I really appreciate uncomplicated recipes that combine well rounded good nutrition and ingredients with excellent flavor. I enjoy making one dish meals so I don't have to worry about side dishes. I have a husband who is not picky and almost always enjoys what I make. Over the last few years I have become more and more interested in growing my own foods. First year it was herbs, then tomatoes and herbs. This year it was herbs, tomatoes, squash, blueberries, 2 native berry bushes, corn, and 5 different types of fruit trees (dwarf, because I don't have much room!)! I am trying to overcome my black thumb - some things die or don't produce, but I still keep trying. I try my best to buy as local as possible, and organic if possible also. I also have changed my lifestyle to an animal-ingredient free one. I have forgone all meat, dairy, eggs, gelatin (boiled connective tissues), etc. I feel WONDERFUL now, and I am eating better than I ever have before. I love Indian, Italian, African, Mexican, garlicky Mediterranean dishes, and anything with lots of spice! Everything I make is animal-free. I also love a good veggie burger, and have a weakness for coconut based ice-cream. My dad makes really good mashed potatoes, but we don't really have any cooking traditions. My meat-loving husband requests me to make my "mock meatloaf" more than any other food. We use it to make delicious sandwiches. Wow, he's being healthy and sustainable without even realizing it! I started a fire in my toaster oven when I was broiling portobella mushrooms to make "Portobella Burgers" from this site. I was able to save the mushrooms, however, and the burgers were delicious.