Hi, I’m Natasha. I’m a lover of real foods, simple, nutrient-filled dishes, and anything homemade and healthy. Somehow, living in the tempting, ever-abundant jungle of New York City makes me want to retreat into my tiny kitchen more and more. I still choose salsa (dancing) over stew (the dish) once in a while, but the reality of motherhood often has me spinning my blender rather than myself on the dance floor. Here, amidst the overcrowded pots and pans, I feel peaceful and useful. And it makes me feel good knowing my time spent here not only benefits my family, but maybe other families, in kitchens big or small, who could be visiting my blog from anywhere in the world.
In hopes to pass my love for diverse, healthy foods (and eventually cooking) to my son Soren, I chose Baby Led Weaning (BLW for short) – a method, which encourages baby’s self-feeding and exploration of textures, colors and flavors as early as 6 months. I share my experience and provide guidance and tips here.
Since the creation of this blog, a little angel Elise was born and we are doing self-feeding all over again. And loving it equally as much.
This blog is a place for new mamas considering BLW, busy parents looking for healthy food ideas, people looking to improve their health, and anyone interested in the ramblings of a Belarus-born, New York-seasoned, nutrition-obsessed, self-taught cook.
PS: By the way, just in case you are confused, this beautiful spacious kitchen is my dream kitchen, not my real tiny New York cooking cave. The girl gotta dream!
Drop me a line at SorensPurplePlate@gmail.com
MY EATING BELIEFS
- Eat everything in moderation: I believe in a balanced approach to food. Don’t eliminate any food groups but try to “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” (Michael Pollan)
- Hungry babies/kids eat. Don’t force food into your kids.
- Your health: 50% – what you eat and drink, 50% – your thoughts, feelings, relationships, hobbies/passions.
- Real food – 1 ingredient. More than 5 ingredients – avoid at all cost.
- Indulgences are allowed and encouraged. If you are diving into that refined-sugar dessert – enjoy it to the fullest. It feeds your body and soul more than a green smoothie with a disgust on your face. That said, I believe in teaching yourself and your family to like healthy foods.
- Try food you don’t like at least 5 times (or like me, until you like it).
- I believe in carbs and full-fat products. They are so important! And they are not what makes you fat if used sensibly.
- Fear sugar and salt. You can retrain your palate to like less salty and sweet things.
- I believe in never skipping meals – your body trusts you will feed it regularly and your metabolism depends on that. Skipping a meal sends a signal to the brain “Oh wait, no food! Who knows when I will be fed next. I’d better hold on to all the calories and store them around my waist”.
- Eating well is a life-long habit. Be patient with yourself as you are converting into a healthy eater.
- Diets don’t work and are dangerous.
- I believe in simple recipes and short ingredient lists.
- Skip the middle aisles of supermarkets; they carry dead foods.
