MarthaStewartWanabe

about me

My name is Rebecca, but my family and friends call me Becky. I am 28 years old and live in Rochester, New York, USA. I am a life-long resident of Western New York and can't say as I'd ever want to live anywhere else. I grew up on a small dairy farm in rural Western New York and love country living. Although my husband and I live in a suburb right now, we hope someday to move back to our roots and live a peaceful country life.

My husband and I have been married five years this past October and have been blessed with the birth of our first child, a daughter, this January. Every day, I am amazed at how our little girl is growing and developing. During the pregnancy, I was very careful about the food I ate. And now because I am breast feeding, my food choices are as important as they were during the pregnancy for not only myself but my daughter too. I have read a lot about and hold my own personal skepticism regarding the affects of preservatives, pesticides, hormones, artificial colorings and sweeteners, caffeine and others and try my best to avoid them. With the increasing number of children with food allergies, I'm doing the best I can to protect my baby from the risks. I have friends and family with food allergies and know how difficult it is to cope with food restrictions. I am skilled at and enjoy cooking for those with food allergies but can't imagine making it an every-day affair.

I love to cook and entertain for family and friends. It's a great joy for me to serve them delicious, creative dishes. I always anticipate their feedback when they try something I've made. My favorite and most-utilized recipe source is RecipeZaar. In close second is the 12th Edition of the Better Homes & Gardens cookbook. I enjoy exploring new cooking techniques and experimenting with various ethnic cuisines. I am an avid viewer of the Food Network channel, always looking for new and interesting ideas.

I work at a nursing home as an Executive Assistant to the President and Administrator and have been there for almost four years. I love my job. I not only coordinate board functions, do secretarial work in the Administration Office and supervise Reception, but my bosses allow me the opportunity to build relationships with the nursing home residents. Because my coworkers and residents know cooking and baking is my passion, I have earned quite a reputation. My boss and I have done a cooking program with the residents, where we involved them in making simple dishes and sharing with the rest of the unit. I also do a baking program with the residents, where we bake a different type of cake each month to celebrate the residents' birthdays which take place that month. Cooking and baking with the residents brings them so much joy and comfort, as it helps to make the nursing home feel a little more like "home". It's amazing what the smell of fresh-baked goods can do for the mind and soul!

I identify cooking with feelings of accomplishment, peace of mind and reminiscence. My favorite childhood memories involve cooking with my mother and grandmother. We would enjoy one another's company while cooking for family gatherings. It was always a family effort harvesting, canning and freezing vegetables and fruit in the summer/fall. I wasn't aware at the time, but I was learning generations of recipes and tricks of the trade that would carry through my life and hopefully eventually through my daughter. Even though she is a baby, I bring her into the kitchen while I am cooking. Hopefully with her being raised to appreciate good food and different cooking techniques, she will have an interest one day.

I have to say Recipezaar has given me much joy. I first visited the website in search of a quick chicken breast recipe and have been hooked ever since, recommending the site to my friends and family. I enjoy posting my recipes and anticipate other viewers' reviews and ratings. The website has encouraged me to become more inventive in the kitchen. Some "mad scientist" attempts are successful, whereas others may flop. But I have realized you'll never know unless you try! Fortunately, I have my loving and tolerant husband as my primary critic and sometimes unfortunate guinea pig. God love him!



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Favorite Foods:

I don't really have a particularly favorite food. Those who know me best know I actually have difficulty commiting to the word "favorite". I do like Italian cuisine and enjoy Tuscan-style dishes, but I'll try anything.

My husband and I enjoy fine cuisine, so we are always in search of interesting restaurants with a reputation for excellence. We also love a good "greasy spoon" diner now and then or the discovery of a new "best-kept secret" restaurant. My personal favorite restaurants so far (just to name a few) are:

- Mario's Italian Steakhouse, Rochester, NY
- The Olive Tree (Greek), Rochester, NY (which recently closed, much to my dismay )
- The Red Osier (known for their prime rib), Stafford, NY
- Thai Cuisine, Ithaca, NY
- Tanino Ristorante Italiano, Horseheads, NY
- Thali of India, Rochester, NY
- Phillip's European Restaurant, Rochester, NY (the best desserts in town)
- PF Chang's China Bistro, Victor, NY (their lettuce wraps are to die for)
-Mamasan's, Pittsford, NY (The Fresh Cuisine of Thailand and Vietnam)

http://www.myspace.com/rebeccaannsager