I just happen to be a family doc who married a chef. My love of food started young. I would always sit at the counter and watch my mom cook our family meals. I was her official “taste-tester.” I still remember the amazing aromas and the excitement when she got down the little yellow bowl perfect for sampling. My favorite time at the counter was the holidays. That meant seasoned rice, greens, cornbread dressing, fried chicken, and sweet potato pie. Sampling was great but sitting down together and eating was the best. And being that I come from a large family major holidays consisted of an extravagant spread. When we all got together we may also have barbecue ribs, mashed potatoes, green beans, baked chicken, black-eyed peas, macaroni and cheese, and cake. My plate was always piled higher than it should be. Guaranteed at every holiday gathering was good food and a lot of laughs. Weekly my mother cooked a wide range of foods but always a favorite was “Southern” food. After leaving for school I realized our way of cooking wasn’t exactly healthy. The things that made southern food delicious, the sugar, butter, salt, etc contributed to obesity, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. As a physician married to a chef it is my goal to make healthy food delicious. Stay tuned for healthy recipes that also taste amazing!