A Flavorful Conversation Sprinkled With Delicious Recipes Perfect For Summer!
Life newsletter#17 features interview with amazing writer, editor and cook, Julie Gaeta along with some delicious, easy to cook recipes and other exciting updates
I have been told that I’m a good cook. But to be honest, cooking does not come easy for me. I sometimes feel flying a jet would be easier than combining all the spices and what have you to make a dish that would meet the approval of the food connoisseurs in my culture.
Perhaps that may be why I don’t personally derive much joy from cooking.
But what is surprising is that all changed a little less than a year ago when I started reading Julie Gaeta.
Julie is an accredited holistic health coach and yoga instructor who writes about food, enhancing nutrition, relationships and pursuing growth. She is also an editor at one of my fave pubs, The Daily Cuppa, as well as a top writer in food. Not only do her personal stories strike a chord but I kid you not when I say her fun, easy to make recipes have motivated me to enthusiastically pick up the spatula and head into the kitchen to whip up something quick & healthy!
So without further ado, I present Julie Gaeta!
Me: In addition to being a wonderful writer, you are also an amazing cook. How do you manage to make cooking look so enjoyable and easy to do?
Julie: You’re so kind, Yana. Thank you. Cooking has always been a passion, which always makes it easier. The kitchen is one of my favorite places to spend time, and I learned long ago to set it up for simplicity.
All my grains, beans/legumes, nuts, seeds, superfoods, and dried fruits are in labeled mason jars in the pantry. My spice cupboard is the same. I restock as needed, so it’s not ever a big project. This has helped me stay organized, which helps everything come together quickly.
Time was and is always short with nine kiddos. Meal prep and planning have also been key for meals coming together quick and easy.
Me: What are your suggestions for a quick and healthy meal after a long day at work?
Julie: Soup is an easy go-to in winter — especially when using an instant pot or crockpot. And big salads in the summer. Both of these dishes are easy to prep ahead of time, and there are so many possibilities.
Meal planning and prep make all the difference.
I plan on Sundays and prep on Mondays and Thursdays. It takes a couple of hours, but it’s time well spent as the weeknights run much smoother.
This photo below is cabbage roll soup, which comes together in less than 30 minutes, including cooking time.
Me: What is your signature dish?
Julie: I have a hard time picking just one, lol. If I had to choose, I’d say enchiladas. Or tamales. Or potatoes in red chile. It’s always changing, depending on my latest fixation. But I do love Mexican foods.
If you asked my kids, they’d most likely all agree on smoothies. They especially love them in the summer. It’s easy, and their favorite healthier treat.
They’d likely choose an orange creamsicle. I prefer serving green smoothies, but it’s still a pretty great option for that little something sweet.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plant-based milk
- 2 oranges (peel and remove any seeds)
- 1–1/2 frozen bananas
- 1–1/2 cups ice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp maple syrup (optional and to taste)
- 1/2 tsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1/2 tsp orange zest (optional)
Directions
- Place in a high-speed blender in the order listed, except for the zest and chia seeds.
- Blend until creamy and smooth.
- Top with orange zest and chia seeds and stir in if using.
- Serve.
Me: Publishing a cookbook seems to be a trend, do you have any plans to write one?
Julie: I’d love to create a cookbook. Though, I do need to become more disciplined with tracking measurements and writing them down. I’m always trying a little of this or that, so my recipes are always changing. And I tend to measure loosely.
I do love changing things up and trying new things.
I can always tell if it’s a miss when one of my kids says, “Mom did you do something different again?” It’s an easy giveaway. I probably should just keep a notebook in the kitchen. :)
Me: Thank you, Julie, for being of this interview and wishing you the best in your future endeavors!
I invite you to visit Julie’s Medium page to read her stories and for more delicious recipes.
Updates
As you may know, Ali kindly agreed to do the Life month of July guest collab prompt👇
The response to the prompt has been amazing ❤ and I would like to thank Ali and all the writers who have responded thus far:
Walter Pop Matthews IV — As the Color in Me Awakens
Vashni Stories — Mama, Can I Go Over There?
pockett dessert — Love Or Hate It, Hunting For A Bathing Suit
Monika Sharma — The Colorful Soul
William J Spirdione — This Last Time Float Under the Bridge
Monoreena Acharjee Majumdar — In The Wilderness
Connie Song — The Yin and Yang of a Work of Art
Nancy Blackman — Summer Blue Skies are Meant for Big Dreams
Neera Handa Dr — Bridging Visa
🌸 This week’s story pick for Coffee Times Life Substack is by Sally Prag — The Blindingly Obvious Solution to Inflated Costs is to Keep Calm and Eat Cake
🌸 Want to be a writer for Coffee Times? Then sign up here