Hi, I'm Julia - Welcome to My Kitchen!
- I started JuliasAlbum.com in 2012 as a space to share the recipes I love and cook for my family and friends. Since 2016, this food blog is my full-time job.
- I live with my husband in a picturesque small town in Colorado, surrounded by stunning mountains that serve as my playground when I'm not in the kitchen.
- The recipes you see here? They're real meals that I cook and enjoy with my loved ones.
- My goal is to inspire home cooks with fresh, seasonal ideas for easy, delicious, well-balanced, and visually appealing meals-especially simple dinners and vibrant salads. I focus on recipes that are rich in protein and fiber, made with fresh ingredients, and quick enough for any night of the week. I'm here to help you create healthy, satisfying meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
- Before food blogging, I followed a pretty traditional path-earned a business degree, then an MBA in Supply Chain Management, and worked in various business roles. I tried to climb the corporate ladder, hoping for promotions... until I realized I wasn't exactly thriving in the world of office politics. That's when I knew I needed a new direction. Swapping spreadsheets for sauté pans turned out to be the best decision I ever made. I've been sharing recipes with millions ever since.
Join Me on Social Media:
- Facebook page (1,100,000 followers).
- Pinterest account (716,000 followers).
- Instagram account (139,000 followers).
Subscribe by Email:
- Subscribe to my e-mail list here to get new recipes and weekly meal plans from me. The subscription is 100% free and you can unsubscribe at any time!

The Recipes You Will Find Here:
- Savory Recipes: I focus heavily on savory recipes (complete dinners, salads, side dishes, etc). I do love a good dessert, but my my focus and heart lies in satisfying, protein-rich meals made from scratch.
- Easy Weeknight Dinners using Fresh Ingredients : My recipes are generally protein-forward meals using chicken, pork, beef, lamb, or seafood, often paired with vegetables or fruits for balanced, nutrient-rich dishes. I regularly post 30-minute one-pan meals designed for busy weeknights.
- Pasta Dishes: I love pasta (probably a bit too much)! You'll find recipes using spaghetti, fettuccine, orzo, gnocchi, ravioli, and more. I always combine it with proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, or scallops. Often tossed in creamy or flavorful sauces.
- Salads That Are Actually Satisfying: I eat salads daily, often as a full meal (usually with added protein). Most of my salads can easily be turned into a main dish with added protein like salmon, shrimp, or rotisserie chicken.
- Easily Adjustable: Many of my recipes are naturally gluten-free or include easy tips for dairy-free, meatless, or low-carb variations.
Inspired by Seasons:
I love cooking with whole foods and fresh, seasonal ingredients! My meals are all about balance: nutritious, full of flavor, and made to be truly enjoyable. The changing seasons are a huge source of inspiration for me, and you'll see that reflected in the ingredients I use and the recipes I create throughout the year.
🍁 In the Fall
When the air turns crisp, you'll find me cooking with cozy fall flavors and ingredients: butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash on repeat. I also love adding fall favorites like pecans, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, and pumpkin into everything from salads to mains. And when apples are in season (hello, August through December!), they make their way into both savory and sweet dishes.
☀️ In the Summer
Summer cooking is all about color, freshness, and simplicity. I always make use of ripe tomatoes, fresh berries, and my homemade basil pesto-it's a season of vibrant flavors! I especially look forward to peach season (July through September) and try to work those juicy gems into as many recipes as I can. From May to September, fresh corn is another staple in my salads and dinners. And during cherry season (June through August), I make the most of those sweet beauties while they last!
My Food Philosophy
- Real Meals from My Kitchen: The recipes I share on my website are real meals that I cook for myself, my family, and friends. They reflect my eating habits and my philosophy of incorporating a wide variety of ingredients. I focus on using whole foods and seasonal ingredients, ensuring that my meals are well-balanced with protein, vegetables, fiber, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.
- Protein-Rich and Fiber-Rich Recipes. I prioritize protein-rich dinners, typically featuring one of my favorite proteins such as chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp, scallops, or lamb, accompanied by cooked or fresh vegetables and fruits. My meals are simple, flavorful, and nutritious. I often serve these dinners with complex carbohydrates that are high in fiber, including a variety of vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, and many others. Some of my favorite complex carbs include sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, beans, wild rice, quinoa, and fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
- Low-Carb and Mostly Gluten-Free. I prefer to eat mostly low-carb and gluten-free foods. However, I do enjoy high-quality, protein-based pasta around three times a week (see below).
- Flavorful Pasta Dishes. I include pasta dishes in my meals about three times a week. These dishes always feature a protein (such as chicken, steak, or seafood) and vegetables. Often smothered in a delicious creamy or cheese-based sauce.
👩🍳 A Little About Me - Beyond the Blog
- I am a twin! I have an identical twin sister who's also a full-time food blogger. We've been best friends since childhood, always creating things together. As kids, we made clothes from scratch for our dolls-and for ourselves! We even made our own dolls. As adults, we've both channeled that creativity into making recipes from scratch.
- MBA in Supply Chain Management. Before blogging, I got an MBA in Supply Chain Management-so technically, I was trained to manage warehouses and track down missing widgets. Yep, I could have been knee-deep in spreadsheets, managing warehouses, or hunting down obscure spare parts for a factory somewhere. But instead, here I am, handling the logistics for pasta and procurement for the best basil pesto!
- ✈️ Passport, Please! I love exploring new places-especially when Colorado's mud season rolls around and hiking's off the table. In particular,between 2016 and 2019, I ventured far and wide and shared destination guides and travel tips here on the blog. I've visited Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand), Europe (Italy, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Monaco), the Caribbean (Barbados), the Middle East (United Arab Emirates), and Canada. My travels have been a huge source of inspiration in the kitchen.
- Living in Colorado gives me daily inspiration and balance. I love hiking in the mountains near my home-it's where I feel most energized and centered. Nature is how I stay active, clear my mind, and recharge from the screen-heavy world of food blogging. Whether it's a steep solo hike or a quiet walk through the aspen groves, the outdoors fuels my creativity.

Featured On
- My recipes have been featured on major sites, such as Huffington Post, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Parade, The Kitchn, Delish, Brit+Co, Food Network, BUZZFEED, PUREWOW, and Greatist.
- For a detailed list of some of my recipes featured on these sites + links to those features, check out my Press page.
Join Me on Social Media:
- My Facebook page has over 1,100,000 followers.
- My Pinterest account has 716,000 followers.
- My Instagram account has 139,000 followers.
Subscribe to My Recipes by E-mail:
- Subscribe to my e-mail list here and I will send you delicious recipes every week. You will also get an email every time I publish a new recipe. The subscription is 100% free and you can unsubscribe at any time!
- How to UNSUBSCRIBE? At the bottom of all my e-mails is the Unsubscribe link - scroll all the way down to the bottom of an e-mail and click on it - you will be unsubscribed!
SAVE YOUR FAVORITE RECIPES (create a RECIPE BOX)
- Save your favorite recipes to your RECIPE BOX. Click on a HEART in the lower right corner of any recipe TO SAVE it, and it will appear here. Click on the TAG next to the heart icon to access your FAVORITES.
- Create an account to find your saved favorites by clicking on the saved tag next to the heart, or click the magnifying glass (search function).
How to Contact Me
- The most effective way to get in touch with me (and get my response) is to leave a comment on any recipe on this site, or on this ABOUT page in the comments section below, even if your message isn't related to a specific recipe. I always read your comments!
- If you prefer to keep your comment private, just let me know, and I won't publish it. Since my site is still pretty much a one-woman show, comments on this page (or any other recipe page on JuliasAlbum.com) are the only realistic way to reach me-I check and respond to them daily (or within 3 days at most).
I am very happy that you landed on my website!
I appreciate your feedback on my recipes, whether positive or negative, as it helps me improve. I always read your comments and strive to respond promptly. I encourage you to visit my homepage which now offers a comprehensive overview of my recipes for easier navigation and is updated regularly. If you would like to see my most recent food creations, you can find my latest recipes here. I also share weekly meal plans in my weekly newsletter, which also includes little snippets from my life. You can find all my recent newsletters here, and can subscribe to receive my weekly newsletter and other recipes by e-mail. Alternatively, you can visit my latest recipes page each week to catch my newest recipes!
Your comments mean the world to me!
- A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who engages with my content! Your comments and quick reviews are incredibly valuable-they're one of the best ways to support a little food blog like mine. Not only do they keep me encouraged and motivated, but they also help me feel like I'm not just chatting with myself (though I admit, that does happen, lol!).
- This food blog is my life, and when I see comments, it reassures me that I'm not just tossing recipes into the void. At least someone out there is paying attention-besides my husband, who's too busy chewing and mowing down my food to give me any real feedback!
- So, if you enjoy my recipes, and my photography, have questions, or if you've tried one of my recipes, please leave a comment or a review (preferably on the specific recipe page, but any page works if your comment isn't tied to a particular recipe!). Your feedback makes all the difference and ensures my recipes don't end up in a culinary black hole! I can't wait to hear what you think!
- Feedback loop: I love keeping this blog lively, interactive, and personal-it's not just me talking at you - your feedback, questions, and ideas help shape what I cook and share next. I read and reply to almost every comment (and try to do it quickly!), because this space is a two-way street. In a way, this blog is like a delicious feedback loop: I create recipes, you try them, tell me what you loved (or tweaked), and that inspires me all over again!

I would love a shepherds pie recipe!!!
Dylan, I actually have that on my to-do list! Coincidentally, one of my relatives made the most amazing shepherds pie made with lamb this Thanksgiving!
Oh please do it soon!!
I'll do my best! 🙂
Dear Julia,
I enjoyed your recipe for yesterday's squash side, BUT, I have to say it was super super super annoying to constantly have to get through the ads and movement of the recipe page. I have multiple children and the distraction of your direction separate from the ingredient amounts almost made it impossible to create. Please revise how many ads you place ON the recipe itself. Thank you
Barb, I will revise my ad layout sometime this week to make it more user-friendly! I am happy to hear you're enjoying my recipes! ❤️❤️
Hi, I am trying your Roasted brussels sprouts and cinnamon butternut squash with pecans and cranberry recipe. A couple questions. Do I still soak the dried cranberries (as suggested in another recipe?) And would the balsamic glaze (from the brussel sprouts w/ bacon recipe) work on this? Or should I just stick with the maple syrup? Thanks so much!
Leasa, yes, I would soak the dried cranberries to freshen them up. Just quickly blanch them for 1 minute in hot water and drain.
The balsamic glaze would work great with this recipe! The only issue is that it might color the ingredients too dark. I this case, I recommend making the balsamic glaze using white balsamic vinegar. I personally prefer just a maple syrup, plus maybe 1 or 2 tablespoons of lime juice (freshly squeezed only!).
Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving! ❤️
Loved receiving the email with 30 Best Thanksgiving SALADS. They all look great, now I just have to make a decision on which one I want!
Paula, thank you so much for your feedback regarding the contents of my newsletter - glad you liked my latest newsletter issue! ❤️❤️
All I can say is wow about your site. You're food ideas are inspirational and exactly what we need to get back on track after the holiday's. I have shared some of your recipes with my sister's because they love good food as much as I do. We will all be looking forward to seeing your recipes and cooking tips as we try out these amazing recipe ideas.
Melissa, your comment really made my day! I am so glad you find my recipes useful and practical for everyday use! 🙂 I will do my best not to disappoint! 🙂
Hi Julia
I just saw your Christmas salad and I want to make it. I love to cook and I’m eager to learn new dishes always. You are my inspiration. I read your story.
Thank you for sharing.
Elsa, I am so happy to have you here! ❤️ Thank you for your thoughtful comment - it made my day! 🙂
Hi Julia,
I will be making you Mandarin Orange Salad with Balsamic Glaze for Thanksgiving. How do you think it would be if I added feta cheese? I have just recently, at 63 years old, become interested in cooking. Your recipes are the impetus to my new interest. Thank you for your inspiration!!
I think Feta would be a great addition to that salad! I am so glad you're enjoying my recipes and finding cooking inspiration on my site! ❤️
Hi Julia! I just wanted to tell you how much I love your recipes! I just recently discovered you through Facebook and have tried several of your fall recipes and every one of them has been a knockout. They have my husband and me both eating more veggies which is great!
I was wondering if you have published any recipe books? If so I would snap them up in a heartbeat !
Wendy, I am so happy to have you as a follower on Facebook! ❤️ Thank you for such a kind and thoughtfull comment. I do not have any published cookbooks, just this website. 🙂 (for now 🙂 ).
Will your recipes fit on a Mediterranean Diet?
Your food looks so nutritious and inviting!
Lisa, yes, many of my recipes fit into Mediterranean-style diet. I should categorize them better so that they can be easily found in one spot. You might also like this collection of recipes that have NO CREAM and NO CHEESE:
https://juliasalbum.com/recipe-collection-4/
Hi Julia,
My husband I also live in Colorado, in Pagosa Springs. We've lived there since 2009, when we moved to our dream home we built there, after I retired as an educator and administrator in California and Ohio. My retirement only lasted five months when I was hired by the school district, where I served as asst. superintendent for four years and superintendent for seven. Now that both my husband and I are retired, we split our time between CO and our place in AZ. My husband recently went on a low carb diet and I have been using many of your recipes, both salads and main dishes, with some modifications if they involve pasta. He has loved every dish and has become a big fan of salads. Thanks so much and keep up the great work!
Linda, thank you for your thoughtful comment! ❤️ Colorado is a great place to live, isn't it? I hope you get to enjoy everything Colorado has to offer now that you are retired. Glad both you and your husband enjoy my recipes. I recently started organizing recipes into collections by diet preferences, and since your husband enjoys low-carb recipes, you might find these helpful:
LOW-CARB, HIGH-PROTEIN Dinners
KETO, GLUTEN-FREE, HIGH-PROTEIN Dinners
Main Dishes with NO CREAM, NO CHEESE
Julia - love your recipes - I have a particular problem I'm wondering if you might have some thoughts on. My wife has recently become allergic to tomatoes. What might I use in place of tomatoes in recipes? Or does just leaving tomatoes out of a dish completely change the taste?
Les, thank you for stopping by! ❤️ I would recommend using pan-roasted sliced mini bell peppers (multi-colored small bell peppers sold in a bag). They have a much milder flavor than regular bell peppers, they are softer, cook much faster, and taste distinctively different from big bell pepper - I love using them in recipes! You can also try roasted red bell peppers in a glass jar.
I love your food and I look forward to reading the blog daily. I have commented when I have made some to the foods. I have never seen so much done with squash so you have opened up a new world for me. I usually have stuffed it with apples or spiced it with cinnamon.
Antoinette, your comment really made my day! ❤️ So glad you discovered new ways to prepare squash thanks to my recipes! 🙂
Hi Julia,
I have seen your recipes on Facebook and they look awesome and I am excited to try some. I gave my email address so I look forward to receiving new recipes from you. My daughter lives in Colorado Springs and I just traveled there from NY last week. My husband and I just love visiting different places in Colorado while visiting our daughter. I will be sharing your recipes with her.
Wonderful, I am happy to have you! ❤️ Colorado is a beautiful state - I am sure your daughter loves living here as much as I do! 🙂 I hope the recipes you try from my website will be a success! 🙂
Sorry but I just made one if your recipes. The picture looked great but it was tasteless, it was so hard to follow with so many adds coming up and it said 30mins one pot. Yet caramelising the onions alone was recommended to do for 30mins. I will now unfollow you and not use your site again. Sorry
Hello Julia, have you thought about publishing a cookbook in print? Your recipes are awesome!
The one I just did was woeful. So much misleading info about time
Brigitte, I do not have a cookbook planned in a the near future. 🙂 Just lots of new recipes to come on the website!