My father was in the Air Force when I was young, so I'd like to say that I experienced eating all over the world. Unfortunately, we kept being sent to the same bases. But when I went away to college, I decided to teach myself to cook and have been having fun trying out new recipes ever since. The only problem is I'm not too fond of leftovers, and many recipes make way too many servings for me. I like the idea of the scale down feature on AllRecipes, but sometimes it isn't too practical. Just about anything that is California style or Texas style Mexican! I'm also learning that I like vegetables when they aren't cooked to death or deep fried. So while I will never be vegetarian I am expanding my repertoire of meatless meals. And I do have a sweet tooth so I like to bake as well. My Granny makes me divinity and date roll every year at Christmas and we used to make vast quantities of other cookies and candies to make up plates for friends, family, and neighbors. But I live far from home now and so I've started an annual cookie exchange with my co-workers instead. That way I get several different types of cookies, but only have to make one type, and am less tempted by all the wonderful cookie doughs around me. With my new job, I'm less active than I used to be and have found that pounds are put on more easily. So I'd say any time I can take one of my favorite recipes, tone down some of the fat and calories, and still have it taste great is a triumph! The most recent occured when I was simmering the liquid for making Mom's Great Green Beans (found on this site) and walked out on my back porch to see what had caught my dog's attention. Some neighbors were walking by and stopped to talk. By the time I made it back inside, my pot was on fire. Luckily I was able to contain it and no damage was done . . . but that scared me and I've never left anything unattended again. Except for the slow cooker.