FAQ

Can I use your photos/recipes on my blog/website?

I’m always so honored when someone wants to share my recipes. Please use only one image and always include a link back to my website and the original post. If you want to use more than one photograph, please contact me at [email protected].

I followed your recipe, but it didn’t work for me.

I work very hard developing recipes and try to be as precise and as descriptive as I can, sharing all my tips and tricks with you in the recipe instructions. I promise that I don’t hide my “secret ingredients” or omit important steps. The purpose of this blog is to share recipes with every tiny detail, to the best of my ability so that it will work for YOU.
However, if you substitute ingredients, don’t use the same equipment, don’t follow the timing, you may have different results. I also don’t know your cooking experience. Some recipes are difficult for a novice cook.
Of course, I’m human and there might be typos or something might need to be clarified. “This didn’t work for me. Do you know why?” doesn’t really give me any insight into what might have happened, so please be clear. I would love to help you figure out why something didn’t work out, so please leave a detailed question in the comment section and I will do my very best answer you as soon as I can.

Can I substitute another ingredient for the one you have in your recipe?

If you substitute an ingredient, I can’t guarantee that it will work. If I’ve tried using different ingredients in the same recipe, I will usually mention it in the recipe. For example, if I’m using beef in a recipe, but I’ve tried chicken and had great results, I will write it in the recipe.
I’m the only one working on these recipes, so it’s hard for me to test numerous options. Have fun, experiment! Don’t stress out too much about it. You don’t need my permission to use blueberries instead of raspberries. Cooking is all about coming up with different combinations and adjusting things to your taste preference. I would love to hear the variations that you come up with.

Which skillet/saucepan/baking utensils do you like/recommend?

I have written several posts where I talk about certain kitchen appliances, cookware, bakeware and tools that I really like. You can find them here – Favorite Kitchen Tools, or visit my Amazon Shop for all my recommended products, all of which I either own or have used often. I only recommend the products that I love and use myself.

I saw pictures and posts of other children. Who were they and where are they now?

My husband and I were foster parents for about a year. None of the children that were with our family were available for adoption, so they are no longer with us. I can’t share any details about the children. You can read more about our experience in these posts:

I want to start a blog. Can you give me some advice?

Congratulations! Blogging is so rewarding , but it can be intimidating to start. Here’s a post that I wrote sharing my experience. Starting a Blog

What camera do you use?

Who takes the pictures and videos on your blog?

I take most of the pictures on my blog during the week or my husband will take them on the weekends. My husband also takes all the videos. We work as a team:).

 I have a personal question or am too shy to comment. Can I write you a personal email?

Absolutely! I love reading messages from you guys. The best way to contact me is through email.
My email is [email protected].
Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post. This simply means sometimes I recommend a product or service and if you choose to purchase that product or service from my recommendation, I will get a small referral commission. Of course, this is at no extra cost to you but it does help to pay a tiny bit for the work I put in to creating recipes and sharing tips with you. I really appreciate your support. Thank you. The main intent of this post is to simply share my experience with you, so if you happen to find a great deal on a product I recommend at a garage sale, anywhere else online, or at a store, by all means, take advantage of it:). I won’t be mad, I promise. 

15 Comments

  • Jane Shahi

    Olga:
    Before the year is out, I wanted to let you know how enchanted I’ve been to find your site. I swear you stepped right out of a Russian fairy tale. You are adorable, your family is adorable and your blog is adorable.
    It gladdens my heart to see such a beautiful strong Christian woman being a source of guidance and inspiration for everyone around her. There is still hope for this world after all.
    God bless you and yours in the coming year and I hope that all your dreams come true.

      • Достоевский любовник

        So, you are Russian. Good. it means it’s authentic. “Good strong, Christian woman.” I don’t quote that in a condescending way, but simply to quote. I hope it’s not prying, but curious, Russian Orthodox? I don’t ask for any reasons of prejudice. In any case, glad I know these are authentic recipes and not the trash Americans made up to pretend they’re Russian…like they’ve done with Mexican food, etc. Ah, the old cafeteria butchering of Beef beef Stroganoff. May whoever that be anathema. They’d call a Vladimir a Vlad and a Nikolai a Niko…only in America. Thanks to you we learn Vova and Kolya.

  • Sveta R

    Hi Olga! I tried to private message you but there is no option for that.. During one of your videos (which I’m having a hard time finding it) you mentioned that you buy big container of dried mushrooms on Amazon (I think it was Amazon) for reasonable price. Can you please give me the link to where do you buy them? Thank you!!

  • Kelly

    Olga – I know from your writing that you enjoy “For King and Country”. They released a new video over the weekend – a 45 min special called: Together – a night of hope. I thought you might enjoy it.

    I enjoy your blog and recipes and hope you/your family are safe and healthy.

  • Amy

    I found your blog and have been using your recipes. I really enjoy them! I was wondering if you are you planning to offer another class? I would love to take it.

    Also- you should totally make a cookbook! <3

    • olgak7

      Hi Amy!
      Welcome:). So happy to have you here. Thank you for taking the time to write. It makes me so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the recipes.
      Yes, I’ll be offering the course again very soon, probably the end of August, so stay tuned for that.
      I would love to have a cookbook too. It’s been a dream of mine for years. It’s a lot of work, but I am actually working on it and am so excited about it. It will still be awhile, but eventually I’ll have that too.

  • Bonnie

    Love your blog! Just a curiosity question: Were you ever connected with Czechoslovakia? I thought I read something that said you were either born there or ??, but now I don’t see it. I’m half Slovak; so my ears always perk up if someone else might be from there. There was also some Russian influence in our house as I grew up since those countries are so close together.

    Anyway, thanks for your blog; and I look forward to trying your recipes!

    • olgak7

      Hi Bonnie,
      I was born in the country of Belarus, which is not too far from Czechoslovakia:). So lovely to meet you. Thank you for taking the time to write.

  • Lyudmila Mcgann

    Hello Olga, your website is great. It is full of healthy and well loved recipes. I noticed you have two boys. A lot of children are picky eaters. I wonder if you thought about starting the kids recipes section or health kids lunches and snacks for school. Considering your medical background and expertise in food I ‘ll bet it would be well appreciated by your audience. Thank you very much for all your work and positive energy.

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