Welcome to my kitchen!

As you’ve probably guessed, I’m Erika.  Food has been a huge part of my life since birth.  Well, maybe not since birth but shortly thereafter.

I grew up with a mother who loved to cook and entertain.  I remember being 5 years old on a step stool at the kitchen counter helping her make hundreds of appetizers in preparation for dinner and cocktail parties.  By 6 years old I had already mastered deviled eggs, bacon wrapped meatballs and stuffed cherry tomatoes.  As much as I loved helping with these dinners and parties, my fondest memories are of the meals my mother prepared just for me, my favorite foods she put so much care and love into making.

Since that time, food has become an extension of who I am and it’s how I express myself.  Whether it’s a simple sandwich, a batch of cookies or a five-course meal, everything you eat should be special in some way.  It just tastes better!

With that being said, my relationship with food has definitely had ups and downs.  I used it as a crutch and band-aid for issues, as much as I used it for good.  Now it has changed for the better and I’ve found a happy medium between splurging and living a healthy lifestyle.  As of today I’m proud to say I’ve lost 60 lbs. and have maintained that loss for a year now.  I still have a bit to go to be where I’d like to be, but I’ve learned we’re all a work in progress and it’s okay to take it one day at a time.

Six years ago I met the most amazing man who, lucky for me, likes food almost as much as I do.  I’ve always enjoyed cooking for my friends and family, and now there’s a whole new joy to cooking, for and beside my husband.  After six years of cooking, trying hundreds of restaurants, talking about food endlessly and not letting him eat anything until I can snap a picture, he finally convinced me to start a blog.

Although I eat healthy a majority of the time I still manage to indulge in more sinful things.  My intention with this blog is to lighten up some recipes while keeping true to my favorite dishes.  I believe in healthy eating but I also believe in butter, red meat and real cheese, especially cheese.

I work full-time and I’m lucky enough to really love my job.  Of course my 9 to 5 takes up quite a bit of my week, however, I find plenty of time to cook and discover new food.  I’m so happy to share my adventures with all of you and I hope you enjoy!

Just remember, food should always be made with love.

*Special thank you to the love of my life, Heath, for contributing his time, photography, patience and dish-washing.