When my sister lost a lot of weight in 2008 she started baking and cooking ridiculously high fat and sugary foods and feeding other people. She would bring two trays of brownies covered in fudge icing and chocolate chips to a family event, plus chicken parmesan, lasagna, corn dogs, etc. Even my husband's family commented on how thin she was for someone who cooked like she does. At the time we didn't know she'd had secret Lapband surgery in Mexico. She finally came clean at Thanksgiving 2008, after presenting a huge tray of mini pastries made with love and, as we discovered that day, true longing for what she could no longer have!

I bring this up because lately, I've been cooking and baking a lot. I cooked regularly for my family before surgery and we have always enjoyed entertaining but now I find reasons to make gingerbread and other cookies, fresh bread, braised short ribs, jambalaya, soups, country pate, Indian curries, and... I even made my own cheese recently! I am making food that makes people happy and that I love but can't really eat except for a bite or two. Granted, the food that I have been making is definitely healthier than what my sister makes but I wonder if I am doing the same thing she did - transferring my love of eating to a love of feeding those I love with food I want myself.

Suddenly, I've become very popular at work and among our friends -- could be all the baked goods I've been gifting and the food I've been blogging about. In fact, I am thinking that if I get laid off (which could happen) I will change careers and become a cooking teacher or small scale caterer or personal chef for hire.

Wouldn't it be ironic if finally successfully losing weight leads me to a career in gourmet food?!? Or, maybe this phase will pass... I know my friends and family hope it doesn't!!!

Off to Mexico tomorrow at 6am for a family vacation. All inclusive resort means buffet meals. New mantra - only one bite, only one bite, only one bite! Have to leave room for the margaritas after all!

Adios!