Because I have a busy work life..I prefer to cook things that are easy to prepare. I don't like dairy & dairy doesn't like me either... especially if it's a creamy dish or sauce. I especially don't like cheese. I love dark chocolate. Oops, did I forget to say I need to lose 35 lbs? I am just starting on the South Beach Diet. I love my crock pot, It makes my life much easier. At Christmas preparing my mom's walnut or pecan Fudge for each of my brothers & sisters as a special way to remember her. Mom & Dad prepared this together in their kitchen & gave each of us 6 kids a 1 lb tub to take home from the Christmas gift exchange. I am the baby, & now I carry on their fudge legacy. Any time I can have my kitchen all cleaned up by the time the meal is served, It makes me very happy. Ten years ago I got distracted & forgot a simple pot of boiling eggs on the stove...until I heard them explode & splatter all over the ceiling. My husband laughs still to this day about that... saying "some people can't even cook boiled eggs"