Hi! My name is Marla Meridith.
I am the content creator, publisher, food stylist and photographer for Family Fresh Cooking.
- I grew up in NY (Long Island) and now live in Southern California.
- My favorite place on earth is Telluride, Colorado. Winter, spring, summer & fall.
- Love skiing, yoga, hiking and pilates. It is important for me to be active at all times, all seasons.
- I am a firm believer that the more you do the more you get done. I don’t do “lazy” days.
- Proud mom to two kids (a little boy & a little girl) that keep me really busy.
- Unless otherwise noted I shoot and style all of the photographs on this blog.
- My photography portfolio is located at MarlaMeridith.com
- I love food. Cooking it, eating it, styling it, photographing it. My life is all about the next bite.
- It is very important to me to eat the highest quality, all natural, healthy foods.
- I am type A with a natural wake-up time of 4am, no alarm clock. Breakfast has me hop, skip and jump out of bed each morning.
- Love art, design & photography. When I see something beautiful I get cold chills and very excited.
- I like honest people, real food, bright colors, plaid patterns, polka dots and the color pink.
- Love coffee. Piping hot dark espresso roast capped with the perfect crema.
- After attending Syracuse University, I freelanced as a graphic/textile designer for Disney, Scholastic, Warner Bros. and other fun companies.
- I say what I mean & mean what I say.
- Thrive on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, StumbleUpon and Instagram
- Travel thrills me for business & pleasure. Lately I should just leave my suitcases packed as life is go, go, go!
- Family Fresh Cooking is my *happy place* Love that I can take it anywhere I go.
- Life + Work = Fun. I love keeping busy at all times.
- Mindful living is my mantra in everything I do.
Mission
Family Fresh Cooking is meant to inspire a lifestyle. I cover healthy food, active luxury travel, DIY crafts and more.
Recipes + Food
My mission is for my family to stay fit and strong both mentally and physically. Daily we have multiple opportunities to decide what food to eat. Certain foods make us feel great, while others destroy our moods and energy levels. Whole food ingredients and mindful eating behaviors allow us to live healthy, happy lives. The most important thing is to never feel deprived, as food is one of life’s greatest pleasures.
My recipes and lifestyle tips should:
- Help you create ideas, heighten awareness and have fun with daily meal planning.
- Encourage you to have all healthy, fresh, clean ingredients using as much organic and sustainable items we can find.
- Focus on mindful eating and portion control to keep us looking and feeling our best. 10 Secrets to Skinny sums this up well.
- Encourage you to eat 6 small meals a day. This way you can keep energy levels high and avoid energy crashes and “pig-outs.”
- Help to enlighten and demystify the home cooking experience. My mission is to keep it real, healthy and delicious. My Project Lunch Box has been a huge success and it follows this plan of action.
- Share alternatives to refined sugars. Most of my recipes are sugar free.
- Provide healthy tips and techniques that work for me and the family as often as possible. The recipes will be my own creations, if adaptations from others are used they will be cited.
- Provide resources that can assist us to seek out a wealth of information and keep us on track. References will include magazines, other blogs, websites, cookbooks and other inspirational material.
- Make you smile with pretty pictures of food that encourage you to cook up my recipes.
- Serve as an exchange of ideas, I will share ideas and then you guys can post your comments. Together we can craft tools, tricks and techniques to stay fit and well fed.
DIY + Crafts + More
My textile and graph design background has me peek out from behind the camera lens from time to time.
Please Note
Use your own judgement or the advice of your doctor to decide which ingredients and products are appropriate for you and you family. Family Fresh Cooking does not accept any responsibility for injury sustained as a result of following the advice or suggestions contained within the content of this blog.
{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
What a beautiful site…and family! So glad I found your
site…I love meeting other food bloggers! And I have to say, I
admire the fact you get up at 4 a.m.! Haha, wow! I’m really
striving to get up earlier…but I’m afraid I’m a night owl.
Charissa: I am so glad you found my blog too! My hubs is the night owl around here. For me going to bed past 10pm is a big stretch. For him to go to bed earlier than 1am is unreasonable. Sounds like most folks are one or the other.
Hi! I’m so glad that i ran into your site,its so
beautiful…You’ve encourage me in many ways,i have started baking
again yesterday,and though it didn’t turn out to be as good as
yours but than again i would not stop trying…. And i love the
fact that you said you would wake up at 4am just so you can have
many things done!!!
Just added your blog to my favorites! Absolutely love your
mission and hope to do the same when we have a family of our own.
Where is Long Island did you grow up? I’m living here now while my
husband finishes up PT school at Stonybrook U.
Cait: I am so happy you stopped by. I grew up in Roslyn Heights. I have never visited Stonybrook – bet you guys are having fun out there!
I am so glad I found your site. I have recently been trying
to eat clean, whole foods. I can’t wait to try your recipes.
Incidentally, I’ve lost 19 pounds with just eating healthy. I feel
so much better and have so much more energy.
Brenda: I am so happy you found my blog. Sounds like you have had great weight loss success. For me I find that what keeps me the most fit is moderate exercise and spot on eating. Most things can be enjoyed in moderation and I steer clear of foods I know I cannot control myself around. Thankfully those days are very few and far between. With so many healthy mini meals each day I am never in starvation mode. I do not deprive myself of the things I love-they just need to be made my way. I look forward to hearing more about your wonderful journey & healthy lifestyle success
Marla! Glad I found your site! I love the goals that you have set for your blog, many of them are the same as mine, not necessarily my blog itself, but my lifestyle. I have a passion for food and fitness and health. This always calls for some creativity in the kitchen!
Hi Marla, Loving your blog. I’m a fellow foodie too — love to cook healthy foods for my family (4 kids and a husband with a big appetite too)! I’m definitely going to start following your blog. I noticed you’re from Southern California — so are we. We live in San Diego. Thanks again for the great recipes!
Renee: Hi! Thanks so much for stopping by. Sounds like you have a lot of people to cook for
How old are your kiddos?
I am so happy you will be following my posts. Feel free to reach out any time with any questions, comments or suggestions. I love to learn from my readers too. We do live in the OC. San Diego is beautiful, I do not get down there as often as I would like to.
I was searching for a recipe for goldfish crackers and stumbled onto your site. I am so excited to try out these great healthy recipes for my family. I always try to cook healthily for my family but was getting bored lately trying to come up with something tasty and different than my same old arsenal of go to recipes. I can’t wait to get started!
Marisa: Hi! I am so glad you stopped by. I am always cooking & baking up fun new recipes. Hope to see you around a whole bunch!
I stumbled upon your blog on averie’s blog. and i’m so glad i did! i love your approach, so real and true. and you have the cutest children!! God Bless…
I just came across your blog. It’s such a beautiful place in the virtual world
Adding it to my favs.
Dana, thank you so much! We all need a great escape and I am so happy to provide that. Looking forward to seeing you around the web.
I am not criticizing, but just had a thought as I read your disclaimer. I find it funny that we as food bloggers feel the need (and the pressure) to include a disclaimer that suggests folks consult their doctor before changing their diets. I read once that doctors receive only one nutritional class in all of their schooling. But yet, we must suggest that they are consulted when it comes to things pertaining to diet and health. Who is the real expert? You who have seen it first hand, witnessed how healthy living can impact your life as well as those you love, or a doctor who may not have any more education in the nutritional world than you or me.
I grew up on Long Island too …Lindenhurst, NY
And I love Santa Monica, CA. My hubby and I have spent much time there.
I love your blog and recipes.
Blessings,
Debbie
Debbie, thanks so much! I am so happy you found me & my blog. I grew up in Roslyn Heights. Have not been back to NY in a few years. Need to soon
Hi Marla
Your blog is beautiful! I believe I read about you in one of the SU alumnae publications then I heard about you somewhere else and was further interested as you include gluten free items, so I was intrigued to check you out. I graduated 1992, human development and diagnosed with celiac disease 2002.
Anyhow, I will continue to follow your blog via twitter!
Sophia, we graduated from SU the same year. What was your major?
I hope you enjoy my gluten free recipes. Stay tuned, I will be posting more & more as time goes on.
I studied nutrition-dietetics, knew I had some dietary issues!. Still trying to come up with a way to combine all interests though.
What school did you graduate from?
I graduated with an advertising degree from Newhouse. I had the wonderful opportunity to head back to campus as part of the Alumni Speaker Series this March. It was awesome to be back on campus. Here is the post if you have not seen it:
http://www.familyfreshcooking.com/2011/04/03/syracuse-university-alumni-visit-bridge-street-news/
You have the most beautiful blog…it’s so fresh and clean. I love it. And you are gorgeous too Marla!
I have yet to go to Colorado but I can’t wait to now!
Thanks for visiting my blog Marla! You have a beautiful website! So many good stuff on this website and I’m so happy to find you and your blog. Will be following you. You have a beautiful family!!!
Thanks so much Nami! I am glad you found me too
Looking forward to staying in touch through our blogs.
Just found your blog and I’m loving it! Pics are so beautiful and look like they are straight out of a gourmet magazine. Everything looks so delicious =)
Thanks so much
I am so happy you found me too.
So happy I just found your blog; fabulous photography and lovely recipes….so happy to see more of your recipes! Love ‘em all…
Hi Marla,
Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your site is gorgeous. Good photography & cute kids!!
Hi Marla!
Just stopped to say thank you for your kind comment and fell in love with your website. It´s charming! Such good taste! I’ll be visiting often!
See you soon…
Mafalda
Thank you Marla for stopping by my blog and commenting. You have a lovely blog here. I am so into simplicity myself and your blog has that clean feel too!
You are my TWIN, Marla! I WISH I had RSS’d your blog before meeting you last week. Our sites and beliefs on food and health and overall life are so similar! Not to mention the country flare! I do a series on YouTube called, The Giddy Up Gluten Free! We should chat:) LOVE YOUR SITE!
Sarah, I hope we can connect again soon. It was great meeting you at TECHmunch, but way to brief. Wondering if you will be attending FoodBuzz in November?? Love your blog too. Us cowgirls need to stick together
Lovely blog. I was hoping to contact you but the details on your contact page seem to have vanished. Could you please contact me on info@eatyourbooks.com? Thanks.
Just stumbled on your blog and making it a favorite! I also grew up in Roslyn(Country Estates), but older than you. Still a lovely area.
Judy, really….Country Estates?! How cool. I had a few friends from there growing up. Right next door
Do you still live in the area? Thanks for stopping by & I hope you say *hi* often.
I love this blog! I have gotten so many ideas. Are you in OC? I will be down that way in a couple of weeks. Road trippin’ with the family for T-Day.
Hi Marla, love love love your site and found you at just the right time as I am on a mission to better, healthier eating for myself and my family. I am so excited to have a good night in tonight with a yummy low fat hot cocoa, and reading your blog!
take care..
I found you through Tasty Kitchen and I’ve liked your blog for awhile, but love it even more now that I finally read your “about”
So neat to get to “know” you and your beautiful family, and I love your mission – I also have a girl and a boy and am striving to make sure we live an active, healthy life where mindful eating is a key enjoyable part!
Hi Anna, you are so sweet to leave that comment. Sounds like we have a lot in common. Please say *hi* more often
What an inspirational site! Absolutely love the recipes and photography! It takes some serious time and effort to keep up a blog like this, especially with kiddos! I’m looking forward to incorporating many of these recipes into my life to keep myself and my husband healthy! Thanks for all the hard work, keep it up!
Hi Lisa! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, it is a great deal of work to maintain the pages of my blog but well worth each and every second. Especially when readers like you share such great enthusiasm and interest. My blog opens up great new doors and opportunities each and every day. I am forever grateful to have this healthy, creative outlet. My kids and hubs end up well fed because of it! Stop by and say *hi* again soon. Have fun trying out my recipes too!
Hi,
Just found this web site /blog. Recipes look great,especially baking with stevia. Any thought of adding nutrition info. to the recipes?
Robin
Hi Robin, I am so glad you found my blog. Not planning on adding nutrition info at this point. I recommend that if folks need precise info they should seek the guidance of a registered dietician or assess the nutrition info on their own with something like Calorie Count: http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/recipe_analysis.php
I absolutely love your blog! It captures so many good ideas, and makes them doable for any parent striving to nourish their family. I am thrilled to have found your site and look forward to your future posts! Warmly, Eila
Thanks so much for stopping by Ella! TidyMom is a great friend & inspiration to me – so glad you found me through her
Hi Marla,
Wow! I am thrilled to know about you and your blog. It’s confirming, inspiring, and educational to me. I am a Certified Nutrition Therapist, practicing in Broomfield, Colorado (a ways from Telluride, but it’s beautiful!) at my clinic Living Well. I share space with my husband who is a Chiropractor. I too, am passionate about food, cooking, eating, etc. I always teach my clients to eat natural, non-processed food, and a big challenge is finding “yummy” foods they want to eat without getting off their food plan. I stumbled on your blog because I’m hosting Bunco this week and my theme is healthy comfort food. Wanted to use almond flour for baked “fried” chicken. Thank God I found you. Thanks for the inspiration and if you need any professional nutrition expertise, I’m happy to endorse. I’m going to post your page on my business FB page as well as my personal one.
Thank you again- Bon appetit!
Amy, your credentials are amazing! I just popped over to your site. Thrilled that you found me too. People often ask me specific nutrition questions that I do not feel comfortable to answer. I welcome the opportunity to pass folks with these sorts of concerns over to you.
Love this on your bio:
“Amy’s mission is to meet the individual wherever they may be on their health journey, no matter how depleted or frustrated, and then guide them nutritionally onto a path of balance. Amy facilitates a conscious awareness for her clients in their health journey. She evaluates her clients as unique individuals, realizing there is no “one size fits all” plan for everyone.
I love that almond crusted baked not fried chicken. Need to make that again soon come to think of it!
Best of luck hosting the Bunco party!
I don’t know what took me so long to find your blog (just in the last few weeks) but I’ve been enjoying going through your archives. Frankly, anyone who loves Telluride as much as I do is automatically my friend.
Your great blog content is just a bonus. Maybe we’ll cross paths one of these days in what I think is the most beautiful place in the world. Looking forward to following you from here on. Cheers! 
Jean, what seasons do you usually visit Telluride? We must meet up sometime. I am so happy you found me too. Was just all over your blog & I love it there. Can’t wait to see more photos and hear more about your travels to Argentina. Sounds like we both have the travel bug and love for great food ~ Not to mention my favorite place on earth! ~xo~
Marla, I love your blog…you are inspiring me to make better food choices.
Thanks, Cheryl Ann
Thanks so much Cheryl, makes me very happy to be such a positive inspiration
Love your blog, such a pleasure to have found it!
Marla,
I just have to say how happy I am to have stumbled across your blog. This has truly made my day! I just want to say that, your mission has reached me and has already inspired me in countless ways! I can’t wait to show your sight to my best friend… Cathy… who is a nutritionist! She will be so thrilled to see all your truly amazing and absolutely delicious recipes. I look forward to reading all your future, present, and past posts! I too am a fan of fine food, eye capturing photos, travel, and the much unknown beauty of worldly cultures! In fact the reason how I came across your site was because I have been researching bridal shower traditions and customs from around the world… for the shower I’m throwing for… Cathy! And yes the theme is around the world! And because I am trying to stick to an all raw menu… I have been trying to find simple, and healthy popsicle recipes! And yours sound just darling! So anyways… my short thank you for being such an amazing woman and for entertaining me for the past half hour, has now turned in to a semi life story… My apologies! Best of luck to you! And again, I look forward to reading more!
~MariaVictoria
MariaVictoria. THANK YOU!!! Such a lovely comment to wake up to this morning. People like you make me feel sooooo great about what I do here on Family Fresh Cooking. I look forward to staying in touch with you + I hope you find many recipes and tid bits here to re-create for yourself. Best of luck planning that raw food shower. My Lemon Cucumber Spa Popsicles might be a big hit for the bride to be & her guests
By the way ~ love your enthusiasm and descriptive comment!
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