A new Direction:
This blog has made a major transformation over the past few months. Not only do I blog about using your leftovers and being frugal, but you can now follow my adventures in trying to provide better food for my family, while at the same time striving towards the goal of sustainability, traditional foods and seasonal eating.

Along the way, I try to give tips and feedback on how you can easily incorporate this philosophy into your lifestyle as well.

As the creator of both the Leftoverqueen and the FoodieBlogroll ( a social network of thousands of food bloggers ) I have transitioned all updates for Finest Foodies Friday, Royal Foodie Joust, Contests & Giveways, etc. to the FoodieBlogroll website.

Background:
For several years before my foray into food blogging I worked as an assistant to a Holistic Doctor, who really is a pioneer in the field. The man is a miracle maker, and was my mentor. From him, I learned so many things about health and nutrition – as well as medicinal herbs, homeopathics and supplements. While I was working with him, I gave up most packaged foods, food containing weird chemicals, food additives, MSG, HFCS, chemical coloring and dyes, and hydrogenated oils. I also found out that I have intolerances to soy products, and grains.  I am lucky to have never used any artificial sweeteners (this includes Splenda), because even before I knew what a poison they are, I never liked the taste of food with artificial sweeteners .  I have seen first hand through work at the clinic, all sorts of ailments, sicknesses, body pain and general malaise, including depression that consuming these kinds of products can cause. Reason enough to stay away from them.

Over the past year (2008-2009), because of how much these ingredients have infiltrated the food supply, I had to start expanding my blog to more than just talking about leftovers. Almost 2 years ago, after searching in vain for products without corn syrup,  I started making my own bread, condiments, preserves, and whatever else I could manage with a busy schedule. In 2009, I began a new adventure with making dairy products like cheese, yogurt and kefir – basically my own convenience foods – not the ones out of boxes, jars or cans.

In 2010, with a move to Northern VT, in large part because of the focus on local and sustainable foods, and my desire to have a large kitchen garden, and the space to raise some animals, topics on this blog are likely to head in that direction. Also from time to time I might discuss fitness as it relates to food. I lead a very active lifestyle and enjoy archery, weight lifting, kettle bells and martial arts, as well as hiking and other outdoor activities. So finding nourishing and healthy foods that are full of the right nutrients and give me the energy to do what I love, is a continued journey.

I am a home-spun cook who learned to cook from my maternal Calabrese Grandma, my maternal Sicilian Grandfather, my very food adventurous mom and my Scottish/German dad, who was famous for “Leftover Soup”. I grew up in the kitchens of all of these wonderful people and found passion for food at a very young age. Although I learned how to cook growing up with an Italian family, this is not a blog about authentic cuisine or a particular cooking style. This is a blog about using what you have with style and flair. It is about being creative in the kitchen and having fun. Mediterranean tendencies feature prominently in my recipes, because that is my favorite cuisine and what I grew up on. I spent my childhood near Washington DC and was able to frequent many a Greek, Turkish, Lebanese and Moroccan eatery. These are still some of my favorite cuisines. However I have recently found myself  experimenting with various Northern European foods, as well as Traditional cooking techniques. I recently found out through DNA testing (I am adopted) that I have English, Irish, Scottish and possibly Danish ancestry. So I am looking forward to exploring some foods from these regions to get in touch with some of my other roots on the great tree of life. I am a lucky person who gets to be a part of so many rich cultural and food traditions through both ancestry and adoption!

Regardless of cuisine,  I have always advocated for healthy eating for everyone, young, old, economically challenged and everyone in between. I have a huge passion for healthy eating, nutrition and holistic lifestyles.

I grew up learning from my Grandparents that you should not waste things, especially food – as you can always turn a little into a lot, if you have the right ingredients. They taught me how to be creative with what I have. This is really a fundamental part of my relationship with food. I always have essentials in my pantry, I always save leftovers and I always bring home leftovers from the restaurant. So what happens when all of these come together? Always something original and usually something very good!

This blog really is about my love of cooking and creating culinary delights based simplicity and simple foods. I love featuring recipes from farmers market finds and I talk a lot on this blog about eating locally and making things from scratch. Since 2008, unless specified, the recipes featured on this blog, feature local vegetables from the farmers market or organic veggies when local is not available.  Meat I feature in recipes is all “Happy Meat” ( a term coined by my friend Judy) . I also use  organic milk and dairy products (raw when available) as well as eggs. I also seek out products that are not genetically modified.

Cooking with leftovers can be a fun and interesting challenge! Plus it saves so much waste – which is so important, not only because of the economy, but also for the environment.

We need to remember and recall the way our grandparents used to cook and take our food back!!!

I am available for all types of freelance food related work. Please serious inquiries only.

To get in touch with me via email click here.

Note: I am happy to do product reviews, however I will not promote products that contain Aspartame, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, Splenda, hydrogenated oils, MSG,  Nutrasweet or weird chemicals that I can’t pronounce. I will review products at my own discretion.

Disclaimer:  I am not a dietitian or health care professional. My posts reflect my own personal experience. You should always consult a doctor before making any changes to your diet and exercise routine.

Web design and graphics as well as much of the food photography for this blog is created by my husband, Roberto – to check out his work, see his art website: www.robertocampus.com