My idea is to create a recipe book that will benefit people with learning disabilities, the elderly, children or people from non-English speaking backgrounds, which will help them identify picture-based step-by-step recipes to cook nutritious meals and therefore improve their health.

The reasoning behind the cookbook is that I have family members that have learning disabilities which made it difficult for them to follow recipes. As a result, they were unable to cook even the most basic healthy nourishing meals and were compelled to buy takeaway meals or eat out most of the time. Occasionally, what they were capable of cooking wasn’t very balanced - mostly meats, with little or no input of vegetables.

Over a period of time, we noticed that one family member was losing a lot of weight, and a visit to the doctors revealed that they were malnourished. While another found out they were pre-diabetic and if they didn’t make changes to the way they ate, they would soon be declared diabetic and go on medication, which is not the way of life they want for themselves.

I saw this huge gap between where they are now and where they could be and want to be. They are in a place where they have little or no control over their health, while they’d very much like to be healthy and independent adults, not impeded by their learning disability anymore.

That’s why I am creating this cookbook with simple step-by-step pictures which will help them and others in their daily independence and confidence to prepare their own meals.

If you or a friend/relative relates to my story, my wish for you through this book is that you can enjoy cooking these meals and have fun at the same time. If you have experienced a learning disability in any form, I hope this book will restore your self-worth and transform your life into a healthier life, one meal at a time!

I hope this book gives you the awareness you are due, and finally fills the gap that has existed for many years.