Freelance Writer
ParentMap •

Spring Greening: 10 Veggie-centric Meals and Snacks Kids Love

Spring meals make us think of light foods, bright colors and, of course, the season’s new crop of fresh market produce. Unfortunately, as we’re well aware, younger diners may not always share grown-ups’ enthusiasm for spring chard or the perfect stalk of asparagus. Not to worry! We’ve rounded up some of our favorite food bloggers' most kid-friendly veggie offerings: from purple rice to rainbow-hued skewers, these flavor-packed and colorful recipes will encourage even the toughest veg hater to reach for seconds.
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Tastes of Home

Having now lived in four different countries, I have had a lot of homes over my lifetime. And from this scattered landscape of memories, fragments of sights, sounds, smells, and tastes emerge, some blurry and dream-like, others unexpectedly clear and bright. There’s my birthplace of Russia, first discoveries, the tingling mandarin and fir scent of the winter holidays, ever-present Olivier salad and my grandma’s apple pancakes. The heated air of Israel, the backdrop to the last years of my childh
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Jam-Packed Summer

Some of my sunniest childhood memories are of lazy summers spent at my grandmother’s home, out in the Russian countryside. In her vegetable garden at the back of the house, I fearlessly taunted the dog from the safety of my playpen, chased imaginary critter friends through the tall grass, and gorged myself on her home-grown, sun-ripened fruit, veggies, and berries. I’m four or five years old, a scarf tied babushka-style around my head, out alone among the sleepy drone of insects. The early after
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

A Parent’s Paradise Found in Los Altos

Before we had kids, I would read blogs and articles full of trendy yuppie parent tips, and just assume we would become those parents – the ones whose lifestyles didn’t change drastically with having children; the ones with the adorable kids sitting primly at the restaurant table, eating their sushi with impeccable manners, having been socialized for dining out since infancy. No chicken nugget or—God forbid—big purple mouse would ever cross our path, we were certain. Our self-indulgent fantasies
KSTATI Newspaper, San Francisco, California, USA •

Are You Getting Fraiche With Me?

When it comes to food, it’s often the little things that make me happiest. A steaming mug of coffee in the morning (with a generous splash of cream of course, none of that skim milk silliness), a slice of fresh crusty bread with a pat of French butter, and yogurt. Seriously, I’m slightly obsessed with yogurt; and I’m not talking about those anemic containers of runny, sugar-laden substances that are about as far from true yogurt as Wonderbread is from, well, bread
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy

Ahh, January…time of back-to-work blues, disturbingly foggy holiday-party recollections, and of course, those pesky promises we insist on giving ourselves, year after year, under the official title of ‘resolutions’: this is the year I’ll munch on plenty of greens, get off the couch more, and finally squeeze into those favorite skinnies. Which means your wings-and-beer pub Fridays, or girls’ nights out over cocktails and crème brulees may be off-limits –not to mention that the guilt-tinged food h
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Get the Scoop on Ice Cream Season

I scream, you scream…well, you get the idea. Ice cream season is officially open, people. Okay, not that you can’t gorge on ice cream year-round with the local weather, but I like keeping up the pretense to avoid stuffing my face with cold creamy calories year-round. Come June though, all bets are off. Considering said lovely weather, I was surprised to find a relative lack of tasty, high quality ice cream options when we first moved to the area. There was a Baskin’ Robbins here and there, some
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Dinner at Google? I’m Feeling Lucky

Living in the proximity of one of the nation’s food capitals means there are plenty of exclusive, coveted, no-reservations-unless-you’re-a-celebrity establishments to try and get into. Sadly, I can’t boast of having graced many of them with my presence. But although I haven’t had the honor of sniffing the elderflower-scented foam at French Laundry, there is one place where I’m a bit of a regular – a favorite for nights when I don’t feel like cooking, and so exclusive, you need to know someone on
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Picnic Perfection

Summer is here, and what better way to make use of the sweltering season than al fresco dining? It’s the time of long lazy suppers on the patio, weekend barbecue get-togethers, and of course, picnics. Who doesn’t love picnics? Whether a romantic rendezvous or a sweet family affair, they are the epitome of bucolic bliss. A red-and-white gingham cloth; a woven basket filled with goodies; the chirp of birds above, butterflies fluttering through, and a softly rustling breeze. Ah, magic! Okay, let’s
Russian newspaper KSTATI, San Francisco, California, USA. Русская газета КСТАТИ, Сан-Франциско, Калифорния, США •

Blast From the Past at Cinderella Bakery

I’ll be honest – proud as I am of my heritage, traditional Russian cuisine is not high on my list of must-have eats. Tending to be on the overly rich, not to mention labour-intensive side, these old favorites have mainly been relegated to mom’s holiday dinners and the essential New Year’s liquor-and-mayonnaise-laden table, everyday meals leaning instead towards simpler, lighter fare. Not to mention, plenty of my Soviet childhood food recollections leave much to be desired: gluey farina cereal, s