My Story

Hello and Welcome to my Website!

My name is Valya. I am the food blogger of Valya’s Taste of Home.  

I come from a big family of 10. I have 4 brothers and 5 sisters. I came to the US from Ukraine with my parents and siblings when I was 14 yrs old. After graduating from High School, I went to Dental Assistant school and then was blessed with a job, working in a beautiful dental office.

Where one notable instance occurred, when the dentist I worked with once told me that when I get married I, too, am going to have 10 kids… He, then, scared me a little; even coming from a big family, I hadn’t pictured myself a mother of 10.  Two years later I got married to my dear husband Oleg, who was not from a very large family but loved kids. Ten wonderful children later, the prediction came to be true.

One of my sisters, Nina, kept telling me for a long time, “You cook so well, you should really have your own blog.” I wasn’t agreeing to that for a while. First of all, I’m not a photographer. Second of all, I’m not a computer engineer, as I thought that’s what practically required for website managing.

Turns out it’s pretty involved, but a fun learning experience. I used to tell my patients at work that technology is good when it works, but when it gives you problems … I’m lost. Blogging depends on it, so bear with me as I tackle that part of it. I tackle to master.

All that aside, the amazing recipes and delicacies I’m willing to share with you, with emphasis on clean cooking, truly are scrumptious, simple and 100% craveable! And here, on my blog, you will find family proven delicious homemade meals, made with extreme cleanliness, beauty, and passion.

Since the start of this blog in July of 2014, it has grown into a place that many of you return for delicious recipes. It makes me so happy whenever I see photos or read comments about your trying out my recipes or reading any of the articles. So, thank you kindly for being here, it really means a lot to me and my family!

Thank you for stopping by and I wish you many delicious days ahead! 🙂