7 Kids Kitchen

All about me!

Get to know me

Hi everyone! My name is Mary and I’m a 35 year old mom of 7 starting to share my life online. Let’s start at the beginning- I was born in the Bronx and I was my parents’ first baby. They went on to have 6 more kids and we grew up extremely close.

I went to high school in Manhattan and fell in love with NYC. I’ve always been a city girl because I love being able to walk and discover new things around every corner. I then went to college in Pennsylvania for marketing and worked in Manhattan on my summer breaks. I got married when I was 21 and had the surprise of a lifetime when I found out I was pregnant with twins. My husband was in the military which moved me out to California right before the twins were born.

After two amazing years in California he got stationed in Michigan and at this point I was a mom of 3 kids under 2.

After 2 long (and cold) years in Michigan we finally moved back to the Bronx where we were both born and raised. We have now been back in the Bronx since 2016. In September of 2024 my sisters convinced me to start sharing my cooking journey online. I am so happy I listened and I’m having a blast.

My Cooking Journey

Growing up I never cooked but I loved watching cooking shows on Food Network after school. Like most people my age I was obsessed with Rachael Rays 30 minute meals. I was one of 7 so my mom had dinner on the table every night for all of us. Then when I moved to California my husband did most of the cooking. When I got to Michigan I had a reality check when my husband would be deployed for weeks at a time and take out was not an option. Out of necessity I started to cook for my 4 kids and grew to love it. Unlike California where I took my kids out each day in the beautiful weather I was now stuck in the house because of the freezing cold temperatures.

During my two years in Michigan I really found a love for cooking and creating meals for my family. My kids and I would bake to pass the time and since we were living on a military salary eating out wasn’t an option. Since then I’ve grown to love all things cooking. I love taking sur la table cooking classes whenever I get the chance. I also love buying new cookbooks and scouring the internet for perfect recipes for my family of 9!

“I Try It So You Don’t Have To”

I love cookbooks! I applaud anyone that can sit down and write recipes and take the time out of their day to test them but for me my time is limited. I have so many cookbooks and have tried so many of the recipes. I would like to create a space where I list my favorite family friendly recipes to help out moms, new and old put dinner on the table. I love a one pot quick meal so I am on the hunt to discover and share all of my favorite recipes with you all. When buying a cookbook I always expect that every recipe is not going to be perfect for my family of 7. That’s why I want to create a space where I give you guys all the recipes I have found to be the tastiest, quickest, most kid friendly from all of my research.

Should you subscribe to this blog?

Yes! As I have grown on instagram and TikTok my followers have repeatedly asked where all the recipes I use will live. I have gone back and forth on many different ideas but truly believe Substack is the perfect place.

What to expect once you subscribe

1. Meal plan for the upcoming week and shopping list

2. Recap of the previous weeks dinner with pictures and commentary

3. Things I’m loving

4. Recipe of the week

5. Personal life- adventures around the city, shows I’m watching, books I’m reading, crafts, etc.

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