For health reasons and to fit my husband's vegan lifestyle, my cooking has changed drastically over the past few years to incorporate healthier, fresher ingredients. Nearly everything is cooked from scratch so that I know what we're eating! I have learned not to be afraid of any recipe (ok, gourmet excluded), and also to be brave and switch things around without worrying that I didn't follow the "rules". It's safe to say cooking has become my love affair. :) Pancakes and muffins because they are so simple to make, and there seems to be an infinite number of variations you can make! Soups are also easy to make with what you might have stockpiled in the cupboards and fridge/freezer. A summertime cooking passion is making pizza with fresh tomato slices in place of sauce. My mom's cheese potatoes and my aunt's Sticky Buns! I also make ginger bread people for my brother almost every Christmas. A pumpkin-goat cheese cheesecake for a Thanksgiving meal was my first cooking triumph out of college.