Welcome to Cooked & Loved
I’m Irena Macri, a recipe developer, cookbook author and the creator of Cooked & Loved. Whether you’re new here or have been following me for a while, I am happy you’re here!
Cooked & Loved is your go-to for healthy-ish recipes with big flavour and zero fuss.
With 12+ years of experience developing healthy recipes people actually want to eat, a certification in nutrition and a love for global flavours (from Ukrainian comfort food to Thai curries), I’m here to help you cook meals that are both nourishing and never, ever boring.
I know how to make food taste great and support your dietary needs — whether you’re gluten-free, paleo-ish, low-carb curious, or just trying to get dinner on the table without losing your mind.
Oh, and if you’re wondering, yes — I use both American and Australian lingo and measurements, because my readers come from all over the world. Everyone’s welcome here!
What You’ll Find Here
Here’s what’s cooking at Cooked & Loved:
- Healthy-ish recipes that don’t skimp on flavor (and a few cheeky desserts)
- Weeknight meals, one-pan wonders, and lazy-but-lovely lunches
- No weird ingredients, no overly fussy instructions, and definitely no sad salads!
- Practical meal prep tips (from someone who’s done it with a toddler at her feet)
- Recipes tested to work, not just to look pretty
- Ideas for how to use what you already have — pantry MVPs, flavor boosters, leftovers magic
Whether you’re a beginner cook, a wellness nerd, a tired parent, or someone who just really likes a good dinner, I’ve got your back (and your dinner sorted). Check all of my healthy recipes here.
A Little About Me
I was born in Ukraine, raised in Australia, and I’ve been cooking since I was tall enough to peek over the stovetop. I’ve lived in Germany, the UK and spent a lot of time travelling the US, Europe and Asia, which is why I am big on international flavours and cuisines.
I have a degree in Digital Media and a Diploma in Nutrition & Weight Management through Association For Nutrition, although I didn’t get to study nutrition until much later in my life. Before I went full-time into food blogging and cookbook writing, I worked as a multimedia journalist at News Digital Media (I even won a Walkley Award back in the day) and as a Head of Digital Strategy at Pacific Magazines.
These days, I live in Sydney with my partner and our spirited daughter who’s currently in a committed relationship with vanilla ice cream. When I’m not cooking, I’m chasing small humans, trying to stay fit (I love the outdoors), or reheating my coffee (for the third time!).
Featured In
As well as publishing a couple of cookbooks with Penguin Random House, I am honouredI to have my recipes and work shared in many top publications and websites including Women’s Health, Greatist, Prevention Magazine, Elle, BuzzFeed, Yahoo!Lifestyle, Sainsbury’s Magazine, Australian Gluten-Free Life, Body+Soul, Daily Mail, and The Guardian. I have been featured on Dishing Podcast and Additive Free Lifestyle Podcast.
I am a regular contributor to Clove, Samsung Food and Foodgawker.
Join me?
If you’re into nourishing recipes that don’t taste “healthy,” if you like learning how to make your food more flavourful (without needing a culinary degree), or if you just enjoy hanging out with someone who adds garlic with her heart — I think you’ll feel right at home here.
👉 Sign up for my email and I’ll send you new recipes, cooking tips, and the kind of kitchen confessions I don’t always post online. Plus first dibs on any fun freebies or projects I’m cooking up!
I am very approachable and you can get in touch with me directly if you have any questions. Please email me at te**@************ed.com. You can Cooked & Loved on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest and Facebook.
Get my 15 Healthy Dinners + free Flavour Boosters eBook sent to your inbox!Some Housekeeping & Disclaimers
- Would you like to collaborate? Find out how to work with me here.
- Check out my cookbooks and eBook here.
- I cook and test most of the recipes on my blog; however, I also work with talented recipe developers and food photographers because I have so many recipes and ideas and only so much time to do everything myself.
- I also publish some recipes for Instant Pot Eats.
- Read my Privacy Policy here.
- Read my Editorial Policy here.
- Follow Cooked & Loved on LinkedIn.
Way Back When…
Back in 2012, I started a food blog Eat Drink Paleo, to provide inspiration and tools to people who wanted to achieve better health and wellbeing through the paleo diet and lifestyle. I have since internationally published two cookbooks Eat Drink Paleo Cookbook and Happy Go Paleo and developed multiple healthy eating plans, programs and recipe eBooks. From time to time, I speak at events and run cooking workshops and demos.
My personal approach to diet and wellness has evolved over the years and as I became a mom, my priorities changed and I decided to change directions and focus on just creating and sharing good, healthy-ish recipes. My blog is now called Cooked & Loved and I feel like I have arrived to where I am supposed to be.