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! 🙂
WoW.. God Bless You. Thank You so much for sharing your recipes.
Your welcome Erica!
I came upon this website in the most random way today. I love to cook but the only way for me to do that is through recipes. I made the breaded shrimp not too long ago and it was amazing!!! Can’t wait to try more foods.
Thank you for taking the time to do this. God Bless You Valya!!!!
Awww…. that is awesome! Welcome to my website Nancy! I hope you enjoy my recipes with step by step picture instructions. Thank you very much! Blessings to you too!!! 🙂
May I have your permission to post some of your recipes on my website? You. Have many tasty looking recipes, especially Kings Cake. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Yes, you sure can. You must include my website and link to the recipe from my blog. Sent me the link to my posted recipe so I can see it too. I would love to see my recipes made by others. I really appreciate you asking my permission first before posting a recipe on your blog. 🙂
Hi Valya! Great site! I love the format of your blog, and love the Russian/Ukrainian recipes. You have a great family too, so many kids must be a lot of fun. You must have great multi tasking skills, between blogging, homeschooling, music, church, and family. I take my hat off to you! Thanks for popping by and checking out my site. God Bless!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting Peter. I try my best. Everything possible with God’s help, even though it seems like it’s almost impossible from humans point of view. God’s blessings to you as well! Good luck with blogging journey!
Hi, Valea! Can’t believe that I found such a great website , there are so many things what I was interested! I love baking and cooking! Lovely family you have! May God bless you continue!!!!
( очень вкусно и Аретино все выглядит)
Hi Dariya. Welcome to my website! I’m glad you find my recipes delicious and appetizing. I think they are actually really are (I’m a picky eater – healthy and clean food prep). I look forward hearing back from you. Please leave your feedback on the recipes you will be making in the post comments. PS. Can you share with me “how you found my blog” Gods blessing to you as well!!! 🙂
This days I started following you on Instagram. All your pictures looks beautiful and appetites! Thank you so much for sharing your recipes 😊😋
Thank you for following. I just saw that, and really appreciate it. You are welcome to share my recipes with your family and freiens, so they can enjoy it as well! 😉
Valechka, you definitely have a gift of cooking and presenting your food in the most lovely way! Continue on!
Would you be so kind to post a recipe of a white cake with a traditional Russian buttercream frosting / I know it’s not your favorite!/, but I am sure you have at least one good recipe in your arsenal… …Just butter and condensed milk, without cool whip…. Thank you!
Thank you! I’ll look through my old hand written Russian cook book. I do remember making that cream.
Hi Valentina. Your blog is amazing i like the recipies and beautiful pictures of them. It all looks so neat and profecional. I wish my food would look and taste as good. How do you do this all? How can you handel so many kids? and having your own hobby and all of that. Im from a big family and my parents too. After really getting to know them i promised myself j wont have a big family. We had fun growing up but when we grew up we dont value eavh other as much as people value each other (people ftom small.families) so tell me how did you learn to cook so great and how did you learn to be a good mom and wife?
Hi, Galina! I really appreciate your kindness. Honestly, I don’t really know how to answer your questions. I lost my mom shortly after I got married, so I had no support and assistance in my cooking/baking and homemaking. I basically learned to cook and bake on my own; from my own mistakes. It wasn’t easy, and at times frustrating. That’s one of the reasons why I made a blog. Yes, it’s fun, but it also gives me a chance to lend a helping hand to anyone who may be at the beginning of their cooking journey. Read my Kotleti post where I tell a little more about it. I would never be able to handle this many kids on my own. I ask God for His wisdom, guidance, and help. Without His help, we would not be capable of raising even 2 children. We can provide everything for our kids materialistically, but no man can change a heart. Only God can do that! Praying and fasting are what the parents’ job is. That is what we do, and God does the rest. It’s hard for me to answer questions like these in detail because the credit is due to God. But I do know this: “With God all things are possible!” I know that small, unhappy, distant in relationships families exist as well as big, happy and tight families. I really think it depends on the individuals themselves. Their walk with Christ and personalities. So, I don’t think the family size is the most important variable. Having God in first the place in our lives is the key to family happiness. It provides a common and solid foundation for relationship-building. And if God’s rules are followed, happy and strong relationships will automatically flourish. One other thing I would strongly suggest: never compare your family to others. Because you never know the reality of the dynamics of other families in the privacy of their homes. There is such a thing as “pretend happiness.” We tend to compare our deepest vulnerabilities with other’s most shining moments, not realizing other people could be going through heartbreaking grievances privately. Do what is best for your family and look/take examples from Jesus. What would He do in this or that situation? And go from there. Thank you very much for your question, I really appreciate open/honest questions like these. God’s blessings to you!
I would like to share a recipe with you. Can you give me your email address please
Hi Vera. I will take a look at the recipe. You can send it to me by clicking on “Contact Us” on the blog. Thank you very much 🙂
Do you run your on blog or do your kids help?
Do you run your blog yourself is what I meant
Hi Angela. I run the blog all on my own. Sometimes I ask for help if I need to take the action photos (holding or pouring… etc, most of the time everyone is in school, so I had to do that on my own many times too).
I make the recipe, upload and edit photos, writing introductions, ingredients and instructions all on my own. At times, when I’m editing and writing a blog post, I call it “my rest time”, and that’s when I actually work sitting down 😉
Kids are really busy with school work and after school activities (piano lessons, Russian school teaching, choir practice etc…). They do help me by eating what was made for the blog post thought 😉
So, I do and will appreciate feedback on any errors found on my posts. Simply comment on the blog post or send me an email under “Contact Us”. Thanks 🙂
Hi Valya!
I love your recipes and I go to technology class where I get to make a little website. I thought of asking you if I can post one recipe I will label the website and things like that
Hi Lena. Can you contact me under “Contact Us” on the blog. I have a few questions to ask you. Thanks.