ABOUT FRESH CUP OF JOY

 Fresh Cup of Joy began in 2021 during my time in graduate school. What started as a small passion project quickly grew into a space where I could share my favorite recipes and my love for home cooking. At first, my audience was simple: my future self, my family, and a few friends. Now, I’m beyond grateful to connect with so many home cooks and food lovers who share the same joy for creating meals that bring people together.

But there’s a deeper story behind my love for cooking.

Growing up, my relationship with food was complicated. Like many, I felt the pressure to follow strict diets and chase a certain ideal. This meant I was constantly stuck in a cycle of restriction and guilt. I tried every diet you can think of – low carb, keto, vegan, you name it. And yet, the foods I ate were often bland, uninspiring, and unsatisfying. Food felt like a chore, not the comforting, joyful experience it should be.

That all changed when I met my husband, Michael. His Russian family opened my eyes to a completely different way of living. They cooked hearty, wholesome meals with love, and they never saw food as something to fear. Michael’s mom, in particular, became a huge influence on my cooking journey. Her dishes were delicious and satisfying, and she taught me the art of creating meals that were as she would call them “hearty and fortifying.” Over time, I started to truly embrace this philosophy and let go of the guilt that had become such a large part of my relationship with food.

Cooking became more than a necessity; it became a creative outlet, fun and therapeutic, and a way to connect with the people I love. Today, I’m on a mission to share that same joy with you. Through Fresh Cup of Joy, I get to merge my passion for photography, SEO, and cooking, and I hope to inspire you to create meals that are simple, delicious, and completely guilt-free.