Dr. Michelle Gordon believes in living life to the fullest. She has a passion for travel. The concept for Life.Matters came to her while traveling to New Orleans in early 2014. She is a board-certified general surgeon and founded Northern Westchester Surgical Associates in Putnam Valley, New York in 2005. Dr. Gordon has expertise in minimally-invasive surgical techniques including hernia repairs and colon surgery. She offers her patients the best possible outcomes by providing them the highest standard of care—helping them return home as soon as possible after a procedure. In addition to the surgical practice, Dr. Gordon is very enthusiastic about living a healthy and meaningful life. She is a fitness enthusiast and healthy food advocate. She is a proponent of balanced, passionate living because Life.Matters. When not traveling the world, she resides in Cortlandt Manor, New York, with her wife, Dr. Valerie Zarcone and their two Newfoundlands, Sushi and Sashimi. Learn more about Dr. Michelle Gordon at www.drmichellegordon.com. Chef Cassandra Cotoia began her culinary journey with her Italian grandmother when she was 7 years old helping make all her family favorites. It was in that kitchen that she felt the impact food had on her family and their traditions. This love for food eventually led her to study at the Culinary Institute of America where she graduated in 2003. Chef Cassandra worked in several restaurants in the Hudson Valley, eventually becoming Executive Chef of La Puerta Azul, an upscale Mexican restaurant in Millbrook, NY. From there she set her sights on working privately, and in 2013 joined Northern Westchester Surgical Associates and Dr. Michelle Gordon as their private chef. In this environment she has been able to pursue her passions of working with local farmers, growing her own vegetables and cooking farm-to-table cuisine. She currently lives with her fiancé Jim and their miniature poodle Roy in Peekskill, NY.

Why a cookbook?

life.matters is a show about living. And food is part of everyday life!
It’s also a show about setting and achieving goals, climbing mountains and becoming our best selves. No one can maintain a super-restrictive diet forever. In our world, we play hard and we eat well. As you’ve seen in the show, we drink and we eat. The point is, we are living our lives. No one feels deprived or left out… and that’s the point.

Chef Cotoia and I hope you’ll enjoy these dishes which are not only delicious but practical. We want you to enjoy these recipes, play with them, and tell us what you think at www.drmichellegordon.com.