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Deliciously Organic: About Me

Deliciously Organic

A blog devoted entirely to simple, wholesome, organic cooking.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

About Me

Any discussion about my love for cooking has to start with my mother. I followed her around the kitchen since before I could see over the countertops and she has lovingly passed on both her love and skill for cooking to me. By the time I was 8 years old, I was cooking entire meals for the family. When I was 12, my Mom took her amazing talent and opened "The Festive Kitchen," a catering company that took catering in Dallas to a whole new level.

“The Festive Kitchen” also opened up a new level of training for me as I worked alongside her and watched her grow a multi-million dollar business from the ground up. I started out waiting tables at age 15, and then began to cook in the kitchens at 16 both for her catering events and for her store in Dallas. I worked for her on the weekends during college and then continued doing research and development for her after that. I’ve been so proud to see her win numerous awards, including The Presidential White House Food Service Medallion for service to President George W. Bush.

About 7 years ago, I developed some health problems that became debilitating. When my doctor suggested adding a forth daily medication to my prescription regimen - which wasn't working anyway - I knew I had to start doing my own research. I figured there had to be another solution beside taking more drugs. A tiny newsletter article about the benefits of organic foods caught my eye and I decided it was worth a shot. I started by switching to organic produce, reducing my pesticide intake, and within two weeks my symptoms were improving. Encouraged, I moved forward and eventually converted my family’s diet entirely to whole, unprocessed, pure organic ingredients. I’m now healthy and no longer take the medications I relied so heavily on in the past.

I was determined to combine my love of cooking, and new found passion for organics to create fabulous, mouthwatering recipes that were every bit as good as the recipes I'd made before. When I moved to Florida a few years ago, I was delighted to find organic co-ops galore. I also found plenty of people who were eager to learn how to cook with organic ingredients. So, at the request of many of my new friends, I agreed to teach organic cooking classes.

My husband asked me for 10 years to write a cookbook. He'd give me this look as friends left our house with huge stacks of recipes I'd printed for them. After waiting for years for inspiration, I began my writing journey. While writing my book, people continually asked me: "Why do you cook the way you cook?", "Do you have any recipes?", and (my favorite) "When can I get my hands on your cookbook?". So, I decided it was time to begin a cooking blog to bridge the gap between my cooking classes and the time when my book comes out (November 15, 2010).

My goal is to demystify organic cooking and make it more accessible to the home cook by providing uncomplicated recipes using only the purest ingredients. I hope you find this blog helpful, and more importantly, the recipes Deliciously Organic.

Carrie Vitt
Photo taken by Luke Korem of Sixth Seal Productions

22 Comments:

Blogger LA said...

hey! i just came across your blog and i'm really excited :) a fellow Dallas girl originally, i'm now stuck in the middle of nowhere attending graduate school in nutrition in order to become an RD. I've always loved food and eating organic and local when i can but now that I have a baby girl who has started solids, i'm having a total blast making all her baby food straight from organic fruits and veggies while learning more about cooking (ok so i knew like.. nothing about cooking like 6 months ago) before she can tell me that i stink at it! i'm so glad you were able to fix your health problems with diet, not meds! thats awesome :) cant wait to try some of your beautiful recipes! - Leigh Anne

September 11, 2009 at 8:17 AM  
Blogger Divina Pe said...

Thank you for adding me on FoodBuzz. If not, I won't be able to learn more about your blog. I love it.

October 4, 2009 at 5:12 AM  
Blogger Steve said...

I enjoyed reading your bio on your "About me" page. It had everything from your earliest influences to your hopes and goals for the future but there was one thing I missed.... that's your name.

I look forward to learning more about organic cooking from you.

October 13, 2009 at 9:16 PM  
Blogger Jenni said...

Ooh Carrie, I just came across your blog and am so excited. I've tried a couple of the recipes you have posted on facebook and they are delicious! Since I am a stay at home mom now, I have taken up a new found interest in cooking and am excited to try more of your recipes, and eventually create my own too.

October 15, 2009 at 8:31 AM  
Blogger Deliciously Organic said...

Hi Steve,

Yep, I did that on purpose. :) I'm Carrie...nice to meet you!

I'm so glad you like the blog. I hope you'll find helpful...and make you hungry.

Carrie

October 16, 2009 at 5:25 AM  
Anonymous Joanne said...

Hi Carrie,
Your blog is beautiful and so full of information. When reading your "about you" page I had to smile since I do honestly believe eating real whole food is so important and to be honest, tastes so much better!!!!

Thank you, and good luck with your cookbook, I would be in line to buy it!

~Joanne
www.inspiredtaste.net

October 23, 2009 at 4:45 PM  
Blogger Lara Ferroni said...

Great news Carrie! Congrats!

November 2, 2009 at 1:29 PM  
Blogger Caroline said...

I can't WAIT to start reading this. I happened upon your blog (from SITS) this morning and am so excited to read all you have to offer. I piddle in the kitchen, but that's about it. My mom didn't cook...so I have had to teach myself everything (which is not much).
Reading your bio, I actually got a little choked up. I TOTALLY agree with using organic ingredients. It's so important. You are right on. It certainly seems this is your life's calling.

November 17, 2009 at 4:54 AM  
Anonymous Desiree said...

I was just browsing the internet and I was immediately attracted to your blog because the word ORGANIC is on it. Anyway, just wanna say thank you and I'll try your recipes soon! It's been fun reading your blog. Happy cooking from Asia :)

January 8, 2010 at 8:13 AM  
Anonymous V.H. said...

Carrie,
What a surprise to get a Christmas card from you guys yesterday! God's timing is indeed perfect...we have been converting to organics over the past year due to health concerns with one of our children. We grow a lot of our own food but it has been really difficult finding recipes that our kids in particular enjoy. I am excited to look through your blog today and will be one of the first in line for your book this Fall.
Thank you Carrie for following God's call on your life. Many will be blessed.
Vicki H. (IA)

January 24, 2010 at 6:45 AM  
Blogger Lesley said...

hi I'd really like to follow your blog through blogger but I couldn't find a link...?

January 26, 2010 at 3:47 PM  
Blogger Deliciously Organic said...

Lesley: There are a couple of options. You can subscribe to my RSS feed (button located on the top right of the blog, just under the header) or you can subscribe through email (that is just under the "about me" section on the front page. In blogger, if you go to your dashboard the bottom of the page has a place where you can enter the addresses of websites you want to follow.

Let me know if that helps and/or if you need any other suggestions.

Thanks!

February 1, 2010 at 1:46 PM  
Anonymous Amiria said...

Hi Carrie,
I love your blog! Not just the content, but the beautiful photos and the way it is laid out too! I am a big fan of organic food and whole food in general. In fact, I even paint pictures about this subject! :)
Good luck for your book!!

February 6, 2010 at 9:21 PM  
Blogger Christine said...

Hi Carrie! :)
I just stumbled upon your blog and had to leave a comment telling you how much I love it! I love to cook and bake and am passionate about cooking dishes from scratch with ingredients that are as close to a "whole food" state as possible, always preferring organic ingredients when I can get them. This hasn't been the case my entire life, but started when I became pregnant with my first child nearly 15 years ago and I really started to think about what went past my lips. The rest, they say, is history. I do occasionally let down my guard and find I have to be flexible with kids who eat all over the place, but this way of natural, healthy eating (and farming) is just so logical for both our bodies and our planet, so it's a lifestyle that is difficult to forsake once you're in on it.

I have a postage stamp garden in my backyard in which I grow herbs and some of my favorite vegetables during the spring and summer, and I also belong to an organic co-op year round. In addition, I seek out more produce from local farms that incorporate ecological or IPM farming methods.

Your cookbook sounds like a wonderful endeavor and I wish you all the best on your publishing journey!

I look forward to exploring more on your blog and reading your daily posts!

February 9, 2010 at 10:18 AM  
Blogger Fog said...

Carrie -

I love your blog! And I must personally testify to your creative abilities and talent of your cooking! Thank you so much for dinner two nights ago (chicken with cremini mushrooms, salad and chocolate mousse dessert, yummy!)

When life settles in a bit (HA!) I'm jumping in - will by a grinder and start a new approach to food.

Some of (my) Paul's honey from the UK is on the way!

Wonderful to reconnect after a few years travelled-

Kathy

March 5, 2010 at 7:24 AM  
Blogger Me and My Pink Mixer said...

I just discovered your blog today and can hardly pull myself away from it to get back to work! I have been trying to switch over to organics and cook healthier meals for my family. I have had a grain mill for a couple of years, but rarely use it. You have inspired me to pull it out and start using it again. I can not wait to try some of your recipes! Thanks for such an inspiring blog :)

March 15, 2010 at 11:10 AM  
Anonymous marla {family fresh cooking} said...

Carrie, your story is honest and inspirational. A great reason why we should eat organics and feed our children the same. I can't wait to see your cookbook! your blog is wonderful. I had so much fun with you in Helene's class last week!

March 15, 2010 at 1:08 PM  
Anonymous Erin at The Healthy Apron said...

Hello! Very excited to have just discovered your blog! Your story is amazing and so inspiring! I truly believe that nutrition IS prevention and eating organic is SO SO important. I just wish I had more funds to completely go organic. I just started my own food blog. As a dietitian, I am trying to spread the word that healthy CAN be delicious! Hoping to find some great recipes! Thanks!!

March 23, 2010 at 1:29 PM  
Blogger innBrooklyn said...

Just found your blog: its lovely. I'm a big fan of organic food (and cooking) because it just makes sense to me on so many levels, its really interesting to read your story which is such a concrete example of the benefits.

April 1, 2010 at 6:15 AM  
Blogger Rachel Leos said...

Carrie,

I came across your blog a couple of days ago and read your "About Me" section today. Your mom actually created the menu and catered my husband and I's wedding about 6 months ago. Although we had delicious Peanut Butter and Jelly cupcakes, rootbeer floats, and a selection of "fair foods" at the wedding courtesy of Festive Kitchen, my husband and I just joined a neighborhood co-op in Lakewood and are slowly moving to more organic lifestyle. Congrats on the cookbook! I can't wait to try out some of your recipes!

Rachel
www.equipoleos.com

April 1, 2010 at 3:57 PM  
Blogger Lidia said...

Nice to meet you and your blog.
very interesting your story.....I'm happy you feel better now "simply" eating organic.....
me too, I cook watching my mom since I was a little girl......
Kisses from Rome, Italy

April 18, 2010 at 12:11 PM  
Blogger Midlife Army Wife said...

I'm so excited to have found your blog! I have tasted the Festive Kitchen's food many times, and it's always extremely yummy. We've made many improvements to our family's health by switching to mostly organic foods, so I'm sold and will never go back. I love to cook, and have a great helper in my 6 year old daughter. One of these days, I hope to write a cookbook too, but not quite yet. I can't wait to try your recipes! I already see many that have my mouth watering. :)

~ Stacy (midlifearmywife.com)

August 27, 2010 at 1:56 PM  

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