Cook & Create: What I’m craving (and why)
On the other side of the screen: you, me, and a little more care.
Who? Who? Who? Who’s there on the other side of this screen?
This month’s theme—Cook & Create: where passion meets practice—was supposed to lead neatly into a traditional e-book. Instead, I’ve been in the real work: editing the online course we filmed months ago so it’s useful and beautiful; updating the manual for COOKED Alchemy Level 2 here in Bali so it’s stronger than last year; keeping my family business running with my sister; and helping build a creative tool for conscious food. All at once. All for others.
Passion meets practice—only if we show up with respect.
✨A Personal Note
I’m sharing this because that’s the through-line of my work: supporting people to get where they want to go.
In our family business: clear info, steady support, everyone feeling seen.
In the course: words that gently guide you toward your goal.
In the new tool: structure + reflection so intentions become real.
And yet, lately, something’s been heavy. In hospitality we say, “the customer is always right.” I’m not sure anymore. Too often we outsource responsibility, wait for the other side to fail, or forget kindness. Even a simple WhatsApp thread about building a great lead magnet felt careless—low on respect, high on noise.
Yesterday, in a creativity session, I almost cried. No love. No direction. No purpose. It hit me hard. And still—I care. I’m not the most social, but I care about you, even if we’ve never met. I crave authenticity. I crave purpose. I crave direction that’s chosen, not borrowed.
🌟 Why write this?
Because cooking and creating are acts of care. Technique matters, yes—but so does presence. You hire and pay; I serve and give; the energy moves both ways. In that exchange, we share responsibility. I want this newsletter to be a steady place where practice is guided by passion and grounded in respect. If you’re here, you’re my “who.”
In kitchens and dining rooms, service is seasoning; presence is the salt that makes everything work.
Hospitality is a meeting—and what I’m sharing next is a tool, my mise en place for that meeting.
A 1–3 minute check-in before we interact with others:
THE SHOW‑UP WHEEL
Let’s all check in together—so fewer of us check out.
Use this quick self-scan to notice your state. It’s a tiny mirror, not advice. You’ll need: A4 page/board, pen (ruler optional).
Draw a big circle.
Mark the center (dot = 0).
Divide into 8 slices and label clockwise:
Empathy • Listening • Presence • Clarity • Boundaries • Energy • Curiosity • Warmth.
Add a scale on each spoke from 0 (center) to 10 (rim).
Score each area with a mark on the spoke.
Connect the marks to see your shape.
Spot the lowest. Just notice it.
Write a 7-word intention.
Begin. This is awareness, not self-fixing.
I’m not a coach or a therapist. I don’t know how to “reset.” I’m a person who loves to create and cook for people—yesterday I cried inside, not knowing how to fix it. Well… this is my way to try. If something useful pops up, great. If not, that’s okay too.
(Tip: Imperfect drawing = perfect. This is fast, visual noticing.)
🛞 Is your wheel rolling?
Look at the shape. Rounded = it would “roll.” Deep dents/flat edges = it would bump.
Name one dent (the lowest slice).
Choose one tiny action you could do related to that slice—or simply note it and carry on.
🎰 The 8 Areas of Showing Up
EMPATHY — “I can imagine their context.”
Signals I’m low: dismissive, impatient, me-centered.
Do: Step into their shoes. Name 3 facts about them.
LISTENING — “I’m ready to hear before I speak.”
Signals I’m low: rehearsing replies, interrupting.
Do: Two breaths first. Then: “So you’re saying…”
PRESENCE — “My body is here and grounded.”
Signals I’m low: fidgety, tense jaw/shoulders.
Do: Feet–Seat–Breath. Unclench jaw, drop shoulders.
CLARITY — “I know why I’m here.”
Signals I’m low: vague aim, rambling, goal-creep.
Do: Name the ticket: “Success looks like ___ by ___.”
BOUNDARIES — “I can be kind and firm.”
Signals I’m low: saying yes by default, over-explaining.
Do: One line ready: “I can do X, not Y.”
ENERGY — “My battery is above 60%.”
Signals I’m low: irritable, foggy, hungry/thirsty.
Do: Water–Breath–Posture. Sip, 6 slow breaths, stand tall.
CURIOSITY — “I have open questions ready.”
Signals I’m low: assuming, defending, ‘already know’.
Do: Ask for 10% better: “What would make this 10% better?”
WARMTH — “My tone is friendly and respectful.”
Signals I’m low: flat, sharp, rushed greetings.
Do: Season the moment. Lead with one genuine appreciation.
Group build option (before the craziness starts)
On a whiteboard, draw one shared 8-slice wheel.
Everyone scores silently (sticky dots on spokes).
Round-aloud: one word + a 7-word intention each. No cross-talk.
Direction check: “Are we moving in the same direction today?” Name one shared focus/next step.
Keep it under 3 minutes. Alignment, not therapy.
Ready to try it yourself?
After your Show-Up Wheel check-in: what came up? A word, a dent, a direction?
Print it, sketch it, or copy it into your notebook. What matters is that you slow down and play with it.
Let’s Connect
Hit reply and tell me—what are you craving right now: authenticity, purpose, or direction?
One word is enough.
DM me, reply here, or tag @aenichi. I’m cheering for your next tiny move.
Support My Work
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A Note from Me
I builI built this tool after noticing how different I felt depending on how I showed up. My own reset looked like a pause, a long shower, sleep, yoga, and then cooking—because cooking is how I care. From now on, I’ll do a simple check-in before I meet you—not to wait for you to do the same, but to make sure I’m ready to hold the moment with you.
I’m also planning to return to Spain for six months. I’m excited—partner, friends, family—and terrified. One thing I adore about working in languages that aren’t my mother tongue, and among people from everywhere, is that I often understand about 60% and invent the rest. There’s magic in not getting the whole thing. I’m honestly scared of understanding 100%.
