Ever since I was a little girl, I dreamed of being someone like Ina Garten, Martha Stewart, or Giada De Laurentiis—hosting my own cooking show and traveling the world.

As a child, I adored watching cooking shows on television and then mimicking them in my family's kitchen. I'd set up bowls, measure ingredients, and follow along with the recipes as if I were the lead of my own cooking show. Talking into my pretend camera, I'd describe how delicious the dish was and encourage my invisible audience to try it themselves.

I adored recreating dishes from my culinary idols, but over time, I realized that a lot of the ingredients in the recipes were taking a toll on my well-being. While I loved their food, I aspired to create healthier versions.