Welcome to Ambitious Kitchen, I’m Monique. I’m incredibly happy you’re here!
The goal of this blog is to provide you with inspiration, whether it’s in your kitchen or in your life.
My passion for cooking and baking came at an early age while assisting my Puerto Rican Mother in the kitchen, and my Father, a man who made his own pies, pancakes and an incredible yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Thus on this blog you will be sure to find sweet treats, Spanish inspired cuisine and of course, my flair for healthy eating.
How did you start your blog?
During my college years I happily studied cookbooks, baked everyone I met a cake, and developed my own famous enchilada recipe. I could think of no other way to share my love for healthy food and baking then to start a blog. At the end of 2011 I launched Ambitious Kitchen. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m sure my Dad would be proud of me.
What’s happened since then?
I won Nordic Ware’s Bundts Across America recipe contest, Fage’s recipe contest, appeared in a cook-off in Washington D.C., hung alongside Bobby Flay, shared my recipes on the Food Network’s HealthyEats.com and have been featured on numerous cooking sites such as the Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Today.com and Cup of Jo. In less than 3 years, I was able to quit my full time corporate job to work on Ambitious Kitchen full time.
Most importantly blogging has led me to meet incredible friends along the way; plus I’ve learned so much about myself and the passion I have for food, photography and writing.
What will I find on this blog?
Everything! Most of the food I create is geared towards those with active, healthy lifestyles. You’ll find plenty of good-for-you meals to share with your family, friends, and recipes your boyfriend will adore. I like to get creative, using unique ingredients and pairing different flavor combinations. Sometimes I play around with gluten-free and vegan recipes. Most of my recipes are focused around clean eating and nutrition. I have to admit that I am an avid baker so I’ll probably throw a few crazy desserts at you, too!
If you’re new here, start with these meatballs. And then finish with a truly life-changing cookie.
Wanna know more?
I recently moved to Chicago from Minneapolis and I absolutely adore it.
Traveling is one of my favorite things to do and I’m always up for an adventure. I briefly lived in Australia where I learned to surf at some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. I also drank a lot of wine. It was unforgettable. You can read more about my travel adventures in my travel section.
I shoot all of my own food photos and use a Canon DSLR and sometimes my iPhone. I practice yoga frequently and try to work out almost everyday. Pumpkin pie is my favorite dessert and I can never get enough peanut butter. I’m obsessed with Mariah Carey but I mostly listen to what most people call ‘hipster’ music.
Above all I believe in passion. Find something you love and do it! That’s what I’m doing here.
If you are interested in working with me or pitching a product for review, please contact me. Media kits are available upon request.
Otherwise if you have a question about a recipe or if you’d just like to say hello, feel free to contact me! You can find me via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google or email! I’d love to hear from you. And I really mean that!
OTHER FAQs:
Can I use your photography/content on my website/blog?
Please do not redistribute my photography or recipes without my permission. All recipes and photography on this website are my own unless otherwise specified, and is subjected to copyright If you’d like to use a photograph or a recipe, please contact me for permission.
Will you review my product/book/site?
I am available for recipe development, food photography and/or styling, travel/press events, product reviews, brand promotion/ambassador, and sponsored posts. If you are interested in working with me, or if you have a question/comment regarding a recipe or about my blog, please send me an email at ambitiouskitchen {at} gmail.com.
Really fresh look mo! avoid the tasty skrimps!
I just found your blog and am so glad I did! I love your writing and your pictures are beautiful. As a fellow Minnesotan (and runner and yogi) I can’t wait to keep following along!
Thanks Taylor!
I’m happy you found me! 🙂
I’m going to check your site out.
Monique……..your recipes are just wonderful……thanks for doing what you do.
Amazing! Thank you for reading. Speaking of which I need to update the index.
What ever you put up there is going to be awesome 🙂
Hey Monique! I met you at iStrategy Labs a few weeks ago (for the bloggers mixer). 🙂 Love your food blog *drool*! 🙂 I'm having a Korean cooking party this month, and if you're interested, I'd love for you to come! &, of course I'd love to chat about Social Media Week DC too! I'm on Twitter: @lindasauce! 😛
Yes! When is the Korean cooking party? Tweet me! @moniquevolz or @ambitiouskitch
OMG I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!!! Everything looks amazing, so beautiful and delicious looking!!! I can’t wait to try some of these recipes!!! Already Obsessed!!!!
Hello hello! So happy to have you 🙂
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My fiance and I love food. Not just any food…we looove good food, we also have super sweet tooths, but we also try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Juggling both can be a difficult task to do. So thank you for making this blog! We are parents to a 8 month old, so I don’t have the time to alter recipies that we want to try in order to make them healthy. You’ve made it easy, now all I have to do is hop on here and cook or bake my little heart out! Please continue posting!
P.s. I really like when you add nutritional information!
thanks again and I wish you ooodles of success!
Thanks for the sweet comment, Mindy! I’m so happy that my recipes are being put to good use. Keep reading!
Just recently discovered your blog and so glad that I did. You have some amazing looking recipes on here that I can’t wait to try.
I’m so happy you found me Erika! Headed to check out your blog now.
Love reading this page. I think your truly beautiful inside and out. Keep on inspiring, Monique! 🙂
Jenna, you are too sweet!
I just found your blog. So glad I also love pumpkin pie my favorite desert. I fast walk everyday 3 miles and do weights and zumba.Im 63 and trying to stay healthy. I will defently follow you sounds fun. Going to try your banna bread.
Hi! I just found your blog via the recipe for Nutella filled cookies (wow!). I will try making them or I will convince my sisters to make them for me. I skimmed through the recipes and I must say I am intrigued. I'll check back once I have tried one or two of your creations. Have a great weekend!
HI! I made your peanut butter chocolate chip cookies last night! SOOOOO delicious. Thanks!
Found your site via some wonderful Pinterest pins and have enjoyed being able to leaf through your stellar recipes. Thanks for posting this wonderful blog for us healthy cooks who are always looking for something new! 😀
Came for the nutella cookies. Will stay for the photography and chit chat. Thanks!
so glad i stumbled past your site 🙂 cue in slow development of a girl crush — no judgments here.
WOW! I have finally found someone who has inspired me to BAKE! I am a partner in a cooking business but neither of us like to bake. I discovered your Nutella stuffed cookies and I am willing to give it a try. I love that you are as passionate about food as I am. Thanks.
and pray how did you find this woman–it wouldn't be because of your "bakin" sister would it??? 🙂 I have the dough in the fridge ready to fill with Nutella tomorrow 🙂
Hi Monique, I just found your blog through a FB friends post. So glad to have checked it out. It’s now at the top of my list of blogs to follow! Can’t wait to spend some time looking through your recipes. I’m a new food blogger (2 months) and am having so much fun seeing what others are doing. Job well done!!
My cousin, Sarah Brehm, introduced me to your blog!
I have tried 2 of your banana breads and love them! (In the chocolate raspberry one I substituted cherries as I had some fresh ones to use up…delicious!)
I too love to cook and am always looking for healthy ways to do it. With a full time job and family, I don’t always have time to explore options on my own…so I appreciate yours! Hopefully my husband and two young boys will thank me later for keeping them healthy…or at least trying too!
I too love yoga and working out….my sanity in this crazy life!
Keep the recipes coming!!!
smiles,
karen 🙂
I found your recipe via Pinterest.. And since I have a slight, well.. Gigantic obsession with Nutella, I decided to make these cookies. WOW! They are amazing and my husband, mother (well entire family/friends) have proclaimed these cookies as their all time favorite!! Thank you 🙂
Oh sorry lol.. I forgot to mention the cookies I made… They were your Nutella- stuffed brown butter and sea salt
Chocolate chip cookies 🙂
I tried making your browned butter Nutella cookies and they were FANTASTIC! Literally the best cookies I have ever made! Browning the butter was such an original idea which took these cookies to the next level. I will definitely be coming back for more creative cooking/baking ideas 🙂
yeah. love your blog. I have a 10 year old athlete who LOVES pancakes…trying to find healthy ones. As a fellow minnesotan currently livin in toronto always stressing about ways to feed the kids healthy food they like I am so happy to have found your blog!
thanks for the hard work and recipes.
aloha, just took the nuetella cookie out the oven, it's so ono (good). can't wait to try the browned butter recipes….mahalo.
Definitely going to try the Nutella cookies. I recently discovered Biscoff Cookie Spread…I might try a variation with that and Ghirardelli White Chocolate Bar. My big claim to fame with friends and family is traditional Scottish Shortbread. I’ve been making it in small batches, by hand since 1983. I have finally resorted to using a mixer…the old hands just get too tired too fast these days! This past year has been all about canning…making some tangerine marmalade tonight and tomorrow. I’ll check your recipes for other things to try. My wife is going vegetarian and I see you have a number of vegetarian and “guilt-free” recipes (which I will need after the cookies!). Happy cooking!
Saw your recipe for the nutella cookies on pinterest 🙂 Glad I found them! Great blog, look forward to making and trying more of your recipes! Happy baking! Merry Christmas!
Saw your recipe for the nutella cookies on pinterest 🙂 Glad I found them! Looking forward to making and trying more of your recipes! Happy baking! Merry Christmas!
Hi. I just nominated you for the VERY INSPIRING BLOGGER AWARD. Congratulations!
Hi! I found your blog via the Nutella stuffed brown butter and sea salt cookie recipe (holy moly) on Pinterest. I made them yesterday for a holiday potluck at work and they were FANTASTIC. Everyone said they were the best cookies they've ever eaten. Thank you for combining some of my favorite things- brown butter and Nutella together. You've completed me. 🙂
Happy New Year Monique! I found your blog right before Christmas through Kevn&Amanda via Pinterest on a cookie quest and I really enjoy it! Got a little distracted and haven’t gotten to the cookies yet but I have already made your Green Monster Smoothies (suprisingly yummy!) Carrot Coconut Whole Grain muffins and even my picky 13-year-old liked them! Today my son and I are going to try the Brown Butter Snickerdoodles before I head back to work and the boys go back to school. I love your blog and can’t wait to try more of your great recipes and to see what is to come in 2013. Thanks! Jessica
Happy New Year Jessica — I’m SO happy you’re here!
I thought I already responded to this, but maybe not! Thanks for reading Jessica — I’m so happy you are here!
I came for the Snickerdoodles and I'm ALSO staying for the photography and everything else on your list. What a gorgeous site. And that's coming from a professional photographer!
Thanks Koren! 🙂
Came for the Snickerdoodles, found the Nutella Chocolate Chip Cookies, became intrigued with the quinoa burger — and everything else I saw. Your food sounds amazing, looks amazing (great photography!) and I love your passion. Congrats on such a successful site, Monique. Looking forward to getting to know you.
Thanks Cindy! Happy you're here!
It is sure AWESOME to see a Rockford alumni (Class of 2007) having such success! Congratulations. We’re all proud of your entrepreneurial spirit. Best of luck on your business venture(s). Paul Durand Superintendent of Schools – District #883
Thanks Paul! 🙂
Hi Monique, I just came across your blog and its lovely! I just started a food blog too, and its exactly as you say about passion, find something you love and do it! So true!
Hi Sofia — so happy you’ve started a blog! Good luck! 🙂
Oh my gosh! Monique Volz!! From RHS?? Lol!! I found your brown butter cookies from an Instagram post and have been drooling over your recipes. Then I thought I should see if there is anyway to see whose recipes I’m drooling at. So I click on the About tab, and oh my word, I see the name Monique but I’m sure there are many Monique’s in this world. Then I see your picture and think “no way!” Then scroll down again and really realize its you! Small small world! Insane where life takes you! Thanks for this blog, I love to bake/cook for my family and there is nothing better than getting lost in recipes!! I’m still in shock!! Of all the recipe blogs I’ve scoured, I would have never imagined to come across one created by you!! Ok, enough!! But thank you!! 🙂 I can’t wait to start trying these recipes! And good luck, where ever life takes you!! Thank you for sharing your passion with us! Some of us aren’t as creative and we need this support to keep our kitchen lively!!
Wow! Came across this blog via Pintrest after stumbling upon your amazing Nutella cookies! Currently sat waiting for the dough to cool in the fridge and drooling at everything else on here! I love your recipes and your passion for cooking, an absolute gem.
Came for the Nutella stuffed cookies, and now it’s been an hour already. Your blog is lovely, photos and everything… Keep the passion up !
Hi Monique! Can I just tell you how proud I am of you? And… I can honestly say, "I knew her when…" Keep up your wonderfulness! 🙂
You're a star!
Found your blog through a friend this week and love your recipes! So happy to have found you! Keep up the amazing content!
Nice blog, ausome recepies!!!!! I will come back. but first I have to surprise my kids with the Nutella chocolate chip cookies!!!!
I absolutely love your blog, and everything about it, from the website design to the recipes, of course! I've made two cookies so far, and have requests from family members and co-workers to make more. And your site has reinvigorated my passion to bake!
Thank you Mandy!
GREAT blog!! Could you please tell what is the name/recipe for the great looking salad at the top of this page??
Hi Karen! That would be my Superfruit & Nut Arugula Salad!
Thank you so much! I gotta try it:) I lived in Minneapolis (St. Louis Park & Lake Minnetonka area) most of my life and relocated to SoCal (Huntington Beach and Channel Islands Harbor) about 17 years ago.
Merry Meet Monique, I am about to try your Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. They look heavenly, I will let you know. You are truly very blessed to be able to do what you love to do. My passion and or dream is to breed cats I just love kittens but there is just not enough income doing that to sustain me financially. But who knows new things and dreams come peoples way everyday maybe mine will to someday. For now got to get baking these cookies. Blessed Be
Hi Monique! I look forward to maneuvering around your site every day. For 21 years I've been a pastry chef with my own business and still look for new and scrumptious things to make. Thought I've made almost everything. Then you come up with something new! Like your avocado, vegan choc. cake! WOW. Can't wait to make it. Thank you for the passion you put in all you do.
I just made my weekly grocery shopping list by looking at recipes on your blog. I am obsessed with the food you make!
SO… As luck would have it a friend re-pinned one of my recipes last night(Pinterest was quick to let me know, haha). I, in turn, scoped out what she had pinned on her food board, which serendipitously led me to your site. I came to investigate a salad, you had me at nutella-stuffed and after this Taylor Swift comment: "Absolutely change the station and never purchase another one of her songs off iTunes again. Harsh Monday realities coming at you." I am yours forever more! Can't wait to try some new recipes this week, everything looks amazing!
Just found your blog today and I’m hooked. Can’t wait to try all of your delicious looking recipes! Check out my blog! Stayhungree.com
Looking for Quinoa recipes and came across your site. I made the Crunchy Cashew Thai Quinoa Salad today and it was delicious. The pictures draw you in and you want to make the recipe now. I plan to make the nutella cookies and the strawberry quinoa salad soon. Thanks for a great lunch!
Just found your blog today June 23rd and like what ive seen so far
Love your healthy and flavorful recipes! Thank you so much!
FYI… You have a typo in the last sentence of your "about": please send me an email me 🙂 I've recently discovered your site and I love it. Keep up the good work!
Monique – have you published a cook book? LOVE your recipes! thanks for sharing!
I found you through my girlfriend and my past 4-5 dinners and lunches have been from your website. I'm also so proud of myself when I make your recipes because they are very out of the norm and make me sound like an actual chef, not a 25 year old bachelor who learned to cook last year (my mother and grandmother, amazing cooks, have been getting recipes from me! – butternut squash and blackbean enchilladas). I love cooking, I LOVE your recipes and have spread the word through instagram and facebook, though my pictures never look as good as yours. Everything has been absolutely delicious, especially your goat cheese stuffed turkey meat balls and your black rice salad. I'm on here right now trying ot figure out lunch and dinner for the week! I'm also doing my best to stay away from those nutella cookies in fear of addiction.
Thanks and keep them coming! I don't want to run out and have to go find a subpar resource for recipes!
Hi Harrison! Thanks so much. 🙂
Just stumbled across your blog via a friend. LOVE IT. Can't wait to start trying these recipes out.
Random question – any remote chance you might be in Nashville, TN in the middle of October? We are looking for female bloggers to speak at the Nashville chapter of the Social Media Club. Like I say, totally random. Never hurts to ask.
Have an incredible 'last long weekend of the summer'!
Peace & good eats.
great blog! great pics & recipes! can’t wait to make the quinoa and cookies!
Monique, I’m here to tell you… you ROCK!! I have found so much inspiration in your recipes, can’t wait to try some more… But first, Confession Time: I got stuck on your dark chocolate chick pea blondies for about a month… I baked them 3 times in a row! When I wasn’t eating one, I was thinking about eating one, and when they weren’t waiting for me in the kitchen, I was thinking about when I was going to bake them next… does that mean I like food too much?? LOL But seriously, I love your blog and sense of humor, great recipes and beautiful photos… keep up the good work, sister!!
Your blog is one of my favorites!! I have already made so many of your recipes and they never disappoint. The Nutella stuffed cookies are life changing! So many more recipes to try!
I stopped by for the yummy protein pancakes but, am loving all the healthy recipes you have!! Love the pics and story!
I made the chickpea blondies the other day. I have to say, I am HOOKED! they are unbelievably amazing. thank you! 🙂
I just found your blog and would love to share some of your recipes with my Pampered Chef audience! Credit will of course go to you anytime I would share something. 🙂 I hope you had a good NYE and are enjoying Chicago while your here!
Hi Monique! I am a new fan of your block, would like to know whether you make lactose-free goodies too. THANKS !
I am not good with the blogging ,how can I follow you? Love reading your recipes. Thanks
Just found your blog via pinterest! as a fellow minneapolis blogger, it's so fun to find local blogs i love! 🙂 you write just how I think! haha! 🙂 thanks for sharing your amazing looking recipes! i'm off to try the crunchy cashew thai salad right now! -Leah http://www.treasureandheart.com
Great blog. Thanks for the wonderful recipes!
Monique, You are truly an inspiration to us all. Keep going!
Caitlin
Oh my! I am a Recipe Geek & already printed out 3 of your recipes (right after “googling” zucchini, cuz I had a random 1/2 cup frozen that I wanted out of my freezer!) I LOVE that you include nutrition facts, as I TRY to be faithful to my Weight Watchers program! Can’t wait to try many more of your recipes!!
I adore your photography! So happy I found your blog!
xo
Monique, I see that you’re a Ziplist partner. Now that Ziplist is discontinuing, you probably know that all Ziplist users need to transfer their saved recipes to another service, or they will lose them. I therefore hope that you will tell your visitors that Copy Me That will automatically transfer their Ziplist recipes into their Copy Me That recipe box. And Copy Me That is fully free 🙂
Copy Me That is recipe clipper, recipe box, shopping list, and meal planner, not to mention an awesome recipe community!
http://www.copymethat.com
I stumbled across your blog recently and I just adore it! Will definitely be a regular reader. I love *meeting* fellow Chicago bloggers. xo
Ahhh email me! I’m new to the city and would love to meet: ambitiouskitchen {at} gmail {dot} com
I just stumbled across your blog and absolutely love it! Great inspiration, delicious recipes and a very positive atmosphere, which I love even more. I will be definitely bookmarking your page and regularly coming back to gain extra inspiration for my blog! xx
I just stumbled across your blog and absolutely love it! Great inspiration, delicious recipes and a very positive atmosphere, which I love even more. I will be definitely bookmarking your page and regularly coming back to gain extra inspiration for my blog! – bodyofnaturenutrition.wordpress.com xx
Oh my gosh. A fellow Minnesotan, your name is also Monique, AND you’re teaching me how to cook? I’m obsessed. Thank you.
Found wour blog a while ago, follwed it and them ran out of time to look. Now I am back. I love your recipes and that I do not have to alter to make healthy. Nobody’s got time for that! I am at the gym daily and when I get home sometimes I am just exhausted to even make dinner. Poor husband. I got to get a move on to start losing more weight, and healthy eating will def help! I plan to keep following your blog and trying out your new recipes!
Gotta say I love !!!!!!!! Your blog have been following for a while now I have a family of 6 always hungry always cooking , your blog has changed the way we eat.
I would like to thankyou so much and will continue to be an avid follower!
Thankyou ! Helen in Canada
I am not sure how I found you but I am glad I did….so far am enjoying everything about it. I love your concept and i am sure you will be giving us some Latin salsa zest in the recipes. I will for sure surf your site and get some good old fashion recipes with a healthy twist!
Your recipes came up on facebook. I have a whole family that needs gluten free recipes. Thank you for your blog
I am actually quiet impressed – I’ve been following you for a while now and tried your vegan Quinoa Chili (best part the smoked Chipotle), your sweet potato breakfast burritos and the southwest pasta salad (only thing that did not turn out amazing) and really liked your recpies – especially for meal prepring for work! All the best and please continue what you do, Nele from Germany
Hi, I came across your site and am excited to start using it for your GF options. I made your coconut flour chocolate chip banana bread. It has a very moist consistency. Can you tell me if this is what I should expect from GF flour?
Hi Monique!! I came across your instagram page and then blog recently!! I am absolutely in love your style of writing, the layout of your blog and obviously the recipes! I made the GF chocolate chip cookies and my girlfriends and I LOVED them. This week I made the blueberry “sugar cookie” muffins as your husband called them and I totally agree haha! I plan to try out more recipes as I am very into health and fitness. I’ve also been wanting to start my own blog for a while now and your page is a great reference. I know your probably very busy but I would love to hear any advice you have to offer about beginning to blog 🙂 Thank you I will be visiting your page very soon!
HI!! I just found your blog through Instagram and I am officially OBSESSED! I am going to school right now to become a nutritionist and I plan on visiting your blog and using your recipes from here on out! Trying the banana protein muffins tonight 🙂
Love love love your site, you are GOALS!
It’s great that you can combine healthy eating but recognize that it’s ok to eat treats.
I hope to be able to one-day expand my blog from reviewing local restaurants to creating my own recipes. I’d love some feedback on my blog if you have a chance to look it over. Thanks!
http://www.spokaneeats.net
I was writing down your carrot cake banana bread with thick cinn cream cheese frosting and in the recipe it says to add the egg and egg white but in the ingredients it doesn’t mention the egg white. I need to know how much, thank you
A good many vaaulbles you’ve given me.
Always reseifhrng to hear a rational answer.