Now, just a little peek at my story
There have been a lot of discussions and topics around comfort food as opposed to healthy food. But for me, cozy comforting food (sometimes even fast or so-called junk food, if it’s outrageously tasty) means 100% the same as deeply nourishing healthy food. Isn't the most nutritious choice something that makes you feel happy and is satisfying to prepare or order? We don’t only feed our bodies, we also feed our souls, and the constant feeling of being left out of something delicious is emotionally and mentally draining (read: it’s just awful).
Previously, I have had several food-related projects: two cute small recipe blogs and two sweet tiny bakeries. The food photography, video, and recipe creation have become a part of my identity by now.
My grandparents have had a big influence on my food journey. Such a cliché, isn’t it? Grandmothers usually awaken the foodie spirit in people. I started cooking with her around age six, and my favorite dish was her hearty, buttery mushroom soup. Grandpa was also a great home cook. Even though they cooked traditional dishes, they embraced modern ideas about food. They got inspiration from various European cuisines and classic American dishes, as seen in the many cookbooks they bought during retirement. Yet at the end of the day, they honored their heritage and cooked not by the books, but by following their traditions and inspirations.
Aside from my grandparents, my dad owned a restaurant when I was a child. It was a marine and sea-inspired venue, serving a fusion of Eastern European cuisines, particularly Ukrainian, Armenian, and Serbian, along with classic pub food. Without realizing it, that close exposure to the hospitality world carved a special place in my heart and likely fueled my passion for food.
My recipes are also inspired and influenced by my Northern heritage, and they highlight a lot of Scandinavian and overall Northern European recipes. I was born and raised in the North and have had deep studies of the Swedish language and culture.
Yoga has brought another beloved cuisine to me, which I have implemented a lot in my kitchen: Indian and Bangladeshi food. I first dived deep into the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, and then just let loose of it, for it would not become another way of restricting myself. But I still cherish the whole idea and philosophy around it, even though it’s just a bit too strict.
All this gives me a nice variety compared to my local cuisines.
My heart belongs to timeless organic comfort food, funky street food, and healthy interpretations of modern fast food. But I’m genuinely interested in all types of wholesome, nourishing diet-free food and recipes.
Feel free to reach out to chat, comment, ask about recipes, and reflect on the anti-diet lifestyle!
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