Garlic and Sapphires .. a book recommendation

"Time slows down in the kitchen, offering up an entire universe of small satisfactions." - Ruth Reichl

That above line spoke to me last night, and I thought I better share it with you just in case you needed to hear it, as well. Things have been a little chaotic in my little world lately, and I needed that reminder. The entire paragraph that precedes this line was soothing to me as it described different elements, sounds and smells of cooking.

My aunt gave me "Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise" for my birthday several months ago and I finally had a chance to start reading it recently. (I'm one of those people who reads at least two or three books at a time but I like to stick to one of those books as a pleasure read and finish it before picking up another pleasure read - I had a few books to check off my list before picking this one up.) I'm enjoying it immensely and highly recommend it to anyone who knows the joy of eating good food or cooking it, or both. Even if you don't, I think you'll enjoy it.

Reichl writes the above line in a chapter where she's describing a time in her life that I can identify with at this very moment. I think I just need to escape to the kitchen for a few minutes when I'm feeling overwhelmed and let the familiar methods, rhythms and smells engulf me without feeling like I *have* to do this or that quickly. Even slicing an avocado would give me more stress relief and would be better for me than reaching for that candy bar as a quick break from work. I can read a page or two of this book as I'm enjoying it before getting back to busy.