During the process of creating this recipe book, I spent a lot of time testing recipes with friends and family. As we mixed, danced, giggled, baked, ate, and reflected on our years, it struck me why I felt the need to craft a holiday cookbook in the first place. Over the last 11 years working as a nutritionist, I've learned that nutrition is about fueling our bodies with energy. Beyond the chemical structures of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, there's much more to nourishing our bodies. The seeds, soil, water, sun, plows, hands, and hearts that handle our food from farms to forks create a magical potential that we consume. Every meal we eat is a choice to sustain our existence on this planet. The quality, care, and energy we choose to consume shape our individual presence. This is why I believe there's something incredible about gathering with loved ones to prepare and share food—especially during the holidays. It's not just about the mouth-watering cookies; It’s about the moments created between the seconds of our day while those cookies are made, as we eat them, and what we to with the energy they offer. It’s the dance parties with our puppies, the stories shared, and the joy fully felt. All of these moments create something far more profound than the chemical nutrients in the food.
 
I hope this holiday season allows you to create your own moments, whether preparing a healthy holiday recipe from this cookbook or engaging in something you love with people you cherish.
 
 
With love, 
 
Ashley Grimmel