I absolutely LOVE life! I have loved every decade of my life and think that each one is the best! I believe that God gives every one of us gifts and talents and I’m so very thankful for mine. I think I have many, but I learned at a very early age that cooking was not only fun, but it blesses and makes people happy. Along with that love for cooking has been the study of food, nutrition, changes in food trends and findings. There is so much information out there now; however, it can make a person crazy trying to decide what to believe. There is a new diet every day, and I’ve loved examining each one. I think we all just want to be our healthiest selves, enjoy what we eat, and get the most out of this wonderful life.
I had severe food allergies when I was growing up, and because of that, I was very aware of food labels and contents. Also because of that, I have always been passionate about finding ways to help others with their food intolerances, so I studied and experimented with recipes a lot.
In fact, as much as I loved cooking for people, I loved even more accepting the challenge of cooking for someone with specific needs. I believe this is why God directed me into the Personal Chef field; I just saw so many people suffering and needing help getting foods to meet their health needs.
In the Fall of 2015, I picked up and started reading T.D. Jakes’ book “Destiny: Step Into Your Purpose” where he said “DESTINY, that inner compass, directs you to fulfillment of your highest purpose.” I think I have felt that way many times in my life – to go back to college later in life, to go into teaching because of my love for kids, to cook for special needs and/or certain people that God lays on my heart, to study and become a Personal Chef, to open my little shop in Benton that was one of the most wonderful gifts I could have ever received, to write my cookbook Leave it to Liz, and now to write this blog and to be able to share my passion and hopefully inspire others to want to not only taste new foods, but to cook new foods.
My pastor once said “when you find your passion, you will find your purpose” and I know my purpose is to use the Gifts I’ve been given to nourish others, whether it be physically or literally.
My beautiful little shop gave me so many opportunities to not only cook for people, but to make new and lasting friends, have cooking classes, and host events, but after three years of being consumed, I realized that I was pretty much being consumed, missing important life events, pouring money back into the shop, so I made the painful decision to close. But I’ve had this longing to continue to share what I learn continually about food with people that are just like me – people that want to eat well, but be well – and that’s why I am writing this blog. I am looking so forward to connecting with past, present, and future friends. I am excited to share with you and then, hear from you, about your food journey and hopefully, learn from each other!
– Liz Bray