She’s Cooking

I recently purchased an air-fryer and I love it.

It’s so simple to use and for me that’s great. I’m not much of a cook due to the physical limitations of my disability. So far, I’ve mastered cooking wings and sausages. My favorite part of my new air-fryer is it requires little clean up and food taste good.

Cooking is not a very easy task for someone who has physical disabilities, but as I always say to the person who is helping me to prepare meals, “as long as I’m helping with the process, I’m good.” Sometimes you must push past what is hard for you and focus on what you can do. If I’m reading the recipe while someone is doing the physical part, in my mind, I’m still cooking.

During Covid, when the world was shut down, I found myself loving to watch cooking shows.  I really enjoyed watching shows with competitions. The contestants were so knowledgeable, and wow, such amazing recipes.

After learning about contestant Christine Ha competing on MasterChef in 2012, I had to see what the show was about and check out her story. I went back and binge watched the show. MasterChef is about home cooks competing against each other to become the next “MasterChef.” Christine, who’s blind, gave the competition in 2012 a run for their money, and as a result, won the whole thing. Christine began going blind at age twenty due to a disorder called Neuromyelitis Optica. Although she could’ve given up on her dream of cooking, she kept going because that was her passion.

Now, I don’t know if any of you have ever watched MasterChef, but its host is Gordon Ramsey. Gordon, who’s a master chef in his own right, acts like a tough guy and maybe not the nicest person. He did a lot of yelling, complaining and was downright rude to the contestants. And he didn’t hold any punches back from Christine. She received the same rudeness as everyone else.

https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/when-cookbook-author-and-masterchef-winner-christine-ha-lost-her/

Although flustered at times over challenges that were not accessible to her needs, Christine pushed through creating amazing meals that the judges couldn’t deny.

My four older brothers taught me to have “tough skin”. They didn’t want the ignorance of some people, who are sometimes rude, to cause me to “tuck my tail and run” or mess up my confidence. I’m so appreciative to them for teaching me that lesson; it taught me how to stand my ground. It was apparent by Christine’s strength; she was taught that as well.

Since Christine’s win, she’s has gone on to become an author, Ted Talker, and a restaurant owner. As the saying goes, she’s living her best life.

No matter what your situation, life is what you make it. If there’s something you really want to do that’s not going to cause you harm, try it. It may not be the traditional way, but as long as you get it done, that’s all that matters. I think I’ll try to make lasagna! Thanks for the motivation, Christine!