Hey there, welcome to Me in the Kitchen!
More whole foods, less processed crap. That’s the heart of what I do here. But before we get into all that, let me introduce myself.
I’m Maria—Ria for short. A busy mom, plant-based cook, and food truth seeker. I love good food, and I love knowing what’s actually in it. I went to culinary school, not to become a restaurant chef, but to understand how food works, how to cook it well, and how the food industry shapes what we eat. What I learned changed everything.
Now, I share that knowledge with you—minus the food guilt, strict rules, or overwhelming advice. Life is busy, and I get that. Some days, I’m cooking a wholesome, homemade meal, and other days, I’m grabbing something quick because, well, life. My goal isn’t to tell you what to eat—it’s to help you make informed choices so you can feed yourself and your family with confidence.
Here, you’ll find:
- Simple, approachable recipes
- Cooking tips that actually help
- Honest product and restaurant reviews
- A peek into my kitchen wins (and fails!)
- Encouragement to get in the kitchen, no matter your skill level
FAQ
Are you vegan? Mostly, yes! But I don’t put labels on it. I focus on whole, plant-based foods while keeping things realistic and flexible.
Do I have to be vegetarian to eat healthy? Nope! My approach is about adding more whole foods to your diet, not restricting yourself.
Do you only buy organic? I try to as much as possible (about 75%), but I also believe in doing the best with what you have. Frozen and local produce can be just as good!
What’s your favorite food? French fries and chips and salsa. Not together, but now that I think about it…
Where did you go to culinary school? A program in Dallas, TX.
What’s the biggest change someone can make for their health? Cook more at home. It’s the easiest way to control what’s going into your body.
Where do you get your protein? From literally everything that’s not meat or dairy.