Starting the New Year Right!

It's a couple of weeks into 2010, and I thought I would begin a journal about my goals for the New Year. It's simple: I want to lose 10 lbs, I want to begin bicycling again, but most importantly, I want to become the best vegetarian cook I can be.

A little history: I have been happily married to the same man for 31 years, 7 months and have two college-aged children. I am a hopeless animal lover, currently with four furry friends as my constant companions: Zoe, my 13 y/o, mostly-blind, diabetic "Ms. Barky Von Schnauzer", Puck, my rescue pup--just a big old black dog, "King" George, the adolescent white cat who truly rules the household, and Little Ginger, the rescue bob-tail kitty who contentedly resides at the bottom of the pack.

Over the past 18 months, I have lost 85 lbs and have reached my "official" WW goal, 10 additional pounds and I'll be very happy. I began bicycling (again) a couple of years ago, but last September 1, I had a serious cycling accident resulting in three lower leg fractures and a severe syndesmotic ligament rupture in my ankle. I'm probably close to 90% with my recovery and I hope to get back on the bike soon.

I had always been an accomplished cook, and a true foodie learning the skills as many have from Julia Child and Marcella Hazan. Since I became a vegetarian several years ago, my cooking skills just don't seem to be what they used to be. I have had to totally re-create, re-think, and relearn just about everything related to cooking. Even though I don't eat meat (except an occasional oyster, and I don't think they count as sentient beings), I still consider myself a foodie. My goal this year is hone my cooking skills, becoming the best and most creative vegetarian chef I can be.