Baby. Eggplant.

There are few things cuter than a baby eggplant. Except maybe puppies. And real babies, of course. Which is why I’m writing this post today.

I’m having one. A baby. Not an eggplant.

(And I think my heart just lept into my throat and my stomach as I wrote that sentence).

You see, in some ways, I’ve been keeping this little miracle a secret. Not really on purpose. But because if you saw me on the street, you would have no way of knowing that I was having a baby (and again: not an eggplant). So let me explain…

I won’t get into too much detail, but I’ll say this: Angels exist. Really, truly, seriously. And I am certain of this because I know two angels quite well.

Almost ten years ago, I started chemo and other aggressive measures to stay alive. And while you all know how that turned out – I survived, my kidneys did not, and now I write about food – there’s also another personal piece to the puzzle.

I was told that day that I most likely would not be able to have children. Neither bear them myself nor have them bare my genetic likeness. And that was just a reality – like all the others – that I accepted.

But let me remind you again: Angels exist.

Almost a decade later – as I built this website and my family and was reminded everyday that the impossible is always possible with a little creativity – my wonderful man friend and I decided to give it a shot. To try and see if we might be able to produce a loving being of our own ingredients, with the help of another. And that’s where these Angels entered our lives. And now, almost nine months later, yet another limitation seems like just a flickering thought in a bright future ahead.

So while I don’t have a filled belly, I feel so full.

I am reminded that the toughest journeys can take us to some of the most spectacular places. That, if you let them, hardships will set sail. Off to unexpected places and uncharted territory. And that all you have to do is just hang in for the ride.

So here’s what I want to leave you with:

First, no more secrets. These next few months will be wild, but I’ll do my best to post once a week – about eggplants, not babies. And if I seem absent, just know I’m attempting to change a diaper and I’ll be with you shortly.

Second, the cookbook is officially hitting stores at the end of January, 2013, so look forward to more exciting news as we gear up for the release. And again, if I seem absent, just know I’m attempting to change a diaper while coordinating PR efforts, and I’l be with you shortly.

And third, if all this baby eggplant talk has you hungry, check out this baba ganoush recipe or any of these ideas from Saveur for some purple inspiration.

And as always, live on.