I am an ICU nurse with a passion for reading and yoga. I usually pick a Nationality and take it from there: Italian, Asian, or Mexican usually. When my mother recently passed away, I acquired her recipes and cookbooks from the early 1970's-80s. It has been a real delight to retaste and revamp these "old school" dishes I remember as a child. Anytime I can take something really bad for you (think Paula Dean!) and turn it into something healthy without sacrificing too much flavor.