About Me
Hi! I am Amanda the recipe developer and photographer here at The Kitcheneer thank you so much for stopping by!
I am also the wife to my wonderful and ever supporting husband, Jake. I will often refer to him as “Jake”, “Jake from State Farm”, or “hubby”. I am a mechanical engineer -and proud of it! I am the mother to 4 fur babies: my kitties. I am a self-proclaimed coffee snob, book worm, Netflix binger, best singer (when no one is listening), Disney princess, and lover of all things in the photography world. I also really love food.
Food has always played a major role in my life. My family is Italian, so it goes without saying that all activity in the house was centered on a meal. Food has also been a frenemy of mine. I love it. I crave it. And at times it took over my thoughts and my self-image.
We all seem to have that “a-ha” moment. Mine was when I saw a picture of myself sitting amongst friends at dinner. I was completely devastated with how big I was. I even avoided the camera as much as I could for about 2ish years! How awful! I knew it was time for a change in my nutrition and to learn more about eating healthy.
Luckily, cooking has always been a part of my life. I learned from my mother at the young age of 8 and had mastered a pretty amazing Italian sauce by the age 14.
My cooking journey has been a long road of testing new recipes, new ingredients, and techniques. As time went on, I discovered that eating clean, colorful, and simple foods were the way to go. The Whole30 was my “spring board” to a happier and healthier life. I learned that I didn’t need all the processed stuff that most of our foods contain today. I lost so much but found so much more. I found myself again.
I also found that since my nutrition was in check, I could do more. I also began my fitness journey too. For many years I simply trudged along on the elliptical at the gym. I wasn’t exactly pushing myself. I have never been an athlete but have always admired them. Their strength, power, and endurance. I discovered CrossFit and it changed my world. I love lifting heavy and pushing myself to the limits. I also just recently ran my first half marathon! Who knew I could go from 0.0 to 13.1?! All it takes is some determination and placing one foot in front of the other.
It didn’t happen overnight. At first I could barely make it down the block without giving up. If I can do it so can you. But mainly the source of success is nutrition. Nutrition is 80% of your success. Whatever your goals are, nutrition is key.
Simple Clean Foods + some fitness = an awesome feeling you
When most think of “healthy” the words “bland” or “twigs” might be your next thought. I have learned through trial and error that this is not true. Having a few simple ingredients on hand is all you need to make a flavorful meal that you will look forward to everyday. This blog is a creative outlet to use to find simple, clean, and flavorful recipes to inspire your next meal!
The Kitcheneer will help be your guide in the world of simple clean recipes and that eating healthy-ish and eating mindfully without much effort plus daily activity equals a happier you.
The Kitcheneer is the place for wholesome nourishing foods that definitely are not lacking in flavor!
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I’m study now to become a double engineering major—Biomedical AND Mechanical engineering. On top of that, I’m thinking about adding a math minor because, why not? I am going into my third year now, and honestly, I am getting bogged down. I have a passion for healthy living and cooking and baking and often wonder what I am doing in the engineering field when I seem to be more passionate about something else. I have had a tough past semester with life and have recently started my own blog (journeyforjessi.wordpress.com). I hope I can let my passions flow into my new blog dedicated to my passed best friend who also had a passion for nutrition. She had the courage to switch majors from engineering to nutrition. I often wonder if I am on the right path. Hopefully, blogging for me with be successful and I will get to enjoy the best of both worlds. You are an inspiration to me, do you have any advice?
Wow! That definitely sounds like quite the work load! Junior year in the engineering field is quite possibly the hardest one as you are getting into the actual core curriculum of engineering. I remember staying up until 2 or 4 in the morning to complete Thermodynamic labs or studying for a test. Its exhausting. But in the end it really is worth it. Here is my story: I actually wasn’t sure AT ALL that engineering was the right path for me. Like I switched my major 2 times in my first and second year thinking maybe biology or maybe an education degree would suit me better. I talked to numerous professors to learn more but never found what I was looking for. So I turned back to the engineering department for one last shot. They were so welcoming and it felt right. Then I met my husband who also was pursuing a mechanical engineering degree. He had SO much passion for it, that it ignited the passion in me and I knew this was the way for me to go. I have always been a science girl. I LOVE physics more than math. I actually hate math lol.
Engineering is the last place I thought I would be, yet it has opened so many doors for me than I could ever imagine! I have had internships and jobs that allowed me to see and do things that most people in the world don’t get to do!
It’s about finding what feels right. An obviously you are one smart cookie for getting past the first 2 years in the program and you can definitely make it through.
I too have many passions that made me think differently about my career path. I love cooking and nutrition, I love to paint and write, I also seriously considered going back to school to become a veterinarian because I LOVE animals so much.
Then I considered ( logically) what would be best for my future. Engineering is pretty much a guaranteed source for job opportunities. So I knew getting a job in my field would be highly probable. I also know that with an engineer’s salary I could pursue my passions on the side ( hence this blog and my 4 cats lol). Pursue your dreams and your passions and don’t settle for less. I hope this helps you Emily!
Thank you so much! It really does help! I am in the same mindset too because I think of switching majors, yet nothing else sums up. It is nice hearing the truth that others struggle as well. I just feel like sometimes I have a different perspective than typical engineers, but I guess that is is a good thing haha. Thank you again!
Amanda, hi this is Amanda! I’m one of the few female engineers as well! I’m a structural engineer working on bridges. What kind of engineer are you?
Looking forward to following your blog!
Wow! What a coincidence! Thats awesome!!! I am a mechanical engineer! Thank you so much!!!