I am a young cook who is constantly looking for healthier ways to live and cook. I currently live abroad which is an additional obstacle for cooking but I have learned a lot about substituting for items that are available where I live. I am from a large extended family (my dad is one of 12) therefore family gatherings at Christmas are my favorite, on the farm with awesome ham and beef and scalloped potatoes I learned never to trust dairy products in a country that LOVES salt and sugar, especially things like ricotta cheese. Let's just say stuffed mannicotti is a bust if it's extra salty and slightly sweet.