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Hi, and welcome to Marin Mama Cooks! My name is Jacquelyn and I’m a mom to 2 adorable kids, Zoe and Eli.
I’ve also been married 15 years to this amazing guy, John!
Do I think I’m an expert at cooking? No way, I’m not a trained chef by any means, but just a mom who loves to cook healthy and delicious meals for her family. I love experimenting
and trying new recipes and this is my venue to do just that. I try and find
recipes that are fairly easy to make and replicate. Basically, if I can make
something on this blog, then you can. I only post recipes that my family and I love, as I want to pass on recipes that will hopefully become family favorites in your house. I would say that my cooking style is a cross between Ina Garten and Heidi Swanson. I like a balance between comfort and healthy cooking. Life is about balance, so I believe food should be as well.
Why the name Marin
Mama Cooks? Plain and simple, I live in Marin (which is 10 minutes north of San Francisco) and I am a mom that cooks. Perfect name, right?
I just hit my one year blog anniversary in October 2012. You can check out my post here to see before and after shots, as well as learn a bit more about me.
What’s up with all the photographs? I know for myself that
I love seeing a photograph of a recipe before I attempt to make it (come on, you have to see the finished product, right?) and
step-by-step instructions are a bonus. I decided then that I would include
photographs and step-by-step instructions on my blog to make cooking easier for
everyone. I want you to feel like I am right there
cooking alongside you in your kitchen. All of my photographs are of real food that we’re actually going to eat. When you make one of my recipes, your dish should look pretty similar to the one in my photograph.
I like using real
ingredients in my cooking. It may take a bit longer to prepare a meal, but if
you plan it out ahead of time then it’s a fairly easy task to accomplish. I
always prep my ingredients ahead of time so when the real cooking starts I have
everything on hand ready to go.
What else am I interested in besides cooking and blogging? I love to read, (historical fiction, classics as well as science fiction, yes I read and loved the Twilight series) hike, run in the woods, be in nature, mountain bike, photograph, clean (yes, sadly I love to clean) and just spend my time hanging out with family and friends.
This blog consists of family friendly meals, favorite desserts as well as “mommy” meals. There also might be a few random tips here and there. I hope you find some new favorite recipes from my blog that you can incorporate into your recipe box. Feel free to email
me or leave a comment if you have a question or just want to say hi!
Have fun and get cooking!
xoxo, Jackie
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Em (Wine and Butter) November 25, 2012 at 8:19 pm
ah i love this new section. those pics of the kids are the cutest and you – on your wedding day. 100% supermodel for real. <3
jackiegrandy November 26, 2012 at 4:18 am
Thanks Em! You always say the sweetest things. When are you coming back to blogland?
Anonymous January 6, 2013 at 1:07 am
Hi, Jacquelyn. I found your blog last week and I absolutely love it! So many wonderful things to try! Finding you was an accident….I was in search for a kale salad recipe and you were spot on. It was awesome. Thanks! Best to you and family in 2013!
jackiegrandy January 6, 2013 at 5:59 pm
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I’m so glad you stumbled across my blog and that the kale salad was exactly what you were looking for. As you can see, I’m a fan of kale! Let me know if you give anything else a try! xoxo, Jackie
Michelle Egide January 9, 2013 at 8:14 pm
So funny, I just found your blog looking for a kale recipe as well! Lacinato kale, to be exact. I have it growing in my garden. I planted it but had absolutely no idea what to do with it. I am going to try your salad recipe…Looking forward to going through your other recipes, looks like lots of great stuff! (BTW formerly from Marin, recently moved to Napa)
jackiegrandy January 9, 2013 at 11:44 pm
Hi Michelle! That’s hilarious that you discovered my blog twice today
It was meant to be, right? I’m actually going to try and grow some lacinato kale myself this spring as well as some heirloom tomatoes. Wish me luck! I think you will love the lacinato kale salad. It’s so easy to whip together and uses basically pantry ingredients. My kids even love it, so that should tell you something. I also love the miso kale salad. I’m glad to hear you’re a local gal as well. I love Napa and when my kids are in college, John and I plan on moving further north to have some land! Thanks for stopping by and let me know how the kale salad turns out for you when you make it 
xoxo, Jackie
CCAlex January 13, 2013 at 1:20 am
Guess what? Just bought some Lacinato kale at my local grocery and did a search for recipes. I went to several sites and then found yours. Charming – love the photos! I will be trying your kale salad tonight & will let you know how my husband and I liked it!
jackiegrandy January 13, 2013 at 1:39 am
Awesome, so glad you found the recipe! I hope you both like it, let me know how it turns out for you
Cynthia January 16, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Beautiful website!
jackiegrandy January 16, 2013 at 8:02 pm
Thanks Cynthia
Sharleen January 21, 2013 at 2:45 am
I just have to tell you that the chickpea burgers ARE the BEST ever! I first discovered them I think in June and since the have made them at least a dozen times, always to high acclaim! you do a WONDErful blog/job. Just to mention I am a trained Cordon Bleu (London) cook.
jackiegrandy January 22, 2013 at 1:22 am
Hi Sharleen! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know about the chickpea burgers. I’m SO HAPPY that you love that recipe. I’m also very impressed with your culinary background. You must have some pretty amazing recipes and tricks up your sleeve. Thanks for the sweet compliment about the blog as well. It’s a lot of work maintaining it and keeping it fresh so I love hearing peoples thoughts
xoxo, Jackie
Analise January 21, 2013 at 7:12 am
Hi Jackie,
My favorite aunt’s name is Jackie too, strangely, she too is a excellent cook. I’m just an average 19 year old girl who stumbled onto u blog one day when searching for a good chocolate chip cookie recipe, and i found that and so much more. I LOVE this blog, you’re a real person, making real (and delicious) meals, and the commentary is super helpful (not to mention adorable). Just wanna let you know that you have a fan forever.
- Ana
jackiegrandy January 22, 2013 at 1:28 am
Oh Ana you’re too sweet for words and I love that you’re 19 and so amazingly sweet. I have high hopes for my 12 year old now! I love to hear that you enjoy cooking. I think it’s such an important skill to have as you get older and eventually get a place of your own. To be able to cook a nutritious home cooked meal rather than eating out every night is such a great way to stay on budget as well as keep things pretty healthy.
Thanks for all of your wonderful comments above. I really took your words to heart and they mean so much to me, so thanks again. I’m glad you enjoy reading the blog as well as making the recipes. It’s great feedback for me. Please make sure you stop by and say hi again! Have a wonderful week Ana! xoxo, Jackie
Anonymous January 23, 2013 at 12:44 am
Hi! I didn’t know you had a food blog!! Everything looks delicious! I strive to be a Minneapolis mom that cooks. Maybe when Grayson gets to be a little bit older…
I will be trying several of your recipes; I love being able to see the step by step. Beautiful photos.
I miss you and hope to see you this summer!
xoxo
juliana
jackiegrandy January 23, 2013 at 2:41 am
Hey Juliana! Thanks for stopping by girl! I never thought to tell you about the blog, I figured Brandt or Jeanne would have told you. I started this blog a little over a year ago and it’s been such fun! I just started it as a fun little hobby, but it’s become such a huge part of my life. I LOVE cooking and experimenting with recipes, photographing food, writing, you name it. It’s a great creative outlet for me.
I didn’t really start cooking until Zoe was 8 and actually started liking and eating food. I mean I cooked before, but it was really basic, kid friendly stuff. My kids have become such adventurous eaters since I started the blog, so it’s been a win win. I’m glad you like the step-by-step photos. I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback on that recently and I love hearing that people like it, as it takes a lot of time to write and photograph each step. I can’t wait to hear what you try! Let me know if you have any questions on any of the recipes.
We missed you last August when we came to MPLS, but we will be back again this summer, so lets try to coordinate it at a time when you will be there. Alex and Brandt are also talking about getting together for a family reunion in CO. Were in for that as well. Anyway, I’m writing a novel here. Thanks for stopping by Juliana. Love and miss you as well! xoxo, Jackie
Anonymous February 22, 2013 at 10:31 pm
I love your site. You are beautiful and so is your family. You are a great help to moms out there who are just beginning to cook. God bless you and your precious family!
jackiegrandy February 22, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Wow, thank you for your amazing comment! Comments like yours make my day, so thanks for reaching out.
Anonymous March 3, 2013 at 8:59 pm
I just read this section for the first time. You look stunning! I love your blog and so happy you are sharing your amazing talent for finding family friendly easy to do recipes with the world!
xoxo,
Carey
jackiegrandy March 22, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Oh Carey! I didn’t just see this comment till now! Thanks for the amazing compliment. You are one of the people that keeps me inspired to keep this blog going when I’m ready to throw in the towel. I love you for that! xoxo, Jackie
Kristy Meghreblian March 29, 2013 at 11:59 pm
Hi, Jackie. I was directed to your blog from TasteSpotting and instantly recognized your picture. We went to college together! I was class of ’92 and I think you were the same year or 1 year behind me. Anyway, great blog! Food is my life, so I will be sure to check back frequently. Glad to see you are doing well, and keep up the great work!
-Kristy
jackiegrandy March 31, 2013 at 2:19 pm
Hi Kristy! Wow, small world, right? Go RWC! Yes, I graduated in 92 as well as you. Anyway, I’m so glad that you found my site via TasteSpotting, and I do hope that you find some recipes on the blog to make. Make sure to say hi when and if you make something, as I would love to hear what you think!
xoxo, Jackie
Paul B April 1, 2013 at 10:11 pm
Love the recipes, and all the incredible photographs. You are San Francisco’s answer to Nigella Lawson ( I hope that came out as a compliment! ) but with that incredible freshness of the Bay Area produce. Very inspirational – thank you.
jackiegrandy April 2, 2013 at 12:35 am
Hi Paul! Yes, that totally came out as a compliment, and thank you so much! I love Nigella
I hope you find some recipes on the blog that inspire you, and if you end up making something, let me know how it turns out. Have a wonderful night! xoxo, Jackie
paul broder April 2, 2013 at 1:49 am
Great. Well I tried the Salsa tonight but because I was using Beef AND Refried Beans I added a chopped mild green pepper and a teaspoon of of fresh grated horseradish to give it a mild kick. THe girls, 11 and 13, didn’t complain about the heat as it dissipated very quickly. Thanks for the recipe.
Paul
jackiegrandy April 2, 2013 at 3:02 am
Hi Paul! Glad to hear that you made the salsa. I’m assuming you made the mango and avocado one. I like that you gave it a bit of a kick, but not too much for the girls. I may try and add a bit of jalapeño next time myself! I think the kids will like it as they are liking spicier things! Have a great night
Andrea April 17, 2013 at 10:52 am
Just discovered you and love your recipes and blog. Such fresh recipes that suit our vegetarian way of life. Thank u for all the time u must spend on this. Im in australia and it confirms again that we are all the same and wanting the same things and juggling family and work all the same way! Can’t wait to try these recipes! Cheers !
jackiegrandy April 17, 2013 at 6:10 pm
Hi Andrea! I’m so glad you discovered the blog. It’s not a complete vegeterian blog, but I do offer many vegeterian recipes, so I know you will find some that you love. My favorites are the chickpea burgers, the quinoa patties and quinoa cakes, and of course all of the kale salads and soups. I just met a great family from Australia at Disneyland and we were chatting away about food and life. Yes, we can live in different parts of the world, but still share the same tastes in food and managing a household! Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for taking the time to say hi! I can’t wait to hear what you whip up! xoxo, Jackie
Sheila May 7, 2013 at 10:47 pm
Hi Andrea, I just found your blog, too, and when you mentioned Ina and Heidi in one sentence and that you love to cook for your family and read, well I knew I had to take a closer look! I look forward to trying some of your recipes. I have been cooking for my family for 24 years and it is always an adventure. We only have one kiddo still at home, but we still sit down for dinner together every night – just the three of us. We are always looking for new recipes to try. The kids all cook now, too, which just makes it more fun (when they are here). In fact, my middle child is at UC Berkeley where he has been known to cook on occasion for the entire fraternity. I taught him well! ha. Your site is lovely and I look forward to following it.
jackiegrandy May 8, 2013 at 11:01 pm
Hi Sheila! So glad that my about me page pulled you in and inspired you to check out the blog a bit more. I love that your family eats together every night. I really think it makes a difference and bonds a family to have that dinner-time routine. I also love that your kids learned to love cooking though you and it’s so cool that your son cooks for his fraternity on occasion. He’s going to make some woman happy down the road
I hope that you find some recipes that your family likes. Let me know what you end up trying 
xoxo, Jackie