One of my most treasured possessions is definitely my recipe box. It's this chincy plastic index card holder I bought years ago at Rite Aid. I think was on clearance for a dime. It is barely snapped shut over the gobs of folded up paper, napkins and torn out magazine articles.
This little box has always irritated me, even though it was a step up from the rubber band that preceded it. I was sure my iPad would be an electronic solution, but have yet to find a "recipe box" software, site or application that really does what I want it to.
Hence, my recent recipe postings. I often jot down a recipe or two before racking my brain for a blog entry anyway. I figured, since there is often a story behind a lot of the things I cook and usually a purpose beyond just satiating a hunger pain, that it made perfect sense to incorporate how I cook into the 80 Cures blog.
For me, cooking is good therapy for the mind and body. It can be very relaxing, providing you a chance to put away the worries of the day. I know I sound like a total lunatic when I say it, but I believe there is peace in spending the time to wash a beautiful heirloom and cut a huge bite out of a perfectly ripe and juicy tomato.
Beyond the process itself of thoughtfully preparing your food, there are also a host of other benefits that come with cooking. Even the aroma and texture of food can be a healing agent, relieving tension and encouraging deep breathing. Take baking bread for instance - you can't help but inhale just a little extra when that smell is wafting through the house. It's also likely to make you smile and have warm and happy thoughts.
So, while I settle down for a little bit in between cures, I hope you will enjoy this record of my culinary adventures. :)