And tastyfamilydishes is my little corner of the internet!
I started cooking for my family in 2015 when I was still a marketing analyst in Charlotte, NC. After long days at the office, I’d race home, pull out my grandma’s well‑seasoned cast‑iron skillet, and try to make dinner both quick and comforting. One night I posted a photo of a simple chicken‑and‑rice casserole on a friends‑only Facebook group, and the comments started pouring in. That’s the moment I realized I could share these “real‑life” meals with a wider audience.
In March 2017 I launched tastyfamilydishes as a modest WordPress blog. Fast‑forward to 2024, the site now averages 45 000 unique visitors a month, has 12 000 email subscribers, and I’ve published three printable e‑cookbooks that have been downloaded over 8 000 times. I’ve added a weekly “Meal‑Prep Monday” video series, a searchable recipe index, and a small shop where I sell my favorite pantry staples. Every milestone feels like a friendly high‑five from the community that keeps coming back for more family‑friendly plates.
I live in Asheville, North Carolina, with my husband Mark and our two kids, Maya (9) and Leo (6). When I’m not stirring a pot, you’ll find me hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains, tending to the herb garden on our back porch, or digging through my dad’s old jazz record collection. My favorite dishes to make are those that bring everyone to the table—think cheesy broccoli casserole, slow‑cooked pulled pork tacos, and my “secret” lemon‑garlic roasted chicken that’s been a family staple since 2018.
A fun little quirk? I still write my grocery lists on index cards the way I did in college, and I keep a tiny notebook titled “Kitchen Experiments” where I jot down accidental flavor combos that sometimes become fan favorites. If you ever drop by the comments, you’ll probably see me replying with a quick tip or a goofy anecdote about the time the kids tried to “help” by sprinkling extra cheese on everything.