Hi! My name is Junita Lapp. I was born and raised in the Mennonite culture where cooking is considered an essential skill for all girls and women to learn. Most Mennonite women are homemakers so they usually spend a good deal of time in the kitchen. As a result, they are known to be wonderful cooks.
L – R Matthias, Junita(back), Regina, Valerie.
I cooked most of the meals for my large family (7 kids) by the time I was 14. Since I only went to school through 8th grade, I was at home most of my teenage years and this afforded me the time to learn the art and skill of cooking. If I went to the library, I picked up a few fat cookbooks on ethnic cooking. Most of the time, I flipped through them, tried one or two recipes and then resorted back to my usual way of making recipes with the ingredients I had available. I didn’t usually have any international ingredients available, unless we went shopping at a local bent and dent store. Then I would stock up! So I have learned to improvise and use very basic ingredients to make delicious, exotic foods. My family tried some unusual foods many times, but I think they are less picky waters for it!
I’m finally taking the leap and sharing my favorite recipes and recipes I haven’t developed yet with you all! You can read more about why I started a blog here. I love taking an old favorite and transforming it to be healthier yet still just as delicious. I’ve an idea brewing that will benefit you, but… I am keeping that under wraps until I get the blog launched and the kinks worked out. 😉
Here you will find some of my favorite tried and true recipes. Many of them fall under the Trim Healthy Mama category, and are sugar free. Some will be gluten and dairy free. I love fermenting foods so you might find an occasional recipe sprinkled in that fits that category. It is my passion to help you find a healthier way of life, whether it’s through nutrition, food, or just slowing down and taking time to enjoy each moment.
I live on a 27 acre farm in the foothills of Southeastern Ohio with my parents and 4 siblings who are still at home. We have a smattering of various farm animals who provide us with lots of entertainment and fresh food year round. I was going to put something here about what I do for fun but when I couldn’t think of anything that sounded cool, I realized that to me, work is fun. Oh and playing music or exploring old houses and secret wooded areas. But I don’t do that often enough to count as a regular thing. 😜
