About Me

A few years ago when I became pregnant, my husband’s stomach always seemed to be in pain so we decided that he should get tested for allergies.  Unfortunately, the results showed he is allergic to a huge list of foods with mild to moderate allergic reactions including wheat and corn (the test did not go further to see if he is also allergic to oats, barley, etc…) .  Because he does not have a severe reaction, he is able to eat wheat and other grains, but he does so in moderation.  If our son has inherited these allergies, then I definitely don’t want to feed him grilled cheese sandwiches and macaroni and cheese all day long!  Plus, I keep hearing stories of kids with health or behavioral problems that practically vanish once their diet is cleaned up.  I’d rather try to prevent that from happening than treat the cause in the future.  I feel it’s my job to give him plenty of varieties of foods and yet still let him have the mac and cheese sometimes… but in moderation!

You’ll find that many of my recipes are for baked goods.  That’s because I have a major sweet tooth and give in to it every single day.  Plus, I find them interesting and healthy versions of cookies/bars and the like are the things I’ve most googled over the years.  Though the blogs are definitely getting better at these and all types of recipes, personally, I have the most fun experimenting with baking!  I try to make the foods I make healthier than many alternatives - but am often shooting myself in the foot for calling my blog Healthy Tasty Chow!  Not everything I make is technically healthy, but a healthier version than the original.

Part of my family is Italian and German, but my taste buds have ALWAYS been pretty loyal to the Italians.  I’ve fallen in love with the food in every part of Italy that I’ve visited and it all started with weekly family dinners at my Italian aunt’s house growing up.  Italians eat plenty of white flour and sugar, and when it comes to Italian food, I will eat it all!  I have a personal mental block on that.  I don’t care, Italian food is the best!  And… I LOVE Italian wines.

Also, I feel I should mention that I like pretty much every type of food out there.  Mediterranean is my most favorite to eat but I am all over the place.  Bring it on!  Different cultures foods are fascinating to me and I think we can all learn about cultures and expand our taste-buds while we’re at it.

I started reviewing certain food products that I like or wanted people to become aware of -or to try for themselves.  I love trying new things and find healthy and convenient foods exciting.  I didn’t know at first that companies would contact me for product reviews and giveaways.  That’s been a wonderful surprise and thankfully I’ve liked everything that has been sent my way and feel happy about being able to share it with everyone else with the giveaways.  I’m a little nutty and tend to research products and ingredients and so I like to share good finds with you - whether I find them or they find me.

I’ve always loved to cook and bake and have even formed many friendships based on mutual love of food.  I tend to cook healthier versions of everything, a habit I formed as far back as I can remember.  It all really started in conjunction with Jane Fonda workout videos and Get In Shape Girl…a really cool toy in the ’80s.  Please feel free to share any thoughts or ideas you may have.  I’d love to hear it.  I hope you enjoy!

Ann

a little disclosure… I am not a chef, not a dietitian, please take what I say with a grain of salt.