Who we are ….
Hi there! Welcome to Almost Like Mom’s and thank you so much for stopping by. I’m Jackie, an attorney, vegetarian food and travel enthusiast and mediocre photographer. I currently live in Chicago with my amazing boyfriend Andrew (pictured above), and our dog Gabby. That’s her below, she is perfect. 
Since I was a little kid, I have always loved food. My mom is an amazing cook, and when I was in college I was her personal cheerleader in the kitchen. I would sit at the kitchen counter, drinking wine and telling her how delicious everything was while she marinated lamb, put together delicious salads and contemplated what spices would make a recipe perfect. However, I didn’t discover my love for cooking until I went vegetarian.
Going Vegetarian …
I have always had a soft spot for animals and contemplated going vegetarian for a long time. I even tried to take a stand and go vegetarian when I was seven, it wasn’t successful. When I met Andrew, he gave me the push I needed to dive right into a vegetarian life style and I haven’t turned back since. One of the greatest changes I’ve made in my life has been switching to a plant-based diet. I feel better mentally and physically and it has completely revolutionized my cooking skills.
Since I started cooking vegetarian food, I’ve become more creative in the kitchen. In addition, cooking dinner used to be a stress for me but now I love it! I truly believe that knowing how to cook a meal at home is an invaluable skill that can change your life! I created this blog to share with you how I make cooking at home possible, even with an incredibly busy schedule and limited budget.
Why “Almost Like Moms” …
Andrew and I both grew up in big families with stay at home moms who were constantly cooking. The kitchen was the centerpiece of both of our homes and the main hang out spot when we were kids.
Andrew’s mom Carol is an expert at budget meals that were simple and delicious! She is a master of homemade breads, baked mac and cheese and huge pots of traditional Italian pastas.
My mom Norma is a food fanatic. She constantly comes up with different spins on recipes she finds in books magazines and on the food network. Her house always smells like heaven, and by heaven I mean the smell of grilled onions and garlic. I’m convinced she’s never cooked a bad meal in her life.
However, both of our moms cook meals where meat is the center piece. “Almost Like Mom’s” is about taking those yummy, real food recipes that our moms make and putting a plant based spin on them. I’m here to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice your favorite meals to eat less meat.
Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan or just trying to eat less meat for a healthier lifestyle, my blog is the place for you! I hope you feel inspired to get out there and discover the power that comes with cooking for yourself!
Cheers,
Jackie and Andrew
