The Hummingbird Kitchen was created out of my passion for real, simply prepared food and the urging from a few incredibly supportive friends to start a blog so others can see how easy it really is. Oh, and also to satisfy my constant obsession to take pictures of the food I prepare and tell everyone about it. This way only the people who care can follow the blog and everyone is happy, right?

The inspiration for The Hummingbird Kitchen is the incredible women in my life who have taught me to love to cook and prepare meals with love and fresh ingredients-my mother, grandmother, aunt and mother-in-law.  The name comes from my grandmother’s love for hummingbirds. I grew up on very tasty, no frills, Pennsylvania Dutch food.  I learned to read cookbooks like my mother always did- seriously, I read cookbooks like they are novels. I love the stories behind the food and the ingredients. I also love to use vintage cooking utensils and kitchen items whenever possible. It makes the experience of cooking so much better!  I love the look of the 1970’s gold and green Pyrex because it reminds me of our kitchen growing up.  I remember canning and freezing fresh vegetables and fruits when they were in season with my mom and grandmother and eating what was in season always.  My mother-in-law has taught me about gardening and I’m constantly stealing her cookbooks and beloved Where Women Cook magazine until she was forced to get me my own subscription! She has also given me many vintage cooking items from her mother and other family and I use them proudly.

And finally my ultimate inspiration are my loves at home. My husband and three girls.   They keep me going each day.  They are my taste testers, helpers and best critics.

As for me, I love to cook, garden, read and run. I’m a healthy lifestyle advocate, volunteer in the community and supporter of global issues. While my ideas about food and cooking have evolved over the years, my general philosophy now is to eat real, whole food, little to no refined sugar, and everything in moderation.  I hope these pages inspire you in some way.