I like the art of creating something whether it be in the form of food, photography, jewelry design or pottery. Cooking is relaxing, very methodical and helps me unwind. It's something I can do on my own, with my Mom or nephew. What I love about allrecipes.com are the reviews/tips from community and the recipes are usually easy to understand, 3-4 steps. Do salads count? I'm the designated salad maker at family gatherings. I really enjoy a great salad with a nice piece of grilled chicken or fish, add in fruit, or with some dried seaweed or flax seeds. Food should have FLAVOUR and make your tummy sing! Right now my recipe box collection is 80% dessert but I really do eat raw and healthy. Mom's peanut brittle is requested at work ever since I brought them in for bake sale. I used to gift it as Christmas stocking stuffers. Unfortunately I never made this without Mom's help so the tradition stops here unless I figured out how to replicate it. If people eat what I make, it's considered a triumph. I've been cooking for my siblings since my teens but never followed any recipes. People like my salad rolls, sushi and when I have time, I bring in the "best-bran" muffins to work. Years ago my girlfriend and I were asked to make cheesecake to welcome new international students. We tested the recipe all week to get it right. It was a hit! Later we got asked to prepare the same for a new family in town. The recipe had to be doubled but my girlfriend had exams so I was left on my own. The cheesecake was 'no-bake' so it wasn't the hard kind but the "wiggle" should have warned me that something wasn't right. When we opened up the spring form, the pie filing oozed out and splattered right on the white linen tablecloth. I was in shock and didn't know what happened. My girlfriend and her boyfriend said it was alright, we spooned it up and serve in cups. I found out later that someone placed all 5 cheesecakes outside near a (laundry?)vent. The rest of the summer I made cheesecakes for several bridal showers to overcome the angst of that evening.