stress free recipes make happy people
Welcome to Joy to the Food! We're so glad you're here. We are Dan and Mika Kinney (and Nala and Fig, our goofy pups). We started this food blog as a way for Mika to share her love of cooking with the world! Dan works on the website and photography, while Mika handles the graphics and recipes. The pups help clean up the mess in the kitchen.
We are all about bringing joy to daily life through good food and fun recipes. On our site, we strive to give you all the knowledge to make the perfect recipe that brings joy to the kitchen, not stress!
At Joy to the Food you will find food that is fun to make, better for you, and easier to make with tons of helpful tips and substitution options. Many of our recipes also meet dietary needs or can with simple swaps.
Where did the name Joy to the Food come from?
Mika here. The name Joy to the Food is a celebration of the joy that food brings to me, and the joy I hope this website brings to the world. The recipes on Joy to the Food are inspired by my upbringing, tweaked for my dietary needs, and shaped by our core philosophy that cooking should spark joy, never stress.
I grew up in a household full of imagination that encouraged creativity. However, my version of creativity was always pretty different from the rest of the family. I explored ingredients and recipes while my family explored anything but that.
I think this is because there is always some aspect of cooking or baking that overwhelms them. Whether that be the stress of following a recipe, having to buy one thing for a dessert (I'm looking at your cream of tartar), or just doing the dishes - everyone has something in the kitchen that stresses them out. I should note that some of my family like different aspects of cooking or baking and I've been lucky enough to have been taught tips and tricks from them all.
And for me, cooking and baking is a creative outlet. I believe that when you treat it as such, it because so much more fun! My goal at Joy to the Food is to inspire that creativity in the kitchen and squash stress.
We do this through recipes that are adaptable with varying cooking methods, substitution options, and tons of helpful tips to teach you exactly how and why a recipe works. When you know this, you can alter cooking methods and change ingredients much more freely, thus leading to less stress!
how to support joy to the food
There are a LOT of expenses involved in running a food blog. If you love our recipes, you can help support what we do in several ways!
- Leave a star rating & review on the recipes you love.
- Share my blog with friends who would also love it!
- Follow along on Instagram and engage with my sponsored content.
- Click on ads that interest you!
Any form of support is SO deeply appreciated and helps us keep providing free recipes! - Dan & Mika
our favorite recipes
want to learn more - check out our podcast interviews
We love talking all things food blogs and being a working family. For some insight and inspiration, give a listen to any of these great podcast episodes!
Building a Business with your Partner
Create Blogging Outlines to Maximize Keyword Research Efficiency
A Powerhouse Keyword Research Strategy Using RankIQ and Keysearch
Constructing the Life You Want by Leveraging the Life You Have
How to Monetize a Food Blog Side Hustle
Bonding With Baby As a Working Mom
get new recipes straight to your inbox!
Don't worry about missing new recipes! Get them sent straight to your email. Plus, get our FREE planning guide when you sign up for our newsletter.
Site Credit
Our lovely “About Us” photos were shot by Mackenzie Rana. If you’d like to see more of her work or get in touch check out Mackenzie’s website here!