I am a baker at heart, but have been cooking more in recent years. After a year and a half of vegan eating I was diagnosed with another food intolerance. In addition to my dairy allergy, I discovered that I have fructose malabsorption, which severely limits my fruit and vegetable intake. :( For the last three months I have been on an elimination diet as I try to learn what foods I can eat safely. Through this process I have identified that soy makes me sick as well. To re-cap, no dairy, no soy, and VERY limited fruit and vegetable intake. Yikes! As a result of my latest diagnosis I have begun eating meat again and I must cook almost everything I eat. Avoiding soy and high fructose corn syrup pretty much means avoiding anything in a package. I'm trying to learn new ways to nourish my body without getting sick, while creating meals that my boyfriend and I both enjoy. Luckily, he is wonderfully supportive, willing to try most things and not super picky when it comes to food. brownies, cookies, cakes, soup Some of my favorite memories from growing up occurred on Saturday mornings, sitting in the kitchen while listening to Motown as my dad made breakfast. He worked late during the week, so weekends were the only time he really got to cook for us. I still prefer a biscuit or muffin that he has made to any other.