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Iberico ham is made from pigs fed a diet rich in local acorn in Spain. As a result their fat has a high content of Good fatty acids. SO we are what we eat. if we feed our animals as healthy as we would like to eat, we may be better off. Playing with genes is great and all, but in many cases Mother nature has the answer waiting for us to find it. Thousands of years of evolution counts as lots of experience

I am just coming out of one. I got tired of cooking the same things, just did not feel myself in the kitchen. Surround yourself with friends who are gourmands, who you may learn from. Also, just like working out, if you don't feel it...take a break.
I decided to eat out a bit more, in a diverse way. This gave me a break from my kitchen and allowed me to see a variety of cuisines and even wonder if I could make that..and how may I improve on it.
Everyone needs a break. You will od betetr by not forcing it and taking a hiatus, let someone cook for you..be the diner instead of the chef and server. I would watch Food Tv alot to get ideas but their programming has lately not been interesting to me, so I watch Bourdain as he explores food and culture around the world. This inspires me.

I also recently started a food blog and this has given me a new avenue within my foodie world to explore.
You can check it out: http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/rishi/

SO K9 lover, here is my advice in summation.
Do not force it, your mind is telling you it needs a change, a rest or inspiration from another source. Take a break, leave the kitchen alone and let your inner chef regroup and rest. trust me with time you will miss your kitchen and you will be aching to go to the store for ingredients to cook.

I hope this helps. I know the feeling..I suffered for a few months thinking I was no longer a good cook. But I feel I am back.
Also, you probably are cooking fine, but maybe you are tired of the same old thing. Challenge yourself into places you previously dared not go. I decided to challenge myself and tackle bread making, for example

There is something not right here. A Hamburger traces its roots to german immigrants..it is immigrant food, and should be cheap and have meat and carbs..like most peasant food. I see there are gourmet burger joints..a sandwich will run between 10 and 20 which is the most $$ a burger should be. This is wastefulness. Each of those beef sources are great enough to be enjoyed by themselves. I admit it is quite a feat, but I personally can`t go for this. How will you really know you are getting all that prime beef, will you know the difference or is it inflated hype, just like the real estate prices=)

Rishi`s blog

Yes u can have them rare. I usually buy Pokanoket brand..WHole Foods carries them. But there are quite a few places online. it is quite a healthy meat. As soon as Whole Foods starts back.. I will experiment with a few recipes and post it on here and on my blog. Subbing this for red meat can go a long way for cholesterol count, for the health minded. Don`t get me wrong..I like ALL meat, but I do love finding new ones. ANd yep..if someone pulled a switcheroo on you..you probably wont know as you was it down with a nice German brew=)

Hmmm..I think it all depends on what you want. When I was younger I never would have appreciated a true fine dining place. I am a big fan of immigrant joints and authentic food. However there are some fine dining palces that give you very creative fare made with exquisite ingredients...and others that butcher everything but the price. I have had $$ places that make me think I can cook better. I would say try it all PumpkinbBear. All the fanfare is real..there are fine places that will rock your tongue..and you know I love taking my girl out and enjoying the experience. Dont dis all fine dining places because of a shallow few; also give their menu a chance. The sea bass may such bu their Osso Bucco may be a showstopper. There is a time and place for everything.
That being said, some people will never like fine dining just like some do not like authentic ethnic foods. If you dont like fine dining, then you dont like it, however some folks do connect with it. it is just like wine...some see the dimensions of a good wine..others just taste fermented grape juice.