About Me!

My name is Stephanie and I am a 30 year old CPA in the Richmond, VA area…. however number crunching isn’t exactly my passion in life ;) So what is, you ask?  Food, recipes and all things cooking!!!      

    

You may also recognize me from TV, professing my love for my favorite yogurt ever, Chobani Greek yogurt!!!    

Maybe one day you’ll see even more of me on TV… oh wouldn’t that be a dream!  (Hello FoodNetwork, how about it?? :) )  
 

I have been watching cooking & foodie shows for years, reading recipe books, and over the past few years have been fortunate enough to bring many of these ideas and dishes into my kitchen and onto the table. 

 

I love to work with healthy ingredients, and definitely like to venture out from just the standard recipe – I love to be creative and explore tastes/combos that are new and exciting!  I guess you can say I am more of a recipe reader than a recipe follower, as I am always looking for ways to personalize a dish!     

I have the sweetest however most, errrr, “energetic” :P   Black Lab/Irish Setter mix whom we will from this point call “Lucy Dog” (And for the record, I absolutely adore her to pieces and couldn’t imagine my life without her!)    

And aside from a full-time job and juggling the responsibilities of home-ownership, I love to find time each day to prepare a fresh, delicious and healthy meal… and of course always looking to fit within a budget!  

As for the rest of the fam, I have a little sis and wonderful parents who live in the area who get to reap the benefits of all these delicious creations!  I love them all veryyyyy much, they are obviously the best Fam ever if I must say so myself ;)     

Fanatic Fam + Myles

Lil’ Sis

 

I love to workout and exercise, however not in the conventional running/elliptical/etc. type fashion.  I really enjoy yoga, kickboxing, strength training and am willing to give any new workout a try!
 
Working out is definitely a very important part of my lifestyle, especially with all this eating!
 
 
And last, but not least, I must make everyone aware that I have a sharp affinity towards wine – particularly white wine, crisp and clean on a summer evening!  After all, what pairs better with good food other than good wine?  Well – good company some could say, but who am I to judge ;)
 

59 Responses to About Me!

  1. Kristen @ Simply Savor | 08/27/2009 at 12:54 pm | Reply

    Thanks for commenting on my blog! So glad I found yours, can’t wait to read more :)

  2. eatingbirdfood | 09/01/2009 at 5:23 pm | Reply

    Hey! Thanks for commenting on my blog. I realized from reading this page that you live in Richmond- Me too!!

  3. Caroline | 09/08/2009 at 2:13 pm | Reply

    Hi Stephanie,
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love yours and will continue to keep up reading your fabulous posts! I love your header, I need to customize mine. Did you take that picture?

    • cookinfanatic | 09/08/2009 at 2:28 pm | Reply

      Hey Caroline, thanks for coming by too! I actually found my header pic online (it is part of a larger image) and cropped it to the image you see on my blog :)

  4. courtlove111 | 09/10/2009 at 4:29 pm | Reply

    Just found your blog today…super cute! I will be following for some recipe inspirations!

    Courtney
    Adventures in Tri-ing

  5. wnk505 | 09/14/2009 at 8:33 pm | Reply

    hey! I am so glad you found me on here. That is great to see someone else from Va and close to my area as well. I can’t wait to start reading your blog now.

  6. Lori-Pure2Raw | 09/21/2009 at 8:12 am | Reply

    Hey, just came across your blog and I am glad I found it. Love it and excited to read more. I see that you live in Richmond, I used to live there about 2 years ago. It would have been nice knowing you.

    • cookinfanatic | 09/21/2009 at 11:38 am | Reply

      Hey! Glad you like the blog :) I need to check out your (and your twin!)’s site as well — I am becoming ever interested in the raw lifestyle these days esp after reading The Fitnessista’s adventures the past few weeks. Thanks for stoppin’ by!

  7. Julie @savvyeats | 09/25/2009 at 2:40 pm | Reply

    Hey, I just found your blog, and I’m loving the new-vegetable experiments you’ve been doing! I’ve been so scared to try beets– but I always love risotto, so that recipe may be a way for me to venture into the beets world!

    • cookinfanatic | 09/25/2009 at 5:13 pm | Reply

      Hey! I am totally scared of trying to make beets too – although I know they have a pretty good flavor if done right. That risotto looks so good though… it would probably be a nice mild way to ease into the beet world for sure :) I’d love to know if you do try them — I am hoping to make some this weekend/next week if I can get them at the farmer’s market!

  8. Nicole | 10/08/2009 at 7:34 pm | Reply

    Hey!
    I just stumbled upon your blog, I love it. Your Dog is such cutie…I want a lab mix so badly! A friend of mine volunteers for a lab rescue and I’ve vowed to get a lab someday (hopefully that “someday” is sooner than later)

    • cookinfanatic | 10/08/2009 at 8:52 pm | Reply

      Hey!! Glad you the bloggie, I’ll have to check yours out as well :) I have loved labs ever since I can remember, and rescuing one made it so much sweeter! I hope that you will get the chance to get one soon – they are amazing pets :)

  9. Morgan | 10/21/2009 at 10:20 am | Reply

    Just found your blog this morning, can’t wait to read more!

  10. yvette | 11/06/2009 at 9:13 pm | Reply

    I just wanted to say that I glad you mentioned Chobani that is how I found your blog, I am really enjoying it. I LOVE your house. Wow. I live in Florida and the houses are so well Florida, I hate stucco. I love when I come to Richmond to just look around – very nice area. Look forward to reading more. And your dog is adorable, don’t know what I would do without my little dog.

  11. Sammi | 11/08/2009 at 12:40 am | Reply

    So I saw that you wrote that you are from Virginia in a comment on Healthy Tipping Point so I had to come check out your blog! I’m from Virginia as well (hampton roads area) and you’re the first blogger I have found that lives around here!
    What was even more exciting was the fact that you’re a cpa. It’s not fully decided yet but I believe that’s what I’m going to end up going into!
    & I have a lab as well :) She’s a yellow pure breed though.

    I can’t wait to read more of your blog!

  12. homecookedem | 11/30/2009 at 10:00 pm | Reply

    Hey there!! Love your blog! Thanks for your comment on mine!! Looking forward to continue reading your’s!! :) One of my best friends has a black dog named Lucy too! :)

  13. Pingback: So, Healthy Chow Walks into a Bar…Part III | Healthy Chow

  14. joanne | 01/31/2010 at 7:14 pm | Reply

    Just came across your blog today and thought I would say hi! I grew up in Maryland and lived in Charlottesville, VA for a summer & absolutely loved it! Dare I say, I miss the east coast! Can’t wait to check out more of your blog.

    • cookinfanatic | 01/31/2010 at 7:47 pm | Reply

      Hey! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to say hi! Love Charlottesville, I am only about a 45 minute drive from there and used to pass through all the time on my way to school (JMU) :) Glad you like the blog and I’ll have to check yours out as well!

  15. rebekah | 03/11/2010 at 5:09 pm | Reply

    hey local buddy! richmond pride woot woot!
    i love your blog! keep it up!
    -rebekah

  16. Patricia | 03/23/2010 at 10:13 pm | Reply

    I was in the demonstration where you photographed the food tonight. Thanks to your mom I am glad to check out your blog. You really captured the nights unique ingredients well! Thanks for blogging.

  17. Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com | 04/27/2010 at 11:35 am | Reply

    Just found your blog and I’m excited because I don’t live too far from you, in Chesapeake. :)

  18. thefrillyfoodie | 05/25/2010 at 11:09 pm | Reply

    ahh i JUST found your blog, and i’m soo excited that i did – you are the cutest! i’m pretty new to the foodie blog world but i’m absolutely loving it thus far. anddd i cannot wait to make some of your fabulous recipes. umm hello pumpkin cookies? SOLD.

    p.s. lucy = ridiculously adorable! just sayin.

  19. Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life | 05/28/2010 at 11:42 am | Reply

    Just found your blog and LOVE it!
    It’s so easy to read :)
    And I’m also a BIG fan of white, crisp wine on a warm summer evening…nothin’ better!

  20. TheHealthyApron | 09/16/2010 at 10:43 am | Reply

    Hi! Just found your site and wanted to say hello! My hubs is also a CPA! I’m glad you are a healthy CPA bc from what my hubs tells me, his office is always loaded with junk food! lol

    Look forward to following!

  21. Janetha G - meals & moves | 12/10/2010 at 2:59 pm | Reply

    Super cute pooch! I am such a dog crazed maniac.

  22. Eileen Lee | 12/20/2010 at 8:17 pm | Reply

    Enjoyed your cooking blog. Esp your bok choy and tomato sauce w/ meatballs. Cooking is so much fun.

  23. Michelle | 02/15/2011 at 7:55 pm | Reply

    I’m so excited that I found another CPA in the food blogging world. I can’t wait to read more!

  24. VeggieGirl | 03/06/2011 at 11:43 am | Reply

    Love your blog and the Chobani commercial! :)

  25. Michael | 03/19/2011 at 2:42 pm | Reply

    Hi Stephanie,

    I never heard of Chobani before until I saw your commercial, so I then went to the store to try it out and I have became in love with Chobani yogurt for taste and being healthy to eat. I looked it up google and found your Facebook page and my wife and I love to cook and will be looking at your recipes as I did a like for your Facebook page.

    Thanks again for introducing me to Chobani!

    • smlane | 03/20/2011 at 1:34 am | Reply

      I’m so glad that you love Chobani as much as I do, it’s truly an amazing product! I’m also glad you like the blog site and thanks for the kind words – I hope you and your wife enjoy the recipes as much as I enjoyed making them :) Thanks for stopping by!

  26. Michael | 03/19/2011 at 2:47 pm | Reply

    And yes eating healthy foods is very important as Chobani will now be my main breakfast or snack item since it is organic as well!

  27. Bethany @ More Fruit Please | 03/23/2011 at 5:03 am | Reply

    Hi Stephanie! I just stumbled across your blog and am so excited to have found the Chobani commercial girl! My boyfriend just asked me last night if I thought the girl in the commercial was a blogger and I said no… he’ll be happy to know that he was right! Looking forward to reading more from you!

  28. Christina | 03/28/2011 at 12:22 am | Reply

    Oh my gosh, you’re the Chobani girl! Ah, how awesome! Love reading your blog! Look foward to future readin’.

  29. Michael | 04/19/2011 at 12:52 pm | Reply

    As I have said before on a previous message, we just love your blog and your whole website and I have become in love with Chobani since I started seeing your commercial.

    Well not only have my wife and I started eating the regular 6oz size for breakfast, we have bought the bigger sizes and started to mix it in with our salads when we have dinner, we make sure we eat salads every night before our main course and the yogart has added a nice new taste to out salads!

    • smlane | 04/22/2011 at 12:26 am | Reply

      Hey Michael! Thanks so much for the kind words and I’m so glad that you and your wife enjoy Chobani as much as I do :) I bet that a CHO-salad would be delicious, I’m going to have to try that soon!

  30. Jessica @ Stylish Stealthy and Healthy | 05/04/2011 at 8:37 pm | Reply

    I just found your blog (love it) but I think I should tell you I suspect we might be soul sistas. 3 main reasons: obsessed with my dog, new home-owner and kickboxing/wine fanatic, not always in that order.
    Looking forward to reading more :)

  31. Julie Munzinger | 06/22/2011 at 12:02 pm | Reply

    Hi Stephanie! I saw your article on the Richmond.com and thought I’d check out your blog. Wow, it’s very nice! Glad to see you’re having fun and encouraging healthy, local eating. Julie

  32. Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family | 06/24/2011 at 3:19 pm | Reply

    I am originally from Richmond. It is so much easier to make a connection to a blog/blogger when you can relate to the area they are in.
    You have a fantastic blog.

  33. Tim | 06/29/2011 at 6:41 pm | Reply

    Nice website! My dad said he saw your comercial and I had to check it out. You should of heard him trying to say the name. Funny stuff. I’m deployed right now and all this food on here is making me hungry! Can’t wait to try and make some of it when I get out of here. I wish I would of known you were a cook I would of asked for some cookies or something sent to us Air Force guys! Take care.

  34. Jen @ keepitsimplefoods | 07/23/2011 at 4:26 pm | Reply

    I LOVE that Chobani commercial! Love that you outsmarted those yogurt snatchers! hee hee ;)

  35. Oliver | 11/11/2011 at 11:36 pm | Reply

    So I saw that you wrote that you are from Virginia in a comment on Healthy Tipping Point so I had to come check out your blog! I’m from Virginia as well (hampton roads area) and you’re the first blogger I have found that lives around here!
    What was even more exciting was the fact that you’re a cpa. It’s not fully decided yet but I believe that’s what I’m going to end up going into!
    & I have a lab as well She’s a yellow pure breed though.
    +1

  36. Shannon from Healthiful Balance | 01/03/2012 at 10:05 am | Reply

    I love Chobani Greek yogurt too! :) I’m really bummed out that it’s not sold here in Germany though..
    Thats so awesome that you were in that Chobani commercial! :D

  37. Kelly @Leafy Not Beefy | 03/14/2012 at 8:51 pm | Reply

    Whoa, how cool that you were in a commercial! :) I’m glad I stopped by your blog today.

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