Welcome to A Lemon a Day!

 

Hello! I'm Debbie and I am excited to share my journey from a life in hospitality to living in Northern Spain to writing my first cookbook, *A Lemon a Day*. 

 

I'm an optimist, hard worker, and passionate about cooking, hosting dinner parties, hiking, skiing, traveling, and reading. I love riding my Peloton, listening to podcasts, sipping Pinot Noir, and indulging in pasta.

 

I grew up in a big, loving family in Thousand Oaks, California. My childhood was filled with joy, change, and growth. After losing my mother at seven, we were blessed with an extraordinary stepmother, Janine, whose unwavering strength and strong morals became a permanent pillar in our lives. Her love and guidance shaped us profoundly, and she brought a sense of stability and grace that remains with us to this day. Our family adventures included movie premiers and fun times with our new cousin, Kevin and my mothers sister, Hollywood film star Michele Carey.   

 

Our next move was Colorado, my adolescence was active, filled with skiing, horseback riding, hiking, it was here I developed a love for the outdoors. My passion for food was nurtured in a bustling household where meal preparation was a family affair.

 

I moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in the early '80s, where I fell in love with the restaurant industry. I met my husband, Vince Guasch, and together we ran two themed restaurants, The Louisiana Territory and El Paso Cafe, during the downturn of 2008 we launched four successful food trucks. Our biggest endeavor was our catering & events business: Parsley Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme (PSRT), which became Silicon Valley's favorite. 

 

Raising our children, Henry and Amelia, has been the most precious time of my life. Despite a demanding career, I balanced work and family with the help of Vince's cousin, Maica, who quickly became an integral part of our family.

 

In 2004, I joined the Rotary Club of San Jose, enriching my life with community service and lifelong friendships. At 42, I faced a life-changing diagnosis of stage 3 colon cancer, emerging a stronger and more compassionate being. This journey deepened my commitment to nourishing foods.

 

In 2018, after retiring, my husband and I moved to Spain, fulfilling a dream. We bought a beautiful 200 year old stone farmhouse; Can Mademon, and embraced a new life. Inspired by my journey with restorative foods and my children’s requests for a cookbook, *A Lemon a Day* was born, focusing on the power of real, natural foods.

 

I am excited to share my love for cooking, stories from my life in hospitality and motherhood, and the transformative power of nutritious meals through *A Lemon a Day*. Thank you for joining me on this culinary adventure.