I am a new mom who decided to learn the ropes in the kitchen. I am finding out all kind of new ways to prepare some of the foods that I grew up with, and also try some things that I've never even heard of! I love taking a recipe and "making it my own" as my mom would say. I guess I have a hard time sticking to exact directions.My family is vegetarian, and keeping things varied and exciting is very to important us. I used to feel like there are only so many things that you can do without meat, but I am learning that is so untrue! There is a plethora of grains, vegetables and fruits out there to play with. You just have to be brave sometimes! I love cooking dinner from scratch. There is something very rewarding about taking raw food and turning it into a tasty way to end the day. I also love playing with new foods and flavors. Even when the results are not so good, then hey, at least now you know. We are a young family, but very much looking forward to creating more memories together in the kitchen. My daughter sits in her bouncy chair on the counter and watches me cook on occasion, and I can't help but smile when I look at her, thinking of the moments we'll share together in our kitchen. I can see how food already brings our family so much closer together. My husband is so adventerous and encouraging when it comes to food, however honesty is an important cooking tradition in our house. We get a lot of laughs. For me, victory is creating a meal in my head, bringing it to life, and having it actually work! In our house we do a thumbs up or thumbs down vote as to whether a recipe will ever be seen again. Those thumbs ups make you feel really great. Posting my first recipe entirely of my own creation on this site felt pretty great too! While I don't exagerrate when I say I've had MANY tradgedies in learning (definately not a natural), I'd have to say that sauces are particularly difficult for me. I usually find a way to burn them!