In this Huffington Post feature, Melissa shares how “her brand of cooking is an extension of her life experiences and her philosophy about living well.” She speaks candidly about growing up with a single mom who often struggled to pay for the 45 cent school lunch and how the school’s receptionist made a lasting impact on Melissa’s life by finding a simple solution. In addition to sharing advice for parents who just want to put good meals on the table for their children, Melissa also dispels some common myths about her life, talks about her family, and (for the first time!) shares a photo from her wedding.