I'm in my early 30s, mom to an amazing 11-year-old girl, and provide in-home therapy to troubled youth. I was introduced to the wonderful world in the kitchen first by my grandmother, then my mother, and finally by the mother of the children for whom I nannied. I'll try to cook just about anything at least once. My favorite things to cook are natural, non-toxic, and earthwise. I love using herbs, spices, whole grains, fruits and veggies in new and creative ways. I didn't really cook as a child. My repertoire consisted of frozen pizzas and mac 'n' cheese. As a college student, take-out reigned supreme... then, as a mother, I realized how unhealthy all those choices were... of course my slowing metabolism and "simplifying" mentality contributed to the choice to look to the homestead for food provision. Anyway, I was always in awe of the delights that came out of my grandma's kitchen. Grandma thinks of food and the family table as the places relationships begin, grow, and flourish. Who am I to argue with such wisdom? So, now I'm trying to carry on the tradition that grandma started - creating meals and snacks that not only fill the belly but nourish a person, body, mind, heart & soul... and, of course, it's excellent if it tastes good, too. Everything, to me, is a cooking triumph when considering my early cooking days (mac n cheese, pizza, and take-out). I'm especially proud of the cheesecakes I've been making recently. Other than that, I consider my greatest achievement to be getting my daughter to eat anything I cook. She's picky and has something against certain vegetables (like any kid). I got her to eat avocado quick bread once... she loved it, until she found out there was avocado in it. The next time, I told her it was zucchini bread. She devoured almost the whole loaf herself. ;-) I could have burned down an apartment building the first time I made Thanksgiving dinner.