Hey there, I’m Emma and you are very welcome to the recipes of Mama. This cozy corner of the internet is all about real-life, protein-packed meals that busy families can pull together before the inevitable “What’s for dinner?” starts echoing through the house.
I am 43 yo and the mother of three very active kids. There was a stretch when cooking felt more like the last item on my to-do list than a proper meal. School pick-ups, homework drama, emails that refused to quit-the kitchen got whatever time was left, which usually meant frozen pizza or those sad little nugget trays. Fuel, yes, but not even close to true food.
A few years ago, a friend mentioned in passing that adding more protein to her meals gave her a real boost of energy. That stuck with me. I started tossing whatever I had—chicken, beans, fish—into my meals and playing around in the kitchen. Not everything turned out great. Some of it was downright bad—dry chicken, weird tofu bakes, lentil soups that just didn’t blend right. But I kept going.
After a while the recipes began to settle, and the kids actually asked for seconds. They even voted on salt levels and begged me to repeat the good ones. From those playful tests came my handwritten cards, blurry smartphone snaps, and a growing sense that I’d started something worthwhile.
Neighbors kept stopping by for quick directions, and friends pushed me to write it all down. That gentle nudge turned the notebook into a blog, the place you’ve landed today.
Inside these pages are quick, hearty meals packed with protein and kindness. A brisk breakfast that hugs you on the walk to school; a simple supper the most stubborn plate-cleaner will circle for seconds. There’s no pantry scavenging, no added stress-just honest flavor and the calm you never knew you needed.
Good food doesn’t have to be an evening chess match, and I keep reminding myself of that whenever time slips. Even on a day that’s beautiful in its messiness, a grounded meal can lend you a quiet inch of strength. If you cook with care, the table quietly repays you; that’s the tiny miracle I hope you end up sensing.
I’m really glad you’re here. Even if you just landed here during a late-night scroll in the kitchen with the fridge light on. Maybe you’re just tired, maybe you’re hungry, maybe you’re hoping dinner won’t be a whole thing tomorrow. Whatever brought you here, I’m so grateful for it. You showing up means the world to me—and it keeps me creating and doing what I love most. Thank you.
Warmly, Emma