Interview With Squeaky Gourmet

This morning I have the privilege to interview an amazing woman who has published an awesome cookbook, she is Squeaky Gourmet or she is also known as Maureen Jeanson and just recently has partnered with Open Sky to share herself with the world. So I am happy to be able to share her with you…
1. First, how about telling us a little about yourself…
I am happily married to my best friend—cliché I know but still a fact! We have the challenge of raising a blended family—2 of mine, 1 of his and 2 more that we have together. I am about to turn 38 this December and that feels like a false statement when I think about the actual number. I think we stop aging past 25 really and just begin maturing—so really I am 25 with almost 13 years maturity. :D
2. When did you first become interested in cooking? Did you cook growing up?
I remember home economics class in 7^th grade being an amazing adventure for me. We learned how to make cream puffs—mixing uncooked eggs just right into the hot batter so they would cause that amazing chemical reaction—I was hooked on making cream puffs for months! My family is also a food loving family—preferably sweets. I would flip through my mother’s Fanny Farmer cookbook picking out the recipes I wanted to make—I can make an amazing Lemon Meringue pie from that cookbook—oh and let me mention the oatmeal raisin cookies –amazing as well! I wanted to grow up and become a pastry chef, actually.
3. Did you always focus on “clean” ingredients or is this something new?
Um, no. :D That was a natural born occurrence based on necessity.
4. What do you enjoy most about cooking?
Some people just cook foods to eat. I love to cook to create foods to love. It is like an attempt at an art form. I love to try new foods, new sources of ingredients and try to make it something everyone in my family can enjoy. Cooking is love.
5. Who have been the biggest inspirations for you with regards to cooking?
Hmm, I would have to say my father. He always made a great deal of effort when cooking. We grew up knowing tomato sauce should be cooked all day and that you can grab so many different things from the refrigerator and make them a wonderful meal.
6. What are your favorite cooking gadgets?
My Kitchen Aide which was a gift from my father in fact! I love that thing!
7. How do you find inspiration for a new recipe?
I am a little obsessed with cooking shows and cooking magazines—oh and cooking blogs! WOW! I love to look them over and rethink the recipe—how would this become a healthier meal if I were to change a few things.
8. What is your favorite recipe to date?
I cannot pick a favorite recipe because that is close to asking me who my favorite child is. I love all the recipes!
9. What compelled you to publish a cookbook?
Jamie Wilson—co-author and main recipe contributor was a personal fitness client of mine. I was creating and collecting recipes to showcase on a fitness forum I had run at that time and we started talking about how great a clean cookbook would be—one with real foods for real people. At that time Reno had not come out with her book so it was really an untouched market. Now with the whole food movement and the clean diet revolution as well—our book evolved with the industries needs.
10. Why the Squeaky Gourmet? Where did that name come from?
Jamie came up with the name, isn’t it great? Squeaky clean diet foods—but wonderful and delicious—gourmet diet foods!
11. DO you have another in the works?
I have a lot of pans in the fire right now.
12. Tell us why we should buy your book?
This book has not received any complaints, only praise. Squeaky Gourmet is applicable to your kitchen, your kids’ tastes and even the picky husbands out there! The ingredient lists are short and there are NO hard to find ingredients at all. Most important reason to buy our book: to lead a healthier lifestyle. To begin the outer reflection to the inner health this book will show you how to attain. I have lost over 90 pounds using the same principles and practices and food understanding explained in the book—and I have kept it off. Real foods, no taboo ingredients to avoid or anything. This is Simple Clean Food!

My family Today!

Thank you Maureen !! Inspiring isn’t she? Be sure to check out Maureen’s site HERE and buy her book HERE. I know you will NOT be disappointed in either!
Trish