in the kitchen. It's her happy place and stress reliever, and she loves filling people's bellies and souls with some good food. Some people believe certain types of food are soul food, but she believes all food is for the soul. The world is filled with so many delicious things, like different flavors, seasonings, herbs, and spices to bust open your taste buds. Charlene wants you to try new things and mix old recipes with new ones to see what you can create. Food is life, and you have to eat to live. Try these recipes from Charlene's ideas of comfort foods. Her cookbook has a variety of recipes, some with a modern twist. They are some of the ones she grew up on, on the south side of Chicago, with her grandmother. These homemade meals are not only inviting but also very doable, and if you feel like you're always eating and cooking the same things, Charlene offers new ideas for you to try.