I grew up in Louisiana. Gumbo, Okra and Tomatoes, Jambalaya, Etoufée, Fried Turkey, Couvillon, Bouillabaisse, Crawfish, Shrimp, Snapper, Catfish, Pistolettes, PoBoys, Muffalettas, Crêpes, Sun Tea and more were just a regular part of life. One of the first things I remember doing as a kid was serving as my mother’s sous chef, along with my sisters. I also took home economics in junior high and high school so I picked up a lot of information that I still use, now to teach my children to make healthy choices for themselves now that they are almost grown. One of the first cookbooks I remember reading in my mother’s collection was the Betty Crocker Cookbook. Recently I found a copy at a used bookstore. I expected to have to tweak most of the recipes, but a lot of them are still useful and nutritional the way they are. Thanks Mom.