I cook many things.  I develop new recipes.  I pour over cookbooks.  I relish new flavors.  I revel in culinary victories.

My kitchen is my studio, my laboratory, my sanctuary.

While some women delight in buying a cute new handbag that just went on sale or those sassy shoes that just went on clearance, I celebrate (and stock up) when things like butter, pure vanilla extract, and Ghirardelli chocolate chips go on sale.  I have more spices than will fit in any spice rack and I keep at least 5lbs of flour, 4 lbs of sugar, and 1lb of brown sugar on hand at all times (you just never know when an emergency batch of cookies will need to be baked for someone).

In all my cooking and baking I have one common ingredient: music.  Yep, my ipod is a necessity among my most treasured kitchen gadgets.

This weekend I was cooking up some delicious new concoctions all while grooving away to some of my favorite tunes.  That’s when it hit me: cardio cooking!  If I ever had a cooking show, thats what it would be…”1 pinch crushed red pepper Cha Cha Cha!”

I was so inspired I donned my favorite sexy red dancing dress, some comfy shoes, my cutest retro hostess apron and then Salsa’d and Tango’d my way through my recipe.  It was delightful!  I even lit some candles and served up my meal complete with a goblet of milk; sometimes you just have to get all dolled up, dance around the kitchen, and serve yourself a stunning meal because you are just. that. fabulous.

Try it.  Put on a sexy fun outfit and crank up your favorite dance tunes whether its got a spicy Latin beat, a sensual Arabic rhythm, a hep Swing beat, or a hot Hip Hop rhythm.  Whatever your flavor turn it up and Salsa your way from the sink to the fridge; belly-dance your way over to the pantry; jump, jive and wail your way to the microwave; and krump your way to the cupboards.  I’m telling you, not only will you add a new dynamic of fun to your cooking routine, but you will also be pre-burning calories so you can savor every last bite of that deliciousness you just created with guilt-free abandon!