I really like to cook. I like to read cookbooks and find recipes, and then make them for family and friends. Right now I'm cooking my way through some vegan cookbooks, and I'm really liking it. Vegan Cookies, Traditional Family Recipes, Leafy Greens, Beans, Desserts, Soups, Stews, One-Dish and One-Pot Meals, Pasta, and generally anything easy, healthy, and tasty! Traditional Family Recipes: Minestrone Soup, Holiday Torta (ingredients include anise liquor, swiss chard, rice, and raisins; it's a weird dessert that tastes like black licorice, but has a fabulous crust), Grandma's Pie Crust and Apple Pie, Mom's Zucchini Enchiladas, Steamed Persimmon Pudding, Andrea's Citrus Biscotti, My Hawaiian Coconut Pudding (I requested the recipe from a restaurant in Maui, and it was a hit when I made it again!)... My family has a lot of traditional foods, and everyone of cooking-age contributes something. We always have a recipe or two to rave about and share. Food is a big deal with us, and it's one of the ways we like to spend time together. Since my wedding in 2008, I've been gradually transitioning to a more plant-based diet, and thus we are also forming new traditions-- like having an excellent thanksgiving seitan roast instead of turkey! Canning and preserving is also a big thing in our house-- my mom and I make the best marmalade! Thanksgiving 2008: cooked a semi-traditional, healthy Thanksgiving dinner for my parents, sister, and husband. All of them loved it, and raved about the brined turkey, homemade cranberry sauce, and from-scratch pumpkin pie! Epic win!! Blueberry Muffins: the recipe author forgot to put sugar in the ingredients list, so I didn't use any-- the resulting muffins smelled sorta like blueberry, but tasted exactly like hot glue. Yuck! Epic fail!!