At long last, thanks to the encouragement of so many hungry readers and the support of The Boss, my blog begins here! I’ll try to answer the critical questions straight away, and hope the answers will tempt you back to my blog and into your kitchen.

Who?

Diane Welker, a lifelong adventurer in the world of food, writer of a weekly food column (www.theleafchronicle.com ), an on-and-off again caterer, and curious cook. I spend my days wielding the business end of the wooden spoon for a proactive functional medicine clinic (www.maxwellclinic.com), where we help patients to make the changes in their body, mind and spirit that lead to lasting improvements in their inner vitality and outward appearance. As for culinary training, I've taken the hands-on self-study route, from Larousse Gastronomique to Julia Child through Alice Waters. I couldn't bring myself to go to the recent film "Julie and Julia," mostly because I'd already cooked my way through everything Julia Child had written, before blogging and movie deals about them existed. Drat! Julia hated the whole idea of the someone making money from her name anyway. Aah, self justification is so comforting!

What?

A place to learn how to cook for REAL. My mission is described best by my blog’s title. I am a cook, not a chef. I believe that the best cooking is home cooking, prepared and served with love to family and friends. If you’re dining solo, treat yourself as you would a guest. My goal is to tickle your culinary curiosity just enough to get you into the kitchen, and out of the drive-thru and processed food habit. Working with Doc puts me in touch with the people who WANT to change the way they eat, but don't know where to start. "Just tell me what to do, and I'll do it," I hear so often. So, what I'll deliver is congruent with my 90/10 rule. Healthy whole foods 90% of time, and 10% celebration, sometimes over the top.

Why?

I learned scratch cooking for a family of eight by my mother’s side, and over the years, and living from one coast to the other, I've taken a home-cooking tour around the world through ethnic markets, neighborhoods and restaurants. I threw several professional cooking lessons into the mix, but I believe that the best cooks are home cooks. I also believe that everyone can learn the most basic skills needed to prepare whole foods simply, and at the same time expand your palate. My work with Dr. Haase, where one of the first matters we address is diet quality, brings people to my office door, asking "How do I do this?" I realized that for a lot of people these days, scratch cooking is an anomaly, and they think that it's more trouble than it's worth. Hungry reader, here is your answer. The BEST way to improving your health is through your attitude about the food that you put into your body. It takes effort on your part, but the rewards are endless. I am here to help.

When?

Often, here, and on my FaceBook page…I’m not into “twittering,” but I may use it to tempt you if I can get my 15-year old son to show me how...it's great have a place to unload the musings and rants piling up in my brain. Wednesdays I'm in the newspaper. I'm in the kitchen nearly every day. It is my hope that soon you will be, too.


Where?

Right here, www.theleafchronicle.com, in the supermarket aisles (no, I don’t mind you asking questions when you spy me in the produce section), and often in the reception area of MaxWell Clinic where my office is conveniently located (no, I don’t mind you popping your head in and asking a question while you wait to be seen). I hope to chime in often on our clinic newsletter "HealthTools Hot Topics." You can sign up for that as well, at www.maxwellclinic.com

How?

Recipes, stories, pics and tips. I'll answer your questions if you email them. Click here to email Diane! You can also ask me in the supermarket...Or wherever you find me out and about. Whatever it takes.