Kitchen Joy

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About Mandy

Welcome to Kitchen Joy®! My name is Mandy, and I’m so glad you’re here.

This site began in 2013 as a way to chronicle my adventures while cooking my way through my cookbook collection. It has evolved since then into a place where I share my own tried-and-true recipes that my family loves. We strive to live by the motto that “Homemade is better than store-bought”, and it rarely lets us down. I love learning more about food every day and sharing my excitement with anyone who will listen.

In 2014 my husband and I packed up and moved to Italy for a temporary relocation with my husband’s job. I left my full-time job as a dental hygienist to follow him to beautiful Venice. It was there that I started to pour more time into testing and developing my own recipes, and learning more about the cuisine of Italy as well. Several months later we moved back to Michigan and we couldn’t be happier to be home in the state that we love so much.

Several cooking classes, a heartbreaking miscarriage, and now two healthy little girls later, I am thrilled to be spending my days as a stay-at-home mama and food-blogger. This little adventure has turned into something so fun and passionate for me. I truly adore being able to share my love of food with others, and it is a dream come true to be able to have this little business to help contribute to my family financially through doing what I love. This site is a one-person operation, so I am the one writing and testing recipes, hand-drawing the logos, taking all the photos, and handling all of the technical aspects of running a website. If you have any questions about anything, or are having issues with the site, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email or social media.

Also, if you aren't already aware, I recently published my first cookbook! My Little Michigan Kitchen is my love letter to family meals and life in Michigan. It's full of straightforward, family-friendly meals that make me feel like home. Read more about the book HERE: https://kitchenjoyblog.com/cookbook.

Thank you so much for visiting Kitchen Joy®. It truly makes me do a little happy dance when new people find my site and enjoy these recipes. I can’t thank you enough for supporting this little business of mine.

Happy Eating!

Disclaimer: I am in no way compensated or affiliated with any product or brands that I mention in my posts. I do not receive free products. I have come to love the products that I share naturally. If that ever were to change, I will make that very clear.  If you happen to already use Amazon for purchases, by purchasing via some of the links on this site, I can earn a small commission. No added cost to you. thank you for helping to support my small business.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. milkandbun

    Hi Mandy! You have lovely blog and nice recipes! Keep posting! :)

    Cheers,
    Mila

    • mandyjoy

      Thank you!

  2. bakeaffairs

    What a lovely and inspiring blog! I love it! Kind regards and happy baking and cooking, Bridget

    • mandyjoy

      Thank you so much! Your blog is amazing.

  3. Monica

    I think we could be related ;)

    • mandyjoy

      Haha, right? Love your blog!

  4. ShortbreadSwee-T / SweetPoet65

    Hi Mandy. Thanks for following my blog. Great idea to get a cook book from each travel experience. I may have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks for visiting my blog! Yours is great!

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks so much! Yours is great too! The title alone is amazing. :)

  6. juliewold

    Lovely blog! I definitely can relate considering my husband has a major role in my kitchen as the recipe tester. Happy blogging!

    • mandyjoy

      Isn't it so fun having someone to cook for all the time? Happy blogging to you as well!

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks so much! Yours is amazing!

  8. Lorrie

    And thanks too for the 'follow'! If we weren't on opposite coasts, we could have coffee and obsess over our cookbooks together!

    • mandyjoy

      That sounds spectacular!

  9. Nini

    I just adore your Blog Mandy!
    From a former Michigander ;)
    Nini

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks so much! :) Thanks for visiting!

  10. scolgin

    Super sweet blog, Mandy!

  11. scolgin

    By the way, I cooked in restaurants for years. But I never learned as much in any of them as I did reading cookbooks by great chefs.

    • mandyjoy

      I would love some formal training, but I definitely love a good cookbook. Your blog is amazing!

      • scolgin

        You're very kind, thank you! I've got some good cookbook recommendations on there somewhere! Look forward to reading your blog regularly!

  12. krumkaker

    Thanks for your lovely and inspirational blog! That minestrone and garlic bruschetta looks perfect for a rainy day. I just nominated you for the “Shine On” award. Entirely up to you if you wish to accept, it is just a sign of appreciation. See http://krumkaker.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/shine-on/

    • mandyjoy

      Wow! How very sweet of you to think of me. I'm flattered! Thank you so very much for the nomination, and also for taking the time to read my blog!

    • mandyjoy

      Thank you so much for visiting. You're very kind. I love your blog too! I definitely need to try the cauliflower & pumpkin soup very soon!

      • chelseaeva

        It's really yummy. Hope you enjoy! Thanks for the follow up.

  14. deliciousdaydreams

    Loving your blog! My honey's from Michigan, so your tagline caught my attention. I'm looking foward to your future posts! :)

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks for visiting! I hope you get to visit Michigan someday. It really is the best state! :)

      • deliciousdaydreams

        I've been! I loved every minute of it.

        • mandyjoy

          Glad to hear it! I always feel like people think the entire state is like Detroit (although I do like Detroit, it's just not at all representative of our lovely state). Hopefully you'll be able to visit again. I'm from Grand Rapids, and it's a great city!

          • deliciousdaydreams

            He's from Wayland...sort of close to Kalamazoo. I agree that people think Michigan is all like Detroit. It totally isn't! :)

          • mandyjoy

            Wayland is very close! How fun!

  16. CakePants

    I just stumbled across your blog and wanted to let you know how smitten I already am with it! I live in Michigan too, and I'm always surprised at how many people equate all of Michigan with Detroit - when I first moved here (to Ann Arbor), many of my relatives were alarmed and very concerned for my safety! Do you ever have trouble making use of cookbooks from places you travel? I have a cookbook from Greece that continuously baffles me!

    • mandyjoy

      There are a few that are very fun to read, but in terms of application, not overly applicable. My Mount Vernon Cookbook comes to mind. Great souvenir, super interesting to read some of the traditional recipes from the Washingtons' era, but probably not going to make the cut for family dinners, you know what I mean? If put a little more effort into trying more recipes from it, I would probably find some winners. Other than that one, I usually find a few things that I really love. Plus it's sometimes more about the experience and trying crazy things that what the outcome actually tastes like. :) I will say, it can sometimes be a bit of a treasure hunt to find a cookbook that is strictly related to the area we visited. Most difficult destination that I can remember: Utah. I scoured every shop we entered looking for a good book for my souvenir. Shamefully, I had to resort to purchasing "Best of the Best from Utah" as it was all I could find. I usually find some pretty great ones though.

    • Nadia

      Hi Cake Pants, I had to laugh when I read your comment that the Greek cook book is baffling! I can well imagine! I'm Greek, so I would love to be able to help out if I can, with your questions. Xx

  17. Becky

    Hi Mandy, thanks for following Beckster's Laboratory! I'm scoping out your blog and already LOVE your recipes! Am glad to be food blogger friends :)

    • mandyjoy

      Me too, Becky! I'm dying to try your turtle cookie recipe. Looks incredible! Thanks for visiting!

  18. countbysmiles

    Hi Mandy! Thank you so much for following my blog, I am very honored :)
    Your blog is very nice and inspiring so keep up the good work!

    • mandyjoy

      Thank you so much, countbysmiles! What an experience to move all the way to Washington D.C.! I look forward to following your blog (thanks to Google Chrome for translating for me). Happy blogging!

  19. Emma

    Hi Mandy! I too cook and blog from my little Michigan kitchen! Where in Michigan are you from?

    • mandyjoy

      I'm from Grand Rapids, what about you? So fun to find a fellow Michigander blogger! Thanks for visiting!

      • Emma

        GR too! So exciting! Do we have any kind of meet up that you know of?

        • mandyjoy

          Are you kidding me? That's awesome! I have searched for meet-ups around here and haven't been able to find any. Maybe GR doesn't have too many food bloggers? The only other blogger that I know is located here is Liz from http://thelemonbowl.com/. I've never met her, but I do follow her blog. Let me know if you hear of any cool events or meet ups in the area!

  20. www.lifeinthesweetlane.com

    ..just found your gorgeous blog through foodgawker! ..I love your latest pancake post! Definitely making these soon! Thanks! ~Nancy

    • mandyjoy

      Thanks for visiting, Nancy!

  21. Catie Sullivan

    Is there any way you could send me the peach pancakes and syrup recipe? It's my absolute favorite and I see it was taken off your site!

  22. Stefani

    Hi Mandy!
    I'm from Michigan (Troy) and currently living in the Friuli region of Italy. I was searching for rifugio hikes that I could do with last minute notice and your blog came up with your hike to Rifugio Monte Rite. I told me husband, "Of course, it's a blog from a Michigan girl!" Thank you for the post - this hike is perfect for us while we live here. I'll keep exploring your blog :)
    Please give MI a hug for me,
    Stefani

    • Mandy

      Hi Stefani! I truly hope you get a chance to check out Rifugio Monte Rite. We made the trip there 3 or 4 times during our stint in Italy. We loved it there. Funny enough, none of our Italian friends who have lived in the area for their whole lives have ever visited the Dolomites!?!? How is that possible? I have no idea. They don't know what a treasure they have so close to home. I would love an update on your hiking adventures if you get a chance. Best wishes from Michigan. I gave it a hug for you. :)

  23. Malorie

    Hi Mandy! I recently discovered your website when searching for an authentic tiramisu recipe. My husband and I recently returned from a trip to Italy, and all he wanted for his birthday was tiramisu. I made your recipe and he declared it better than all of the tiramisu we sampled in Italy...what a high honor!! We both almost cried when we tried it...it is SO delicious! I plan to make lots more of your recipes! Thank you for your lovely blog!!

  24. Mary Ann Hodge

    I have your wonderful cookbook, gifted to me by my daughter who lives in Japan. Are there any corrections to the cookbook that I should be aware of?

    • Mandy

      Hi MaryAnn! There are a couple of corrections to recent printings listed here: kitchenjoyblog.com/cookbook
      Or you can reach it by clicking the “cookbook” button on the menu at the top of the site. You’ll see the list about halfway down the page. Feel free to email me with any questions as well by using the “contact” button at the top of my site.
      Thanks so much for reaching out!
      Mandy

  25. Ethan

    Hello, I ordered your My Little Michigan Cookbook from this website yesterday. With all that is going on with COVID19, will the book still ship on a normal schedule?

    • Mandy

      Yes! Orders are shipping out within 24 hours. Thank you for your order! You should have received tracking information via email. If you don’t see it, please check your spam folder.

  26. Maxine

    I signed up for your newsletter and was given a 10% discount code to be used for purchasing your cookbook. Where does one put the discount code in all the pages to buy your book?

    • Mandy

      Hi Maxine,

      The coupon code can be entered in your shopping cart on the site, prior to the shipping information page. You might need to click “show order details” if you’re on a mobile device. Hope that helps!
      Thanks so much!

  27. Anya

    Hi, Mrs.Mcgroven! My name is Anya. I am 12 and purchased your cookbook about month ago. Me and my family LOVE your recipes! We have tried the childhood chocolate chip cookies, Boston cooler, pumpkin scones, buttermilk pancakes, and sour cream waffles. In your cookbook I saw a picture of Grand Rapids, I live there! I hope you keep on making yummy recipes!
    By the way, I was the one to make the recipes. Thank you so much!

    -Anya

    • Mandy

      Hi Anya! That is so cool! It makes me so happy that you are having fun making recipes from my cookbook! I also live in Grand Rapids!!

      Thank you so much for your sweet message. You made my day! Keep up all the yummy cooking and baking!

      -Mandy