How I did it: I can finally confidently consider this goal complete.  After years of frustration and several mishaps that led to food in the garbage, something has clicked and I can do it.  I was cooking at least 3 days a week for about 6 months before I got pregnant.  Now the smells really bother me and I just really do not feel like it so I haven't been doing much in the past few months.
Most of the basics I have covered, and I can throw something together without measuring or worrying about getting it right.

I make an awesome pasta sauce from scratch without glancing at a recipe, and I've got chicken down pretty well.  I've made chicken dumpling soup from scratch and it was not too difficult at all, just time consuming to make the stock and slow cook everything.  I've successfully made chinese inspired dishes, mexican dishes, and the traditional home cooked meals like tuna noodle casserole.  Certainly I'm no pro, but I can make a nice variety of tasty dishes for my family, and that is exactly what I was shooting for.

One thing I need to work on is meats other than chicken and ground beef.  I get very nervous about pork being done and I leave the steaks up to my husband because he is picky about his, but I can make one for myself just fine.

Now (when not pregnant) I really enjoy cooking and have found that I am even developing my own style. 

Lessons & tips: Don't beat yourself up over the failed attempts.  The only way to figure out what works is to do it, and failures just show you what does not work!  Practice is the only way you can get there.

Jan 15, 2011, 09:13PM PST | 1 comment | 8 cheers