Hello, I'm Amanda...nutrition graduate, cookbook author, vegan food geek and Mum. Welcome to MGK. This where I share tasty and (mostly-but-not-always) healthy recipes that I make and serve to my family and friends in my actual every day life. For real, not just for Instagram.
We're going to cook real food, for real people with real budgets and lifestyles. Sound good?
Jump to:
My Food Philosophy
Everybody can cook. Don't let your brain tell you different.
I believe good food should be available to everyone. Whether you're a seasoned cook or new to the kitchen, cashed-up or counting your pennies, you can nourish your body and mind with food. Magic can be made with a budget-friendly can of beans and some fresh herbs. Not convinced? Check out by butter bean soup recipe.
Studying Nutrition
After developing recipes for 10-years, I returned to university in my 40s to study for a Post Graduate Degree in Human Nutrition. I still consider myself a cook and recipe developer, but wanted to provide recipes with a strong foundation in nutrition.
I am not a Registered Nutritionist - I don't plan to practice clinically and am still contemplating my Masters. However, I feel better equiped to provide balanced meals after 2-years of study under my belt.
On a personal note, my mother passed away a few years ago from dementia. At the time of her death in a nursing facility, she was 38 kilograms. This is not uncommon.
Nutrition across all ages became my focus and I am committed to helping anyone I can eat better. That doesn't mean everything you find here will be nutritious - sometimes we'll cook just for fun, as it should be. But, I hope to help anyone who wants to eat better do just that.
Transitioning to a Plant-based Diet
I wasn't raised vegan. I'm from a meat-loving family where my mother cooked dishes like Irish stew, stroganoff, hearty curries and pea and ham soup. She was an adventurous and inspired cook.
But, I love animals and see no culinary or nutritional need to eat them. So I don't. If you're just transitioning to a plant-based lifestyle, you might find my "how to go vegan" post helpful.
You can read all about my cooking journey with my Mum in this beautiful article by Erin at Olives for Dinner.
Sign up to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Insta for all the latest news. If you like this recipe, please check out my cookbook "Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family" It's full of simple, carnivore-approved family recipes.
What You'll Find Here
You can get a nourishing and delicious meal on the table in 20-minutes. Promise.
Lightening Round
Location: Victoria, Australia
Age: 50.
Family: The best! Open-minded husband, awesome kid and 3 rescue pups
Education: I have a communication degree from Queensland University of Technology. I also studied with Rouxbe doing both their plant-based cooking program and pastry program + I attended Deakin University to complete a post-graduate Diploma in Human Nutrition.
Years Blogging: 8-ish years
Zodiac Sign: Libra. So, so Libra.
Favorite Charity: Edgar's Mission
Food Heroes: Yotam Ottolenghi, Roy Choi, Anna Jones, Hetty McKinnon, Nigella - nope they're not vegan but I love to try and create vegan versions of their recipes!
My Books: Great Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family
Publications: I am a regular contributor to a completely beautiful magazine called Nourish here in Australia and I'm featured in Thrive magazine. My recipes have appeared in Vegan Food and Living, Huffington Post, The Zoe Report, Brit & Co, MSN and more.
You can also find me at Punchfork alongside a swag of awesome food creatives.
Contact Me
So, that's me. I am so happy you popped by to visit and hope you'll make yourself known. Drop me a message and say g'day. There are no strangers here, just people I haven't met yet.
Except spammers. Spammers are not my friends.
Everyone else, welcome to My Goodness Kitchen x
