For those of you who don’t know me, in 2008, I turned in my top-secret clearance and management consulting job to indulge my passion for healthy cooking. Upon completing the chef’s training program at Natural Gourmet Institute for Health and Culinary Arts in New York City, I worked in the kitchen for Executive Chef Dean Rucker at Golden Door in Escondido, California. Upon returning to New York City, I completed an apprenticeship with Executive Chef Jeremy Bearman in the kitchen at Michelin-starred Rouge Tomate where the focus is on modern, healthy American cuisine.
Following a move to Washington, DC, I worked in the kitchen for an exciting new venture between forces in the restaurant and catering worlds, Jose Andres Catering with Ridgewells. At Three Stone Hearth, a community supported kitchen in Berkeley, California, I spent three months cooking delicious, nutrient-dense food using traditional methods advocated by the Weston A. Price Foundation. I am a member of the American Personal and Private Chef Association and a certified food handler. After almost two years cooking and baking at Metropulos Fine Foods Merchant, I am out on my own. As chef + owner of Flagstone Pantry, Inc., I am baking for local clients, cooking for private events and free-lance food writing in Santa Barbara,CA.
Several years ago, I made some simple changes to the way I plan, select, and prepare food for meals. As a result, I lost weight, gained energy, sleep better, and I feel more fit than ever before. As a 40-something putting my healthy cooking claims to the test, I get lots of requests from friends and family for menu ideas, recipes, and resources. After untold years of sharing musings and recipes via email, I’ve decided to consolidate all things food related here.
As an eight-time marathon finisher, I don’t think we have to choose between being fit or a foodie, nor do I believe we have to choose between what we want to eat and what we should eat. Delicious, beautiful, health supportive food fuels our activities and leaves us satisfied. If we watch what we eat 80% of the time, and stay active, we leave room for life’s small indulgences.
Having been trained in health supportive culinary arts, I am committed to cooking with whole grains, fresh produce, high quality animal proteins, and healthy fats. I avoid processed, refined, and factory-farmed foods. I believe we are what we eat and that food plays a critical part in the healing process. I naturally enjoy teaching others to cook and take great pleasure in preparing healthy, delicious meals for family and friends. Now it’s your turn. Get your yummy back.
I am so excited to get my yummy back. If you can help us find ways to enjoy cooking simple great foods – that will be amazing! Can’t wait to keep up with your blog. Way to go Kristen!
Wow Kris,
I’m so proud of you, Good Work. This might even help the kids and I. Please feel free to forward any helpful hints for our Household. Cheers!!!
Kristen, Awesome blog. Looking forward to your ideas and comments about the cooking and the industry!
Hi K — love your blog/website!! I will definitely be visiting regularly for inspiration on healthy and delicious cooking ideas. This is so fun
This is fabulous! Just fabulous! You have found a fresh look and feel. Really great.
Hi Warhol! You are the cutest dog ever!
Hi K! Congrats on the new blog! So excited for you, and we can’t wait to try some of your great recipes! Can’t wait to see you soon! M&T
Kristen–
This is great. I’m glad you’re getting such a great response.
Good for you!
Jan
Kristen, what a great blog and what a PERFECT photo! Keep all the great ideas coming…. specifically i struggle with healthy snacks!
As if you weren’t already a rock star…this is amazing and inspirational!!! I am so about the watermelon feta salad sister! Thank you!
I love this idea and am so excited for you! I’m getting my yummy back just thinking about following this blog. Congrats and keep up the good work!
Hi M-K! How nice to see you here! Thanks!
Congratulations, Kristen!
Beautiful website, and recipes that exactly fit what the Kaiser nutritionist instructed us in two days ago for Claude’s health!!
I’m sure you have seen Julie and Julia – delightful even for reluctant cooks like me. Can’t wait to try some of your really healthful recipes!
Thanks so much for your very timely information.
Love, Judy and Claude
Hi Judy and Claude!
How nice to see you here! Thanks for visiting – and thanks for the encouragement. I have much more where this came from. If you have specific requests or questions, let me know. I loved Julie/Julia – books included. I think the “onion chopping” scene was one of the best…
K.
Hi Kristen – Greetings from a fellow NGI grad (CTP 161)! I linked to your site from Chef Elliott’s FB page.
Great blog – I’m looking forward to trying your recipes!
Best,
Nancy
Hi Nancy – thanks for visiting! I just checked out smartpalate – love it! Nice photos!
Cheers,
Kristen
Hi Kristen
I too am a fellow NGI grad…(CTP 172!) Elliot’s page directed me to your website too and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed perusing your site. I work on a superyacht as a chef and am always looking for new inspiring websites to keep me fresh and ‘afloat’ of the current trends…i just made your apple spice muffins..delicious, although slightly doughy..left them in ten minutes longer than you suggested..wonder what i did wrong..perhaps too much apple sauce? Still delicious though, thank you!
Hi Liesl – your job sounds fabulous! With regard to the muffins, hmmm…could have been oven temperature/calibration? too much apple sauce? added sea foam?
Glad you liked them nevertheless! Keep visiting, and I will do my best to keep you inspired. Best, Kristen
Hi Kristen,
Just stumbled on your blog – it’s great! And just the thing to inspire me to start cooking again 8 weeks post childbirth. Going to try the greenbean salad tonight. Time to get that pre-baby body back! Best luck on the new gig – you rock.
Hey Kris! Congratulations on your new arrival! I read your FB post today and I’m glad to know you had a moment of supreme joy and connectedness.
I am happy to offer whatever inspiration I can!
My best,
Kristen
Hey K’Sten:
I’m pretty sure that Yummy introduced us to Bob’s Red Mill.
It’s an amazing place, with an amazing array of products, most of which we can find at our wonderful OB People’s Food coop.
So look at THIS honor: The Golden Spurtle!!!!
http://www.foodreference.com/html/af109-golden-spurtle.html
W
Kristen, you continue to amaze me! You are covering some serious geography and your approach to “fooding” is inspiring. Are you still in California, or is that passe?
Hello, John. Your email address is very telling – congratulations!? Yes, in California for January/February!
Hi, Kristen,
Great blog! I’m forwarding it to my mom, who has been super-health/diet conscious since her bout w/breast cancer in 1997. She’s always reminding me of the “white poisons” (white flour, white sugar, etc), so I think she’ll love your recipe ideas.
I have just finished 4 months of dieting and exercise to lose the last 20-some pounds from my 2d pregnancy (coincidentally, my son was born the day you started your blog). Was thinking about trying to train for a sprint triathalon – any thoughts/experience on that? Another question for you: what brand of pasta would you recommend that is healthier than the norm, but very similar in taste/texture? I can’t seem to get Tom into whole grain pasta (but maybe I’ve not found a good brand yet?).
Wish we could have caught up in person when you & M were still in DC!
Hey Joanne! Congratulations on making some healthy choices – I know it feels good!
I have never done a triathlon, only road races, but no matter – nutrition has a lot to do with any successful training plan. There are lots of good resources out there for sports-related nutrition. I like http://www.runnersworld.com, which has an entire section dedicated to diet and nutrition – check it out.
We’ve made the switch to whole wheat pasta entirely and prefer it now. When it comes to brands, I have success with Bionature Organic and Heartland Perfect Balance. Give them a shot and let me know how it goes. Thanks for chatting!
Hi Kristen,
Caroline suggested I check out you’re web site and I sure am glad that I did. It’s so awesome to see what you’re cooking and suggestions for healthy cooking recipes.
You deserve so much credit for picking up and moving to pursue you’re goals…I’m a fan!
Thanks, Dr. Mike! Nice to see you here…
Hi Kristen,
Your Mother told me about your website…..I had to go home
and look it up ASAP!
GREAT website!
I can’t wait to make the pesto salmon!
I told all of my friends and family from back
East about your site!
Katie : )
Thanks, Katie. Glad you enjoy it!
Hey there!
This is Dani, Caroline’s sister in North Carolina. Just wanted to compliment you…. this just gets better ALL the time, and I am always inspired when I stop by. Pickles means OKRA to me, and that’s where the rest of our crop is going, we’re going to try your m.o. Thanks!
Thanks, Dani! I love your email address! K.
Hey yummy! Love your blog – miss your macaroons! hope you are amazing.
Greetings, friend! I imagine this is coming from Oz. Hope all’s well down under! K.
Hi Kristen,
What a fabulous blog! I’ve been trying to feed my family this way for years, but not being a trained chef, the results have been less than stellar. I am so excited to have 1, “go-to” place where I can find tried and true, healthy recipes! We are fans of ethnic foods and I love that you provide so many flavor palettes to choose from. Keep up the good work!
Hi Tracy! So nice to hear from you! I test every recipe before posting. This is my way of trying new dishes every week. I make healthy substitues, infuse flavor with citrus and fresh herbs, and focus on fresh, seasonal, natural ingredients. It will be fun to have you along for the ride! Best, K.