Author Quotes

We all have within us a deep wisdom, but sometimes we don't know we have it.

The key point to understand is that prosperity is an internal experience, not an external state, and it is an experience that is not tied to having a certain amount of money.

Our bodies communicate to us clearly and specifically, if we are willing to listen to them.

Your intuition will tell you where you need to go; it will connect you with people you should meet; it will guide you toward work that is meaningful for you - work that brings you joy, work that feels right for you.

When you truly give up trying to be whole through others, you end up receiving what you always wanted from others.

Very seldom do we receive any support for trusting ourselves, listening to our own sense of inner truth, and expressing ourselves in a direct and honest way.

You create your opportunities by asking for them.

No scoundrel is so stupid as to not find a reason for his vile conduct.

When I'm trusting and being myself as fully as possible, everything in my life reflects this by falling into place easily, often miraculously.

When we consistently suppress and distrust our intuitive knowingness, looking instead for authority, validation, and approval from others, we give our personal power away.

Ambition is an idol, on whose wings great minds are carried only to extreme; to be sublimely great or to be nothing.

Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness.

I've taught myself how to use good, fresh ingredients and to prepare them as simply as possible by cooking only to enhance their intrinsic flavors.

I've lived in the Hamptons since 1978, when I first bought my store Barefoot Contessa.

I'm really a scientist. I follow recipes exactly - until I decide not to. And then I'll follow something else exactly. I may decide I could turn this peach tart into a plum tart, but if I'm following a recipe, I follow it exactly.

I worked for the Office of Management and Budget in the White House, on nuclear energy policy. But I decided it would be much more fun to have a specialty food store, so I left Washington D.C. and moved to the Hamptons. And how glad I am that I did!

I use other cookbooks for inspiration. I must say I tend to cook from my own cookbooks for parties.

I time everything. I'm a scientist at heart.

I measure everything, because I always think that if I've spent so much time making sure this recipe was exactly the way I want it, why would I want to throw things into a pot?

I love Alton Brown's show 'Good Eats,' about the chemistry of food. It's really thoughtful.

I like almonds as a snack - keeps your energy up but doesn't fill you up.

I learned that the hardest party to pull off successfully is Saturday night dinner. This meal is expected to be elaborate: appetizers, first course, dinner, dessert, and coffee. People arrive at 7:30 or 8 p.m. and stay for hours - definitely past my bedtime - and they all go home exhausted.

I don't like sitting at a table that's too large, where everyone is too far apart. That's a party killer.

I always have music. I love it to be very upbeat. When you're having drinks, I like something like Cesaria Evora. During dinner, I like the much more traditional - old Frank Sinatra and things like that.

I absolutely adore Thanksgiving. It's the only holiday I insist on making myself.

Grilled cheese and tomato soup is the ultimate comfort meal.

Never let 'em see you sweat. Guests feel guilty if they think you've worked too hard to make dinner for them - which of course you have!

My mother would never let me in the kitchen. I always wanted to cook, but I was never allowed to. Her view of the world was, 'Cooking is my job, and studying is your job.' I think, in retrospect, she didn't like the chaos. She was very orderly. It had to be her way.

In the summer you want fresh, light and sort of quick things; in winter you want things that are comforting, so your body really tells you you want to go towards potatoes, apples, fennel, things that are warm and comforting. And loin of pork.

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.