Sunday, October 25, 2009

A little of this, a little of that—and voila!


It started as an off-handed comment. "I would love to write a food blog." Because, really, who doesn't love food?

And from there, the conversation took off. We talk about food all the time, anyway. Share recipes, ask what's for dinner, lament the things our kids won't try. So, we said to ourselves, sure—why not? Why not do it together, and to give something back.

That's the short story.

The longer version involves how we came together in the first place. All of us moms, each raising a child with special needs, finding each other and fostering friendships within a larger online support group of parents and caregivers, teachers and therapists. We are a modern mixed up virtual blended family.

My name is Kristen Spina. I am a writer at work on my first novel. And I love to cook. Being in the kitchen is my therapy (one day I'll have a kitchen large enough for a couch!). I read recipes for fun, but unless I am baking, I rarely follow directions. For me, cooking is intuitive. A long time ago someone told me, "Baking is chemistry. The formula matters. But cooking? Cooking is art."

I couldn't agree more.

When the four of us started talking about our ideas and what we hope to accomplish with this blog, it was clear that our individual talents and interests were an ideal foundation for what we want to achieve.

Two of us earn our living as writers. All four of us are moms to children with autism. We have three girls and three boys between us, all school age. Ironically, our most adventurous eater is a five-year-old former micro-preemie who only recently "convinced" his parents and his doctors that he was done with his feeding tube—by repeatedly yanking it out! He wanted them to know he was more than ready for a seat at the grown-up table (and wait until you see the incredible meals his mom prepares for him).

Every blog is a work in progress. This one is no exception. We'll open the doors to our kitchens wide and share our favorite recipes. We'll talk food and wine and technique (and kids), and there will probably be a lot of chocolate. We'll use fresh and real ingredients—can you say butter?—as often as possible, knowing too, that sometimes life leaves us no option other than to open a box and add water. Some of us will have a lot to say about gluten free and casein free cooking. We'll share ethnic dishes and desserts. And when words fail us, we'll show you a lot of nice pictures.

We are a geographically diverse group. West coast, east coast and two points in-between. Three of us are heading into winter, thinking about soups and stews and the kind of food that warms the soul. Our fourth will likely be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner in a tank top and shorts. In other words, four bloggers, four unique kitchens and four inimitable styles—a little bit of this, a little bit of that.

So, please—pull up a chair and stay awhile. We are anxious to hear your thoughts. Visit often, comment a lot. There's plenty of room at our table.

Soon we will be making a decision about the charitable angle we hope to include here. It is our intent to generate revenue through advertising and possibly even sponsorship to donate to a cause within the special needs community we all know and love. A community that has sustained us through so many of our own ups and downs.

But in the meantime, let's get cooking, shall we?

Food. Friendship. Fun.

And to kick things off, tell us, what's for dinner tonight? Chicken, fish, pasta, popcorn?

25 comments:

  1. HOORAY!! from your first commenter! I'm so so excited about this new blog. You guys rock! xo

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  2. OMG, TC...I think this is a fabulous idea!! I already can't wait to read future entries. I LOVE food blogs, but it's infintely better when it's a friend (virtual or otherwise). Good luck to the four of you and, most of all, HAVE FUN! :-)

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  3. I have no idea at the moment as I've only just managed to drag myself through, breakfast for 8, then mid morning snack, then lunch, then afternoon snack......so I shall now go and examine the contents of my fridge and see if anything jumps out at me.......hopefully it won't be the bacteria of neglect jumping..
    Cheers

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  4. Our dinner was the European variety - a light noshing of fruits, cheeses, crackers. Boys have reflux, so light, early dinners are almost necessary. We try to eat our "bigger" meal at lunch.

    Can't wait to see what you all cook up here!

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  5. Kudos on your new food blog! I'm so excited to see what you'll be cooking up. :) We were off in another state visiting family today and just came home a little while ago. Dinner was Chinese food - picked up en route home.

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  6. Great idea! I sometimes feel like I have one kid who can't eat anything and one kid who won't. (Major food allergy with #1, ASD with #2). No "joy of cooking" in our house, but we manage. I'll be reading with interest. Good luck!

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  7. this is awesome! Thanks ladies! :) I'll subscribe :) My husband (who cooks most of the time and is a far better cook than I) is making something with pork loin tonight.

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  8. What a great idea for a blog! I'll be curious to read about your gluten free recipes because I have a son with celiac disease who is on a gluten free diet.

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  9. Fabulous! I've asked you ladies for help before in the kitchen, I definitely can use it (am NOT a good cook & do NOT enjoy it). I just wish you all lived closer so you could have a dinner party & try out ideas on us :)

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  10. Kristen, I've promptly lost that fresh corn recipe you posted this summer- wanted to give it to a bride at one of those showers where you're supposed to bring a recipe. Can you re-post?

    And I'm with Lori- not a good cook and do not enjoy it (except when it turns out fabulously like that corn salad dish...) Looking forward to some inspiration!

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  11. Thanks, Gretchen. Here's the link for the corn salad: http://kristenspina.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/one-for-the-recipe-box/

    And thanks everyone for the kind words and comments.

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  12. Oh man, we ate frozen pizza. I need you guys. I'm excited to see what you come up with!

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  13. This is great. I look forward to your recipes and whatever else you chose to write about.

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  14. Oh wow!! I've already bookmarked the site. You know, I read two kinds of blogs: special needs and food!! So this is definitely my kind of blog.

    Oh, and for dinner we had andalusion soup, with warm crusty bread, good friends and spiced cider!!

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  15. Christine, it sounds like we need to get you to write a guest post on that soup recipe!

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  16. Sounds great! I love to watch cooking shows, although the current reality in our kitchen is a lot of chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches. Trying to broaden our horizons, one bite at a time.

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  17. I am so excited! It's like the Julia Child movie... sort of!

    Ever since my son went gfcf, it feels like our family stopped eating together. Maybe this blog can help me?

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  18. looking forward to seeing what's cooking!

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  19. Yay! I love your new blog. Can't wait to see how you all inspire me in the kitchen . . . last night, not so great (we ate hotdogs at a concert . . . but I got to touch Springsteen's butt, so that was nice!). Tonight? I'm leaning towards cajun meatloaf, roasted potatoes and salad.

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  20. What a wonderful idea! I love it.

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  21. Great site for an ex-home ec major. I have given The Basic Cookbook (which was the book we used at school) to all my friends and some family that got married as it is not only basic but has some good recipes in it. Pictures to help too.

    Right now I am testing grilling veggies on a stove top grill which I purchased yesterday. I have been buying it made and it is missing something and the ones from Whole Foods has too many herbs and spices on it although it i still good...

    Will report as soon as I get it to my liking.

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