Hello! My name is Ava Altmann and I’m the face behind @happyhungryava!
Starting with backyard mud pies, cooking has been my creative outlet for as long as I can remember. The minute I got my Easy Bake oven on my sixth birthday, I knew that a life full of culinary exploration lay ahead. Graduating from prepackaged recipe kits, I began experimenting with tastes, textures, and wild food combinations. As my culinary techniques advanced and my knowledge of cuisine expanded, I learned the importance of food as a way to experience the heart of faraway lands. Food’s connection to cultural identity enhanced the way I appreciate international flavors. The first time I tried a cronut, for instance, I could recognize that it was more than just a sweet treat. Instead, it existed as a cultural fusion of the french croissant and the dutch donut, united under a glistening glaze of American sugar. My love of food has imbued me with an appetite for exploration.
In January of 2020, I decided to embark on a year-long journey of veganism. After spending a semester abroad in Tokyo, I needed to find a way to recover from months of single-use plastic and convenience store animal products. I figured I’d explore a more plant-based lifestyle because it was a way for me to lower my environmental impact, live more sustainably, and even be more experimental in the kitchen. This was a change that was way easier than I expected and I’m proud to know that I’m making a difference through every plant-based meal I make and share. I’ve also become more motivated to expand my efforts to live sustainably, so I shop at the farmers market, buy in bulk, use less plastic, and try to motivate others to recognize these easy adjustments they can make too. Together, small changes make a huge impact and I do what I can to shed a light on that.
If you have any questions or just want to say hi, feel free to reach out!
xoxo, Ava Altmann