Meet Maiah Albi - our 2010 Thanksgiving recipe competition winner

"I grew up in Eugene, Oregon, and my parents always stressed the importance of good nutrition. My family had a garden full of fresh produce, and my interest in baking stemmed from helping my mom in the kitchen prepare all sorts of fresh dishes full of produce from our garden. My twin sister and I found pleasure in picking ripe zucchini from the garden to bake into various breads and muffins, even cake. We feel blessed to have always enjoyed fresh food, either from our garden, or organic grocery stores and farmer's markets in Eugene.

"I went to the University of Oregon, then ventured out to Corpus Christi, Texas, to live with my twin while she finished primary flight school (she's a pilot in the Navy). While I lived with her this past year and wrote and published my first novel, a fiction story about twin sisters at the United States Naval Academy titled In My Sister's Company, I again embraced my love of baking. I'm interested particularly in healthy recipes, that taste good and are nutritious. I almost always incorporate fruit into my recipes to replace butter or oil, and after some initial disasters, I was able to find the perfect ratio to maintain moistness and keep my baking light and naturally sweet. I have also been fortunate enough to have several neighbors and friends that are more than happy to taste-test my creations. I find delight in preparing vegan dishes that don't sacrifice flavor for health, and I have always had the dream of one day opening my own bakery, with an emphasis on vegan and gluten-free baked goods.

"Most likely because of my roots, I'm very interested in health and nutrition, and enjoy sharing my love of healthy baking with my friends, family and coworkers. I like to take fresh ingredients, and work them into my creations. My vegan sweet potato spelt muffins were a result of having sweet potatoes and ripe pears on hand, and quite honestly, craving a filling breakfast after an invigorating yoga class. I enjoy running, yoga, surfing, and spending time with my twin and our energetic standard poodle, Kumo. Later this month, I'm moving back to Oregon to continue my writing, and certainly baking, and I can't wait to find out what adventures lie ahead.

Click here for Maiah’s winning "Sweet Potato Spelt Muffins" recipe.

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