About

Welcome to my blog!  Though I work as a children’s book illustrator (visit www.melissaiwai.com to view my site)  Two of my other passions are cooking and painting.   Actually painting and cooking are quite similar.  Both involve a set structure–rules to follow (or choose to break), but both also contain the element of surprise and spontaneity—which is where the real creativity and fun come in.

I’ve baked since I was a kid, but only started cooking after getting married.  Then after gaining about ten pounds after a few years of making and enjoying rich, home cooked meals and desserts, I realized I needed to make a few changes in our diets — decreasing   saturated fats and processed food and increasing fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Living with two very picky eaters (my husband and son) makes getting healthy meals on the table a challenge.  I’m trying to foster an appreciation for cooking and baking in my son by letting him help me in the kitchen and see what a magical process it can be.  Since he was a baby, my son has kept me company at the kitchen counter top while I cook dinner, and now he gets into the act once in awhile.   He’s even developed some of his own recipes.

Thanks for stopping by!  Comments are welcome!