is there a twelve-step program for this?

     I am addicted to food... There. I said it. 

     Now, that I've gotten that out of the way, let me tell you a little more about my lifelong love affair with all things edible... well, most things edible. You won't be reading much about the many attributes of cooking with liver in this blog. Ever. Okay? You just won't.
     Many people are intimidated by all of the experts in the field of culinary arts... Some so much so that making a quick, healthy meal seems a daunting task. The American food industry seems to rule the world and in turn, our unfortunate national crisis of health. Pre-packaged, artificial or fast food consumption is at an all-time high and many people don't know how to make a simple meal.

     In the past few years, I have learned a lot about feeding people in large groups and small. While I hold a business management degree and am not a classically-trained chef, I am currently a cook in a church kitchen.  I am completely self-taught, read extensively and experiment frequently, using my own dear Fam as test subjects.
     For several years, while homeschooling my kids, I taught a cooking class at our homeschool co-op. I started writing down things I learned. Most of the photos on my phone are of food. Wherever I go, I'm ready to be in a kitchen, even on vacation.

    I want to encourage you, no matter your background or culinary history to be brave, even when you are merely making a weeknight meal. We are ALL extremely busy, but given the same 24 hours. The key to being successful is to make your time work for you, not the other way around.

Here are ten things I've learned along the way:

• Read about what others are cooking.
• Stop buying over-processed food and don't buy packaged food in bulk.
• Shop more often, buying less. Stop being wasteful and use everything you buy.
• Eat foods in their growing season and buy local. Eat real food in its natural state.
• Keep it simple. Don't spend a lot of time on preparation.
• Put some thought into it. Make it colorful.
• Experiment with new ways of making your old favorites healthier.
• Involve your whole family, from preparation to final clean-up... no divas allowed.
• Eat together, unplugged, without distraction of technology.
• Laugh a lot, even about the culinary mistakes.

Is there a twelve-step program for this?