About Us

 Welcome to Good Food Real Life—a space dedicated to proving you don't need boring, flavorless food to live a healthy lifestyle.

I’m Joanna, a writer, strategist, and storyteller passionate about making real food and whole foods accessible to all.

This blog exists to share my vision of global, healthy, whole foods recipes with my readers.

Thank you for being here. You can reach me at jltefend@gmail.com

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Welcome to Good Food, Real Life: Delicious, Practical Recipes for Real Life (Mess and All)

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  Visit our storefront for downloadable guides, consultations, or to leave a tip. Welcome to Good Food, Real Life: Where Flavor Meets Real Life Health Who I Am Welcome to Good Food, Real Life, a food blog created for anyone who’s ever stood in their kitchen, feeling the tension between wanting to eat well and needing to eat practically. I’m Joanna, and I know that tension intimately—not just as a home cook, but as someone living with chronic illness, including lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, spondylitic arthritis, and inflammatory-onset diabetes. My health means I have to pay attention to inflammation, blood sugar spikes, nutrient density, and energy conservation every single day. But I also refuse to eat sad, lifeless food. That’s the heart of this blog—finding that sweet spot where health-conscious meets deeply satisfying. My Culinary Background Before health challenges changed my life, I built my career in professional kitchens. I studied at The Art Institute’s Culinary Arts Pr...
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Lemony Tahini Pasta with Roasted Cauliflower

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Creamy, bold, and weeknight-ready — this one-pan pasta dinner brings serious flavor without the fuss. Looking for a comforting, flavor-packed meal that works with specialized diets? This lemony tahini pasta hits every note: tangy, savory, nutty, and full of texture thanks to roasted cauliflower. Naturally dairy-free, easily made gluten-free, and ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a sensory-rich dish that works whether you’re feeding a table or just yourself. Why You’ll Love This Recipe Plant-based and protein-flexible (works with beans, chicken, or as-is) Creamy without dairy Lemony and bright , not heavy Make-ahead friendly — the tahini sauce keeps beautifully Ingredients For the Pasta: 8 oz pasta of choice (regular, gluten-free, or legume-based) 1 large head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional) For the Lemony Tahini Sauce: 1/3 cup tahini 1 clove garlic, grate...
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Sesame-Crusted Tofu

If tofu’s ever seemed bland or boring, this recipe will change your mind. With a crisp, golden sesame crust and a tender interior, it’s an irresistible plant-based protein that stands tall beside bold side dishes like Brown Butter Miso Brussels. Fast, satisfying, and full of texture, it’s a staple worth learning. Ingredients: 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free) 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp rice vinegar 1 tsp maple syrup or honey ¼ cup sesame seeds (mix black + white for color contrast) 2 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot powder Neutral oil for frying (avocado or canola) Instructions: Prep the tofu. Slice pressed tofu into planks or triangles—your choice. Pat dry. Marinate. In a shallow dish, mix soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and maple. Add tofu and let sit for 15–30 minutes, flipping once. Make the crust. On a plate, mix sesame seeds and cornstarch. Coat. Dredge marinated tofu in sesame-cornstarch mixtur...
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