I'm Mika, a food-obsessed creator, photographer, recipe developer, and co-founder of Joy to the Food and Avocado Foodie. I'm stoked that you're here! To kick off this budding friendship, here are some little tidbits about my journey to becoming a food blogger.
early life
I didn't necessarily cook from day one like a lot of food bloggers. I grew up on boxed brownies (which are still superior) and Hamburger Helper. But, I did learn how to make berry tarts and apple pies from my grandma at a young age.
I lived and continue to live a very full life with a packed schedule filled with daily workouts, sports leagues, and my kid's swim lessons. These adventures require a lot of food and I was notorious for asking if my mom had food in the car for me as soon as she picked me up.
college cooking
I started sharing food photos in 2015 in college. I developed some health issues and had to learn how to cook and bake dairy-free. Not only did I quickly learn the technical aspects of cooking and baking, but I also learned how exciting the experimental side of it is.
Between learning how to best fuel my body with home-cooked meals, managing an engineering degree, and working out regularly I began developing an arsenal of quick, budget-friendly meals that actually kept me full. This usually meant trying to sneak in more and more protein if possible.
the california spark
Shortly after graduating, I met my future husband, Dan Kinney and we decided to backpack through Southeast Asia and then move to sunny California.
During our travels, my palate was expanded and I was HOOKED on trying and making new food. Once in California, I set out to learn to bake or cook something new every month. From choux pastry to a whole turkey, I was learning everything I could about cooking and baking thanks to any food competition show I could get my hands on.
sharing high-protein recipes
In 2020, Dan and I were on a cross-country road trip discussing what our next adventure would be. Dan suggested a food blog since I was sure good at consuming food content (ha!) and we agreed to go for it as long as he built the website. Thus, Joy to the Food was born!
We've always shared food that sparks joy and fuels adventure. But as our lives evolved and we became parents, that push to prioritize protein became stronger. While we always have had high-protein recipes on the site, we knew that we needed to share more of our tips with readers on how to eat more protein.
professionally
As an experienced cook and website guru, I love to share my knowledge with the world. I've been quoted in AARP, interviewed for podcasts, and cooked on live TV for Twin Cities Live.
my favorite high-protein recipes
I'm a breakfast gal through and through. Here are my all-time favorite recipes to get you started.
fun facts about me
- I love to work out, like love it. I get SO stoked to be able to move my body and lift heavy weights. I like to say working out Mika is peak Mika - weird and hyped!
- I've lived in 7 states over my life which is 14% of the states in the US. This definitely sparked my love of traveling and what my family calls the "tumbleweed gene".
- Dan and I have climbed Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. We hiked from 3 am to 6 pm.
contact me
- You can get a hold of me at any time at [email protected] for any questions or media inquiries.
- You can also find me on Instagram and Linkedin.