Learn how to cope, sweet friend. There will always be dark days ahead.

Although Grandma's passion had led me to the power of food, not all of her recipes were healthy. I kept her gusto and the love that she put into her cuisine but ditched the ingredients that bought her a one-way ticket to arthritis, diverticulitis and a host of other inflammatory conditions. I also ditched my own addictions and compulsions around food, especially sugar.

Adversity is a call to action, and your freedom lies in taking the first step. Don't worry about the entire staircase, just take one step, and then tomorrow take another.

I am capable, confident, intelligent, resilient and in charge. Health and happiness are my birthrights and I accept with gratitude.

Dinner is where the magic happens in the kitchen.

Make peace with guilt. Guilt is a poisonous illusion. Many languages don't even have a word for guilt.

Gut health is the key to overall health.