Growing up in a single parent household, dinner was usually rushed and typically included at least one "leftover". I used to joke that we ate leftovers every night of the week. Rushed or leisurely...recycled food or take-out, life does truly revolve around eating. We wake up hungry. We eat breakfast. By 10:00 we are considering lunch. After a bite to eat around noon, we look forward to recharging our batteries a few hours later. Finally, it's time to look forward to dinner. Another day. Then the eating cycle begins again.

As a starving college student, I credit my job at a restaurant for keeping me from wasting away to nothing. When I became a young wife with a full time job and outside interests, it was my husband who I appreciated as someone who at least knew how to meal plan and shop. It wasn't until our first child was born and I embraced home and motherhood, that I respected how important a meal truly is. For those who consider and/or appreciate what one eats, it's easy segue to believe that cooking equates with life. Our lives may vary with jobs and locality, but the need for food unites us all. Further, by building relationships while we eat, we can capitalize upon something everyone has in common.

From breakfast, to lunch dinner, and even setting a table worthy of gathering around; making the most of what truly is a favorite occasion for all living beings benefits everyone.

First, set a table. No, really. Set it with a plate, knife, fork and spoon. Fold a napkin in its proper place. If you are going to eat, do it right. Make it meaningful. Turn off the television and visit with your family. Laugh and linger. Take the time to enjoy the pleasure of the company and the food. "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" can be watched another time. Now is the time to revel in the moment of a favorite shared pastime. Please feel free to refer to my article, Basic Table Setting

Second cook a main dish. This doesn't mean that just a dinner dish will suffice. We all eat three meals per day. Make a goal to perfect a few that will tide you over AND allow you to share a meal when the occasion arises. Eggs work for breakfast and can be made in many different ways. Figure out which type of egg you enjoy most (scrambled, poached, over-easy, over-hard) and find a recipe you can work to your liking. HUGE HINT: this may take more than one try! Don't Give Up! In many cases more than five attempts may be necessary before you feel comfortable. Keep at it, perfecting as you go. Salad always makes a great lunch and works as the perfect side for dinner. So make one - and I don't mean lettuce with some dressing.

Then there is dinner, and no bottled spaghetti sauce and pasta is NOT perfecting a main dish. It is a good start. There is this great resource called the internet. Search spaghetti. Voila! An entire dinner dish, from start to finish is at your fingertips.

An enormous repertoire of extraordinary dishes is not necessary. Start small. Watching one episode of Martha Stewart or the Food Channel can intimidate the heck out of you. Go for a dish that you are familiar with - one you've heard of and have at least tried. You want to be sure you know you like it. After that they sky is the limit.

You can work hard at your job and be a hero in the office but that doesn't capitalize on a mutual interest that everyone on the planet shares. Being able to do something well, one that the general population can partake in, is an affable conquest. It's one that will benefit you AND those you chose to share your talent with.

Bon Appetite.