I’ll be the first to say it - as a child, I was odd. One of the first warning signs of this to my parents was probably that at about age nine, I was watching Food Network. And, from this ripe young age, I have fostered a great love of some of the network’s greats. Giada, Sandra Lee, Rachel Ray - but none can compare to my ultimate idol, Ina Garten.

For those of you who don’t know her, I’m sorry. Watch her show, get her cookbooks, but also read these quotes. She started off working in DC for the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, then left that, move to the Hamptons, and started a specialty food store, and built an empire off of it. You’ll hopefully understand why this lady is #lifegoals.

1. “You can be miserable before a cookie and you can be miserable after you eat a cookie but you can’t be miserable while you eat a cookie.”

It’s the little things, folks. Just enjoy your darn cookies.

2. “Fun is the most important. If you do stuff for money, it never works out.”

So for instance, leave your government job and get your own cooking show.

3. “If you think about a Thanksgiving dinner, it’s really like making a large chicken.”

People over complicate these things. White meat is white meat people.

4. “They say that gardens look better when they are created by loving gardeners rather than by landscapers, because the garden is more tended to and cared for. The same thing goes for cooking. I only cook for people I love.”

Work for those you love, and love your work.

5. “I get up every day, do the best that I can do, and go home and have a good time.”

The keys to success.

6. “I try to greet my friends with a drink in my hand, a warm smile on my face, and great music in the background, because that’s what gets a dinner party off to a fun start.”

See, this lady knows a good party is always about the #dranks

7. “I love to take something ordinary and make it really special.”

Your room, your food, your relationships - do the best you can, when you can!

8. “Anyone who tries to make brownies without butter should be arrested.”

I’m looking at you, vegans.