About Gourmandelle
Gourmandelle is not just a vegetarian food blog, it’s much more than that! It all started about 5 years ago when I decided to change my lifestyle and adopt a vegetarian diet. The idea behind the blog was to show people how easy it is to eat better, healthier and cook vegetarian meals from scratch.
On Gourmandelle.com, you’ll find healthy vegetarian and vegan dishes that take advantage of seasonal veggies and fruits and are extremely easy to make. Not only will you find plenty of recipes for your regular meals, but also a great collection of sweet- yet wholesome desserts and snacks. Many of the recipes are also allergy-friendly and catered to people with food intolerances.
Those with special diets such as Low FODMAP, gluten-free, macrobiotic, lactose-free, and more, can find delicious vegetarian recipes adapted to their needs and even personalized meal plans!
Whether you’re an aspiring vegetarian or just love cooking veggie-centric dishes, on Gourmandelle you will find the cooking inspiration you were looking for.
IMPORTANT!
Almost all my new recipes are vegan because I support having a mostly plant-based diet. However, I am not vegan and will never be 100% vegan. I read a lot of books on this and decided that a 80-95% plant-based diet is the best for my health. I hate labels. I have a mostly plant-based diet, but I do sometimes eat eggs, dairy, honey and rarely fish and seafood. I follow the Enzyme Diet promoted by dr. Hiromi Shinya (read the book, it’s life-changing). This means my diet is 85-90% vegan, with eggs eaten once every 2 days, dairy once every two weeks or less, and fish and seafood 1-3 times a month.
On my blog, you’ll find many popular meat-based recipes made vegan. I love “veganizing” meat-based recipes and making them cruelty-free and healthy. So if you’re one of those vegan extremists who blame other vegans or vegetarians for naming soy milk – “milk”, vegan cheese – “cheese” and for eating vegan foods that mimic meat-based recipes…well…CLOSE THE PAGE NOW and never come back.
No matter what your reason was for adopting a plant-based diet or even for eating less meat, be it ethical or health-based, congratulations! Every small step towards a healthier, cruelty-free and environmental-friendly diet counts. Hope the recipes on my blog will inspire you to cook more and more plant-based meals. 🙂
Who’s behind this blog?
I’m Ruxandra Micu, the blogger behind Gourmandelle.com. I’m a 25 year old food
blogger with extensive experience in online marketing and design. I’m passionate about cooking, nutrition, and helping businesses grow and aspiring to help people live a healthier life and teach them the benefits of a clean, vegetarian diet.
I want to help people, so if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me. I am also a freelance graphic/web designer. Check out my portfolio website here. I’m available for hire. 😉
The Meal Planner App
Gourmandelle Meal Planner is a personal meal planning assistant. I created a meal planner app like no other! No more boring recipes and monomeals, this meal plan will actually be customized to fit your needs, such as food intolerances, allergies, likes, dislikes, and more!
My eBooks
Featured on
Interviews
[EN] Journey for Earth Interview
[EN] Special Blogger Feature – Gourmandelle
[RO] Aparitie Ziarul Financiar
[RO] Aplicatie de alimentatie | Business Magazin
[RO] O româncă îi învață pe americani să mănânce mai puțină carne: povestea Meal Plans
[RO] De la blog la aplicaţie de nutriţie: Cum găseşti o nişă potrivită pentru o mică afacere
[RO] O viață sănătoasă, o dietă pe măsură
[RO] Video Interview for Acasa TV / Gourmandelle.com interviu TV.
[RO] Video Interview for Pro TV: Cat castiga un blogger culinar in Romania.
[RO] Invited on “Sanatatea in Bucate” cooking TV show, Digi24
[RO] Foodstory.ro – Gourmandelle Blogger of the week
[RO] Foodstory.ro – 5 bloguri de pe care sa te inspiri
[RO] Vegetarian pentru o zi cu Ruxandra de la Gourmandelle
Contributor/Guest Posting:
Other mentions
[EN] How To Turn Your Favorite Veggies Into Gnocchi – Huffington Post
[EN] Recipe featured on app magazine Juice and Blend Mag [www.juiceandblendmag.com]
[EN] CookingChannel TV Blog “5 HotLinks we’re loving”
[RO] Cele mai influente bloguri culinare
[RO] Top bloguri vegetariene din Romania
[RO] Mancaruri delicioase pentru slabit – Gustos.ro
Work with me
Due to my extensive experience in online marketing, I know what brands are looking for in a collaboration with a blogger. I always choose the brands I work with carefully, so they’re a good fit for my audience, and also create personalized project concepts, depending on each brand’s needs. I never promote products I wouldn’t or I’m not already using myself.
Let’s connect!
If you like what you read, you can subscribe by RSS ,receive updates directly by email. My email newsletter is another great way to stay in touch, and be sure to follow me on Twitter — I’m Gourmandelle. I’d also love it if you’d follow my Facebook Page. I post daily updates there so stay tuned! [Google + profile] I’d love to hear from you! Feel free to contact me anytime!
25 Comments on “About me”
Hello! I found your blog by searching “vegan sushi” on Google. I’m so glad your website popped up. You’re great!
Thank you, Erica! Hugs! <3
HI Ruxandra
I am very happy to have found your website and blogs. Some years ago I had an allergic reaction to a well-known and expensive cosmetic range and was very disappointed to have to discontinue using it. For two years I struggled to find a way of overcoming the allergy, which was getting worse and was very distressing. Some friends introduced me to macrobiotics, which very quickly cleared the allergy and it has never recurred. Following some years of straying from macrobiotics, I am now ready to recommit to a healthier way of eating. I am looking forward to following your meal plans and advice.
Hi Sandra!
Thank you! 🙂 Hope the meal plans will help you. I’ve heard about many people healing with the macro diet. I would suggest you opt for a GF macro diet. Gluten is sometimes linked to skin problems. I’m here if I can help you with anything. You can send me a message via the contact form on my contact page and talk more! 🙂
Morning Ruxandra,
While doing some research to live a healthier lifestyle, I’ve come across your blog. I’m truly impressed by how you’ve organized things from meal plans, your journey from carnivore to vegetarian, photography…and it all just flows so well. I’m looking to change up my diet in order to regain some long lost hidden muscles, so hopefully some of your health tips and meal changes can help me accomplish my goal. I too studied Architectural Design in my earlier years and then majored in Graphic Imaging in college, so I’ll definitely check out your other page. Looking forward to following.
P.S. I’d LOVE to visit Romania one day, it’s on my list!
Hi Andre!
I’m so happy my blog is helpful for you! 🙂 Romania is a great country, there are so many awesome places you can visit. Hope you’ll come here soon! 🙂
Buna Ruxandra,
Iti trimisesem un e-mail , presupun ca nu l-ai primit, caci mi-ai fi raspuns. Am facut un studiu de piata, fiindca vreau sa-mi cumpar un blender-sa pot face lapte din seminte si un robot pentru obtinerea cremelor fine pentru prajituri raw. Din diversele forumuri, exista pareri pro si contra la acelasi produs. Te rog sa-mi spui ce folosesti tu exact, ce firma mi-ai recomanda ? Exclus cele de 1000 euro, caci am vazut si astfel de preturi. Multumesc , Mihaela
Buna Mihaela!
Nu am primit! Chiar acum am verificat si nu apare. O fi intrat in spam. Trebuie sa fiu mai atenta. Scuze!
Eu am un robot de bucatarie care are si blender incorporat + storcator de citrice si alte accesorii. E un Siemens MK55300 vechi de cand lumea :)), care insa m-a tinut destul de bine. Are vreo 6-7 ani de folosinta si nu a fost in service nici macar o data. Are 1100W, ceea ce e suficient pt mine. Eu il recomand. Altele nu am testat asa ca nu ma pot pronunta. 🙂
Sper ca ti-am fost de ajutor! 😀
Te pup!
Multumesc, gasisem unde mi-ai spus ca ai Siemens si intr-adevar este un model vechi ce abia se mai gaseste. Ma hotarasem la Moulinex, exista si de 1000 W, insa multa lume spune ca face zgomot foarte mare. Inca mai caut.
Am testat un Moulinex la o prietena mai demult. Mi s-a parut foarte ok. Nu am sesizat zgomotul. Si robotul meu de acum face zgomot, cam toate sunt zgomotoase, important e sa isi faca treaba bine 🙂
Bun gasit!
Motivat de frumoasele lucruri pe care le am gasit pe blog-ul tau(retete,sfaturi,recomandari) precum si de voiosia si entuziasmul cu care exprimi toate astea dar mai ales aflat sub influenta filmului Earthlings,am decis sa ti scriu cateva randuri.Umbla vorba ca planeta isi va gasii sfarsitul-sau cel mult rasa umana-nu din cauza celor care inconstient fac rau,ci din cauza celor care nu fac nimic sa indrepte lucrurile.
Pentru initiativa ta de a divulga tuturor gandurile tale bune te fe li cit!
Povestea mea se aseamana cu a ta intr o proportie destul de mare:SI eu sunt pe acelasi drum,de dezvoltare personala pe multe planuri si rezonez cu tot ce scrii tu.E minunat!
Ceva mi-a atras atentia insa:zici ca vrei sa investesti in aparatura video(profi sau semiprofi) pentru a-ti filma cateva sau mai multe demonstratii de a gatii.
Eu am o ,,casuta” de productie foto-video .detin echipamente,oameni,etc.
Sunt pasionat de ale gatitului si mi-ar placea sa te cunosc si sa discutam despre o colaborare.
Mi-ar placea sa pun umarul cumva la ceea ce faci tu!
Iti urez spor in tot ce faci si toate panzele sus! 🙂
ALex Filip
0722565085
Alex@438.ro
Buna Filip,
Multumesc mult pentru cuvintele frumoase si pentru incurajari! Ma bucur sa aud ca si tu te indrepti catre aceeasi cale si anume dezoltarea personala 🙂 Felicitari!
Momentan sunt f ocupata si cu facultatea si nu cred ca as avea timp, insa de prin iunie voi incepe proiectul. Mi-ar placea sa pastram legatura si cine stie, poate vom incepe colaborarea atunci.
Multumesc!
Pacat de intentiile bune, daca scrii 2 cuvinte cu 2 de i in loc de unul singur!!! “isi va gasii sfarsitul…” si “demonstratii de a gatii”. Se scrie asa cum se aude: gasi si gati!!!!! Multi romani cred ca au probleme, cel putin cu auzul!!! 😉 Fata asta educata, desteapta (frumusetea nu e o calitate relevanta in aceasta speta), nu va colabora cu tine, defectul e prea grav, dupa parerea mea! 🙂
buna! abia ce am descoperit site ul tau, si mi se pare foarte reusit..retetele sunt vii si imbietoare, gasesc aici o bogata sursa de inspiratie! am trecut azi pe la piata si mi-am luat cateva ingrediente necesare pentru retetele tale. ma bucur sa vad fete tinere cu interese asemanatoare cu ale mele..am renuntat la carne cam in mai anul trecut, si sunt intr o perioada de testare!cred ca mancand vegetarian esti intotdeauna intr-o perioada de testare, caci sunt o gramada de retete si de alimente de care habar nu aveam. nici nu mi-am dat seama ce stransa era gama de alimente cu care ma hraneam! iti urez spor in ceea ce faci si sa ne tot incanti cu noi retete!:)
Buna Anca,
Iti multumesc mult pentru cuvintele frumoase si felicitari pentru schimbarea dietei! Intradevar, asa e cum spui tu, cand devii vegetarian observi de fapt cat de restrictiva si banala era dieta de dinainte. Pai, ce mancam eu inainte… pui cu cartofi, friptura cu cartofi, orez cu pui, supa de pui si variatuni pe tema data. Acum e o bucurie cand vezi atata culoare in farfuria ta si atatea arome diverse.
Mult succes in continuare si sper sa te simti din ce in ce mai bine cu dieta asta! Astept cu nerabdare sa vad ce retete testezi, iar daca ai timp mi le poti trimite mie sau le poti incarca direct pe pagina Gourmandelle’s Tested Tecipes pentru a fi afisate pe site. Te pup!
Buna!
Tin sa iti spun ca esti foarte frumoasa! Te admir pentru ceea ce faci! (E prima oara cand sunt pe acest site, abia te-am descoperit.)
Toate cele bune!
Multumesc mult Liliana! Ma bucur enorm sa aud ca iti place blogul! Sper sa incerci si retetele si sa imi spui cum ti-au iesit. 😀
Buna Ruxandra. Cel putin dupa prima rasfoire a site-ului tau, peste care nu am vrut sa trec fara sa imi exprim parerea, sunt cu un pas mai aproape de destinatia mea, aceea de a ajunge sa am o alimentatie sanatoasa, sau cel putin mai sanatoasa. Din pacate sunt prea puțini oameni dispusi sa faca pasul asta pentru ca a fi diferiti intr-o societate ca a noastră, în mare parte conservatoare, necesită un pret suplimentar in afara de acela de a ne schimba modul de viata in sine. Astăzi in Romania, a fi vegetarian, sau chiar si mai si, să consumi numai hrana crudă, este un gest care șocheaza societatea la modul general vorbind. Ma bucur cand gasesc astfel de persoane ca tine si am ocazia sa aflu detalii despre modul lor de viata in ceea ce priveste alimentatia, cu atat mai mult cu cat aceasta dorinta de a avea o alimentatie corecta si in acelasi timp echilibrata duce la o educare si la o incercare de constientizare a cititorului. Bravo!
Si eu ma bucur enorm cand intalnesc oameni cu care impartasesc aceleasi principii si convingeri. Suntem putini, e drept, insa ce ma bucura este ca observ din ce in ce mai multi oameni care se indreapta catre o viata mai sanatoasa si sunt mai interesati de ceea ce presupune un stil de viata sanatos. Am speranta ca mentalitatea din Romania se va schimba si ca nu vom mai fi priviti ca pe niste ciudati 🙂 E timpul ca oamenii sa deschida ochii si sa vada beneficiile unei diete echilibrate. Multumesc mult pentru cuvintele frumoase!
Hey Ruxandra, mersi de tip 🙂 Revin cu o intrebare: vreau sa-mi cumpar un mixer vertical si vroiam sa te intreb daca folosesti asa ceva si ce model ai. Eu mai puternic de 700w nu am gasit si ma intreb daca e suficient de puternic pentru green smoothies.
Mersi frumos 🙂
Buna! Eu am unul mai vechi, de 250W de la Philips. Merge struna si il am de vreo 6 ani cel putin. Singura problema e ca e de plastic si e mai dificil cu supele crema, astfel ca evit sa il bag in lichide fierbinti. La blenderele verticale tind sa cred ca nu e asa importanta puterea. Al meu e destul de slabut ca putere si totusi paseaza ff bine, orice! 700W cred ca e mai mult decat suficient. Important e sa fie metalic 🙂
Hi there!
Just happened to stumble across your Blog..which is fantastic, by the way! I’m intrigued by your cooking style, your photography skills, and the fact that you’re Romanian! I’m Italian but spent an AMAZING days in Romania a few years ago and have been dying to go back ever since! Looking forward to following 😉
Hi Lisa!
Thank you! I’m so glad you like it, and I’m also happy to hear that you like Romania, as you probably know, this is not something we Romanians hear very often :)) If you’ll ever visit Romania again and you’ll come to Bucharest too, don’t forget to send me a message and let me know. I’d be glad to meet you 😀
P.S You have a great blog! I’ll be following you too! 😀
Ruxandra, ma bucur tare ca am gasit site-ul tau acum ceva vreme. Este o inspiratie pentru mine si ma incurajeaza sa ma mentin pe drumul cel bun, din punct de vedere al alimentatiei 🙂
Dar spune-mi te rog, de unde ti-ai cumparat ia pe care o porti in poza? Eu pana acum mi-am cumparat doar de pe site-ul La blouse roumaine, dar a ta imi place mult de tot 🙂
Ma bucur foarte mult sa aud asta! 😀 Eu am luat-o de pe Iiana. Au o gramada de hainute traditionale foarte frumoase.