JanuaryBride

about me

I have been a Zaar member for over a year now and I absolutely love it! I was drawn to Zaar by the great recipes and the beautiful photos. . .gotta have a photo with a recipe! Shortly after joining, I decided to start posting a few of my own recipes. Then, in natural progression, I conquered my fear and started posting photos of my own. . EEK. . .but they absolutely got better the more I took! For the past 6 months, I have branched out and become more active on the community boards and have even participated in some of the games. It is so fun to meet new friends. . .this website truly has something for everyone! I HIGHLY recommend you try the annual Zaar World Tour if you have time to make lots of recipes. . .SO FUN! I also want to encourage you to stop by the Beverage Forum where I frequently hang out!



So a little about me. . .I am a stay at home mother of a SUPER busy toddler (who doesn't like to eat the foods I prepare which drives me nuts)! I am also the owner of a healthcare recruiting firm and have the ability to work from home (while the tot is sleeping or at school a few days per week). I love to spend time with friends and family, travel, and scrapbook.



My passion, however, is cooking (like many of you, I am sure). My friends would all tell you I am a wonderful cook; I am best known for my ribs (recipe posted) and my salads. I love to make new dishes, although I am not into difficult stuff. Healthly, comfort foods would be my favorites I would say. As of lately, I have been branching out and cooking things outside of my "norm" which has been fun! I even started growing my own herbs (dill, lemon basil, sweet basil, sage, chives, mint, and oregano) which has forced me to use them much more often. I am a true foodie; I have to admit that the only reason I go to the gym is because I can watch the Food Channel while walking on the treadmill!

I am now hosting the Veg*n Swap in the Vegetarian Forum. It's a recipe swap where we review (and get reviews for) vegetarian, vegan and raw recipes. . .come over and check it out! You need not lead a meatless lifestyle to join us!




I try to rate all recipes objectively and fair while still having fun. . .that's why we're all here, eh?

My rating system.:
5 Stars - excellent recipe with the "wow factor" and is restaurant quality with easy to follow directions

4 Stars - very good recipe, but without the "wow factor" or I perhaps had to add more seasonings to make it flavorful or the directons weren't easy to follow

3 Stars - recipe was edible, but wouldn't make it again

I won't give 1 or 2 stars, I will simply write an objective review without stars. This has never happened before, as I know what our family likes to eat and I migrate towards our favorite ingredients. We are here to have fun, so why give less than a 3!

I hope you love Zaar as much as I do!




















AU/NZ Recipe Swap, September 2008


AU/NZ Recipe Swap, August 2008


AU/NZ Recipe Swap, July 2008


AU/NZ Recipe Swap, May 2008

Favorite Foods:

Lobster, king crab legs, coffee, strawberries and gummy bears. My current favorite restaurant is Ruth's Chris Steakhouse; I know it's a chain restaurant, but they make a mean Filet Mignon and I love their Ruth's Chopped Salad. There's also nothing more perfect than a Mojito from the Ritz Carlton.

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