Mechanical, technical, these words almost make things sound robotic, void of the human touch.  An idiom referring to the opposite such as “put your heart in it” brings warmth, the human touch,  almost as if it erases, forgives or overlooks  any flaw.  In other words, any mistake or anything less than perfect is still wonderful because it had been created with the heart, with love.

When cooking, cook with your heart, not just with the recipe.  Allow your memories, (the joy of creating more), and the anticipation of enjoying the meal guide  your hands as you prepare the meal.  Whether I am fixing breakfast or preparing Sunday dinner, I envision my family and friends being together.  It is calming and very gratifying.  If its your first meal or an attempt at a new recipe, you may feel anxious or fear that it won’t turn out “picture perfect.”  That’s OK.  Real dinners usually don’t mimic the picture from the cookbook… they may, but certainly don’t have to. (I don’t recall the reality of my dinners resembling  pictures in any cookbook).   Many a times when we have tried new recipes, they had not turn-out what we imagined it to be.  It didn’t matter.  It did create conversation, laughter and memories. Yes, you can laugh at what doesn’t turn out (I don’t like to refer to them as “mistakes”). Cooking with the heart does not solely involve the meal;  it bonds the connection with each other to the meal.  That is why the meal is a success.