Yaayy ... First Post : )

Today is my first post and it is very exciting. I have started this blog to have fun and turn what can be at times a chore into a hobby. I'm not a chef or food guru but I have been cooking since I was 8. Being Italian, cooking is a must and a tradition that we pass on from generation to generation. I will happily pass on what the great women in my family have been cooking for decades, as I am sure you will be sharing with me some of your family favourites. I also want to acknowledge my mom who is the most amazing cook in the world and has taught me everything I know. I have the best step-kids I could have ever wished for and I pass on to them my traditions and recipes. They are like I once was to my mom, my little helpers. Being a parent is the hardest job on earth and with its many rewards it has its responsibilities, such as teaching good table manners (very frustrating at times) and teaching kids to eat right and be healthy (the list is endless). For me eating right starts with shopping right and getting the best deal while you do it. I also like to think we practice our math at the super market too (lol)... I have no preference of supermarkets but do encourage people to buy locally, in season, and always read the package labeling to suit your family's needs. I do like organic but let's be real, not everyone can afford it. I think it takes a lot of effort to stay creative and yes the little ones can sometimes narrow our choices for a potentially exotic meal. In my family it is my responsibility to expand their minds and palates to new foods, even if at times it's an upwards battle ... sometimes lost!! I also believe that we all have a busy life and meals can't take hours to prepare we all have too many things to do and not enough time to do them all. Plus a long day's work can make us get home beat and lazy reaching for that frozen meal to serve the family, because it's just quicker and (yes u love your kids more than anything)!! I'm not a very organized person so I have to try harder to keep myself in check so I'm not stuck last minute with nothing to prepare. Most of my preparations are done on the weekend and that's when I buy bulk and enough for the whole week. I don't plan my meals ahead of time, but I stock up with what I know I can cook with and everyone likes. We also love inviting our friends and family for dinner a lot so I will be posting not only quick easy meals but also some of my all time dinner party favourites. I'm very excited about this new journey and I can't wait to learn from other mothers and homemakers any new tips to make my life easier, more fun and taste better. We can share info about cool recipes and products you have tried that work for you and your families love. This is a loving blog where we share the same love as we do when cooking for our loved ones, so please join in.

So folks let's get ready to cook, laugh, share and why not have a glass while doing it :)