The crispiest piece of chicken.
The last spoon of sauce.
The corner of the brownie that came out just right.
That’s generous.
It’s also a little dishonest.
Because if you’re always running on empty,
you don’t show up the way you want to.
Cooking for others starts with caring for yourself.
Not in some grand, spa-day way,
but in the simple act of making something you actually want to eat.
Taste it while it’s hot.
Pour your own glass before refilling theirs.
Save a plate for later if that’s what you need.
This isn’t selfishness.
It’s sustainability.
The best hosts aren’t the ones who sacrifice everything.
They’re the ones who still have energy when the plates are cleared.
Feed yourself first.
Then, feed the world.