Design elements: Getty Images.
Collage: Cassie Basford.
If anyone could make an enemy out of food, it was my mother.
Photo:Design elements: Getty Images. Collage: Cassie Basford.
But really, it was salt she hated the most.
Lots of baked chicken and fish, salads, steamed veggies.
Lots of oregano and balsamic and olive oil.
Lots of time and care.
Youcouldfind a collectors inventory of Mrs.
Mom had them all on deck: Original, Garlic & Herb, Chicken.
In our house, they were used in the literal sense: instead of salt.
I used to joke that they were my two favorite foods.
I usually shoved down my only meal of the day in the late afternoon during family meal.
I was railing against the healthy food my mother set in front of me as a kid.
I was enjoying the ride, and I was invincible.
At my bottom, I was very overweight.
I either quit living like this, I thought, or I kill myself.
A friend talked me into going to my first AA meeting that day.
My partner came with me and put her hand on my back while I sobbed through all the prayers.
They were good sobs.
Finally, it made sense.
I am an addict.
And I needed to change.
I relearned to love cooking for myself and for others.
But I did it a little differently.
I massaged my greens with kosher salt and tossed them with cilantro, mint and basil.
I brined my chicken, took the backbone out and roasted it flat until it turned gold.
I make her things she would have never eaten when I was a kid.
That both of us are worth our salt.
That salt aint so bad when you know the purpose it serves.
