Today The Chew announced, on the show, that they will not be returning next season. I didn't think that it would really bother me, but it does. I found my way to becoming a fan of The Chew after discovering that I actually enjoyed Racheal Ray. I became the person who would run to Racheal Ray and The Chew's websites to print out recipes and happily announce to those I dined with where I had found it.
But this isn't what made the news that The Chew will not be back so sad for me. It was that fact that, no matter which show I thought I favored, when I was challenged teach myself how to cook, it was Racheal Ray, her guests and the cast of The Chew that really taught me how to cook. They accompanied me along my journey to find comfort in the kitchen. I was proud when I discovered that I was able to throw a dinner together from random items in the cupboard and, better yet, make it taste good!
When I was diagnosed with diabetes, I felt like I had to start over again. Cooking lost it's appeal and I felt like all my strengths in the kitchen, which are what made me like cooking and feel good about my achievements in the kitchen were all lost. I was great with pasta and potatoes. I loved corn and I could make some amazing french toast. All of which are full of carbs and carbs, as you may know, are not a diabetic's friend.
I spent three months feeling lost and depressed. My whole life was about to change or I wouldn't be around long enough to watch my kids' dreams come true. So, after deciding to make this diabetes thing work while fighting it every step of the way, I started searching the internet.
I don't know if you've ever looked up diabetic recipes online, but most of them don't sound very good. In fact they pretty much made me feel like I would never again enjoy food, though I wasn't sure I deserved to as, at that time, I was feeling guilty and like I was to blame for this decease that was now a part of me. So, I went back to Racheal Ray and The Chew.
But Racheal Ray is a talented Italian who loves her pasta and The Chew was hosted by an Italian and Carla Hall who's amazing with ...sweets. Again I felt defeated. I would spend the rest of my life chasing after an enjoyment and good food I can eat without guilt.
Then something great happened. I discovered a lesson Micheal Symon preaches over and over. Learn the technique, no the recipe. When you learn the recipe, you're limited but when you learn the technique, the possibilities are endless! And that's when it started.
I watched my shows with a new pair of eyes. Instead of seeing all of the carbs being plated or feeling neglected when I realized I was unable to eat whatever master piece they were creating, I started thinking about how I could make it work. Was there a swap out I could make? What if I made that dish but paired it with some really low carb options?And soon, I was writing my own recipes!
I found myself in the kitchen again, getting excited about experimenting with new dishes and finding inspiration in places I wouldn't have otherwise thought. I purchased the best knife I have ever owned and then sliced my finger open the first time I used it. I started mixing and matching spices and buying new ingredients.
Racheal Ray, Clinton Kelly, Carla Hall and Micheal Symon taught me how to cook not once, but twice. They showed me how to enjoy food again and find pride in creating it for my family and it even brought my family together when my son realized that he liked my "cooking shows", too and could be a part of the creation of new dishes and my daughter decided that cooking in the kitchen looked pretty fun!
So now, that I have become a fan of The Chew, and the cast has become like friends to me, I'm saddened to hear that I won't be able to tune in to them next season with fresh recipes, loving heckling and a whole new collection of Carla Hall's Hair styles and glasses! I feel like I'm losing, not just my inspiration, but cooking companions and a comfort that I've leaned on to help me when the kitchen seems daunting and scary.
Sure, I'll continue to cook for my family (I don't have much of a choice if I don't want them to starve) and I will keep the wisdom they have shared. I will even think of them fondly when I lovingly place a dish inspired from these old friends, but I will miss seeing "The Chew" on my DVR list, waiting patiently for me to sit down and learn something new!
Has The Chew positively impacted your life? Did you add a new recipe to your collection because of them? Let us know in the comments!
Comments
Post a Comment