WELCOME TO Moon and spoon and yum!

Vegetarian Eats + Gluten-Free Treats

Hi, I’m Kristen! I’m a mama, photographer, food writer, and recipe developer based in Flagstaff, Arizona. I’m also the author of Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook, and Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners. I’ve been a vegetarian since the age of eight and on a gluten-free diet for the better part of my life. I am a certified functional nutrition expert. I greatly enjoy the creative and intuitive side of culinary exploration and strive to create well-rounded whole foods-based creations that the whole family can enjoy. When I’m not in the kitchen, I can be found roaming the forest or desert (camera in hand!).

My culinary journey first began as a young child inspired by my grandfather’s vegetable gardens, blackberry bushes, grape vines, and walnut trees, and their addition to the dinner table. Later in life, I learned the power of food as medicine. Over time, I’ve found myself inspired by culinary giants such as Anthony Bourdain, Nyesha Arrington, Jamie Oliver, Dominique Crenn, Rachel Khoo, and Nadia Hussain. I once spent a year traveling through and living in Central and South America and that further fueled my love and passion for food and incorporating fresh ingredients. Columbia and Ecuador, in particular, left their marks on me!

If you’re new to MOON and spoon and yum, you’ll quickly find I’m fond of a good curry, and a good hot sauce.

Some of my readers’ favorite recipes include Sauteed MushroomsPickled CabbageGluten-Free FocacciaEggplant Curry, and Air Fryer Tempeh.

My work has been featured in various publications both online and in print, including Martha Stewart, MSN, Elle, Yoga Journal, Healthline, Prevention, Good Housekeeping, Yahoo, Well + Good, Willow & Sage Magazine, and more.

I’ve done freelance content creation for food brands, meal-planning apps, and food bloggers.

I’ve worked with many brands including Bob’s Red Mill, Hamilton Beach, Torani, Del Monte, Betty Buzz, Instant Pot, Russell Stover, Mezzetta, Mountain Rose Herbs, Wallaby Yogurt, and Earth Echo Foods, to name a few.

You can find interviews with me over on Voyage PhoenixShoutout Arizona, and Canvas Rebel.

I’ve been a guest on the Eat Blog Talk podcast and Chopped podcast.

I’m a regular contributor to Food Drink Life, MSN, and The Associated Press.

My cookbook Vegetarian Family Cookbook was awarded the Best Vegetarian Cookbook of 2023.

 I’m available for sponsored posts, product reviews, recipe development, food, and product photography, + much more. A complete media kit is available upon request (please contact me here).

Visit my sister site for botanical inspiration on Schisandra & Bergamot

Things I Love:

  • Wild places.
  • Driving.
  • Date-sweetened chocolate chips.
  • British television.
  • Spicy food.
  • Watching my boys get super excited about something.
  • Airports.
  • Contemplating existence.
  • Laughter.
  • A good cookbook.
  • Staying up late.
  • Mystery + adventure.

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