Happy New Year! I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to this coming year. Like many of you, I have a bucket list that I keep revising each year, but one wish has always remained and has finally come to be. I have always wanted to use my cooking skills in some capacity. I would dream about opening a unique restaurant or Bed and Breakfast. These dreams were always dashed as I was continually told that both would require a lot of time and hard work.
Then, through a long process of medical incidents, a door opened. Looking back is like Randy Travis wrote, “Hindsight is 20/20, and I’m nearly going blind.” All my ailments, depression, weight gain, dry skin, and sleeping hours were due to hypothyroidism. Through this experience, I was challenged to change the way I cook and eat. I embraced what my doctor had been trying to tell me for a year, “Stop eating gluten, dairy, and soy.” I did, and I have not looked back; it’s been eleven months.
I have embraced this lifestyle with the passion for cooking I have always had. I found that cooking gluten, dairy, and soy-free is a creative opportunity, plus, the health benefits are amazing! I have lost 15 pounds, sleep 6 to 8 hours a day, have lowered my cholesterol from 320 to 187, and my thyroid Meds from 175 mg to 50mg––and I feel alive!
When my massage therapist, whose living a similar lifestyle, asked about doing a cooking class for her patients, the door just seemed to open for me. BAMB! it clicked. That was the ticket. Within one month, I was living my dream. Thanks to my massage therapist, I conducted my first cooking class in her family’s local restaurant, the Wallonenhof.
With my husband, son, and daughter’s help, I had a website, flyer, logo, and aprons––the works. Here I am today with one of my long time desires checked off my list.
In the coming weeks, I will be working with my physician planning a cooking class for her German patients next month in our local soccer stadium. Then, in the next few months, providing another cooking class in the Wallonenhof.
Stay inspired, don’t give up on your dreams, and remember: Create each day, try cooking!
Happy New Year!
-The CooK’n Coach
I'm Melinda Stevens and living the life of a beach bum was inevitable since my father was a lifeguard for the city of Los Angeles. My memories of growing up on John Street in Manhattan Beach, California were filled with joy, excitement and adventures; until my world, as I knew it, fell apart when we moved to Del Mar, California. My father was offered the position as Captain of the lifeguards and we started the slow migration to the small deserted stretch of beach in 1963. At twelve years old, this seemed like the end of my life. Remember, I’m writing with clear hindsight now, ok somewhat clearer… Little did I know this would be the beginning of a new journey and give a bit more clarity to many of the events that led me to this new cooking adventure.
Awesome, Melinda!! I’m so amazed at your accomplishments and your exuberance!
It’s contagious!
Thanks Terri ! It’s great to have such supportive friends.
I’m so happy for you! I’ll be looking forward to new recipes and blogs. Love you bunches, dear friend!
So great to hear from you. Thanks for the encouraging words. Hope your New Year is bright and full of joy, love and happiness.
Thank you for sharing the way that your healing crisis led to your quest and into your Dharma!
Very inspiring, Melinda! Thanks for being a Way Show er!
You’ve been agreed cheerleader for me. So glad to see so many people reading this. I am learning a lot from each personal note and conversations on how to improve the site so it meets the needs of the readers.
Happy New Year!
Thanks Jarrod! Best wishes to you.
Love this!!!! I am so happy for you! You are an amazing human being and I wish you nothing but the BEST!!! Love and miss you 🙂
Thanks Kim for the support. It is amazing to see many folks in Germany getting on the healthy side and beginning to embrace this life style. It is fun to be a part of that. Miss you too and thanks again for the support.