Judy in WA Chef #763912

about me

First, I want to thank all of you cooks out there who have contributed to Zaar. Since I found you all, I have had the most amazing cooking experiences.

I live in the beautiful Pacific NW We have 4 seasons and I love it. Lived in the low deserts most of my life-hot hot hot!!!

I moved to the NW after a divorce and my sons have followed me; so nice. I do not work outside the home, I am disabled. It took years to get used to, though. I live with a terrific man who is also my caregiver and together we have fun doing almost nothing; it's great. We live with two great cats and our children visit regularly. Very nice =)

I grew up cooking as my Mom was/is a disaster in the kitchen. And far from disliking it I enjoyed it more and more. A few months ago I found Recipezarr. What a great place! I love all kinds of cooking. Over the last few years as I have become more debilitated I have worked harder on getting meals done simply and quickly. I still refuse to use prepackaged foods of any kind. Recently have gone off corn syrup and won't use anything that uses it or it's derivatives. Avoid cured foods, preservatives, etc. also avoid soy. If I could afford it I would only use organics, but I can't. So do the best I can.

I don't know much about computers. Zaar has all kinds of games etc, but I don't know how to get involved. Everyone seems to have so much fun. But on the otherhand, I have sure learned alot of cooking techniques, ideas and tried wonderful foods from around the world that i have made myself. My cooking has improved alot. REading reviews and bios is great, too.

My passions are Jesus, creative cooking in the shortest amount of time with fresh natural ingredients, envronment, outdoors, reading, following politics.

My pet peeves are litterbugs, wasting water. As for cooking I have a couple as well: Splenda; recipe shortcuts that use prepackaged, pre-made products (I'm not a semi-homemade fan) as part of the recipe; i.e. pudding, cake mix, cool whip, etc.

I guess my one exception is spaghetti sauce. My son yesterday made a great sauce from scratch. easy and delicious. he also made pumpkin pie from fresh pumpkin. so I guess I don't have any excuse to used the canned products any more. lol

Favorite Foods:

Start with ingredients: WheyLow natural sugar alternative. (75% fewer calories and carbs than sugar about the same price as Splenda, but works exactly like sugar, so don't need Splenda blend. I've even made hard candy with it. The second is SmartBalance margarine. Works in most recipes just like butter, adds omega 3s etc. Extracts that are glycerine rather than alcohol based (i get these from Fairies on line) and the 3rd is great flour- I use King Arthur and the difference is truly amazing. Recently started using white whole wheat--very good. Also branching out to other grains thanks to Zaar and other food sites. Meats that are hormone, preservative and additive free.

Favorite is lamb, then fish. Fresh vegetables, fruits. and of course bread in all it's variations.

Best known for: baked goods: brownies and pumpkin pie my kids would say. Also Cinnamon rolls (recently made a batch with Kittencals sweet dough recipe using whole wheat four and now they are truly to die for).

Favorite foods: thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings.

No favorite restaurants

Current challenges: meals that are low carb, low fat and reduced calories without sacrificing the taste!!

Thank you all for reading and for your contributions to my culinary skills.

http://godbreathed01@yahoo.com