Welcome!

Hi and welcome to my blog! My name is Amanda and I'm really excited to get this going. I have been married to my husband, Brian, since 2003, I work full time as an attorney and I am a new first time mommy to my daughter born August 25, 2010.  I believe that cooking for my family and paying attention to our nutrition is paramount to raising a healthy, happy little girl. After she was born I realized that achieving this would mean reanalyzing the way that I cook and the meals that I provide. And I realized I need to start now. I have always loved cooking for my husband and I but I have noticed that our diets contain entirely too much processed food and way too few fruits and vegetables.  Our little one will be sharing family meals before I know it so this has to change. I believe that this can be achieved while staying within a monthly budget and with the little bit of time I have in the evenings, and this blog will prove it.

I create meals based on tried and true favorite recipes I have always used (many passed down from my mother) and recipes I make up based on ingredients I have. I also get ideas from websites and food blogs I follow but almost always will change up a recipe to suit my needs at the time. I am skilled in the home kitchen but I am by no means a professional chef or nutritionist.
Keep in mind that this is a work in progress. I consider accessibility and moderation when shopping and planning meals. I don't shop at Whole Foods because it doesn't work for me financially or geographically. However, when my Kroger or HEB have a reasonable organic option, I will consider it. It is all about balance. I definitely indulge. We love pizza, wings, beer, burgers and ice cream. But staples in my kitchen are carrots, soy milk, pickles, yogurt and oatmeal. When I shop and cook I consider price, convenience and nutrition, I don't just focus on any one attribute. Any tips and comments are appreciated and I hope that what I have to offer is helpful and (at least somewhat) interesting.

And when I get bored with writing about food, I'll just post cute pictures of my beautiful daughter!