The Beginning...

Cooking Up Peace came to me via my mother. As I sat at my computer putting the finishing touches on a project proposal that I would be spending the next few months working on, she came up to me and said "How about a cookbook?" A cookbook? What does that have to do with peace? "You can talk about community and how food is a huge part of all cultures around the world and how hospitality is important to peace." Huh, I thought, she has a point. "Plus," my mom added, "you love cooking and you could try recipes out on all of us (my family) which we would love." And so the idea for this project and cookbook were born.

This cookbook will be kid friendly (as I will be trying everything out on my friends and family), as well as allergen friendly. My younger siblings have an extensive list of allergies (and I am allergic to dairy) so I have experience changing recipes to fit our needs. Ideally, it will also be a wide range of recipes from all around the world.

What you can do...send me family favorite recipes (all kinds are welcome! I will do the work of converting them to being allergen friendly, so don't let that scare you off!); quotes on/about peace, food, hospitality, and/or community that have touched you; stories from your lives and families; and anything else you think would be good for this project!

I will of course be crediting everyone who helps! If your family recipe comes directly from a cookbook...thats OK! just send me the name of the cookbook so that I can credit it as well!