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Yukari Bianchi

Hi, I’m Yukari! My husband, Aric, a talented chef, and I are on a mission to bring people together through the magic of cooking. We want to build a virtual cooking community where we share budget-friendly meal prep tips, host fun challenges, and teach classes beyond recipes—we tell stories of love, life, and even the lessons we learn from our fur babies. Yes, our Bernese Mountain Dog, Senna, the Dish Pit Pup, and our Ginger cat, Ka-En, the Sous Chef Kitten, are part of the journey too! We believe food is more than just fuel—it’s about connection, culture, and creativity. If you enjoy heartwarming stories, engaging Q&As, and cooking made simple, we’d love to have you in our community.🔪🍲 Join us to cook, laugh, and share the love—one meal at a time.

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Original spice in a mason Jar with a blue label says "U & I House Blend" on.
Featured Post

The Secret to Flavor-Packed Meals (Without Breaking the Bank)

Our Secret House Blend (And How to Make It!) Hello Reader, Ever stood in the spice aisle, overwhelmed by endless bottles and sky-high prices? 🤯 We’ve been there, too! The good news? You don’t need a hundred spices to cook incredible, flavor-packed meals at home. With a few budget-friendly essentials and a simple homemade blend, you can make every dish taste amazing—without overspending! 🌟 That’s why we’re excited to share our U & I House Blend—our go-to, all-purpose spice mix that works on...

7 days ago • 1 min read

Honoring Women in History—And in Our Kitchens ❤️ Hello Reader, It's Yukari! March is Women’s History Month to celebrate women's resilience, achievements, and impact throughout history. But for me, this month has always held a special personal meaning—from childhood memories of Japan’s Hina Matsuri (Girl’s Day) to the lessons passed down from my incredible mother-in-law, Marge. In this blog post, I reflect on: 🌎 Trailblazing women like Murasaki Shikibu, Frida Kahlo, and Olympe de Gouges. 🍽️...

20 days ago • 1 min read

How Food Connects Us: Honoring Black Culinary Traditions Hello Reader, It's Yukari, and it's time for another blog! The world is racing, and the food industry isn't an exception. It's exhausting to keep chasing what's happening. So, I wanted to sit down and take the time to write about something close to my heart—how food tells a story of resilience, culture, and history. Black History Month is a time to celebrate the profound contributions of Black Americans. Since our company represents a...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read
An Asian woman with blue hat opening her mouth to eat a sandwich on the left with a white man with dark blue bandana opening his mouth to eat his sandwich on the right

We Took the $100 Grocery Challenge… Here's What Happened Hello Reader, Can you eat delicious, home-cooked meals for a whole week for just $100? That's the challenge Aric and I took on recently, and let's just say… we had some surprising moments at the checkout counter! 😳 We sharpened our pencils (and knives), mapped out a strategic grocery list, and set out to see if we could stretch our budget without resorting to bland, repetitive meals. 🎯 Our goal: Stick to a strict $100 budget Plan 21...

about 2 months ago • 1 min read

Our $100 Grocery Challenge Begins Now! Hello Reader, Happy New Year! Aric and I are kicking off 2025 with an exciting and practical challenge: Eating all our meals at home on a budget of $100 a week for two adults. That’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner—every single day! Why are we doing this? Unexpected expenses derailed our annual January vacation plans (sad!), so we decided to save up for a spring getaway instead. By cutting our grocery budget and skipping dining out, we’re hoping to make it...

3 months ago • 1 min read