Welcome, friend, you’re in the right place! I am here to help you overcome the dread you feel around time spent in the kitchen by helping you meal plan mindfully (not to win the internet) and by teaching you essential kitchen skills. Keep reading to get the lay of the land.

The Hearthside Blog

I want you to spend more time with your people and doing the things you love outside of the kitchen without compromising eating healthy, homemade meals.   On the blog I share information on how to meal plan, thoughts on being mindful about food, and teach essential kitchen skills. All posts are designed to help you keep the stress and mess out of your kitchen.

Oh, and if you love being in the kitchen, I’m here to offer some “foodspiration” by sharing delicious recipes and my favorite kitchen tools and foodie brands.

Browse Recipes | Recipe Index

You won’t find ads here. The recipes come first, without wading through my exhaustive life stories or fending off pop-up videos and ads, ‘cause that is what friends do. You need to get dinner on the table, not hear about my unexpected 7-mile walk in the park. And, let’s be honest, cooking is about you and your family. I’m just here to help.

Recipes curated into the collection are tried and true, tested on my friends and family. As often as possible, I include dairy free and vegetarian modifications in the tips.

Quality > quantity in my book.

So have I and this is a judgement free zone. We don’t live by food rules or diet culture here, but rather accept that food is just food and has no moral value. There are recipes and resources for when you want to do all the planning and cooking.

And there are healthy, affordable meal plans (and recipe cards coming soon!) for when you want someone else to decide what to make and plan the grocery list. Be sure to peruse the store as there are a few other goodies to help you be mindful in the kitchen and get meals made quickly.

Meal Plan Store

While we don’t live by food rules, we know that eating real food from local sources is best. We are grateful for the abundance of food we have. We support our local farmers and we help those who are hungry. Learn more about what we believe and get your free copy of the Kitchen Manifesto.

Real food, recipe forward.

Hi! I’m Gwendolyn Smith.

Based in the Philadelphia region, I am the founder of The Wandering Hearth.

I here to help you overcome stress in the kitchen so you can enjoy making meals for you and your people. I believe a mindful kitchen is a way to exercise self care and to honor your body. And I am thrilled you are here for some “food-spiration!”