Hi, I'm Julia! Welcome to my food blog JuliasAlbum.com which I founded in 2012 to share my favorite recipes in hopes that other people would also enjoy them. I live with my husband in a small town in beautiful Colorado where idyllic nature and dramatic mountains are my backdrop and my playground when I am not in the kitchen. I develop, test, and make all the recipes you see on my site in my kitchen and do all of the photography and writing. I do not hire any of that out. What you see on my site is the real food that I eat (together with my husband, other family, and friends).
What type of recipes can you expect to find on my website?
- Savory recipes. I don't have a big sweet tooth, so pretty much all my recipes are savory dishes. I do post an occasional dessert once in a while, but I'm definitely not a dessert person.
- Easy weeknight dinner recipes. The vast majority of my recipes are main courses, usually featuring some kind of protein (chicken, pork, lamb, beef, or seafood) together with vegetables (or fruits). I use spices and many other ingredients to make my dinner recipes flavorful and fun. My recipes are usually high in protein and rich in fiber.
- Pasta recipes. A lot of my dinner recipes are pasta dishes featuring a variety of pasta (spaghetti, fettuccine, orzo, gnocchi, ravioli, tortellini, etc) combined with cooked veggies and protein (usually chicken, salmon, shrimp, or scallops). I usually make a yummy sauce to go with pasta (sometimes creamy, sometimes not).
- Salads. I make it a habit to eat a salad every day, either as part of dinner or for lunch. You'll find new salad recipes posted on my website regularly. You can easily add your favorite protein (such as rotisserie chicken, leftover cooked chicken, salmon, shrimp, etc.) to most of my salads to turn them into a complete meal.
- 30-Minute One-Pan recipes. Most of my recipes are pretty simple and can be done in about 30 minutes using only one cooking pan. You can expect more and better simple 30-minute one-pan dishes from me going forward.
- Gluten-free recipes. A lot of my recipes are naturally gluten-free or can be easily adjusted to be gluten-free.
- Easily adjustable recipes. Most of my recipes can be adjusted to be dairy-free, meatless, or gluten-free. I started providing tips about these adjustments and will make it into a system going forward.
My recipes are inspired by the seasons
I use whole foods and seasonal ingredients and make sure that my meals are well-balanced, nutritious, delicious, and fun. Many of my recipes are inspired by seasons and use a wide variety of seasonal ingredients.
- Autumn-inspired recipes. In the Fall, I publish a lot of butternut squash, acorn squash, and spaghetti squash recipes. When apples are in season from July through December - I try to utilize them in my dinners or salads. During September, October, and November, I like to incorporate ingredients we often associate with Fall (such as pecans, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, and pumpkin) into my recipes.
- In the Summer, I always make use of fresh tomatoes, homemade basil pesto, and fresh berries. I love the peach season which usually runs from July to September. I incorporate fresh corn into my dinners and salads from May to September. I love fresh cherries from June to August.
My food philosophy
The recipes that I publish on my website are real meals that I cook for myself, my family, and my friends. They reflect the way I eat and my philosophy of using a wide variety of ingredients. I use whole foods and seasonal ingredients and make sure that my meals are well-balanced featuring protein, veggies, fiber, complex carbs, and adequate amounts of fat.
- PROTEIN-RICH and FIBER-RICH RECIPES. I prefer to eat protein-rich dinners that usually feature one of my favorite proteins (chicken, beef, salmon, shrimp, scallops, lamb, etc) accompanied by cooked or fresh vegetables and fruits - prepared in a simple, delicious, and flavorful way. I usually serve my dinners with complex carbohydrates that are packed with fiber, which includes a large variety of fiber-rich veggies (asparagus, broccoli, bell peppers, leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, and many others - too many to list). Some of my favorite complex carbs are sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, and fiber-rich fruits and veggies. I also love beans, wild rice, and quinoa.
- LOW-CARB AND MOSTLY GLUTEN-FREE. I prefer eating mostly low-carb and gluten-free foods. I do eat high-quality protein-based pasta about 3 times a week (see next point below).
- FLAVORFUL PASTA DISHES. I eat pasta dishes about 3 times a week. I always eat pasta with some kind of protein (usually chicken, steak, or seafood) and some kind of veggies. Often smothered in a delicious creamy or cheese-based sauce.
Fun facts about me
- I have an identical twin sister and she is a full-time food blogger, too! We grew up as best friends, always creating things as kids. We made clothes from scratch for our dolls (and for ourselves!). We even made our own dolls from scratch. As adults, now, we both have translated those skills into creating recipes from scratch.
- My educational background. Before food blogging, I finished my MBA (Master's Degree in Business Administration) with a specialization in Supply Chain Management, no less! 🙂 I could have been managing a warehouse or procuring equipment or spare parts for a manufacturing plant at this very moment. But here I am, food blogging instead!
- I love naturally orange foods and regularly eat naturally colored orange veggies and fruits, such as butternut squash, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets (both orange and red), oranges, peaches, apricots, mango, persimmons, and papaya. There is something about the orange color in fruits and vegetables that makes them irresistible to me. My recipes reflect my love for orange foods.
- I traveled extensively between 2016 and 2019 and published a lot of useful international travel articles about places to visit, and things to do - if you love to travel, you might like them. I traveled through Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Thailand), Europe (Italy, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Monaco), the Caribbean (Barbados), the Middle East (United Arab Emirates), and Canada.
Connection with nature
One of the most important parts of my life is feeling a connection with nature. I live in a very small town in Colorado, with the most picturesque mountains and groves of aspen trees and evergreens at my doorstep. I like hiking steep terrain in the wilderness (usually alone, but sometimes with my husband and friends) as a way to keep myself in decent shape through regular (and challenging) physical activity. Being outdoors in nature keeps me both physically and mentally balanced, it energizes me and recharges my batteries. Food blogging can be a lonely journey with a lot of time spent indoors, in the kitchen, or being glued to a computer screen. Getting outside and physically challenging myself while being nurtured by nature makes everything better: it improves my mood and sleep, lowers stress, gives me energy and motivation, and simply makes me a happier person.
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 950,000 followers.
- My Pinterest account has 700,000 followers.
- My Instagram account has 100,000 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 in one convenient spot on my site (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).
The best way to contact me and get me to respond
- The best way to reach me (and get my response) is to comment on any recipe on this website or on this ABOUT page in the comments section below even if you'd like to communicate about something that doesn't have anything to do with a particular recipe. I always see your comments! And, if you indicate that your comment is private, I won't publish it. You can email me at inquiriesjulia { at } gmail { dot } com but my email gets cluttered and it's very very likely I might miss your message if you email me. See more at my contact page.
I am very happy that you landed on my website!
I love hearing your feedback about my recipes (both positive and negative - it helps me grow). I always see your comments and try to respond promptly. I just updated my homepage (as of October 2023) - it now provides a very good overview of my recipes - I highly encourage you to check out my homepage for helpful navigation! If you'd like to see my most recent food creations, you can find my latest recipes here.
Sophia
Wow! I love all your crepe recipes... In Russian, we have blini, which are similar. You can eat them with ricotta and honey. Mmm, always a treat! Thanks!
Julia
Yes, I am very familiar with blini - I grew up eating them on weekends! 🙂 Usually with homemade strawberry or sour cherry preserves - yumminess! Thank you for visiting my site!
Sophia
Hi Julia, Me too, especially on the weekends! Are you Russian? Mmm, sour cherries preserves 🙂
Julia
Yes, I am Russian. 🙂 Homemade cherry preserves - I miss them!
Sophia | The Best Is Yet To Cook
Oh, I should have known! Julia is such a Russian name! I know, I miss them too. Thanks for the lovely site! 🙂
Donna Forbes
Just found your blog after "pinning" one of your recipes. So far, every one I have looked at, looks amazing and I can't wait to start trying some of them!
Your photos make the food look mouth watering, but I was most impressed with the wonderful words from your mother in law.. great praise indeed!!
Julia
Donna, thank you for very sweet comment! 🙂 I am glad to hear you're enjoying the pictures! 🙂 I am very flattered by the praise from my mother-in-law, too! 🙂
Dina Chmut
Hi Julia!
I found your blog while searching for a good salmon recipe on Pinterest, and stumbled upon your asian salmon recipe (with the rice noodles & asparagus). Luckily I had all the ingredients on hand, and made that recipe right away. O. M. G. I was BLOWN away! It was THE most delicious salmon I have ever made, thanks to you!! My sisters were both also drooling, and it was gone in a jiffy. The marinade turned condensed sauce was just magic. Thanks so much, looking forward to trying more recipes again soon!
Dina
Julia
Dina, thank you for stopping by and for your super kinds words! So glad you enjoyed that salmon recipe with asparagus - it's one of my favorite ways to eat salmon! Salmon works so well in Asian-inspired recipes! Thanks again for taking the time to comment! 🙂
Irina
Wow, beautiful pictures and website! I just found your site. I know how much work goes into good content. Thanks for sharing your recipes with all of us!
Little box brownie
Fantastic blog. I have really enjoyed reading through.
judi
Just found your blog via Pinterest. Mouth watering photos. Can't wait to spend some time catching up on your posts and trying some of your recipes. Doesn't look too good for my New Year's diet resolution.
Julia
Hi Judi! So happy you found my blog via Pinterest! 🙂 I hope you'll enjoy the recipes! 🙂 Some of them are not New Year's diet resolution friendly, some of them are. 🙂
Nadeen
Found u on pinterest. Browsed and love the pics and recipes! Let me know if u ever want to guest blog on my site! I am throwing an Oscar party and would love ideas of what to serve!
Julia
Nadeen, thank you for stopping by! Oscar party sounds very interesting! I might not have a guest post for you, but I might have a party recipe soon that you may want to link to - I'll let you know! 🙂
Carol McDermott
Your blog has unbelievably gorgeous photos and delicious sounding recipes that have made me want to make, and EAT--- EVERYTHING!! I pinned a cookie recipe, went to your website, decided it was one I'd like to make.....then saw another food photo on the side bar that caught my eye by looking delicious, the next thing I knew- I had easily saved a bunch to make later. I'm on a baking blitz for Christmas and now have more to make that I'm sure will be added to the yearly repertoire! As well as the need to purchase the ravioli mold from Williams Sonoma 😛
I love everything about your blog from the beautiful photos, enticing and easy to follow recipes, to the tips (such as the one you have on photo editors).
Kudos to you! 🙂
Julia
Carol, thank you for such sweet comment! It made my day! And, you have such a lovely blog about travel & food - how cool is that? 🙂 Yes, the ravioli mold from Williams Sonoma is a must if you want easy ravioli!
Farah
Oh wow. I came to your blog for the unbelievably enticing pumpkin pancake recipe, and I was sucked in. I couldn't stop clicking-I've bookmarked so many recipes to try now. I can't wait! Pumpkin pancakes this weekend-and I'll let you know how they turn out 🙂
Julia
Farah, what a sweet comment! So glad you like the pumpkin pancakes recipe - it's a good one, I promise! 🙂
Veranika
Love your photography! !
Julia
Veranika, thank you! 🙂
Ten
Love your blog and photos...the food looks so yummy...will definitely try some!
Julia
Thanks for stopping by and your kinds words! Hope you enjoy some of the recipes! 🙂
Marina | Let the Baking Begin!
With as much deliciousness as you're making, I have no idea how you stay this thin and beautiful! What's your secret?))
Aysegul
Your photos and recipes look great. I felt very inspired..
Love your blog!
Cheers!
Ice
Olga / Olga's Flavor Factory
Hello Julia! It’s been great that I paid a visit to this website and reading your recipe ideas you shared. I'll be happy to keep watch of your wonderful recipes, they're great to share! Keep it up! 🙂
Judy
Okay, Julia!! Now that I have discovered your little secret, I will post for all the world to read....everything this pretty girl cooks is magnificent! And, since I am her mother-in-law and have known her since she couldn't boil water, I have to brag that without a doubt, she has become the best cook I know! You go Girl!
Julia
Judy, thank you for your kind words! You're so sweet!