
Discover more from Between the Waves
"Cookies Are Better Than Vegetables," Chata said.
🍪 When cookies hold the secret to all the superpowers you need in life.... 🍪
As many of you know, Chata was my #1, my Chief Inspiration Officer, my perma-cheerleader of all things life. For those that met her, live or over one of her famed phone consultations, she was as well. You also know how determined I am, which at first led to frustration whilst by her side as she recovered from an unexpected stroke, a frustration that has now turned itself into my latest project, Cookies Are Better Than Vegetables.
For three months, Chata would refuse to eat, and could barely speak. Yet, day after day, I would endlessly talk and read to her, while desperately trying to convince her to eat something. Day after day I failed. On yet another evening of the peanut gallery’s endless commentary re my innate stubbornness, a trait Chata lauded, I brought another plate of warm cookies down the hallway to her room, just because.
This night, out of the blue, she took a cookie off the plate and shoved the entire thing in her mouth. At first, we all panicked. But she ate it totally normally, as if not a day had passed since her last meal. A minute later, she grabbed another cookie off the plate, held it up like a host, and perfectly enunciated, “cookies are better than vegetables.”
And thus the story began.
Cookies Are Better Than Vegetables was written by Chata’s peaceful side. As I read each version to her, I would await a squeeze from her left thumb; only then would I know it was right. Over the last two years since her passing, I found an incredible illustrator, Karina Busquets, who’s best friend was also her grandmother, and who could put up with my napkin drawn scribbles and need for perfection.
Cookies Are Better than Vegetables is a combination children’s book and values journal, bringing together the values Chata instilled in us, the values that live and will live on. As it comes into its next life, I have a renewed excitement for all the stories embedded within the larger one, all the values and Chata-ness we will get to live, read, and learn over the years, all captured in the pages of Cookies Are Better than Vegetables.
Let Chata be your personal superhero, too, and follow her through the adventures of Cookies Are Better than Vegetables by joining the cookie party with us.
🍪 What if I told you cookies could give you Superpowers? That’s right! Cookies have superpowers that can also turn you into a superhero, one that flies and conquers their dreams, all with their super secret ingredients you will discover in this book. In Cookies are Better than Vegetables, follow the treasure hunt guided by a Superhero Chata and discover how to get the superpowers hidden in cookies and become a superhero, too. Not just another kid's book, but rather a first of its kind children's book for all ages x Values Journal.🍪