About Me

Hi, my name is Irena, and this is my food blog dedicated to simple, delicious and mostly healthy recipes. From old-time favourites to new dishes with a twist, this is the food I cook and love.

Think of a dish YOU cooked and loved, either recently or in the past, something you continue to make on a regular basis. It could be a recipe everyone asks about or the one you want to pass on to family and friends because you enjoyed it so much. This is a space for sharing those kinds of recipes!

As well as publishing my recipes, I bring onboard exciting contributors to share their most cooked and loved dishes.

I will also be sharing my favourite ingredients and memorable recipes from cookbooks, travel destinations, and restaurant copycats.

I share my recipes and other content in my Substack newsletters, you can sign-up below.

Would you like to collaborate? Find out how to work with me here.

Need to get in touch? Email [email protected]

The Evolution Of My Blog

With a background in nutrition and years of coaching people in Paleo and low-carb diets, many of my recipes (especially the older ones) lean towards healthy eating.

I have published multiple cookbooks, created popular healthy eating programs, and meal plans, and worked one-on-one with clients to improve their nutrition.

But, after years of only publishing the healthy stuff on the blog, I realised that in order to be completely authentic with my audience (and true to myself), I needed the freedom to share everything I love to cook. That means pasta, burgers and dumplings as well as a good salad.

Because at the end of the day, all good food brings me joy and that’s what I want to bring to the table.

My recipes are often inspired by my travels and international cuisines but I like to keep them accessible and family-friendly.

On that note, thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy my recipes!

My Dietary Approach

I have tried Paleo, low-carb and gluten-free diets, all of which can do wonders for people’s health.

My motto is still the same: keep it real, keep it varied and keep it as nourishing as possible.

However, I no longer associate myself with one dietary label, nor do I strictly avoid any specific foods. I believe there is a time and place for all the healthy stuff, and then there is cake.

I like the idea of an intuitive eating approach with a focus on real food and fresh ingredients whenever possible. This is what works for me today.

Yes, you will find plenty of paleo, low-carb, gluten-free and Whole30-related recipes and articles on my blog. But, you will also see pasta, burgers, dumplings or whatever else I really enjoy cooking.

I care passionately about where our food comes from and I want to educate people about choosing the best ingredients that are produced in a sustainable, ethical way.

As Seen In

I am honoured and flattered to have my recipes and work shared in many top publications and websites.

Want To Know More About Me?

I am a qualified nutrition coach with an Advanced Diploma in Nutrition & Weight Management certified by the Association of Nutrition. However, I no longer provide individual nutrition advice or work with clients.
I have a degree in Digital Media and didn’t get to study nutrition until much later in my life.
I’m 41. I was born and raised in Ukraine, spent most of my life in Australia, lived in Germany, have travelled through the U.S. and lived in London for 6 years. Now, I am back in Sydney, although I am often somewhere in between.
I’m a mom to a little girl Snow.
I have spent over a year living and travelling in a self-converted campervan. I am a rock climber. I enjoy running, surfing, hiking and yoga. Basically, the great outdoors and the kitchen are my two happy places.
I cook and shoot all my own recipes and I love collaborating with other bloggers, authors, and brands.

I am very approachable and you can get in touch with me directly if you have any questions. Please email me at [email protected]. You can find me on Instagram and Facebook. Join my private Facebook group here.

If you would like to work with me, please visit this page.

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 my name became better known in the food blogging and nutrition community, I decided to change my website to simply IrenaMacri.com.

Then a few years later, I became a mom, my priorities changed and I decided to change directions and focus on just creating and sharing recipes. My blog is now called Cooked & Loved and I feel like I have arrived to where I am supposed to be.