Hi there, I'm Iryna!
And just like you, I juggle many things at once. I'm a busy wife and mama to two beautiful girls. I take care of my household by cooking non-stop, managing kids activities, and running a full-time food blog.
I started this website in 2014 with the goal to sharing my parenting tips and tricks with busy and tired moms.
Over the following few years, my blog took a different direction, and I found myself interested in cooking and sharing these recipes online.
Although originally the focus was geared towards European food, my diet and my position on many life issues have changed.
Watching dear people around me get sick and struggle with ongoing health issues prompted me to revise my food philosophy.
I started learning about nutrition and the way our food influences our health.
So after a few years of running a food blog dedicated solely to European comfort food, in 2020 I rebranded and changed my focus to sharing healthy and clean recipes for the whole family. These are the recipes that will not make you feel guilty about eating them.
I strongly believe that a diet that focuses on whole foods, as well as reducing stress levels and removing toxic substances from your home, will reward you with the best long-term health benefits.
As it turns out, all changes come with a little bit of a transition. Despite the fact that I changed my diet, my husband and kids are still omnivores. They like salami, they like cheese, and I'm not pushing the agenda onto them.
Whenever I cook, I make sure my family gets the most health benefits out of their food, regardless of whether it's a vegan, vegetarian, or meat recipe.
These days, my mission is simple: to share easy and healthy recipes for families with mixed dietary preferences, along with evidence-based nutrition facts and tips for eliminating toxic elements from your kitchen.
———
My background
I was born and raised in Ukraine, a beautiful country where food is made with heart and everyone cooks from scratch. Popular Ukrainian soup - Borsch, was on our table several times a week.
From an early age, I started to embrace good food, traditions, and the art of eating slowly and enjoying a good conversation over the meal!
I still carry these values and am hoping to pass them on to my children. I cook with love, and many of my family's favorite recipes you can find on my blog.
I moved to the US in my mid-20s. Soon after, I got married and had our first daughter. Since 2011, we've moved a lot and lived in different states. At this time, we call Indiana our home.
Now, we're a family of 4, and my little ones keep me busy the whole time.
We are a very active family. We love being outdoors as much as possible. Even if it's cold or raining, we could still be found roaming the nearby trails and enjoying the serenity of the woods.
What you can expect to see on my blog
- Easy plant-based and vegetarian recipes with a sprinkling of healthier meat recipes for carnivores in your family;
- Traditional Ukrainian and Eastern European recipes (see my Polish Dill Pickle Soup).
- My healthy and delicious twist on classic comfort food recipes (see my Truffle Alfredo Pasta)
Thank you for reading my blog and leaving your lovely comments! If you have any questions, leave me a comment below or drop me a line at iryna@lavenderandmacarons.com.
See you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you accept guest posting or ads?
This website does not accept guest posting or link insertion. All advertising on Lavender & Macarons is done through Raptive and I don't accept outside advertising.
Can we work together?
I love working with brands who align with my food philosophy and values. Some of the brands that I worked with are Le Creuset, Bob’s Red Mills, Village Harvest Rice & Grains, Silk, MaraNatha Foods.
If you're interested in partnership, please email me at iryna@lavenderandmacarons.com.
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 3555
Carmel, IN 46032, United States
Press
Since I started Lavender & Macarons, my recipes and articles have been featured in a variety of popular online magazines. Some of them are: Elle, Cosmopolitan, Buzzfeed, The Kitchn, Greatist.
Here are my recent features:
Salem News - Minnesota tops list of states struggling to eat healthy
Media Decision - Minnesota Tops The List of U.S. States Struggling To Eat Healthy
Wealth Of Geeks - Everything You Needed To Know About Cooking With Miso Paste
Elle - 15 idées d’apéritifs de Noël au saumon fumé
Elle Quebec - 15 recipe ideas for a gourmet picnic
Cosmopolitan - 15 Vegan Holiday Recipes No One Will Even Suspect Are Healthy
The Kitchn - French Mustard Chicken Recipe
Good Housekeeping - 10 German Christmas Cookies to Please Any Holiday Crowd
Buzzfeed - 19 Valentine's Day Recipes That Feel Seriously Fancy; Just 33 Outrageously Good Spring Baking Ideas To Bookmark
Brit + Co - 10 Breads from Around The World to Try Other Than a French Baguette; 20 Quick + Healthy Bulgur Wheat Recipes; 11 Caper Recipes That Will Make You Clean the Glass Jar, 19 Valentine’s Day Dessert Recipes to WOW Your Honey
Greatist - 21 Easy Eggplant Recipes That Aren't Just For Your Vegetarian Friends, 21 Easy Crepe Recipes You'll Regret Not Trying
Parade Community Table - 40 Family-Friendly One Pot Meals, 20 Hearty Vegetarian And Vegan Casseroles, 20 Must-Try Cheesy Recipes
PureWow - 16 Quick and Easy Dinners You Can Make with Farro, 15 Christmas Bread Recipes That Are Easy, Pretty and Festive
MSN - Incredibly Satisfying World Soups From A To Z, Easy-To-Make Finger Foods that Look Amazing, 100 Easy Pasta Recipes that Will Never Let You Down, Mouthwatering Holiday Foods from Around the World
Bob's Red Mill - Eggplant Tart With Tomatoes And Goat Chees
American Express Essentials - 11 Cheesy Classics Done Better
I also served as contributor to SoFabFood.
You can find my recipes RIGHT HERE.
Barbara Hanahan says
Hi, the salmon oreganata with green beans and potatoes looks heavenly but 4 of the ingredients are missing; I've tried to guess at them based on the directions:
4 salmon fillets
16 oz 1-bite potato medley (See the notes) cut in half
1 lb green beans trimmed
¼ c MISSING INGREDIENT
¼ c MISSING INGREDIENT
1 teaspoon dry Oregano
1 teaspoon lemon zest
½ teaspoon garlic powder
4 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon MISSING INGREDIENT
½ teaspoon MISSING INGREDIENT
Thanks!
Barb
Iryna says
Hi Barb! I'm not sure why the ingredients are not visible on your screen, it looks all right on my end. Anyways, here's a full list of ingredients. Please let me know if you have any other questions:)
- 4 salmon fillets
- 16 oz 1-bite potato medley (See the notes) cut in half
- 1 lb green beans trimmed
- ¼ c Panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ c Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dry Oregano
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
deen kane says
Hello
Your recipe for Soffioni Abruzzesi sounds wonderful. Can you tell me, Do the leftovers need to be refrigerated? Also, are they good to make ahead?
Thank you
Christine says
You have a beautiful website! My family has been vegan for 8 years, and I'm always looking for new recipes. I can't wait to try your mushroom polenta! Thanks for sharing all of this!
Iryna says
Christine, thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you'll give my mushroom polenta a try. If you do, please let me know how it turned out:)
Robert Orians says
You will have to give us a pronunciation of your name . I would like to pronounce it like your Grand Fad did . You have my name covered . It's Bob . Irish Bob . 99.7% Irish if you put any stock in DNA theory. I am looking for plant based no fat/no oil recipes for the Esselstyn protocol . Cardio restoration diet if you will. My wife has a black belt in sausage gravy and I used to be a hamburger addict. Walking that narrow road to Glory like DumitruDuduman that prophet of God.
Robert Orians says
edit on that. grand dad
Iryna says
Hi Irish Bob! Love your comment, especially "My wife has a black belt in sausage gravy":).
My name is pronounced [ai-ree-nah].
I'm familiar with the Esselstyn protocol. No fat/oil-free is difficult at first, but it's totally possible once you get into the habit. Although most of my recipes are not oil-free, the oil in them can be replaced with the veggie broth. Here I have a few oil-free/sugar-free recipes that you might want to look at. Earl Grey Cake; Chocolate Banana Muffins (this one is not fat free, there's almond butter and plant-based yogurt, although in small amounts). Hop this helps. Let me know if you have more questions.
Manisha Govind says
HIya, I think you need to re-think your 'vegetarian' recipes as they contain eggs - hate to be the bearer of bad news but eggs is NOT vegetarian.
Thanks
Iryna says
Hi Manisha! Thank you for your concern, however vegetarian recipes can in fact contain eggs. Vegan recipes - can't. When I label a recipe as vegan, it doesn't contain any animal products. My vegetarian recipes have eggs and dairy.
Rebecca says
Hi Manisha,
I think the confusion stems from the fact that in the West, “ vegetarian food” can have egg in it. In India, vegetarian food cannot contain egg.
My parents are from India but I grew up in Canada so I know both cultures!
Marlene Wilkins says
Hi Iryna - Your Euro recipes look very interesting and I need to lose weight so here I will try some. Your magazine recipes look good too so I will be visiting your site regularly to get special ones plus. Your a busy young woman and I think that is impressive. Take care & thankyou.... Marlene
Iryna says
Hi Marlene! Nice to meet you! Thank you for reading my blog and I hope you'll have a chance to try my recipes either European or the vegan ones:)
Laura Davis says
I found yur post about Dutch "blanket" with Almond paste. However when I click on the picture I do not get your recipe. Can you help me?
Thanks
Laura
Iryna says
HI Laura, I'm not sure why you can't access the recipe. Anyways, here's the link.
https://www.lavenderandmacarons.com/desserts/dutch-christmas-log-easy-delicious/. Hope this helps!
Cathleen Sinclair says
I stumbled across your blog while looking for a french onion soup recipe. Your recipe is fantastic and I look forward to seeing more of your blog in the future. It was nice getting to know you through your "about" page!!
Iryna says
Cathleen, you're so nice! Thank you for sharing your kind words! I'm happy you enjoyed my French Onion Soup recipe.
Lorraine Gunn says
What an amazing life you have! I*ll have to travel more.
I am trying to recapture the memories of my great Ukrainian great grandmother*s cooking, and my gradmother and mother*s fragrant and delicious baking. Looking forward toreading and trying your recipies.
L. Gunn
Iryna says
Thank you for the kind words Lorraine! I hope you'll enjoy some of my recipes and I hope they'll resemble your family's cooking:)