Don't know where it came from... I just love to cook. I also write literary arts and play music, so perhaps cooking is just another outlet for creativity. I feel that feeding my family healthy foods so that they will feel good and live longer, is one of the best ways to show love. My meals usually consist of a whole grain element somewhere involved, either on the side, or mixed in; and some veggies, either chopped up and sautee'd, or steamed on the side; and a protein element... but not a big hunk of meat; I like to use meat in small amounts to add flavor/ texture, but make efforts to minimize usage, for money and health reasons. This, of course challenges me to use legumes, tofu, nuts, and the various proteins available in a way that is still flavorful and filling. I like sauces.. once I picked up on the basic principals, I became a sauce making machine. Sauce can make an otherwise bland, or ordinary meal, gourmet! We typically skip dessert. My mom will mix things that don't seem to belong, but then somehow it works! So I stopped questioning her and she helped me lose my fears of looking "outside the box." My husband has high cholesterol, so we tried a "no meat or cheese" diet, and that got old fast so now we eat meat and cheese, and just make sure to drink plenty of wine;) The vegetarian diet did, however, open some doors to creating great dishes without depending on meat or cheese, which us Americans do rely so heavily upon. Cooking vegetarian for months without anyone noticing... let me tell you, that is a feat! shhh... nobody knows about them, 'cause I'll throw 'em down the sink, and start over, with a good excuse... like, "didn't thaw that (whatever) out in time." With experimental cooking, feces will occur. Those make the most memorable learning lessons.