Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I became a serious eater because I grew up with 2 working parents. My mom didn't really like to cook, either. There were lots of TV dinners and fast food. I then went into a 6 year relationship with an Italian-American. And while, he taught me many things about cooking (many I use to this day), he was very limited with his palate. He didn't like seafood and we mostly ate only Italian when we went out. Once I left that relationship, I decided I wanted to explore the food world. I began trying so many things I had never had. To this day, if I haven't had something and it is offered, I try it. No matter the color! There have been things I've spit out, but by far, I have experienced the true pleasure of real, natural food. Fruits and veggies not dipped in sauces and sugars. Cheeses I never knew existed. Tofu and other vegan specialties that I didn't think I'd enjoy as a meat-eater. I expanded my cooking skills and now my family eats home-cooked meals at least 5 times a week. I make sure my son at least tastes things before he refuses them (no small feat with a 2-yr-old). And I cook with fresh, natural ingredients. I not big on organic, but I do try to look for local farmers, lots of farmer's markets in my area. I love food now. I thought I loved it before, but now I know what real food is and I love more than I could have imagined.