To us, just like to most people, cooking is about the preparation of food. At the same time, it is also a process and an experience, and, in some cases, it can even be a passion or a profession. However, what nearly everyone seems to neglect is that it can also be a therapy. And while there has been increasing research in the field of culinary therapy and proof that the process of cooking can lead to a healthier and happier life, the average person is still simply cooking to prepare nutrients.

So how come none of those cookbooks address the possible benefits of preparing their dishes?

Unfortunately, we do not know the answer to that. But what we do know is that we set out on a different path and created a therapy cookbook that sits at the verge between a self-help book and a regular cookbook. Inside the book, the reader not only finds a self-therapeutic process that is centered around the process of cooking, but also delicious recipes that are in tune with each therapy step.

To be more specific, our book is based on a commonly used therapy model, called the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). Each chapter of the book is related to a specific stage of the TTM and includes recipes that are specifically designed for that stage. The reader is invited to start their journey of self-therapy by simply following along the different chapters of the book, while creating incredible culinary moments for themselves and the people around them. This might sound a little complex at first, so in order to get a better idea of the concept and our style of writing, we have attached a sample chapter for you.

What started as a collection of recipes and tips that we would send to friends and family, quickly developed into a book with the goal of helping as many people as possible by providing a new way to accomplish a happier and healthier life.

Niklas Hess & Sarah Sánchez

Sarah and Niklas are both Business and Law students at IE University. With Sarah´s interest in psychology, and Niklas´ interest in cooking, they were able to come together to create Mindfoodness – a therapeutic cookbook that uses the process of cooking as a self-therapeutic method.

Niklas Hess