Welcome! I created this space to share my love for wholesome, flavorful recipes that balance health and indulgence.
My focus is on fresh, healthy ingredients — but I believe in balance, which means you’ll sometimes see bacon, cream, or butter in my recipes. When enjoyed in moderation and paired with fresh, nourishing foods, these little indulgences add richness, depth, and joy to cooking and eating.
My name is Cindi. If you want to eat better and love it, this blog is for you!
What will you find on this website?
Well, recipes for sure! But, recipes that are well researched, and where I investigate every ingredient, cooking method, and technique before I start to create and make the recipe. Believe it or not, I enjoy this part of recipe development too, but not as much as nailing the final recipe and eating it!
Then you will find that while the recipes tend to be healthy, I don’t restrict ingredients or try to substitute ingredients that impact flavor. Honestly, I got tired of trying to substitute ingredients in recipes that just were not satisfying (hear me say, oil free dressing!).
Wholesome recipes inspired by seasonal ingredients are my expertise. Vegetables are my love, so you will find a lot of recipes abundant with vegetables, either as a main dish or as a side. Protein is important and even better with vegetables.
Salads, pasta and grains are also plentiful and a great vehicle for seasonal ingredients and wholesome recipes.
What you may not find on my website are baked goods. I am a darn good baker and bread maker, but I follow the recipes of those that are experts.
What makes my recipes exciting?
Ingredients are my inspiration, then creativity takes over. Creativity is a trait that every person has in some capacity. For me that is cooking and creating recipes. I spend a lot of time finding new ways to prepare and use ingredients (boredom happens easily with me). At the forefront is fresh, seasonal, and wholesome; from there it can go anywhere (including heavy cream!).
I’ve tested out my recipes using social media, from foodie sites to health and wellness. The feedback and encouragement from others on social media is what led me to start this blog.
I skip calorie counts because I want you to think more about quality ingredients and less about the math. My recipes focus on fresh, flavorful, nutrient-packed foods that fit a balanced, moderate way of eating. It’s a feel-good approach to healthy cooking that keeps things realistic and enjoyable.
Other than cooking, creating recipes, and eating, I love to work out. Honestly, keeping myself in shape is mostly about the food I eat, and knowing what is in my food is important to me. I have a full time job I enjoy, but this is my passion.
I also have two cats and a wonderful Italian and Cuban fiancé who loves to cook too. Surprisingly, he loves my wholesome recipes as well! He taught me how to love pasta and cook it like Italians do, with lots of vegetables.
Our small kitchen can only handle one of us, so there is some planning and compromising going on. Though, it’s very romantic when we cook together! Who knows, that may be another blog!
