am in absolute awe of how a simple story, when told with genuine sincerity and unwavering truth, can deeply touch the hearts of so many. This powerful connection allows it to spread rapidly through the masses, propelled by humanity’s intrinsic desire to cling to hope, faith, and love.

Talking Writing articulates this sentiment perfectly in the following insightful quote:

“Great writing makes us want to sing or shout or argue.”

This quote resonates deeply with my aspirations. I yearn to create writing that doesn’t just inform but profoundly evokes a spectrum of powerful feelings in its readers. Feelings strong enough to compel them to initiate meaningful changes in their lifestyles, to shift their perspectives, or to challenge their existing mindsets. My aim is to leave an indelible mark, to create a noticeable dent in the world, and most importantly, to leave people deep in thought, long after they have finished reading my message. The goal is not just consumption of content, but genuine reflection and potential transformation.

A Culinary Companion for Contemplation: Beef Ragu with Creamy Polenta

I believe that having such a clear intention is an excellent starting point for any endeavor. And for this particular moment of clarity and introspection, I have today’s rainy weather to thank. A pensive mind and these melancholic, rainy days often go hand-in-hand with the comforting warmth of hot, slow-cooked stews. It seems perfectly fitting, then, that this rich beef ragu served over creamy polenta makes for ideal company as I navigate my thoughts and reflect on these inspirations.

The Meditative Art of Slow-Cooking Beef Ragu

This beef ragu is not merely a dish; it’s a culinary experience that is exceptionally rewarding to cook when you find yourself deep in thought or in a contemplative mood. It’s designed to be a low-maintenance meal, demanding very little active attention beyond the initial twenty minutes spent sautéing the aromatic vegetables and carefully browning the beef cubes. This initial stage is crucial for building a foundational layer of flavor, caramelizing the meat and softening the mirepoix to release their sweet and savory essences.

Once the balsamic vinegar and robust red wine have been added to the pan, allowed to deglaze and simmer briefly to concentrate their complex flavors, and then combined with the rich beef stock, the hard work is essentially done. All that remains is to transfer this promising mixture to an oven-safe dish. From there, the oven takes over, working its magic slowly but surely. In fact, the true beauty of this beef ragu lies in its extended cooking time; the longer you allow it to simmer gently in the oven, the more incredibly melt-in-your-mouth tender the beef becomes, and the more profound its flavors deepen and meld together.

This extended, hands-off cooking period offers a wonderful opportunity. You are free to sit down comfortably in your living room and journal your thoughts, perhaps to further explore the themes of inspiration and impact that rainy days often bring. Or, you might choose to take a refreshing stroll in a nearby park, allowing the fresh air to clear your head and help you think through your reflections. Do whatever you need to fully engage with your thoughts without the constant distraction of cooking. When you eventually return, what awaits you is truly a masterpiece: incredibly tender beef, painstakingly cooked over low heat for a long, long time, brimming with the concentrated, savory tastes of the vegetables it has been stewing with – imagine perfectly soft and intensely flavorful carrots, sweet onions, pungent garlic, and earthy celery, all contributing to an unforgettable depth of flavor and aroma.

The Perfect Pairing: Creamy, Buttery Polenta

To complete this soul-satisfying meal, heap the tender, flavorful beef ragu generously over a substantial portion of polenta. This isn’t just any side dish; it’s a luxuriously creamy, wonderfully buttery, and utterly out-of-this-world delicious accompaniment. If you’ve never had the pleasure of trying polenta before, think of it as a sophisticated version of cornmeal that has been meticulously boiled into a smooth, comforting porridge. Its taste shares some similarities with mashed potatoes, offering that same satisfying starchiness, but with a significantly more nuanced flavor profile and a delightful, slightly coarser texture. The richness of the polenta perfectly balances the savory intensity of the beef ragu, creating a harmonious and incredibly comforting dining experience.

And there you have it. A truly tasty, piping hot meal designed to warm you from the inside out on even the coldest, rainiest day. This is a meal that cannot be rushed; it is crafted not with haste, but with the well-deserved patience that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary delight.

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