From Garden to Plate: Learning to Love Food Again

I’ve been slowly rediscovering the kitchen, not just as a place to grab a quick bite, but as a creative outlet that actually helps me stay motivated to eat. As someone who has always been a very picky eater, I’ve realized part of the challenge isn’t just the food itself, but whether it feels appealing and intentional. By preparing meals and snacks with my own hands, I find myself far more likely to enjoy the final product. There’s a sense of accomplishment in sitting down to something I created from scratch, rather than forcing myself to eat something that doesn’t excite me.

Lately, the biggest motivator has been my garden. It’s been so generous this season, overflowing with grape tomatoes, cucumbers, basil, thyme, parsley, dill, and more. There’s something deeply rewarding about harvesting a handful of herbs or vegetables and watching them transform into the centerpiece of a meal. “Garden to table” has become more than just a phrase for me—it’s an entire mindset. Food grown at home tastes different. It carries a sense of patience, care, and grounding that makes even the simplest dishes feel special. I’ve caught myself slowing down, savoring flavors, and appreciating the fact that my meals are built around what I’ve nurtured in the soil.

As my cooking style evolves, I’ve leaned into a mostly pescatarian approach with the occasional bit of white meat, always preferring natural and unprocessed over overly packaged. But because food for me isn’t just about eating—it’s also about creativity—I’ve started collecting recipes and experimenting with ways to make the process playful. My latest project has been putting together a nostalgic, scrapbook-style cookbook where I can save these recipes in a way that reflects my personality. It’s part memory-keeper, part kitchen companion, and part creative canvas. What started as a way to get myself to eat more has turned into something much more: a practice that blends nourishment, creativity, and a deeper connection to the things I grow and the meals I make.