Back To Source Cooking

“At the heart of my kitchen and journey is a deep-seated belief in the power of natural, unprocessed ingredients. My 'Back to Source' philosophy encourages choosing foods that are as close to their original form as possible, bypassing processed options and artificial additives. Whether it's opting for grass-fed beef over lower-quality options or choosing traditionally farmed apples over GMO varieties, the goal is to make mindful choices that bring us closer to the essence of real food and the way God created it. The Cook with Real Food Cookbook embodies this philosophy, offering recipes and insights to help you embark on your own journey towards genuine, flavorful cooking.” - CA

The Story:

As I mentioned in the beginning, cooking is not just a personal journey but a deeply spiritual one for me as well.

I remember a conversation I had with God one day, that sparked my entire approach to cooking.

He asked me, "If I needed you to cook anywhere in the world, how would you do it?"

This thought-provoking question sent me down a profound path of self-reflection.

I thought...anywhere? In my mind, I started to think of recipes that reached outside of my favorite stores, brands, products, and even cultures. After some critical thinking, I thought to myself…well, I would need to learn how to garden and somehow get a cow.

It was like a light bulb went off.

This was the start of something much more than just the brand Cook With Real Food, but more on that later.

The question also helped me understand that cooking is not about fancy products, special sauces, or the latest food trends.

These are often nothing more than clever marketing tactics or localized availabilities that could confine us in our cooking journey. The real essence of cooking lies in using the best whole, natural ingredients found on this Earth - it's about going back to the source.

The source, to me, represents foods in their most natural, unprocessed form and the closest you can get to God's original intent for that food.

For example, Raw milk and dairy from cows, fresh vegetables and fruits from Farmers, and most importantly - pasture-raised animals. Or at least the closest I can to that at the city store or Instacart!

Avoiding things like fake dyes, fake flavors, modern seed oils, and other synthetic ingredients found in packaged goods cans, boxes, and bags—with every purchase, I asked myself, can I get this closer to the source or original design?

The closer to the source I got, the more flavorful and vibrant my dishes became!

"The "Back To Source" mentality and approach to cooking/eating is not about a diet or making a full escape from the food system; it's about doing what you can to get closer to source every day, even in the small decisions."

- CA

Even in my experiences eating at gourmet restaurants, I found that the most memorable dishes were the ones that consisted of the simple ingredients that we often overlook: meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy, spices, and salt. These are the ingredients that make up the core of the Cook with Real Food Cookbook.

The cookbook encapsulates my journey and realizations into tangible recipes that can guide you on your journey towards "back to source" cooking.

Whether it's helping you plan meals, learn new cooking techniques, or recreate your favorite restaurant meals at home - my hope is that it inspires you to embark on your own journey toward cooking with real foods.