About
Hi there! My name is Alexa and I’m a 25-year-old foodie living in Boston. I work full time and am currently pursuing my master’s degree in Gastronomy (the program was started by Julia Child and Jacques Pepin!) I’m a huge wine/beer enthusiast and I also love travelling the globe, baking anything sweet and I could do hot yoga or Zumba all day long. I can’t be trusted around cheese plates or Oreos. Also, if you have a dog, beware, I will ask you if I can pet him.
I grew up in a family full of foodies. Both of my parents have always worked in the restaurant business and everyone in my family is into kitchen gadgets more than sports and would rather go to a wine tasting than a movie. My great great uncle was Peter Luger, who started the famous Peter Luger’s Steakhouse in Brooklyn, New York. My mom finally lived a life-long dream of owning her own deli and became one of the most well-known businesses in our small town of Rhinebeck, New York. It was her homemade meals, soups and hospitality that did it. Our whole family worked there and we learned the ins and outs of food. I guess you could say it’s in my blood!
Most of my childhood, I never understood what was so great about being obsessed with food. Then, one summer, I started watching the Food Network and I became enveloped in all things cuisine. One day, I decided to make a homemade cherry pie. Yes, I haphazardly pitted all of the cherries by hand and made the dough from scratch. Although I was covered in flour and my hands looked like I had committed murder from all of the cherry juice, I loved it. From then on, I was hooked.
I am now so thankful for the eating habits instilled in me. I grew up with a mother who would make pretty much everything from scratch, and we always had the freshest ingredients and frozen meals were never part of our menu. I continued these values in my every day life, only eating fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, organic dairy and of course, throwing in my favorite indulgences when I crave them, attempting to follow the 80/20 rule. Hey, chocolate and brie are not leaving my diet anytime soon.
Along with my love of cooking, I enjoy trying new restaurants, exploring new places and keeping active. After dancing and playing piano all my life, I was dumbfounded when I got to college and had neither of my passions to keep me going. I rowed crew in high school, but didn’t really know what to do to stay active. I discovered yoga, which is one of my favorite ways to de-stress and work up a sweat. I’m also getting into running and hoping to run my first 5k in the spring (!!!) ran my first 5k! I believe in being active, enjoying delicious meals, sipping a glass of wine and enjoying the moment.
Caitlin @ TPL:
February 27th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
I’m really happy to have found your blog! You are adorable I can’t wait to read more!
Alexa:
February 27th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Thank you so much, Caitlin! I hope you enjoy reading!
Colleen @ The Lunchbox Diaries:
March 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 pm
I’m so glad you commented on my blog so I could find yours! You are too cute and I can’t wait to start following your journeys!
Alexa:
March 14th, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Thanks for reading Colleen! Sorry that it took me so long to reply to all of your comments. WordPress somehow filtered your comments as spam?!
The Teenage Taste:
March 25th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
Aw, I love what you wrote about your parents. It sounds like you have a lovely family. I’m so glad I found your blog. Can’t wait to read more! Oreos are the best!
Alexa:
March 25th, 2011 at 11:07 pm
Aw, you’re so sweet! I hope you enjoy reading!
gabriella @ embracement:
March 26th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Just found your blog. I’m also from Boston and just from skimming (and seeing a pic of the gym), I think we might go to the same college
John Greenlaw:
March 27th, 2011 at 11:15 am
Dear Alexa:
I’ve found that using WordPress’ default spam blocker, Askimet, tends to keep flagging more and more legitimate comments as spam. Just a suggestion.
I find your recipes really great and very easy to make. Looking forward to trying some.
P.S. You RSS feed is a little tough to find!! (perhaps a little more prominent placement? Sorry, suggestion again!!)
Alexa:
March 28th, 2011 at 7:04 pm
Hi Gabriella, I’m glad you like my blog! I went to Ithaca college, but I do work for a university in Boston so it might be your gym! What school do you go to?
Alexa:
March 29th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Thanks for the tips John! I’ll definitely try to make my RSS a little more prominent, and I agree that Askimet is flagging more and more legitimate comments. I’ve just been checking my spam a lot more often
!
Alexa:
March 29th, 2011 at 5:28 pm
BU!? I actually don’t go there, just work there! Hope you enjoy reading
lindsay:
April 9th, 2011 at 1:57 am
cute stuff! As a fellow foodie I can relate to just about everything
It helps to have special people in our lives who can appreciate it too!
Jennifer (The Gourmetour):
April 14th, 2011 at 6:06 am
Hey Alexa!
Great blog, I’m so thrilled to have found you! I love adding blogs to my daily cycle!
Alexa:
April 14th, 2011 at 9:09 am
Thanks so much, Jennifer! I hope you continue to enjoy reading!
Dez @ Dezolutions:
May 6th, 2011 at 8:59 pm
I just found your blog, I’m hooked. We have a lot in common. I’m local, I’m a foodie, I love mac & cheese AND beer. I look forward to the rest of your stuff!!
Stephanie @ StephSnacks:
May 10th, 2011 at 6:03 pm
I just recently started my blog and have thankfully stumbled upon yours! I worked as a waitress throughout high school and I believe that is where I realized how much fun food can be! My family has a house in Cape Cod, so i love those New England autumn’s as well. Thanks for the great recipes
Alexa:
May 10th, 2011 at 6:44 pm
Aw, I’m so glad you like my blog! I hope you continue to enjoy reading, Steph!
Jenn:
May 16th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
Hi, just stumbled onto your blog from Twitter. I just started one of my own and I love discovering new blogs. I look forward to more yummy posts from you!
jenna:
May 18th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
hey alexa! just found your blog and i love it so far! can’t wait to read more and i am as well from mass
Alexa:
May 18th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Thanks, Jenna! I hope you continue to enjoy reading! It’s nice to have a fellow Mass girl around
Tori (Fresh Fruition):
May 19th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
What a great motto! I’m looking forward to reading more
Alexa:
May 19th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Thanks so much, Tori!
Gigi:
May 27th, 2011 at 1:03 am
Just found your cute blog! So excite to read more:)
Vanessa @ Sweaty in Pink:
July 19th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
I’m so happy I found your blog! I love that you’re so close to your parents and best friends too!! And OMG at your great uncle being Peter Lugar… I’m grew up going to the one in Long Island!! Can’t wait to read more
Alexa:
July 19th, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Thanks, Vanessa! I’m so glad you found it and I hope you keep enjoying it!
Soo @ Little Miss Fitness:
July 25th, 2011 at 4:43 pm
I’m so glad I found your blog through “The Granola Chronicles”!
I love it.
I also love that you discovered your passion for cooking form The Food Network! Yes, that will do it! Can’t wait to read more!
Alexa:
July 25th, 2011 at 9:14 pm
Aw, thanks so much, girly! I hope you continue to enjoy reading!
Chocolate Coated Runner:
July 28th, 2011 at 12:28 am
I go to school by Boston!
Jamie @ snacktress:
July 30th, 2011 at 8:01 pm
Just came across your blog and love it! Can’t wait to read more
I just visited Boston for the first time a few weeks ago and fell IN LOVE.
Danielle Spellman @Squirrel Snackin':
August 3rd, 2011 at 7:37 pm
Just came across your blog and love it! Can’t wait to read more of your posts and more about you.
You are gorgeous btw!
Danielle Spellman @ Squirrel Snackin':
August 5th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Hey girl, just came across your blog and I love it!! Can’t wait to read more! I love that you do guest posts btw, best way to find other great bloggers.
Errign:
August 5th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
I came over to read Brittany’s guest post, but I had to say hi to a fellow New Englander
Great blog.
Alexa:
August 9th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
Thanks so much, Danielle! You’re very sweet…hope you keep enjoying reading!
Dan Gilbert:
August 15th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Hello,
I have a quick question for you about your site. If you could please get back to me as soon as possible I would greatly appreciate it. Have a great day!
Thanks,
Dan
–
Dan Gilbert
Communications Coordinator
Primrose Schools
@DanGilbert66
Mallory @ It's Only Life:
August 20th, 2011 at 1:09 am
Hey Alexa! Just found your blog and I’m glad I did! I’m from New England (CT) but my boyfriend has a house in VT so I’m there sometimes too (and love Burlington too!…not where his house is though). I also fell into the freshman weight gain trap, and decided to get healthy a few years ago. I’m a pianist like you, too!
Cant wait to keep reading.
Lisa@ChocolatePBCups:
October 12th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Hey Alexa! Just found your blog and wanted to say hello
I’m from the Boston area too (south shore) and I love finding other new englanders too!! Can’t wait to read more on your blog!
Favorite Foodie Women | Simple Eats:
November 14th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
[...] to content HomeAboutBlog LoveNew England FunRecipes ← Peppermint Mocha [...]
Alaina:
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:07 pm
I’m so glad I found your blog! I’m from Boston too.
I’ve heard so many amazing things about Peter Luger’s Steakhouse; I can’t believe you’re related! That’s awesome! I look forward to reading more!
chelcie @ chelcie's food files:
December 10th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
just found your blog! I can’t wait to start following it!..I grew up with parents in the restaurant business also, I love it! I’m from boston, but am currently going to college in delaware!
Melanie:
March 1st, 2012 at 6:26 pm
I was born in Rhinebeck! Small world
Liz Chatfield:
December 11th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Alex, Thought you’d like to know about Quinn Popcorn. It’s the first and only brand of microwave popcorn (can also be popped on stovetop) that took out all the garbage – NO CHEMICALS OR TOXINS, in a compostable bag, with all natural flavors. http://www.quinnpopcorn.com/popcorn-reinvented/. Email me if you’d like more info. They are based in Boston!
Tee:
February 12th, 2013 at 12:49 am
What a breath of fresh air! I love your blog!
:)