Cooking with love!

I have been cooking and writing blogs for almost 12 years.

Behind the Apron

My story begins in a small town in Oklahoma, where the kitchen wasn’t just a room—it was the heartbeat of our home.
From an early age, I was drawn to the magic that happened at the stove. While other kids were sleeping in on weekends, I was waking up early, eager to cook breakfast for the entire family. When overnight guests arrived, I took charge of entertaining, trying to mimic the grace I saw in my mother every single day.

The Original Inspiration

My mother, Debora, cooked meals for my Dad, my sisters, and me every single day. I watched her cook, bake, and grill her heart out. She was the ultimate hostess; when we had big family events, she wore that “host hat” with a pride and experience that made it look effortless.
Some of my fondest memories are falling asleep or waking up to the drifting scents of decadent desserts and hearty main courses. Whether it was simple bacon and eggs or a full Christmas dinner complete with my absolute favorite—Christmas Ribs—I always knew the food would taste different just because Mom made it. Her secret ingredient wasn’t a spice; it was the immense amount of love she poured into everything she touched.
To this day, when I visit home, I love to spoil Mom with my new recipes—but I always ask for her staples. You just can’t beat the classics.

The Twist: From Picky Eater to Modern Cook

It might surprise you to know that the author of a cookbook used to be the pickiest eater at the table! Mom actually used to make a separate dinner menu just for me (okay, maybe I was a little spoiled).
But over the years, my palate evolved. I went from picky to adventurous, and I started experimenting with how I fueled my body. I’ve tried it all—KETO, low-carb, carnivore, vegetarian, gluten-free. Through that experimentation, I realized something important: the word “diet” just means what you eat.
I began taking classic dinner table staples—the ones Mom taught me—and reworking them. I wanted to make them fit modern lifestyles, easier to digest, and honestly, just a little more my style.

Why This Book?

A few years ago, I realized the photos I was taking of my meals were getting prettier and prettier. My motto has always been that “Presentation is second only to taste.”
I decided to compile the years of recipes I had cultivated, reworked, and perfected. Mama’s Table, My Twist is a collection of the heritage recipes passed down to me, sitting side-by-side with the modern twists I’ve created. It is a documentation of a palate that is still evolving, rooted in the lessons I learned in that Oklahoma kitchen.