For as long as I can remember, I’ve never met a food I didn’t like. I have always LOVED to eat!
And when I wasn’t busy eating, I could be found outside playing in the sunshine. My mom used to have to hunt me down in the summertime and drag me inside as the sun was going down.
Even as an adult, I sometimes need to be convinced that we don’t need to be running around outside ALL of the time.
For 15 years, I stretched, tumbled, and twisted my body as a competitive gymnast.
Today, I like to call it YOGA.
And ever since the beginning, I have felt a strong connection to animals. Even the scariest and slimiest creatures have always held a place in my heart.
So it doesn’t really surprise me that two years ago I decided to stop eating animals, and instead just embrace the beauty that we get to live among them.
And as a vegetarian cook, I try to highlight all of the wonderful foods that nature and plants can provide us.
Even as a little girl, my love for entertaining was evident.
And today, my favorite thing in the world is to be surrounded by friends and family, hosting parties, and preparing delicious food.
![[IMG_4522[3].jpg]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ND7jfcOt5nQ/S7lCGeBDwGI/AAAAAAAAGDs/E9acxb97tb0/s1600/IMG_4522%5B3%5D.jpg)
Feeding others just simply comes naturally to me.
So in August 2009, I left the safety of my full-time salaried job in non-profit fundraising, and I went to culinary school to fulfill a life-long dream.
![[IMG_4697[3].jpg]](http://lh6.ggpht.com/_ND7jfcOt5nQ/S749PGkXABI/AAAAAAAAGRk/VnKfNLzbgt0/s1600/IMG_4697%5B3%5D.jpg)
In school I learned to make delicious and beautiful food, and found my calling to create healthy, vegetarian meals.
And now, I create and write about food every day, and I pinch myself that life has changed so much for me.
Project Food Blog is a culinary blogging challenge hosted by Foodbuzz, that will last until December 13th. Through a series of ten challenges, a panel of judges along with YOUR VOTES will select the final Foodbuzz Food Blog Star. And why should that be me?
My journey from the office world to the culinary classroom allows me to create food that can be appreciated by both the beginner cooks and the seasoned chefs. My mission is simple: create beautiful, vegetarian food that makes people want to eat more, and makes the concept of “health food” seem a little less scary.
Because in the end, nutritious and delicious food is what keeps us healthy and able to be active, so that we can enjoy our lives to the fullest. And THAT is something to get excited about.
Voting begins tomorrow!
91 Comments so far
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LOVE your post! you did an awesome job! I don’t see how they can’t pick you! Your journey is so great!
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Good luck Emily! I have a totally new respect for you with that snake wrapped around you! I am deathly afraid of them and that just made me cringe!
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Love it! I think you’ve shown that you’ve been a food blogger in the making since birth :-) Definitely blog star worthy
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Great old photos and great post! :) I am totally the same – I want to be outside ALL DAY LONG! heh
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What a beautiful post! One of the best I’ve read yet!
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Awww, I’m in love with your post. SO glad you decided to do it. Love the flash back to your past and the current photos. You’re so very talented and very inspiring!! xo
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What a great post! I love how much personality shines through–especially because of your great use of pictures. Good luck in the contest!
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this is one of the very best entries I have read!! I love it!!
great storytelling and I LOVE the old photos.
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Loved the story but I was already convinced!! You’re a star!
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one of the best food bloggers i follow! love the recipes and stories you tell.
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What a creative post! You did a fantastic job. I think you deserve it :)
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I love your entry! Annnd…. I think I had the same flannel nightgown you are wearing in the last photo. hahaha
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I love the contrast of young you vs. today you. Definitely shows your passion for life and not just food.
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LOVE this post. . . so much fun! I think I had that same nightgown that you’re wearing in the last picture- my daughter wears it now LOL
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Do they still make those? We had matching ones every Christmas. :)
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Jayna @ Healthy Living Bites Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
I’ve not seen that they still make them, though if I checked out more higher end places like Hanna Andersson I might find them (I just can’t justify paying more then $4 for something they only wear at night!!!). Kaitlyn wears mine from when I was little. She looks so cute in it I’m trying to find Brett something that will coordinate with it so I can get their christmas pictures done in them (instead of over priced dress wear that they will only wear for the pictures)
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Mom Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
try TJ Maxx- they carry them
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Mom Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Castle House (children’s store)has that exact nightgown in their window right now- it is made by Lanz of Salisbury and the style and most of the patterns haven’t changed since I was a little girl. The best part is the longer you wear it, the better it feels!
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LOL! That last picture is priceless. I really enjoyed this post and I think you have a good shot at winning.
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love love love you! :)
You do a great job at what you do and I know you inspire people every day with the way you eat and how you cook. I know you were one of the few who inspired me to start my own blog!
Go you
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
Wow – that’s awesome! Thanks :)
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Haha I love the picture of you at the end! Good luck, I’m entered too!
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Yay! But I look forward to seeing more about this challenge! I will vote for you!
PS I had both the pink & purple bike as well as the white & red striped nightgown. =)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
LOVED that pink and purple Huffy. With the little bag on the front? Too fun. :)
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Loved this! Didn’t know you were a gymnast. So was I :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
FUN – love gymnastics. I still get all worked up at the Olympics every 4 years! :)
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Definitely going to vote for you, you’d be perfect as their food blogger.
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Haha, well said! Loved the way you wrapped it up with the last pic :P
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What a beautiful post. Your passion is so vibrant and comes alive through your words and pictures, Emily. Good luck!
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I will definitely vote for you. Your blog has such good looking recipes and I love how, in addition to the food, you give such a strong sense of yourself in your posts.
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Really do love every single sentence you put together and picture you post. I will most assuredly vote for you.
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What a wonderful post!!!!
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Such a great entry post! You’re well on your way to the next Food Blogger Star my dear! :)
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So nicely done! (Don’t tell the other bloggers but you’ll definitely have my vote!)
Good luck!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Haha thank you :)
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Your post is so enjoyable :) I love your memories! As a child I could not keep away from the dirt. Mud pies were my specialty.
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Our posts start out the exact same way–except I’m eating CAKE hahaha. I didn’t know you were a gymnast! I was too. It makes getting into yoga a lot easier.
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I’m 100% sold on the photo of you feeding the dog… or maybe plating the blueberries. Best of luck!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Grapes are totally poisonous to dogs too – whoops!
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S @ extremebalance.net/blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
I’ve heard that–and also about chocolate. It’s the old “no pancreas, no chocolate” rule. And yet: I’ve experienced dogs with death wishes who have gotten into Christmas chocolate and lived to tell. Go figure!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Oh I can name on in particular. Huey Malone ate an entire can of cocoa powder (lethal amounts) and spent one night and $1,000 at the emergency vet. Ahhh what we will do for our pets. :)
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Oh my gosh, what cute pictures of little you! The food pictures made me hungry! Whenever you wanna bring some of that by, it’s totally fine. :)
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HAHA!! LOVE all the fabulous photos of you!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I had that EXACT same nightgown.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Haha sounds like a lot of us did – so weird!
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Good luck! How can we support you?
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Thank you for sharing you life with us. I am loving reading about everyone’s life during this foodbuzz challenge. I posted my FBC blog yesterday. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Ashlee
http://ashandlewplus2.com/2010/09/18/project-food-blog-ready-set-blog/
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I love all the “young Emily” photos and really love all the culinary school pictures. Everything looks so delicious. I’m learning to appreciate vegeterian meals more and more with your help. Thanks
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Love your post!
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That adorable picture of your little legs when you’re feeding the dog is too cute.
If anyone deserves to win this competition, it’s you. I’m sure the amount of people you’ve inspired to eat healthy, whole foods is astounding.
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Beautiful! I love your food story and I’d love to vote for you!
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great entry – i hope you win! x
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This is a wonderful food story! I know first-hand how inspiring you are– you’ve inspired me to try so many new things and embrace a new way of eating. Thanks for all that you do :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
You’re welcome! Thank YOU!
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This is a great blog with yummo looking recipes and great stories. Good luck with the challenge; I’ve already voted for ya!
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You are so beautiful, talented and totally deserving of the title of next Food Blog Star. You have my support 100%!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Thanks Jen. :) I miss you!
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YAY, Emily – such a cute post! I’m totally voting for you :)
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this is my first time to even comment on any blog!
ive been reading food blogs for a year. just wanted u to know that ur my favorite!
Emily is a real genuine, fun, awesome food blogger! VOTE FOR HER!
I NEVER GET BORED reading ur posts. and i’ve probably remade 60% of ur recipes!
Thank u and good luck!
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Oh wow! I feel so honored to have broken your silence. :) THANK you :)
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Good luck, Emily! I’ll definitely be giving you some votes!
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love your post! and your pics… you are too cute :)
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I love this post!
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OMG! Your pictures are remarkable and your story made me smile ;-)
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The pictures were a perfect fit to your story! Loved this post :) & weren’t you a super cute kid?!
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Emily — First, good luck with the contest! Can you recommend your favorite vegetarian cook books? I perused your “Store” but didn’t see anything. Thanks :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Hmmm there should actually be a category called Cookbooks and Guides with all of them listed. The link is on the left side of the store. Some favorites are Clean Food, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone, and The Kind Diet.
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Marie D Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Ah yes, thank you. I recently week to a book reading with JS Foer, love him!
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Good luck to you!! Your pictures are great :-)
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This is perfect for you! Love all the photo flashback. You’ve had the same twinkle in your eyes since you were a baby!
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Such a great life you’ve has for one so young. Your photos are wonderful and creative.
That pie with quinoa crust I must find.
Keep up your good work and efforts your rewards will keep following you as you go in life.
Blessings,
Lancaster Co Gal
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 20th, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Awww thank you :)
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I love your blog and I read it everyday! I get some many great running and cooking tips from you! I have tried so many new foods that I love because of your unique recipes. Good luck on the Next Food Blog Star! PS…I had the same PJ’s as you are wearing in the last picture when I was little :)
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Loved this post – so creative and fun to add in childhood photos. I clicked on the heart and voted, good luck Emily!
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Some of my favorite pictures- past and present! Loved that you included your first ear of corn at about 18 months old! I actually remember that really well- you were so excited by it! Also remember the snake at your birthday party- I believe you were the 1st one to allow the snake to be put around your neck! Always my brave adventurous child- proud of you then and proud of you now :)
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*voted* :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 21st, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Thanks!!
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You rock! Miss you guys but know you’re loving your new home. I’ve already voted…
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:50 am
Miss you too, and love you for voting. CALL ME!
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Fantabulous Post –
Did you even have TEETH to eat that corn?
LOL
~Missy
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 22nd, 2010 at 11:49 am
Haha probably not. :)
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Loved your use of photos to tell your story for you-very well done and it earned a vote from me. Much luck to you. :-)
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Love the background on how you got to where you are now.
Did you have a passion for fundraising before you left that field?
What is your ultimate career goal for the food industry?
I am currently a fundraiser, have a passion for food and health – but no clue how to build that out into a career. :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 9:50 am
I will be honest, I didn’t really have a passion for fundraising. I kind of fell into that job out of college, and ended up staying there and advancing in it for six years. I really enjoyed the interaction with donors, and doing all the event planning, but I HATED asking people for money, which was also a pretty important component of the job. :) Still working on my ultimate career goal, but I believe it is somewhere in food writing – maybe a book?
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I gave you a vote.
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Thank you!
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hey emily, your story is awesome. i loved seeing the evolution of your active lifestyle combined with your passion for food. the pictures of your dishes look delicious, especially the pasta and asparagus! you got my vote!
namaste :)
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Emily @ The Front Burner Blog Reply:
September 24th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Thanks so much!
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Wow! Awesome post! Congratulations on going for your dream! What an amazing feeling that must be! You should be really proud of yourself! Your food looks delicious and absolutely beautiful!
Best of luck with PFB! Just voted for you!
If you like, you can check out mine here:
http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/view/502
Thanks!
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Major thanks for the article post.Really thank you! Will read on…
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Fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
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