This morning, I’m working on a pecan square recipe for Christmas. Later today, I’ll make a creamy tomato soup that is great for cold, rainy November weather.

When I create recipes, the process often begins with scribbles, arrows and messy notes on paper. The next step is to make sure that I have all the necessary ingredients.

Cooking and baking vegan or vegetarian can be challenging. With most recipes, I try to eliminate or reduce white sugar. I also use very little coconut oil because it is high in saturated fat. Regardless of the recipe, it has to be heart-healthy (as much as possible) and nutritionally balanced. It should also have the right texture and taste good.

Sometimes, the results are great and sometimes nothing seems to work and I have to start all over again or file the recipe and rework it another time. If you spend as much time in the kitchen as I do, there will be times when things don’t go according to plan. But the scribbles, messes and flops — both on paper and in the kitchen — are an important part of the process.