I needed a new cookbook.
Over the past month, I have successfully (although probably temporarily) eliminated land animal from my diet. I did not make this decision because I feel that "meat is murder" or anything like that Although I do care very much about how animals are treated, my motivation originated from my husband's dietary needs. Slowly but surely, it became evident that I was feeling good - great actually, and controlling my weight more efficiently. Meat is not forbidden; I am simply enjoying the challenge of eating creatively to avoid it.
Oddly enough, I am enjoying the cooking side of things, too. Something in my brain told me that it wouldn't be fun to cook if I didn't make meat. Au contraire! I have discovered some excellent flavors and textures.
But I'm a cookbook girl, and I needed a new one that included good recipes. I love my Kindle for all things literary, but it's just not the same for a cookbook. The internet is great for providing tons of choices, but I love curling up with a book.
On my afternoon off, I headed off to the bookstore. As I walked up and down the cookbook aisle, Gwyneth kept looking at me from the cover of her new cookbook My Father's Daughter. She smiled at me with her perfect teeth, her perfect size 0 figure...
Something within me refused to pick up the cookbook. She has led a charmed life, she's a rich and famous actress, she has a beautiful singing voice, and now she's cooking? I ignored it for about 20 minutes, but after not having any luck with any other chef's works, I caved. Princess Paltrow had created a cookbook that perfectly matched what I was looking for.
What did I find when I opened it up and started perusing? An introduction about how her love of food ties in to her memories of her beloved father, and how they learned to cook together. She discusses how she turned to health food and macrobiotic diet as a way of desperately trying to heal his cancer, and prevent that future for herself and her family. How she has introduced her children to healthy eating and respect and love of cooking. That horrible bitch. It was truly becoming clear why I hated her so much.
The fact that her mother was a famous actress, her father was a successful television show producer, no doubt explains her penchant for all things expensive. To her as she grew up, wealth was the norm.
This cookbook, has been criticized for her recommendations of very expensive products and ingredients. She does recommend good ingredients, but I have (so far) not found them to be terribly unattainable or costly.
I do admit, she does have a taste and budget for the finer things in life, and her references to movie sets and famous friends makes her a wee bit difficult to relate to, but only if trying to relate to her lifestyle. In that case, I have next to nothing in common with the woman.
I find our common ground when I take time to examine her motive for cooking.
She enjoys it. She can control the ingredients that she and her family consume. She enjoys gathering family and friends around the table to laugh and converse. She keeps her father's memory alive and well, implanting it into his grandchildren with stories and tastes. All things I respect and agree with.
I like her recipes. After reading this book a bit further, I have started to like her too, albeit reluctantly. Despite the fact that she is Hollywood royalty, she seems to keep herself grounded in her family. This cookbook was not an attempt to flaunt her wealth or status. In my opinion, it was actually a refreshing look at her as a wife, mother, and someone who is constantly seeking work / life balance, just like me.
I just really wish I was paid as much as she is...
