Day 14 of 30

Day 14: Someone who fascinates you and why

This is Sandra Lee. She is an author and host of a Food Network show, Semi Homemade. It is one of my favorites on the Food network. She fascinates me because of what she has been through and what she has become because of it. Here is the condensed version of her story. She is the oldest of I think 4 siblings. Her mom raised them alone and also suffered from depression. This made it hard for her to function as a 'normal' mom, taking care of her kids and house and keeping a job. There were a lot of days that she would just lay on the couch and watch tv. So Sandra had to step up to take care of herself and siblings, as well as pay the bills, do laundry, prepare meals, etc. She was only about 7 or 8 when this all started. In her book she said there were times when she didn't know where her next meal would come from. So, fast forward to her college years and she developed the idea of cooking the semi homemade way. "70% store bought ingredients and 30% fresh ingredients give you easy, fast, delicious meals that you can make in minutes." There were a lot of publishers that told her this idea of cookbook would never sell...they were wrong! She now has many, many cookbooks, a memoir that she wrote, and her tv show that has been on air for about 6 years.
I just think she is amazing because there were many times in her life that she could have just thrown her hands in the air and said "forget it!" Instead she chose to persevere and look at what her hard work and dedication has made of her! She is such an inspiration to me!