Hi Friends,
I had every intention of writing my usual newsletter this week.
Then I sat down at the computer, stared at the screen, and realized I had absolutely no idea what to write.
Apparently, moving, recovering from a medical procedure, processing difficult health news, and questioning some long-held beliefs was not the recipe for creative inspiration. Who knew?
So instead of pretending I have everything figured out, I thought I’d tell you the truth:
I don’t.
Lately, I’ve been figuring things out one day at a time.
If you’ve watched my recent broadcasts, you may have noticed me talking more openly about changes I’ve made in my diet and in my thinking. To be honest, it hasn’t been easy.
For many years, I was known for eating a very strict SOS-free diet. Not only was it how I ate, it became part of my identity. It was what many people associated with Chef AJ.
But life has a way of presenting challenges that force us to reexamine things we once thought were settled.
As I’ve navigated cancer, treatments, recovery, and everything that comes with it, I’ve found myself asking deeper questions. Not just about food, but about authenticity.
How do we stay true to ourselves when our beliefs evolve?
How do we share that evolution publicly when we know some people may disagree?
How do we honor who we were without pretending we’re exactly the same person today?
These aren’t easy questions.
One thing I’ve learned is that trying to please everyone is exhausting. Trying to be honest is much simpler, even when it’s uncomfortable.
When I did Monday’s broadcast, I knew some people might be disappointed. Some may even decide to stop following me. That’s never a good feeling. But I also knew I couldn’t continue sharing only the parts of my journey that felt safe.
If I’m going to ask others to be real, I have to be willing to do the same.
The truth is that I’ve been feeling emotionally drained lately. Between recovering from my recent procedure, adjusting to our new home in the desert, and processing everything that’s happened with my health, I’ve had days where I’ve felt strong, hopeful, and optimistic—and other days where I’ve spent more time horizontal than vertical.
In fact, I know I’m not feeling well when I don’t even want to get on my spin bike. That’s usually a bigger warning sign than any lab test.
But even in the middle of uncertainty, life keeps offering little reminders of what matters.
A funny text from a friend.
A good improv class.
A walk with the dogs.
A delicious meal.
A sunset.
A really good date shake.
(Research is still ongoing as to whether date shakes should be classified as a fruit, a beverage, or a spiritual experience.)
What I’m discovering is that living well isn’t about perfection. It never was.
It’s about paying attention.
It’s about learning.
It’s about adjusting when new information or new experiences lead us somewhere unexpected.
It’s about allowing ourselves to change.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s about having the courage to tell the truth about where we are, rather than pretending to be where we used to be.
One thing this journey keeps teaching me is that life doesn’t wait for certainty. It doesn’t wait for perfect health, perfect timing, perfect test results, or perfect circumstances.
If anything, the last few weeks have reminded me how precious each day really is.
So if there’s one message I want to leave you with this week, it’s this:
Don’t wait.
Don’t wait for the perfect plan.
Don’t wait for the perfect body.
Don’t wait for the perfect diagnosis.
Don’t wait for permission.
Do what you love now.
Tell people you love them now.
Take the class.
Write the book.
Start the project.
Make the call.
Because none of us are promised certainty, but we are given today.
As always, thank you for being here.
Thank you for caring.
Thank you for your prayers, your emails, your comments, and your kindness.
I’m taking things one day at a time, finding moments of joy where I can, loving on Charles, Shiloh and Trixie, and trusting that there is still much goodness ahead.
As always, I’m rooting for you too.
With love and gratitude,
Chef AJ
🦴🐶 From the Puppy Files 🐶🦴
Thursday was Trixie’s 1st birthday! We took her hiking in the Badlands and both were so tired they stayed in bed the rest of the day 😂
Once it cooled down, we took her to Chef Tanya’s Kreamery to celebrate with a vegan vanilla ice cream.
Shiloh, of course, horned in on the celebration 😆
