Ciao everyone! I’m Valerie and thanks for stopping by. My story is quite simple… except for the parts that are complicated. Here we go.
I’m a woman who loves good food and wine! And sweets of course. I’m also a chef, bestselling cookbook author and certified wine expert, and I run a dessert catering service in Toronto, Ontario (did I mention how much I love sweets!?) I also love hats, and three times out of the week, you will always find me in a swanky hat.
After graduating from York University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, I became a law clerk with the goal of going to law school. Before venturing off on my entrepreneurial journey, I began to experience a gradual loss of enthusiasm for the legal profession and soon got fired before I got the chance to quit. Given that I had already started food blogging on the side, it seemed logical to further sharpen the culinary skills I already knew I had and to follow the alternate path that life was leading me – which was to create healthy, delicious food for hungry bellies, and to build connections using food as my love language.
Having struggled with weight and high cholesterol throughout my childhood and slightly into my adult years, I decided to make a healthy change by becoming holistic with my approach to health and wellness. However, when I started getting in shape, I became obsessed with only seeing quick results with my weight loss and started neglecting the other important factors that contribute to overall good health. I became obsessed, and that toxic obsession drove me into taking drastic measures such as experimenting with multiple diet pills, the salad diet, thoughts of liposuction, and even starvation.
Terrible right? I know, I thought so too. Thankfully, that didn’t last long.
I started to find some balance, And the most amusing part was that the solution was rather simple; I got older, and stopped giving a crap about attaining “perfection” because it literally doesn’t exist. Focusing on eating healthy, whole foods and a regular exercise regiment was the key towards living a healthy, balanced life. I’ve never been happier!
But hey, in this game called life, there are moments when it plays you a foul card. Just when I thought I was getting my life together, things took a drastic turn when I got into a motorcycle accident. In the blink of an eye, my life had changed and I went from standing on my feet in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals to being seriously injured, bed ridden for months, and learning how to walk again. The journey to recovery was and still is long, strenuous and continuous to say the least, but I am a fighter and I am using this second chance to fulfill my purpose in life and to inspire others to strive to accomplish their goals despite what life throws at them.
Although my road to recovery is an on-going journey, it took me a while to realize that being healthy wasn’t about a quick fix, but a long term commitment that I had to learn to love. I live my life everyday like it’s my best, trying to to find a happy and healthy balance, especially knowing how unexpected it can be. I mean, I can’t even imagine how things would have been if I was still obsessed with weight loss before my accident, not knowing that my convalescence would actually take me back to the beginning! finding balance and contentment is everything.
Although I am pescatarian, I will be bringing you healthy, delicious and easy recipes that cater to all dietary preferences. My humble wish is to make your tummies happy and to teach you how to form a healthy relationship with food.
My first cookbook, 30 Minute Low Carb dinners has been published! Head over to “My Book” page and follow along for all the exciting updates coming your way.
AS SEEN ON:
I like your blog. Hence I have nominated you for Super Sweet Blogging Award. You can collect it here http://www.selfveda.com/super-sweet-blogging-award/
Happy Blogging!
Thank you!! I appreciate it 🙂
Here again…I love each of your food treat..andI have nominated your for Very Inspiring Bloggers Award. You can find it at http://www.selfveda.com/very-inspiring-blogger-award/ Best wishes!
Aww! Thanks again love! Very much appreciated!
I have nominated you for the Liebster Award:
https://grubblog.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/liebster-award/
Much appreciated! Thank you 🙂
Hi velerie,
Just got thru having a conversation with your mummy. Guess what I said to her. I told her that you are a young beautiful lady not a woman whom is making waves with her success story in her works. keep it up. We shall continue to follow.
Cheers
KC
Awe thank you! That means a lot. I shall continue to make you proud 🙂
I love your blog! I have nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award, which you can read about here: http://milesforthought.wordpress.com/2013/06/08/super-sweet-blogger-award/
Yay! Thank you so much! I appreciate it 🙂
Just started following you on Instagram. And just found your blog can’t wait to start making some of your dishes! Do you have an email where I can contact you?
Awe yay! Thanks Jennifer 🙂 I hope you like my recipes as much as I do. You can email me at valerieazinge@gmail.com 🙂
Hi Valarie, I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Shine On Award (because you are so awesome and I love your recipes of course!) – you can collect it here: http://exsugarholic.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/shine-on-award/
Aww thanks love!! You’re just as awesome my dear 🙂
Hee Hee thanks 🙂
You have fantastic recipes Valerie! Each one of them looks extremely exciting! I shrieked out with joy , when I saw your Coconut Cream Tarts Recipe….
Aww you’re so sweet! This totally made my night! Thank you for the kind words love 🙂
I nominated you for the Sunshine Award. Your blog is a reflection of you and you are an inspiration. You can find it here: http://satoyafoster.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/sunshine-award/
Thank you sweetie!! Means a ton <3
Lovely, vibrant colours on your blog… love it!
Thank you sweetie! I appreciate it <3
Hi! I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award! If you accept this award, just follow this link: http://skinnysweettreats.com/2014/04/20/guilt-free-easter-bark/
It’s a way for bloggers to show appreciation to other bloggers. Congrats!
Thanks love! Very much appreciated! You have an amazing page yourself! I can’t wait to try those carrot cupcakes 🙂
Thank you, you’re so sweet!!
Saw your pizza recipe because Felicia Reblogged you. Great food and you are the one making it? Okay I am following.
Thanks Ronovan! Yes all made by lil old me 😉 Thanks you for following 🙂
And a Follow Back? Much Love and Honored. 🙂 When do you get your own TV show?
Anytime 🙂 hahaha you’re very kind but I don’t think i’m cut out for TV yet, i’m still a bit of a klutz lol..but who knows?!? 🙂
Ignore me, I am a bit crazy today. But I could see TV. The food looks great and I like your writing. Your image is great as well. If you get Twitter for Followers let me know. I’m @RonovanWHester Would love to Follow you there and be a fan.
Thank you so much Ronovan! If TV does happen I would definitely name you as my TV motivation 🙂 My twitter is @valerieazinge, more personal than it is food related, but feel free to follow.
Amazing. I follow you and suddenly my Who To Follow suggestions are all beautiful people you are friends with. 🙂 I need to find a lit agent or writer to follow quickly.
I love your blog 🙂 My name is Marcelle Houtman and I’m a year 11 students who plays Netball and competes in Athletics. I’m very interested in nutrition and was wondering if you could answer a few questions on the vegan lifestyle as it would really help me! This survey is for my stage 2 Workplace Practices Issue Analysis. Please complete this survey as truthfully as possible so I’m able to produce accurate results for my data 🙂 thankyou so much, it means a lot to me!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9S9FP9K
Thank you Marcelle! I be happy to 🙂
thankyou so much! 🙂
Hi Valerie. Seen you this morning on the local morning show. I’m in need of good low carb recipes but need to know the carb count per serving. I didn’t find any carb per serving info listed for each recipe. Do you have this info you can share for those of us who need it? Thanks.
Thank you for watching Rick!! You can find over 75 low carb recipes in my cookbook via the link below. All recipes in the cookbook contain 10-12g of carbs or less!
Thanks Valerie. I assume that’s 10-12g carbs per serving. This is great info. I bought the book and will be trying a few recipes this week or next. Thanks for this. You rock GIRL!!!
Per serving indeed! Thank you so much for your support. I hope you enjoy the book!! Xo