Name: Davida Kugelmass
Blog name: The Healthy Maven (www.thehealthymaven.com)
Where were you born? Toronto, Ontario
Where are you living now? Toronto, Ontario
Why did you start your blog?
I started The Healthy Maven as an outlet to share my interest in health and nutrition, a passion of mine that had little to do with my work in the professional world. Initially it started out as a place where I could share recipes and workouts with friends and family but eventually I took it on full-time and it became my career!
How did you decide on your blog name?
My Mom actually came up with it! Maven is the Yiddish word for expert though oftentimes it is used to describe someone who is a “know-it-all”. I admit I have these know-it-all tendencies and especially when it comes to healthy food.
What do you blog about?
Mainly healthy recipes but I also tap into other aspects of health like fitness and finding a good work-life balance. My readers have watched me grow THM into a business so I also blog about my struggles and triumphs with blogging as my full-time job.
What post are you most proud of and why?
My Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Frosting. Not only do I love the pictures, but I also made them for my 25th birthday this year and was pretty happy with some of the reflections that came out of that post. Realizing that 25 isn’t about searching your forehead for wrinkles, but rather about being proud of your accomplishments was a huge step for my age-fearing self!
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
My Crispy Baked Curly Fries recipe. I mean they’re healthy curly fries, people! What’s not to love?
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
“I Know the Secret to Skinny”. One day I decided to be completely open and honest with my readers and shared my history on disordered eating patterns and self-esteem. I was completely astonished by the positive response I received and the number of people who could relate to my experience.
What is one (non-kitchen) gadget you can’t live without?
My iPhone. I admit I am completely attached to it and feel lost without it.
What is one kitchen gadget you can’t live without?
My food processor! I love it as if it were family.
Favourite food, care to share a recipe?
I have a major sweet tooth but also love tricking people into eating healthy food. These Black Bean Lava Cakes are the ultimate sweet treats but also my go-to dessert when I’m hosting friends. I promise you can’t taste the black beans!
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
A year ago I was working at a hospital in Toronto doing a job I really didn’t enjoy but felt I had no escape from. Fast-forward to today and I am now running my own business and get to call food blogging my full-time job. I am the happiest I have ever been and feel fulfilled in a way I never thought possible. Oh and I am a die-hard West Wing fan, a chronic nail-biter and hate the word “melon”.
What makes your blog unique?
It’s no secret that there are a lot of food blogs out there and health-focused food blogs are becoming more popular as well. What I feel makes The Healthy Maven unique is my attitude towards health and leading a balanced lifestyle. I don’t believe that to be healthy means eating perfectly “clean” all the time or following a rigid workout regimen. I post salads and healthier baked goods but I don’t pretend I don’t love my wine and indulge every so often. I don’t think that leading a healthy lifestyle should be stressful. Nor do I think it requires you to sacrifice on flavour!
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