A couple of months after meeting with Victory Programs at the Boston Living Center, I received an unexpected email from the volunteer coordinator. Would I be interested in helping them produce a cookbook? Ironic, because I'd just published what I assumed would be my last-ever cookbook, The Very Best Recipes from The Perfect Pantry®. Whatever their project and however they wanted my help, creating cookbooks -- unlike working in a computer lab or an ESOL conversation group -- is something I know how to do. Of course I would help them. I agreed to meet and hear more about their plans.
A pet project of the nutrition manager, the cookbook is designed for clients who are challenged by several health conditions caused often by HIV/AIDS, including lipodystrophy, neuropathy, diabetes, wasting disease, and general nutritional weakness. Although the manuscript is packed with information designed to educate, and the book will be organized -- rather unorthodoxly -- by illness, the recipes themselves are meant to entice. They are simple, straightforward, healthy recipes anyone can make and enjoy. The Boston Living Center will create the recipes and text for the book; they need help with production, nothing fancy, and as I'm by no means a designer, that's what I can do. To make the idea of cooking even more appealing to those who might not always feel up to it, I'll prepare and photograph half a dozen of the recipes for the book. Of course, the official taster from my blogging days, my husband Ted, will be on hand to help. This is a short-term project that we want to finish within a couple of weeks.
The book's title? Recipes for a Positive Life. Double entendre. I love it. I've just received the final manuscript, so I'll be working on the book for the next few weeks.
What a perfect project! You will rock it.
Posted by: candy Nartonis | April 03, 2017 at 11:06 AM
Candy, I'm just starting to work on this, and really looking forward to helping them.
Posted by: Lydia | April 03, 2017 at 12:45 PM
It's funny--and makes so much sense sometimes, like this time--how the universe works. I'm sure you will be invaluable to them on this project, Lydia.
Shirley
Posted by: Shirley @ gluten free easily (gfe) | April 03, 2017 at 01:15 PM
Cheering for you! This is fantastic. :) xo
Posted by: Jen Monroe | April 03, 2017 at 01:56 PM
Shirley, the universe definitely has a plan for me!
Jen, thanks. I was surprised, as a project like this never came up in my earlier conversations with them, but of course I'm happy to help.
Posted by: Lydia | April 04, 2017 at 08:20 AM