Why this blog?

The year 2012 is about eliminating the words "I've always wanted to do that" from my vocabulary. It's time to either make a plan to achieve the lifelong dream or come to the realization that, in fact, I do not REALLY want to do it...I only think it sounds like a neat idea for SOMEONE to do.

This undocumented, lifelong, dream-list of accomplishments varies from the inane, childhood desire to color an entire coloring book from front cover to back cover to more recent aspirations involving self-improvement in terms of learning and travel. Somewhere along this spectrum is the desire to pick an interesting cook book and cook my way through every recipe, which is herein what this blog is all about.

The idea is to systematically cook our way through a cook book filled with fabulous recipes that will not only enhance our dining pleasure, but also will provide some much needed motivation to get active and stay active in the kitchen. This goal is very much in keeping and supportive of the pursuit of a healthy and active lifestyle, which began in September 2010 when I enrolled in a session of Zumba Fitness classes at my local community center...but that's a whole different FORUM. In keeping with a Latin-themed fitness regimen and up-and-coming plans to travel to Latin cultures, three of the four books currently under consideration for this worth while project are Latin based.

1. Simple food, big flavor: unforgettable Mexican-inspired dishes from my kitchen to yours by Aaron Sanchez

2. La comida del barrio: Latin-American cooking in the U.S.A. (again) by Aaron Sanchez

3. Salsas that cook: using everyday salsas to enliven our favorite dishes by Rick Bayless

4. Geoffrey Zakarian's Town and Country: 150 Recipes for life around the table by (hello) Geoffrey Zakarian

These books were all selected by my Mom when she had fun in her local library. Fortunately, all are also all available at through my local library system. I have reserved each one and am eagerly awaiting the opportunity to peruse through their pages of culinary fabulousness.

Your assignment, should you choose to join in on this adventure, is to see which of these books you are able to easily get your hands on, as this WILL have a bearing in which books we select for the process. You must be a member of this blog in order to post, so please do so, and comment on this post to begin the discussion of which book we should select first for the enjoyment of all.