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Featured Member: Chefkinthekitchen

Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?

I’m 24 years old from California. I was born in Algeria but grew up here in Southern California.  

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?  

My mom has and will always be my biggest inspiration. She always cooks the best meals and bakes the best desserts. I always wanted to be like her when I was young so when I finished college, I decided to start picking up on her recipes and making my own and that’s when I started to realize why she enjoyed it so much.  

What do you like the most about blogging? 

It’s a great creative outlet and allows me to express myself.

What is your biggest challenge as a blogger? 

Honestly, it’s so hard to create content and sometimes websites like Instagram don’t allow everybody to see your creations that you put time and effort into because of specific algorithms. 

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

It would have to be kabsa. The rice and chicken are full of flavor. I will have to put up a recipe for that soon!

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes

I always love incorporating olive oil into everything. I also love lemon zest and paprika.

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

Spiced.Nice

Freutcake

Fufuinthekitchen

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

My favorite recipe from my blog is the chicken corn tortilla soup. It has a combination of so many delicious flavors and the crisp of the tortilla on top adds a wonderful touch. And not to mention, it’s so easy to make!

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?

I can’t live without my KitchenAid hand mixer. Best thing ever and such great quality.

The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.

I say practice makes perfect. Cooking in small quantities and testing spice amounts is how I started and was a way to make sure I didn’t over salt or over spice my dishes. 

How can our viewers connect with you?

Instagram: chefkinthekitchen

Pinterest: chefkinthekitchen

Click here for more recipes from Chefkinthekitchen

******Do not forget to be part of our private facebook group a place to support and network with Eatlivebegrateful members and learn from each other in our food blogging journey. Click here to register.

WHY GRATITUDE IS SO IMPORTANT AND WAYS TO PRACTICE IT EVERY DAY

WHY GRATITUDE IS SO IMPORTANT AND WAYS TO PRACTICE IT EVERY DAY

Are you a grateful person? Do you always appreciate the good things in your life even when things are hectic or stressful? Did you know that learning to embrace gratitude can significantly boost your happiness and improve your life?

We are all so busy and focused on our daily tasks, responsibilities that we forget to stop, appreciate and enjoy the little things in life.

There are many scientifically proven benefits of gratitude. Gratitude can have a positive effect on both physical and mental health. Research has shown it to improve relaxation, sleep quality and energy levels. Appreciating the positive things in life can simply make you feel happier.

Some of the ways to practice gratitude are:

  • Keep a Gratitude journal

This is done by keeping a journal and writing down three things each day that you’re grateful for, which makes it easier to notice and recognize those good things.

  • Use Gratitude Meditation

Practice taking some quiet time to focus your attention and thoughts on being grateful for the particulars of your life or situation, even the ones that may not seem so positive. Practicing this will help boost your mood and your health.

  • Thank someone

Making an effort to thank someone each day, for even the smallest thing, opens your eyes and heart for abundance.

  • Help others

One of the most impactful ways to gain perspective and be grateful for what you have is to help others in need. This can be through a formal volunteer effort or it can simply be something like offering a meal to a homeless. Try to do something at least once a week to help someone else and you’re sure to experience a boost in gratitude.

Give these ideas a try and see what a difference embracing a mindset of gratitude can have on your entire life.

Lastly, I wanted to share with you 10 of our favorite gratitude quotes to inspire and motivate you. We hope you will enjoy them and just remember that GRATITUDE IS KEY TO HAPPINESS.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Free Recipe for Millennials e-Book is here! Get your copy

Does your Millennial want to become better at cooking? Are they leaving home soon and afraid to cook for themselves? Maybe they already left home and they are fed up with eating out all the time.  They are complaining that they do not have time and patience to cook but still want to eat healthy homemade food. Don’t worry. We are here to help! It just takes a little bit of planning and organizing.

With Millennials in mind, we have put together, with some of our EatLivebegrateful food blogger members, a week-long meal plan (breakfast, afternoon snack, and dinner) of easy to follow recipes from classic penne bolognese to chocolate chip banana bread…

Millennials can also look forward to a shopping list divided into different sections: meat, frozen items, pantry items, etc. to help them find the ingredients quickly when shopping and avoid buying the unnecessary extras.

The free ebook titled RECIPES EVERY MILLENNIAL SHOULD KNOW HOW TO MAKE can be downloaded here. Get your copy now.

We hope you find this eBook helpful. We want to say a special thanks to our contributing Eatlivebegrateful members who made this possible.

Did you make any of these recipes? Tag us @eatlivebegrateful and #eatlivebegrateful on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our site.

Featured member: Anna’s cooking concept

Each month, we feature a different food blogger who is part of EatLiveBegrateful community. This month, we feature Anna, a Lebanese expat, living in Dubai who writes the blog Anna’s cooking concept , where she blogs about clean eating and homemade food and shares her passion for experimenting with recipes to make them a little bit cleaner and healthier.

Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do live?

My name is Anna. I’m from Lebanon and I moved to Dubai 2 years ago after I got married. I am an architect by day and a food blogger by night. Currently, I live here in Dubai with my husband.

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?  

My blog is all about clean eating and homemade food. I have been blogging since 2016 and started my log as a way to share my passion for experimentations. I like to play with traditional recipes from different cuisines and make it a little bit cleaner and healthier. And when I say clean I don’t mean counting calories and using low-fat ingredients but what I mean is to use clean ingredients at there must natural state as I can and it is available and avoid any artificial additive and unnecessary chemical ingredients. For that homemade is always better for me. And I work on making all the recipes I make meal-prepping and packing friendly because I need that in my lifestyle like a lot of people also who follow my blog.

What do you like the most about blogging?

What I like the most are two things the recipe developing and food photography. I like this feeling of satisfaction and happiness whenever I compose a new recipe and it turn out delicious and same when I build a scene and take pictures for the recipe and the photoshoot turn out even better than I expected and reflect the deliciousness of the food, especially with my healthy clean food that is not as easy as comfort and junk food to take pictures of.

What is your biggest challenge as a blogger?

Social media is my biggest challenge. I work so hard on each blog article from recipe developing to photoshoot and article and it seems that the social media platform are not fair with content vs reach wise, and that has been my struggle always but I try always not to let that issue bring me down and make me hate my passion for food.

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

Honestly, I love all kind of food in our middle-eastern cuisine but if I have to choose one It have to be the “mouloukhiye” for me I can have it for lunch each and every day

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes

Cinnamon, sumac, dates

Lebanese date tart

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

Ambitious kitchen

Oatmeal stories

Crowded kitchen

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

I have a lot of recipes that I love and proud of but one of my favorites must be the falafel burger

Falafel Vegan Burger

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?

I could say my instant pot (pressure cooker machine) because it is a lifesaver when it comes to meal prep and amazingly good in preserving flavors and saving time

Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Lebanese Peas Stew

The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.

Experiment and don’t be afraid of failure. If it doesn’t work the first time try again and again until it works. Cooking is an art and a personal taste so never be afraid of adding your touch and most importantly enjoy it!

How can our viewers connect with you?

Instagram: annacookingconcept    

Facebook: annacookingconcept

Blog: http://annacookingconcept.com/

Pinterest: Anna cooking concept

Click here for more recipes from Anna’s cooking concept.

Featured Member: Cookin’ with Lena

Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?

I am a proud Palestinian. Born in Canada. Raised in Saudi Arabia. Living in the UAE.

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?  

I run a cooking blog “CookinwithLena” but it is more than just a cooking blog. I major in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, so my aim is to incorporate my knowledge about nutrition into cooking. I started my blog in 2016. I love sharing recipes, inspiring people, educating people and raising awareness about topics that I feel strongly about.

What do you like the most about blogging?

Blogging can be wonderful and very fulfilling if done right. I love having a platform where I can positively influence people even if it was a small group of people. I love interacting with people with similar interests. Blogging also helps me stay committed to my passion. It encourages me to evolve, develop and improve my skills and knowledge.

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

So many wonderful options to choose from. If I had to choose, I would pick maqlooba or mlokheya.

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?

Garlic

Olive oil

Coriander

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

Instagram:

  • @ Rawanshehs
  • @ thelebaneseplate
  • @ geminibakes

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

My granola recipe. It’s a winner.

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?

My good old wooden spatula

Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.

“Learn how to cook. Try new recipes. Learn from your mistakes. Be fearless and above all have fun.” – Julia Child

How can our viewers connect with you?

Instagram: CookinwithLena

Click here for more recipes from Cookin’ with Lena

Featured member: Nadyas_cuisine

Can you tell our readers about yourselves, where are you from, where do you live?

My name is Nadia ghaddar, Lebanese, living in Zambia and a mama of 2 girls.

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog? 

My blog is about daily home-cooked dishes I prepare for my family. My passion for cooking made me start this blog.

What do you like the most about blogging? 

The best thing about the blog is getting to meet new people and learn awesome recipes from different cultures.

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

My favorite dish is kibbe bi Laban.

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?

Spices, olive oil, and nuts of course.

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

  • Manal massoud
  • Pots n bites
  • Chefin disguise

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

I have 2 favorite recipes in my blog: pineapple cake and stuffed grape leaves.

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?

My knife of course ☺

The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.

Cooking is fun, and its easier than you think. Keep it simple and follow your taste buds.

How can our viewers connect with you?

Facebook Page: Nadyas_cuisine

Instagram Page: nadyas_cuisine

Back To School Kids Lunch & Snack Ideas

1 – Awesome No Bake Homemade Granola Bars by Mike Fahmie

2 – Homemade Pizza Bagels That Kids Love by Mike Fahmie

3 – Homemade Chicken Nuggets by Mike Fahmie

4 – Super Delicious Homemade Bagel Dogs That Kids Love by Mike Fahmie

5 – Best Homemade Pizza by Jennie Flaming

6 – Beef Fajita by always.2.hungry

7 – Walnut Brownies by lubna refai

More Kid Friendly Recipes can be found here

Featured Member : Baiti_ana

Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?

My name is Mariam Tarabein born and raised in Lebanon then moved to Canada when I got married. I have five beautiful kids, four girls and one boy. I love cooking and creating new dishes. When I am eating a delicious dish with my family at a restaurant, I search all the ingredients that are in it and I recreate it.

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog? 

My family and friends always tell me to open my own blog but the idea wasn’t on my mind at all especially with taking care of my family. My three sisters inspired me to create the blog because they always make me feel like I’m the best cook. I just started my blog a couple of months ago.

What do you like the most about blogging? 

I love sharing good recipes with other people and I love taking pictures and videos of that dish to help everyone see the exact way to cook it.

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

Mlokiyah

Makloubeh

Falafel

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes

Chicken 

Rice 

Spices 

I can create many recipes using those three ingredients.

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

Foodnetwork

Tasty

Restaurants and Google ( I know they aren’t food blogs but I get my inspiration from them)

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

Since I love all of the recipes from my blog It’s very hard to choose one but I really like maaloubi  , mlokiyi , mansif, chilli chicken and stuffed chicken.

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without

A good knife to cut everything perfectly. 

Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook 

Create new ideas with your dishes that will make cooking more fun and tastier and don’t forget to take your time cooking because perfecting a dish is going to take more than one try. 

How can our viewers connect with you?

Instagram Page: baiti_ana 

Top 10 Delicious Vegan Main Dish recipes to try at home

1 – Vegan kibbeh arnabiyeh stew by annacookingconcept

2 – Green Chard stew with rice “NIVIG” by TalineB

3 – Mediterranean Stuffed Vegetables by HOME CUISINE.LB

4 – Vegan falafel burger by annacookingconcept

5 – Vegan Lebanese kebbe by annacookingconcept

6 – Vegan lebanese BBQ kafta by annacookingconcept

7 – Mujadarah with rice and caramelized onions by lylyskitchen

8 – Mdardara by nadyas_cuisine

9 – Mujadarah Hamra by lylyskitchen

10 – Lebanese eggplants and chickpeas stew by lylyskitchen

Don’t forget to find us on your favorite social media : Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Pinterest

Featured Member : Homecuisine.lb

Can you tell our readers about yourselves, where are you from, where do you live?

Hello everyone, we are a family who loves to try everything new!

We are from Lebanon, and we live in Zahle. 

My mom Marie-Claude is the main chef, she is the treasurer of all secret recipes.

My sister Jennifer is a dietitian and I am Martine the sous – chef, photographer, food stylist and blogger. Well, actually I am a telecom engineer but food has always been my main interest.

Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog? 

At Home Cuisine you can find traditional Lebanese food, and many other influenced cuisines. Maybe, this is because we are a fusion of cultures. Other than being Lebanese, we are descendants of Armenian and Argentinian grand-parents.

We were inspired by a friend four months ago, the time when we launched the first page of home cuisine.

What do you like the most about blogging? 

We like blogging because it’s kind of exchange of experience between us and the readers, this way we enrich our knowledge and we help others to learn more skills.

What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?

We will list the favorite dish of each one of us.

-Shish barak, which is basically made of tiny meat dumplings cooked in a plain yogurt stew.

-Hummus.

-Grilled lamb meat.

-Mloukhieh.

Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?

Anchovies, garlic and dill

Rice, potato and meat

Garlic, chicken and lemon juice

Salt, olive oil and pomegranate molasses

Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most

No Garlic no onions

Jamie Oliver

Nigella Lawson

What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?

“Roulade de boeuf farcies avec de la sauce cerise.”

What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?

The Knife.

Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.

“Never stop trying.”

How can our viewers connect with you?

Eat Live Be Grateful blog: 

https://eatlivebegrateful.com/profile/home-cuisine-lb/

Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/homecuisine.lb/

Instagram Page: 

https://www.instagram.com/homecuisine.lb

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