I’ve dreamed of writing this post before I even knew exactly what that meant.
You as my loyal readers already know about last year’s decision to quit my job in finance. Most of us spend more time at work than with our families and friends. It takes up most of our waking hours and whether we like it or not, it’s part of us. I took my job home with me (even when I wasn’t officially working, I was worrying about it, complaining about it, and even laughing about it… when that was the only thing to do to stay sane). After quitting, this huge part of my identity was gone. I felt happy but also a little lost.
Although it seemed like eternity at the time, luckily it only took me a month to figure out that my Cooking Matters classes were the highlight of every week. And not only did I love to be a part of my students’ healthier future, I also realized that after years of healthy cooking for myself and my family and friends, I was actually damn good at it. I realized how many tips and tricks I had up my sleeve. How so many of us struggle with the same exact things in our attempts to eat healthier, and that through first hand experience – I figured out solutions to these things!
So I decided to make a career out of helping people eat healthier through hands-on cooking classes! And that’s how Satisfied Cravings was born!!
It’s pretty much impossible to put into words how excited I am to finally launch my little business! I’ll be doing private (or semi-private) express lessons out of my Back Bay condo. I hope that business people in the area (like I used to be!) and stay-at-home moms will want to make the most of their lunch breaks and make healthy lunch + dinner with me. We’ll key in on their current healthy eating challenges and make meals that will be customized specifically to meet their needs and taste preferences. I would have loved such an escape from the office back in the day and more time for rest or fun at night! I’ll also be hosting cooking parties at clients’ houses during which we can work on specific skills or just make fun dishes in a more social setting.
I can’t wait!!
Thank you all of your support on Healthy and Sane. Without this blog, I am not sure if I would have developed this passion for healthy cooking. And a special thank you to my sister, Adam and all the friends that read numerous drafts of the website and provided valuable feedback. By the way, I will continue blogging here – no worries!
I hope you guys have a chance to check out the Satisfied Cravings website. I’d love to have you in my class some day and would really appreciate it if you could pass on the link to anyone you think might be interested in my services. Thanks in advance – I need all the help spreading the word I can get!! 
This is the scariest and bravest thing I’ve ever done. Bring it! 
I am so proud of you and happy for you!
Congratulations! This is a huge step, and it sounds like you are already a million times happier than you were before. I know people will appreciate all the tips about healthy eating you’ll be able to offer and the delicious things they’ll learn to make. Best of luck! Off to check out your new site.
That is such a great idea! I would love to start my own business someday, but the logistics of it is terrifying to me. I think having the guts to do it is the hardest part!
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you! Best of luck on your new venture!
Yay!! Congrats
so glad you had the cooking matters opportunity to grow your idea into satisfied cravings– can’t wait to see how it grows 
This is a great idea! Good luck! So exciting!
Kudos! SO, SO, SO proud of you!
Congratulations, Elina! I’m so proud of you! *hug*
I am so, so, so proud of you Elina. All that hard work paid off, and I know you are going to be a huge success, and already are. I’m a firm believer that if you stick to your #1 passion and skill-set, this will take you far. What an amazing idea… Boston is going to love you, and that’s an understatement!
P.S. Email me at rachel@myzestyliving.com I have an exciting opportunity for us that I want to run by you ; )
That is so awesome, I admire your courage! I wish you the best of luck!!
Good luck! I’m very happy for (and proud of) you!
You already know how proud and excited I am for you, but I’ll say it again just in case. Way to go, Elina! (And thanks for inspiring and supporting me too!)
YAY! Congratulations!
Wow, congrats!! What a great business idea – one that sounds like a TON of fun. I hope this next phase is everything you wanted it to be and more!
Wow, congratulations! That’s so incredible and brave of you – and really exciting. It’s a great, and creative concept, and your website looks really nice. I’ll definitely spread the word. Best of luck!
Here’s the post I’ve been waiting for! Congratulations, Elina… I know you’ve been working hard on this new business venture and you deserve to be happy with your profession =). Your ideas are fantastic and I think that people will flock to your kitchen to whip up delicious & healthy food! Best of luck with everything.
I wish I was in Boston so I could come to one of your classes! CONGRATS!!!
So sweet. Hope you get to visit some day
Congrats on the new venture!!! Sounds like a great idea!! Good Luck with everything
congrats! off to check SC out
Congratulations, Elina! Best of luck on this new adventure! I love the name Satisfied Cravings.
Congrats on the new chapter in your life! How exciting.
Thank you all – you are amazing!!
congratulations, that is awesome! so excited for you!
Wow, that’s great. I’ve been looking forward to finding out about the business you’ve been carefully working towards in the past few months. Can you believe how quickly you were able to turn your passion into reality?! I really admire your courage and know it will pay off. Best of luck and I can’t wait to read about how things are going in the coming months.
Way to go Girl! Good Luck! What a fun idea for a business. : )
Congrats–That’s awesome! Your new site looks fabulous.
Congrats! I can not wait to hear more, and I wish you all the best. This is perfect for you!
This business concept is so great, I wish I had something available to me nearby because I would totally sign up. How great it would be to take time off from work and cook healthy meals during your lunch break? I would have so much fun.
Good luck on your business venture, I wish you well.
Amazing! Congratulations!! I’m excited to finally hear what your new business was all about… I envy your courage and enthusiasm in exploring your passion, and turning it into a business. That’s not an easy thing to do! I only hope I can follow that path in my own life some day! Excited to hear how it turns out for you.
Congrats on working on your dreams! Such an awesome achievement.
Again – thanks so much. Every comment is making me so happy
Congrats Elina!!! Your lunch break idea is such a great one and I love the name Satisfied Cravings! What an exciting achievement – I can’t wait to watch your success and business grow
Congrats! I’m sure there is a lot more hard work to come but in the meantime it sounds like you’ve set yourself up for success.
Yeah! So excited for you! I live out in Portland, OR and I will be opening up my own food cart business come this summer. Cannot wait! Wishing you much success!
So cool!! Congrats to you too
How exciting! I wish I was that brave – this would be my dream job.
Many many congratulations to you! I know how exciting and scary it was. Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
[...] It’s finally here–introducing Satisfied Cravings! [...]
That is amazing news–congratulations! I’m taking baby steps towards a career in food too and I really admire that you had the courage to leave the security of your job in finance to do something you truly love. The world would be a better place if we all believe in ourselves enough to pursue our dreams! Good luck with your business!