What Do You Bring to the Table?
A Savory, Sensory and Inspirational Guide
to Living a Yummy Delicious Life
By: Linda Kissam
Two recipes included: MIKE’S MIGHTY MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD & Butternut Squash Ginger Carrot Instinct Soup
Great cookbooks show us how to create fine-looking dishes, but I am inclined to think that the very best ones share a bit more. They tell the stories of how those dishes came to be, and enrich the act of preparing those dishes. This is one of those books…and perhaps you should sit down for the explanation.
In Shelley Whizin’s newest cookbook What Do You Bring to the Table? the reader goes on a journey of mindful discovery bringing joyful energy to the whole food prep and serve dance. It’s sort of an education on the transformative power of food. Each recipe documents a particular moment, part of the author’s gradual process of helping the reader fall back in love with cooking and finding joy in the meaningful task of feeding oneself, family and friends.
According to Ms. Whizin her, “… book is a unique hybrid cookbook, using food as an analogy to what is brought to the table of life, inspiring a greater self-awareness as to what feeds the body, mind, and heart.”
So what if cooking was more than slinging pots, pans and forks three times a day? Just askin’ mind you.
Have you ever thought of meditating before each meal? The author provides a “Happy Mindful Meditation” for each chapter of the book. Yup, mediate first, cook second. When you go to the market do you “ask” which vegetables want to come with you to be in your soup? The author does and it all makes perfect sense when she explains how to get in touch with your own natural juices and senses to “feel” the dish you are making. Be sure to embrace the “Self-Reflection/Notes” section at the end of each chapter where you indicate how you enjoyed the preparation process, the result and reactions from family and friends.
Honestly, this a wonderfully quirky cookbook you should try and share with like-minded friends. With chapter titles such as: Preparation of Self, Getting into the Deep Dive, Change Your Thoughts, Change your Life and Living Your Legacy there’s a lot to swallow – so to speak. The recipes are excellent. Short’ish prep times, manageable ingredient lists, easy to follow directions and knock-out photos guide you to success.
About the Author
Shelley Whizin is the founder of The Soul Diving Institute in Sherman Oaks, California. Her programs and teachings focus on the art and science of BEing human through explorative processes called Soul-Diving™. She is also a philanthropist, teacher, speaker, and innovative creator of programs that enhance and elevate individuals to increasing their Joy Factor© in daily life and living. She guides, coaches and teaches individuals how to bring love, honor, and dignity into everything they do, including cooking.
You can watch Shelley in action preparing two recipes here
Enjoy taking the book for a taste test with these two yummy delicious recipes.
Recipe 1:
MIKE’S MIGHTY MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD
Recipe 2:
Butternut Squash Ginger Carrot Instinct Soup
Linda Kissam
Note: I only review cookbooks that I find have value for my readers. This article is not an endorsement, but a professional review. I was provided a free cookbook for review purposes. No fee was paid by the author or publisher for this review.
