Some Of The Best Advice I Was Given…

Wolf McTavish
Jul 29, 2017 · 3 min read

Almost twenty years ago during one of my regular visits to a local book shop I came across a cook book ‘Good Food for Men’. In the first few pages the author, Gabriel Gate, had me excited about (healthy) food. Even though I hadn’t liked or ever considered some of the ingredients included in these recipes, he had me wanting to give them a go nevertheless.

Keep A Notebook and Jot Down Your Favourite Recipes.

It’s not often that I reference this book anymore, however one of the best piece of advise that Gabriel gave in his book was to keep your own notebook. Jot down recipes which you like and notes on how you may have changed them a little. He wrote:

‘My wife, Angie, had jotted down recipes I cooked when we first met twenty years ago. If she hadn’t done this, we would have forgotten some of our favourite dishes of the time.’

I took his advice and started my own notebook. When I flip through this notebook now twenty years on, I’m reminded of the recipes that defined my life. I am reminded of recipes which I used to cook for my wife, recipes that we enjoyed back then but have not had in over ten years. I’m reminded of more than just recipes, memories of those days come flooding back to me. Things that happened that I had forgotten about. When I look at the Beef and Bok Choi page (pictured below) I remember how I embarrassed myself the first time when I tried to show my girlfriend (now wife) how to cook it. Each notation and oil spot tell a different tale. I haven’t added to it in years but I still like looking though it, I even kept some love letters my then girlfriend, now wife, sent me during that period.

Proved Themselves True

What if I hadn't started that notebook nearly twenty years ago? I’d have some vague recollection about the time I was courting my soul mate, but those words from Gabriel’s book have proved themselves true. They are good words and good advice which I am passing on to you.

Start Now.

Memories are precious but also fragile, whether it’s a cook book, a travel journal or just a journal you jot down weekly notes in, start now, because life will start to speed up and twenty years will pass by very quickly and you’ll be glad that you have something physical to reference and help consolidate your memories.

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What to read more of my writing, watch some videos? Then head over to my blog — WolfsBooks

Wolf McTavish

Written by

An ordinary guy who loves reading and technology. I want to explore the ways in which both are compatible or not so compatible. wolfsbooks.blogspot.com

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