Before having my kids Nicholas and Katie, I loved to cook, eat, and entertain gourmet style. Having a baby certainly changed things. Time and money are now luxuries that need to be balanced with the needs of my new family. But I still crave good cuisine and sharing it with friends and family.

I also want to teach my son and daughter about the joy of food. I want to raise them to be open-minded to try new things and thoughtful about where their food comes from. And as they grow up, I want them to be self-sufficient and know how to cook and prepare food for himself and their families one day.

I find myself preparing meals with more humble ingredients, but still making it a special treat. I cook with my kids, and prepare their meals with those same ingredients.