Where Have I Been?

It’s been a while since I’ve sat down to write here, and some of you might be wondering, “Where have you been?” The short answer is: everywhere. The long answer… well, grab a cup of tea, because so much has happened in the past two years, and I want to share it with you.

Two Years in a Nutshell (This is the answer to where have I been?)

My last proper post was over two years ago, and while I had every intention of keeping this blog alive and updated, life had other plans. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to write – it’s that my focus had to shift. My elderly mother fell ill, and as anyone who’s had to juggle family responsibilities with work knows, priorities change quickly. Between caring for her and keeping my business afloat, the blog had to be put on hold.

At the same time, I decided my kitchen desperately needed an upgrade. A renovation might sound exciting (and it was, in the end), but during the process it was absolute chaos. Dust everywhere, appliances unplugged, and meals reduced to whatever could be cobbled together in a makeshift setup. But the timing was right, and now I have a beautiful, functional kitchen that I hope will feature more videos here in the future.

My Work Life: Busy, Exciting, and Rewarding

Work has been both demanding and rewarding. My foodie radio show on Chaifm 101.9FM still runs every three weeks, and I absolutely love it. It keeps me connected to my passion for food, culture, and community, and I always come away inspired.

But the real whirlwind has been my other business – helping game lodges and hotels host kosher guests. That’s taken me to Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia, as well as plenty of time spent in Hoedspruit, White River, and Hazyview. Each trip has been filled with adventure, challenges, and the joy of helping establishments welcome guests who might otherwise struggle to find kosher hospitality in these breathtaking locations.

So, if you ask “where have I been?” the answer is often: on the road, on a plane, or somewhere in the bush, making sure guests feel at home.

A Diagnosis That Changed Everything

But then, life threw me the kind of curveball no one is ever prepared for. One ordinary Wednesday, I went for a routine mammogram. By Thursday morning, I was having a biopsy. On Monday, I got the results: breast cancer. https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/

That week still feels like a blur when I look back. Monday morning was the diagnosis. Monday afternoon I met with the surgeon. Tuesday was a special MRI. And by Wednesday, I was on a plane to Zimbabwe with a cold coming on, trying to process everything that had just happened.

When I got back on the following Sunday, the week that followed was a whirlwind of CT scans, consultations with a plastic surgeon, and preparing for surgery. I had a port put in for chemotherapy, which I started just two weeks later.

Five months after chemo came radiation. And finally, one year later, I had my last IV treatment. Now I go every six months for check-ups, and I’ll be on oral medication for the next five years.

It was a tough journey – physically, mentally, and emotionally – but I’m incredibly grateful to be on the other side of it. I’ve learned to appreciate the small things, to listen to my body, and to take each day as it comes.

Life After Treatment

Now that treatment is behind me, life is starting to feel more “normal” again. I’m slowly regaining my energy and my appetite (though not 100% yet), and I’ve started enjoying cooking videos and experimenting with new flavors once more.

There have also been big family changes. One of my children got married and moved out, while another moved to a different province for work. Suddenly, I went from cooking for six to eight people (depending on which friends or partners were around) to sometimes cooking for just two of us.

Without meal planning, my food waste skyrocketed. And honestly, so did my grocery bills. Throwing away food has always been something I dislike, but during the past 18 months, it became painfully obvious how much money was being wasted.

So, it’s time for a reset – to take back control of my kitchen, my budget, and my love for food.

My New Resolutions

As part of this fresh start, I’ve set some resolutions for myself. They’re not about perfection, but about creating structure, balance, and joy in everyday life.

1. Yoga at least once a week. The dream is five days, but I’m starting small and building up.
2. Keep a gratitude journal. Just one thing a day, even if it’s only a few words.
3. Restart meal planning. That means re-learning everyone’s likes and dislikes (since they’ve shifted) and planning accordingly.
4. Write at least one blog post a week. Ideally three, but again, small steps first.
5. Add one new recipe to this blog each month. It doesn’t have to be mine – it could be a link to someone else’s – as long as it’s budget-friendly and delicious.
6. Run one webinar every four months. I’m still thinking about the topics, but I’d love your input.
7. Introduce a three-month grocery challenge. Set a fixed budget and see what happens.
8. Get my cleaning routine back. I have a wonderful helper, but without structure, things fall through the cracks.
9. Restart my email list and grow it. Connection matters, and I want to bring this community back together.
10. Enjoy cooking again. Travel the world virtually through flavours, ingredients, and recipes.

What’s Next?

So where do I go from here?

First, back to basics. Meal planning and prepping will be my biggest focus in the coming weeks. It’s not just about saving money, but about reducing waste and making sure every meal feels intentional and nourishing. I’d also like to start sharing more about budgeting and kitchen organization, since I know so many of us struggle with keeping costs down while still enjoying delicious meals.

Second, I want to bring new energy into this blog. Expect recipes (both mine and curated favorites), tips on meal planning and prepping, some kitchen hacks I’ve learned along the way, and hopefully, some videos too.

Third, I’d love to hear from you. What do you want to see here? More recipes? Budget tips? Behind-the-scenes from my foodie radio show? Stories from my travels to game lodges and hotels? Or maybe a mix of everything?

Looking Forward With Gratitude

The last two years have been full of challenges, but also full of growth. I’ve had to step back, re-evaluate, and rebuild in ways I never expected. And while I wouldn’t wish the cancer journey on anyone, I’ve come out of it with a deeper appreciation for life, food, family, and community.

So, to answer the question “Where have I been?” – I’ve been in hospital rooms and game lodges, in kitchens under renovation and kitchens filled with laughter, on planes to neighboring countries and curled up at home writing in my gratitude journal. I’ve been everywhere and nowhere, all at once.

And now, I’m here. Back to writing, cooking, sharing, and hopefully connecting with you more than ever.

Thank you for sticking around, for reading this far, and for being part of this journey. Here’s to new recipes, new routines, and new adventures – both in the kitchen and beyond.