about this blog

Thank you for visiting Browngoat! This blog is written by Stephanie: in two words, hopelessly hopeful. I’m a dietitian, foodie, wife, and mama who lives to cook, shop at markets, write about food, read about food, share recipes, and eat real food. I also love to travel, take pictures, and explore my new city of seattle and the surrounding areas. And, I love sharing all of that with you in this space.

When I was pregnant I had so many moms say to me “I would love to cook the way that you do, but I don’t have the time. You will know what I mean when you become a mom.” After I became a mama, life certainly changed. For several months, David and I lost our nightly cooking time where we enjoyed conversation and long sips of wine. I was determined to cook while Jack sat in the kitchen watching us, but his patience for cooking lasted about five minutes and then we were forced to juggle him and a hot pot until we became discouraged and the food grew cold. I remained persistent, however, and as Jack’s nighttime routine became more reliable and, thank goodness, after a year, his naps more dependable, I learned to cook and prep foods during these times so that I could still enjoy cooking and all three of us could eat delicious food every night.

I am writing and sharing my menu ideas and recipes to help you fit real food into real family life. No need to cook two different meals every night- one for the littles and one for the grown-ups. I hope my ideas and recipes inspire you to organize your meals and create seasonal, fresh, and delicious dinners that work for your whole family. After all, cooking and eating are simple pleasures that we should all be able to enjoy…together.

Other things about me: I’m a self-proclaimed green liberal who loves sustained farming, organic produce, locally grown food, sustainable seafood, and grass fed animals. The wife of a really smart, curly-haired, good looking, extremely kind Italian-born Florida boy. Mama to a sweet, empathetic, curious, curly-haired boy who stole my heart the moment he was born! Daughter of two very generous parents whose lives have been devoted to making myself and my sister happy. A sister to an amazing girl who loves life and has the biggest heart for all that is good in the world. And, a friend to a lot of really great, smart, and creative people.

What inspired the blog title? I have quite the obsession with goats. My parents always joke about how I am going to live on a farm one day so that I can grow my own food. Maybe so, and if I do, I want to have a yard full of goats (and pigs and chickens) and a huge barn in my backyard so I can host open air dinners under the stars at a long farm table…but for now I live in a big city and take advantage of all the fresh and local foods I can find at good markets.

Happy cooking. Happy eating. Happy life.