Marin Mama Cooks

Tasty foods for families

work with me

Marin mama natural chefI recently graduated from the Natural Chef Program at Bauman College in March of 2016, so I’m officially a natural chef! Yippee!

I’m now expanding from just the sitting behind the computer and typing up recipes. I want to get out there and work with YOU in person. One of the things I love to do is share techniques, recipes and ideas, and teach people how to cook! I gain so much from working hands on with people!

Some of the services I’m offering are;
  • Catering small intimate dinner parties or lunches.
  • Teaching cooking classes to newbie cooks, teens, parents, as well as parents and children together. Why not get cooking together as a family, right? 
  • I’m also available to come in your home and personally teach you the basics of cooking, menu planning and grocery shopping.
  • I can help you restock, or stock your kitchen/pantry with healthy staples and snacks.
  • I can go through with you and and organize your kitchen with the necessary tools and gadgets to become a great chef in your own house!

I’m also a natural sales person, so if I find a gadget, product or ingredient that I LOVE, then I can sell it to anyone. I have a natural enthusiasm and excitement for talking to anyone and everyone about the things I LOVE, so if you have a product that you want me sample, advertise, or create a recipe for, then email me!

Let’s get started  and get working together!
Email me at marinmamacooks@gmail.com
Marin mama cooks going surfing
 Cheers!
Jacquelyn Grandy
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. hi – Do you offer kids cooking classes? I have 5th grader who thinks she should be on master chef junior but she could use some real training.

    Reply

    • Hi Heather! You’re too adorable! I love that your daughter loves to cook! How awesome is that? Funny you should ask, because I’m thinking of starting up some cooking classes for kids, moms and teens once my Natural Chef school finishes up in March, so the classes may be more likely to happen in April. I would love to talk to you further to see exactly what you’re looking for and what type of recipes your daughter is interested in making! Feel free to email me at jackiegrandy@comcast.net and we can go over it more! 🙂

      Reply

  2. Dear Jacquelyn, I’ve been following you for about 2 years now and have tried many of your recipes. Haven’t had the courage to try kale salad yet though I think I can get kale here. My goal was to lose 30 lbs. and I did that over almost 2 years and now I am the right weight for my height but a bit flabby!! Can’t always find the ingredients for every recipe since I live overseas but I appreciate the effort you take and the healthy recipes. Bless you as you finish up this course and look to the wonderful future that is in store for you and your kids!

    Reply

  3. Hi there, I just discovered your blog and after reading a few posts and checking out a bunch of recipes, I’m super inspired and can’t wait to try so many of them! Steel cut oats and quinoa are cooking on the stove right now for me and my 5-year old son to enjoy tomorrow. I’m trying to get us away from processed foods and excessive sugar and your recipes are a wonderful resource. One just has to look at you and your kids’ beautiful, glowing faces to see the powerful, positive effect of healthy eating. Thanks for putting this out in the world – again, you’re a real inspiration! All the best, Jess

    Reply

    • Hi Jess! I’m so happy you discovered my blog and found a few recipes to try. Yippee! I hope you both loved the quinoa oats! If you son was not a fan, try the regular steel cut oats, my kids love the regular ones, rather than the one mixed with quinoa. I’m so happy that you’re making the choice to get away from processed foods and refined sugar. It’s sad, but sugar is found in all processed foods, so just getting away from processed foods will help you reduce your sugar intake. I’ve also started substituting coconut sugar in place of regular sugar and it’s a 1-1 substitution and you don’t taste a difference at all! Anyway, thanks for saying hi and I’m so happy to hear you found my blog. Please let me know what you make and what works! Also, if you have any questions, please ask! Have a wonderful holiday! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  4. Hi Jackie,

    I just tried to send you an email but it didn’t seem to go through?

    My name is Kiran and I run a food blog (http://happygut.ca/) with mostly vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free recipes.

    I’m writing a blog post for the best stuffed squash recipes. Would I be able to feature your recipe by sharing a link to your post and sharing one of your photos? I would, of course, give you full credit for the photo and link your recipe only (i.e. not sharing the recipe directly on my post).

    Let me know 🙂

    Thank you for all that you are doing for health foodies around the world!

    Warmly,

    Kiran

    Reply

    • Hi Kiran! Hmmm… it’s strange that emails are not going through as I tried a few test emails and they worked. I don’t know what’s happening there, so sorry about that. Yes, you can totally use my squash recipe. Thanks for asking! Have a wonderful week! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  5. Hi Jackie, I’m coordinating a very special blogger Cider Appreciation Tour & Tasting in mid-November at AppleGarden Farm in Tomales–the only farmstead cidery in Marin County! I’d love to send you an invitation. Can you please email me (pavonek@aol.com) ASAP with best email for you? Hope you can join us.
    Cheers,

    Karen Pavone http://www.farministasfeast.com

    Reply

  6. Hi Marin Mama,

    I just wanted to drop you a quick note to tell you how much I LOVE your food blog. I have been following for about 2 years now. Thank you for doing what you do!!! I am sure there are so many fans out there that you aren’t aware of, so I just thought it would be nice for you to hear that your recipes are awesome from one of them! So nice to have healthy, unique and yummy options for the family. THANK YOU!

    Reply

    • Hi Andrea! Awww… comments like yours make my heart so happy! Seriously, I love hearing a “hello” from a reader, especially readers that have stuck with me through over the years. I’m so happy you’re loving the blog and that you’re finding some great recipes to feed your family. I’m learning so much at school and can’t wait to get some energy back, (tired after my first week) so I can share all that I’m learning and some new recipes with you! Have a wonderful night and thanks so much for reaching out and saying hi! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  7. Hi Marin Mama,
    I too am a Marin Mama. I love your blog! I am part of a mother/daughter philanthropic organization called the National Charity League. My daughter is in the senior class (having been in the group 6 years) and we are doing a “cooking” meeting to help our seniors make easy meals in the dorm and apartments. Would you be available to work with the girls in this meeting? Your energy and approach would be absolutely fantastic for this group and we would so love for you to inspire them to cooking healthy, easy meals!
    Debra

    Reply

    • Hi Debra! Nice to hear from another Marin mama 🙂 I would love to work and talk to the girls! I love talking to teens (I have one of my own, so I totally get them) and I’m trying to figure out a way to teach teens how to cook by offering cooking classes down the road and such! Anyway, why don’t you email me @ jackiegrandy@comcast.net and we can talk further about the dates and what exactly you’re looking for! Once you email me, we can set up time to chat via the phone. Sound good?

      Thanks for reaching out Debra! I look forward to hearing from you. xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

      • Thank you so much Jackie, Karin Reeves and her daughter Lizzie will contact you to see if we can get something worked out. They are the mother/daughter pair who are planning the event and would be the best ones to discuss dates and details. I think they are targeting early February. I hope we can get a date together. Would love to meet you!
        Debra

        Reply

  8. Thank you for the great recipes. I just made the quinoa/bean wraps in the morning and took the cast iron pan to the cabin where I assembked them that night in my small kitchen. I loved that we could play at the beach all day and have dinner ready to go. Then we had your steel cut oats in the morning with berries and honey. You are making my life easier with a 5,3, and 4 month old. So I just wanted to say thanks for the time you put into this. You save me a lot of time and I am grateful!

    Reply

    • Hi Whitney! First off, you’re SO WELCOME! I’m ecstatic to hear that I’m making your life easier! That’s what I aim to do, get moms back into the kitchen again by showing them how easy it is to cook, and when I hear awesome comments like yours, it keep me going, so thanks 🙂

      Wow! You have your hands full with 3 kids 5 and under. YOU GO GIRL! Kudos to you for cooking healthy for your gang and being an awesome mom! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  9. I am so happy I found your blog! I absolutely love all of your recipes. I can’t wait to start trying them. I’m a recent college graduate so I am slowly building my kitchen skills along with supplies. I need to get a food processor and was wondering if you could let me know what type you use? Also I was wondering if there are any other kitchen staples I should consider investing in? Have you ever used a spiralizer for veggies?? Again I can’t express how happy I am that I came across this, I pinned probably 8 to 10 recipes by now. Thank you!!

    Reply

    • Hi Avery! Your comment is so super sweet! I’m SO happy you discovered my blog as well! Yippee!! I can’t wait to hear what you make up first!
      So, to answer your first question. I love my mini prep! You can see it and all of my other favorite kitchen gadgets in this link… http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2013/11/marin-mamas-favorite-things/ This post is great, because it will show you all of my favorite gadgets and such for a well-stocked kitchen. I have a 14 cup cup cuisinart food processor, but to be honest, I don’t use it that often and find that between my mini prep and my vitamix, I can process just about anything. It’s like my Kitchen Aid mixer an item that I paid too much for and barley use, but other people I know swear by it. I prefer to use my little hand mixer or whisk most things by hand.
      GET A CAST IRON SKILLET!!! You will use this so much and it’s the cheapest pan out there. You can get a 10-inch for $20 and a 12-inch for $22 at Target!!!
      I don’t have a spiralizer and I haven’t used on. I tend to keep the skins on most of my produce, as the skin has more fiber and vitamins. If I do have to peel potatoes or veggies, I just use a veggie peeler!
      Ok, please let me know if you have any other questions! I’m happy to answer them and I’m so happy that you found my blog 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  10. Hello Jacquelyn…I am a kindergarten teacher in Buffalo, NY, a busy mom / wife, and going to school for administration. A few years back, I was in a car accident and can’t excercise the way I used to, although at times I try:) Your website is inspriring me to try new and healthy things, as I am trying to keep my health and weight in check with the food I eat. There are so many awesome recipes…which one should I try first…ahh – the parm crusted chops and roasted cauliflower!

    Keep up the great work – definitely your calling!
    Suzanne

    Reply

    • Hi Suzanne! Wow, what a sweet comment! I’m so happy to hear that you found my blog and that you are discovering some healthy recipes to try. I actually grew up in upstate NY, just outside of Albany, so I’ve been to Buffalo a few times. It’s cold up there! 😉
      I can’t wait to hear what you end up making! If you have lacinato kale available, you should try my lacinato kale salad. It’s super easy to make and SO good for you! The 5-minute roasted Brussels sprouts are amazing as well as the 5-minute roasted cauliflower. Anyway, if you ever want any recipe ideas, let me know. I will write up a list of my faves for you!
      Have a great week Suzanne and thanks so much for your amazingly sweet comment! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  11. I made your stuffed squash w/ quinoa tonight. I used spaghetti squash because that’s what I found at my market today. The recipe is delicious and healthy! On the skin of the spaghetti squash I bought, there was an amazing tip for cutting squash in half easily. I completely related to how you described how hard it is!!! This is why I’ve shied away from making stuffed squash or any squash recipe for that matter (unless I can substitute pre-cut packages). The tip is this – you put the whole uncut squash in your preheated oven (whatever you will roast it at) for 5-10 min. It softens the skin and you are able to then cut it in half and scoop out the seeds with little effort. I couldn’t believe it! Then proceed with roasting the cut squash as you would.

    Beth

    Reply

    • Hi Beth! I’m so happy to hear that you loved the stuffed squash with quinoa! Ok, I LOVE your tip, THANKS A BUNCH FOR SHARING IT! Cutting up a squash, as you know from reading my post, is my least favorite part! It has actually has prevented me from making up my favorite spaghetti squash tacos as much as I would like, so you’re a lifesaver! Gracias! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

    • Awwww… Thank you for your super sweet comment! I’m so happy to hear that you found some great recipes on the blog! Blessings to you as well! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  13. It’s refreshing to find a successful single mom that loves to cook! I have a passion for cooking because I love to eat! It’s a bit challenging to get my kids to try new foods, but we’re getting there!

    Happy Holidays!

    xo
    Nicole

    Follow me on Instagram @NikkyV414

    Reply

    • Hi Nicole! Thanks for your sweet comment. Honestly, if I could cook full-time, I would! I really love creating in the kitchen. Your kids will evolve! My kids hated kale a few years back, but now they love it, and Eli even loves Brussels sprouts which he hated last year, so they will eventually try and like new things. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Thanks for stopping by and saying hi! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  14. Hey, Jackie! I discovered your blog about a year ago, and love it! I’m a busy professional in the bay area, and have two little kids… This blog is awesome for me!! I love that miso kale salad (and so many other recipes, but this is my favorite).. I have shared it with friends and now it’s EVERYONE’s favorite kale salad!

    I noticed that there have been some life changes for you lately, and I wanted to write to give you some support and encouragement over the internet stratosphere .. Hang in there, and know that we all appreciate your great recipes and wonderful blog! Congrats on the new catering job!

    Reply

    • Hi Melinda! Wow, thanks for the amazingly sweet comment! I’m so happy to hear that the miso salad is a favorite in your house! You’re reminding me that I need to make that salad again soon! Yes, I’ve had some life changes and I think most of my readers, like you, have a sense of what’s going on. I haven’t felt inclined to post about it yet, but I think I may put out a post in the next few months or so, as I feel like it’s time, and I know my amazing readers such as you, will be super supportive. Thanks for just saying hi and showing your support! I really apprecaite it! It’s also nice to hear that your local to boot! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

      Reply

  15. we made your quinoa cakes as well today. they also were excellent! thanks for sharing your recipes. they are great.

    Reply

      • thank you for your replies. you are a very creative cook. everything was excellent. we had unexpected company over last night. we were able to heat up the cakes and the cookie as you described and they loved them. thank you again. some people do not like to share recipes. so glad that you do!! we will try more.
        take care.

        Reply

  16. Jackie,

    What a truly beautiful website! I have been pouring over the photos and I really appreciate the visual steps for each recipe.

    I LOVE kale so your various recipes will be put to use in our household. Looks like I will be planning an extra crop of kale in my backyard garden to keep up with your inspirations!

    Thank you for sharing,

    Shelagh (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)

    Reply

  17. I recently stumbled on your site and really love your kale salad. I made some for family and it was a hit! Your recipes and your stories are wonderful, thank you for sharing.

    Reply

    • You are so welcome Loann. Thanks so much for trying the recipes and for reading my blog! 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  18. Hi! Quick question: When you make the rosemary skillet chicken with popovers, how do you time it all? Do you make the chicken first and let it rest for the 30 minutes the popovers are cooking since the oven temperatures don’t align? Thanks so much, love your blog recipes!

    Reply

    • Hi Mandy! Ok, I feel totally lame not getting back to your comment sooner, as I just saw it yesterday, so I apologize for such a late response. I have two ovens so it’s pretty easy for me to time it all. I make the popover mixture first and then pre-heat the oven for those at the same time that I pre-heat the oven for the chicken. I usually start cooking the chicken about 5 minutes before I put the popovers in the oven. The chicken roughly takes about 35 minutes as well as the popovers, so they usually finish up within 5 minutes of each other. If the chicken is done beforhehad, then I just cover it with aluminun foil on a plate. The popovers can be done anywhere from 5 minutes to 1/2 hour before everything, and they will still taste great. I hope that helps. I find that timing is just something that you figure out each time you make a recipe. It took me a few times till I figured out how to time this recipe. xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  19. I actually had to get up from dinner to say how much I love the kale salad – omg! Thank you xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

    Reply

    • Awesome Sandy! Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know how much you loved the kale salad. Made my day girl! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  20. Just discovered your blog this morning. All I can say is WOW! I already had my breakfast of steel cut oatmeal and berries but tonight I will leave them out and the try your recipe, with the peanut butter! Yum. Love your style! Susan in South Florida 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Susan! I’m so happy you loved the steel cut oats. I just polished off a bowl of quinoa flakes with fresh strawberries and peanut butter. So good! I can’t wait to you try the oats with the peanut butter! Let me know what you think 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  21. Hey, Just stumbled across this site and gotta say, it is awesome. Your recipes are great and have professional quality looking photographs. I usually don’t comment on stuff but the site blew me away. I’m an atheltic male in my mid 20s playing contact sports so probably not your target audience but everything looked not only healthy but extremely tasty as well. Keep up the awesome work!

    Cheers!

    Reply

    • Hi Kyle! Awww…. thanks so much for your sweet comment! I wouldn’t say I have a “target” audience, this blog is really just for people who like easy, healthy and tasty food, so if you like all of the above, then this site is for you as well 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  22. I LOVE your blog!!! I absolutely adore quinoa and I am so glad to see so many recipes using it!! I am so excited I found you!!! Thanks for sharing your awesomeness!!! I am making the “Big Dutch baby” tomorrow!! My daughter will be so excited!!!
    Thanks!!!

    Reply

    • Hi Lavinia! I’m so happy you found my blog as well girl! Yes, I’m a bit of a quinoa and kale addict, so I’m glad to hear you’re a quinoa addict as well 😉 I hope you love the dutch baby! That’s one of our favorite easy breakfasts! Thanks for saying hi 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  24. I have never enjoyed cooking before and even the thought of what to make for dinner used to patronize me all day, until I discovered your blog! My kids’ health is always priority and I do feed them healthy foods (most of the time) but I am far from creative. You have absolutely inspired me! Thank you for the super simple recipes that are step by step and have great pictures to go with it. It makes the experience of cooking way less daunting and I literally can spread out my ingredients to match your picture. I can not tell you how excited I am (and my husband as well) to find your easy, delicious, low maintenance recipes!!! My grocery shopping experience will change dramatically too. I literally could have walked through Trader Joes blindfolded and grabbed the same items I have for years…. My kids are still pretty young (4 and 2 and baby on the way) so I feel like it is really important that I continue to offer healthy choices and alternatives now so they can continue to have these healthy habits as they grow. Now they might actually taste good too 🙂 Bonus! Thanks for all your hard work!

    Reply

    • Wow, Melissa! Your comment made my morning! I’m so happy that you found my blog as well, and that it has made cooking way more interesting for you and that you are enjoying it more, thus your family as well 🙂 We can all get into cooking ruts and sometimes that’s ok when life is busy. We have our favorite meals to fall back on and meals that are easy, but it’s also fun to experiment with new dinner ideas, and when you find a new one that is healthy and your family loves you can’t help but get giddy! Thanks so much for your super sweet comment and I hope you continue to find new and tasty recipes from the blog! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  25. Those Rosemary Popovers looked so good. I went out and bought the Popover Pan and made them. I added some chives from my garden and of course the rosemary. They are so delicious! And so simple to make. I think next time ( which will be real soon) I might add some cheese, garlic, basil…we will see. My condo smells so good!

    Reply

    • Awesome Laura! I’m so glad you made them up right away and that they turned out so well for you! Yippee! I’m also glad you got a popover pan. You will use it all the time now, I promise. Would it be ok if I moved this comment over to my popover post? It’s really helpful for other readers to see comments on a recipe, as it gives them confidence to try the reicpe as well as try some of the additions you mentioned. Let me know and thanks for trying this reicpe and letting me know how it turned out for you! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  26. I LOVE this blog. I’ve been following it for quite a while and have made several of your recipes, which have all been great. Also enjoy the photos and find them very helpful, along with the detailed instructions on how to make the dish. You’re the best!

    Gloria

    Reply

    • Hi Gloria! Thanks so much for the sweet comment and for taking the time to say hi! I’m so happy to hear that you’ve had some recipe successes 🙂 Thanks for letting me know that the photos are helpful to you. I sometimes wonder if I show too many steps. Have a great night and I hope you try and love many more recipes 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

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  27. We have a special occasion on September 30, and would like to know if there are any new ‘hot spots’ in Marin for lunch (2 adults)……..I usually keep on top of these things, but I am a little behind.

    Thanks for any info

    Margie

    Reply

    • Hi Margie. Are you looking for a fancy lunch spot or just a really tasty lunch spot? I don’t really go out for fancy lunches, so I’m not going to be of much help there 🙂
      I love a good sandwich or salad for lunch so my favorite lunch spots are on the more casual side.
      My favorite casual but tasty lunch spots are Rustic Bakery at the Marin Mart, Table Cafe in Kentfield, Fish in Sausalito and Sol Food in San Rafael.
      Buckeye Roadhouse has a great lunch, and that place always feel like special occasion to me. I love their kale salad and their salmon sandwich. Le Garage in Sausalito is wonderful and has a great feel to it and it’s on the waterfront. I also love Sushi Ran in Sausalito as well. Those would be the “special occasion” lunch spots that I would choose to go to.
      I hope this list helps! Enjoy your special day. My hubby and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary on the 30th, so it’s a special day for the both of us 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

      • Thank you – sorry I sent you the same message this morning! I couldn’t find your reply! Will check out those places.

        Happy Anniversary – the 30th is my birthday!!

        Reply

        • No worries Margie. I was just about to tell you that I responded to your comment on the contact page. Happy early Birthday 🙂 I will update if I think of any other locations or restaurants. xoxo, Jackie

          Reply

  29. I am really enjoying this site. Getting a lot of great recipes to try out. Just made the brussel sprout salad tonight. Loved it! How do I determine serving size and calorie count. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Hi Kathy! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the blog 🙂 I love the Brussels salad as well. I cut the original recipe in half and that one served 8 as a side, so I would say that this one serves 4 as a side or 2 as a meal. I’m not sure on the calorie count. The only parts of the salad that have the fat and calories are the cheese and the walnuts, but walnuts are a good fat, so I wouldn’t worry too much about them. It’s all about moderation in my eyes and if you’re eating a bowl of Brussels, give yourself a pat on the back! 😉 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  30. Hi – I just found your site and love your recipes. I am looking for a recipe for a protein shake that is low sugar and does not use artificial sweets. Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply

    • Hi Kathy! Welcome to my blog, I’m so happy you discovered it. I’m not sure what you mean by protein shakes? Are you talking about ones that you buy and then mix with water or milk? If so I’ve used the Tera’s Whey protein powder before and I really like that. I sometimes add that to a smoothie. I have a bunch of green smoothies on my blog that you can add a protein powder to. I also have a spinach power spinach smoothie that you might like http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2012/03/spinach-power-smoothie/. All of my smoothies and juices use real fruits and vegetables, and nothing artificial. Check them out. They are all listed under the recipes under the smoothies and juices tab. Let me know if you have any other questions 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  31. Hi Marin mama recently found your blog and have tried a few on your recipes so far have enjoyed all of them 🙂 so thank you! Any suggestions for cooking tasty healthy tilapia??

    Reply

    • Hi Sandy! I’m so happy to hear from you and elated to hear that you’ve had some recipe successes! You’re going to think I’m so lame, but I’m not a big fish eater or should I say fish cook. I love sushi and salmon, but I’ve just never been a fan of other types of fish, so that’s why there are not that many fish recipes on the blog. I usually get my salmon fix when I go out to a restaurant, but don’t cook it as often as I should at home. Anyway, I may work up to it someday! xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  32. Jackie – love the blog… reminds of college when you would cook your fabulous meals. Look forward to trying some of the recipes!

    Reply

    • Hi there Bessie! First off, so great to hear from you and I’m so happy that you discovered my blog. John saw your comment and he was like, “you cooked in college?” I told him that I occasionally cooked, mostly boxed cake mixes but I did make a mean chicken parm as well as chicken and biscuits, (I totally forgot how to make that recipe though 🙂 Anyway, I hope you find some recipes here that your family likes. Keep in touch girl and thanks for saying hi! xoxo, Jackie

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  33. I am so excited to find your website! (Thanks to Pinterest). These recipes look absolutely incredible and perfect for my family. I can’t wait to try them out. And the photography is stunning.

    Ryan

    Reply

    • Hi Ryan! I’m so glad that you stumbled upon my website via Pinterest. I seriously love that site. I can’t wait to hear what recipes you end up making for the family. Please make sure to stop by and let me know what you try. Thanks for the sweet compliment regarding the photography. It’s something that I’m really enjoying and it’s becoming a fun hobby! Have a wonderful day! xoxo, Jackie

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  35. Hey Jackie, I made it again but ran out of cheese so I added nutritional yeast instead and garlic powder. Just as yummy. Since you are always on the hunt for family friendly recipes, check out Tosca Reno’s book The Eat Clean Diet for Family & Kids. If you don’t know about it, I think you may find it very interesting! Have a great day.

    Reply

    • Hi Sharon! I love the idea of using nutritional yeast and I’m glad to hear that it tasted great in lieu of the parmesan. If you ever want to make a vegan parmesan cheese, you can substitute equal parts nutritional yeast & ground almond meal with a bit of seat salt. I picked up that trick in this vegan cooking class I tried. I have never heard of that cookbook, but I will definitely take a peek at it the next time I’m over at Barnes and Noble. Thanks for the tip.

      Reply

  36. Hey Jackie, I made the Lacinato Kale salad. So good. My husband even liked it. I also caught an episode of Joanne Weir yesterday making a cooked kale with white balsamic vinegar, garlic and fried Sage pieces but can not find it anywhere online. I have to play around with that. Looking forward to trying out many more of your recipes and surfing the site. Have a great day!
    XO-S

    Reply

    • Awesome news Sharon. Isn’t it the best when our hubby’s approve of something so healthy? I think they like this salad because it has lots of parmesan and garlic in it. That kale recipe sounds great, so let me know if you figure it out. My hubby also loves the miso tofu and caesar salad, so you should give that one a try. Have a happy Sunday as well and thanks for letting me know about your kale salad success 😉

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  37. Hi Jackie, I just came across your blog looking for Kale recipes and fell in love with the site. I laughed out loud looking at your s’mores cupcake pan. I’m hooked and love your sense of humor! Love the blog and can’t wait to explore “s’more”. Thanks so much for creating this.
    XO-Sharon

    Reply

    • Hi Sharon! I love how you threw “s’more” in there, so witty. I’m so glad that your search for kale brought you to my blog, because as you can see I’m obsessed with kale. Those s’more cupcakes were a total disaster and I think I still have marshmallow gunk stuck in there. NEVER AGAIN! Anyway, thanks so much for saying hi and please keep in touch and let me know what recipes you end up trying! xoxo, Jackie 😉

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  38. Hello Jackie,
    I came across your blog a few weeks ago. I was looking for some healthy “American” recipes I can cook up for my family. Being from Japan, I have made some terrible dinners for my family, attempting to make chicken dumpling soups and cassaroles,
    My kids love eating local and seasonal veggies, and found your recipes so easy to make and really nutrious. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and look forward in reading your blogs.
    Reiko

    Reply

    • Hi Reiko! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving such a sweet comment. I’m so glad that you found some healthy recipes to serve up to your family,especially ones that they actually liked 🙂 I’m not a traditional tuna noodle casserole or chicken and dumplings fan either. I think it’s because I ate so much of that growing up, so I’m kind of over it. I hope you peruse through the blog and find some more family approved recipes. Keep in touch and thanks for stopping by and saying hi! xoxo, Jackie

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  39. Good evening Jackie!
    I just have to say that I follow many various food blogs (some by former editors of large newspapers), and this is one of the best I have seen. Your blog is definitely one of the best organized, easy to follow, well photographed ones I have come across.
    Thanks so much — I am looking forward to regular blog updates.
    A new faithful fan in Middlebury, Vermont

    Reply

    • Hi Angela! I’m so happy you discovered my blog! You absolutely made my night with your wonderful and sincere compliment. I am thrilled that you think my blog is one of the best you have seen, wow, what a huge compliment! Thanks so much for taking the time to say hi, as I really love hearing from readers. BTW, I love Vermont. I grew up in upstate NY and we use to go to Vermont all the time to ski and to hike. It’s such a beautiful state. Have a wonderful night and stay warm 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  40. Hi Gaia! Thanks for your amazingly sweet comment and for stopping by and saying hi. I’m glad that you discovered my blog all the way from Italy, so cool! I get it about having too many recipes lined up to make. I have a binder full of recipes and so many recipe books with tagged pages. I try to at least get to one or two of them a week. No worries about rushing in to make any recipe on my site. I have many readers and friends that just visit the blog to see what’s happening or to just look at some tasty food photos. Have a wonderful day as well and thanks for saying hi! I really love hearing from readers 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

    Reply

  41. Hi Jacquelyn, I’m writing to you from Italy.
    I found your blog by chance because I was looking for a soup, and I came across your recipe of what we call “zuppa di cavolfiore” (cauliflower soup).
    I absolutely love your blog and felt very moved when I read about your blog-birthday (btw : complimenti!), your first steps in this world and about the “failures” (with cupcakes or with photos), you are so nice!
    As soon as I can I will try some of your nice recipes… I don’t think I will try them all because there is a large number of them in here, and as I am a food-blog-addicted I have tons of sheets with recipes everywhere, I have more recipes than time to cook!
    I’m 22 and I love to cook, a soft cake or some sweet cookies really make my day sometimes.
    I just wanted to say “Hi”…Have a nice day!!
    Gaia

    Reply

  42. Just discovered your blog looking for a tomato basil soup. Can’t wait to make it! I have a feeling I’ll be visiting your blog very often!

    Reply

    • Hi Joanne. I’m so glad you discovered my blog. Let me know when you make the soup and how it turns out. I always love hearing from readers 🙂

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  43. Jackie,

    I have just found your site, and it’s really bright and full of positive energy! You so are organized (which I need help with- thank you) and the photos are super. I did chuckle over your before and after photos, and appreciate your honesty in learning.

    I love to cook and am always looking for healthy recipes. Your site has those in spades!

    I can’t wait to find time (in between looking after my 2 and 4 year olds!) to look at more recipes and the menu planners.

    Thank you again!

    Tamasine

    Reply

    • Hi Tamasine! What a pretty name btw! I’m so excited that you stumbled on my site. I love hearing from new readers. Thanks for your sweet compliments as well. I tell you, the biggest key to cooking is organization. I picked up that tip from watching so many cooking shows. The chef’s make it look so easy and quick to throw a recipe together because they have all of their ingredients prepared and ready to go. A lot of times I wash and chop up my veggies and throw together my spices a few hours before I actually make the dinner. I usually do it while my kids are doing their homework.
      I can’t wait to hear back from you when you make up a recipe. My kid’s first and favorite recipe was the broccoli lemon pasta. It’s a great way to get kids to eat and like broccoli!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting Tamasine!
      xoxo, Jackie

      Reply

  44. Hi Jackie,
    I just discovered your site and the recipes. It’s a joy to spend time and read. And on top of it all you smile like no other. 🙂
    Best Regards
    Marcel

    Reply

    • I found your blog today and I have already planned on making the Kale Salad and the Pumpking cake! I was looking for a good dark green side for Thanksgiving. My husband likes salads at Thanksgiving (huh?) so the kale is a nice way to combine the two of having a dark green dish and a salad.

      The pumpkin cake is dessert for that “Dinner the night before Thanksgiving” meal.
      Any suggestions for a fruit salad for breakfast for 8 people the day after Thanksgiving? Fruit on the east coast is a bit weenie this time of year. Costco has lots of choices so I could mix and match? Thanks! Love your website!

      Reply

      • Hi Jill! Thanks for your super sweet comment 🙂 I’m so excited to hear that you’re making the kale salad and pumpkin cake! I love both of those recipes and I can’t wait to hear what your salad loving hubby thinks of it! I’m actually going to be making up some pumpkin cake for the weekend after Thanksgiving for a post Thanksgiving meal with friends!

        I don’t have any great ideas on fruit salad for the East coast. I’m not sure what’s in season there? How about a mixture of bananas, oranges, pomegranates, grapefruit and apples? Are pears in season there? Maybe just toss those in as well. My kids love fruit salad and I usually just toss together whatever is organic and in season. You could even toss in some kiwi. A yummy honey-yougurt dipping sauce would be great to serve alongside or to top the fruit salad. Oh, you should make my sugar-crusted popovers for the day after Thanksgiving. These are the best!! http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2011/12/sugar-crusted-popovers/

        I would love to hear how everything turns out, so please check back in! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
        xoxo, Jacquelyn

        Reply

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