Making Mealtime Simple, One Recipe at a Time
Hi, I’m Mark Ellis, I’m 43, and I’m here to make your kitchen feel less like a battleground and more like a place of calm, creativity, and confidence—even if you’ve got screaming toddlers, limited time, or zero idea what to make for dinner.
I created Brunch Is A Crunch with a single goal: to help busy moms and total beginners cook with less stress and more joy. You won’t find fussy, over-complicated techniques here. I believe in simple, straightforward, flavorful food that feels like a win—even on the busiest days.
I’m not a trained chef. I’m a dad, a home cook, and a big believer in the power of step-by-step clarity. My own cooking journey started out of necessity (read: chaos) and slowly grew into a passion. What you see on this site isn’t about perfection—it’s about real food for real people. Food that fits into life, not the other way around.
Why I Do This
I get it—life is full. There are work calls, soccer games, homework, exhaustion, picky eaters, and days when dinner is the last thing you want to think about. I’ve been there. I’ve lived that story.
My turning point? One Wednesday night years ago. My twins were screaming, my fridge had three random ingredients, and I still hadn’t figured out dinner. In a moment of desperation, I threw together something so simple I felt guilty calling it a recipe—but my family loved it. That was the lightbulb moment: simple is not just okay—it’s powerful.
From that night on, I started writing down recipes that actually worked. Meals that were fast, balanced, and didn’t require a culinary degree or a shopping cart full of specialty items. That’s where the heartbeat of Brunch Is A Crunch comes from—simplicity that works.
What You’ll Find Here
On this site, you’ll discover step-by-step guides, minimal ingredient meals, and creative food ideas that are easy enough for a beginner and flexible enough for a pro.
Everything I share fits into one or more of these categories:
- Simple but satisfying recipes that come together in 30 minutes or less
- Beginner-friendly cooking guides with no fluff or jargon
- High-protein brunches and dinners that multitask like you do
- One-pan and sheet pan meals with minimal cleanup
- Meal prep hacks and shortcut tips that keep you sane
- Comfort food with a light touch—yes, we’re doing mac and cheese, but better
Whether you’re a mom with a million things on your plate, or a guy cooking for himself for the first time, you’ll find something here to make cooking feel doable—and even enjoyable.
My Cooking Style
Let’s talk about what you won’t find here first:
- No complicated tools you’ll use once
- No ingredient lists a mile long
- No chef-y lingo
- No perfect Pinterest platings
My food philosophy is simple:
- Less is more.
- Flavor doesn’t have to be complicated.
- Confidence comes from knowing the basics—and bending the rules when you need to.
I keep my cooking style minimalist and real. I don’t believe in food shaming or perfection. Burned your chicken? That’s okay—next time you’ll nail it. Hate chopping? Use frozen. Cooking for toddlers? I’ve got kid-approved options that won’t make you cook two separate meals.
This is a place for normal people trying to feed themselves and their families without going crazy. And I’m right there with you.
Who This Blog Is For
If you’re a…
- Busy mom who wants to get dinner on the table without a meltdown (yours or theirs)
- Beginner cook who’s tired of Googling “how to boil eggs” and still feeling lost
- Home chef who loves food but doesn’t want to spend hours in the kitchen
- Parent feeding picky kids and needing new ideas
- Person cooking for one and looking for fast, healthy recipes
- Working professional who needs meals that work on a schedule
…then this blog is for you.
I write with you in mind—no judgment, no overwhelm, just solutions that work.
My Mission
At the core of everything I do is this belief:
“Mealtime should feel like a pause, not a problem.”
That’s my mission—to give you recipes and guides that help you enjoy cooking instead of dreading it. Food is meant to nourish you, not stress you out. And if I can help make your evenings feel even 10% easier, then I’ve done my job.
I want to be that helpful voice that says, “Hey, try this. It’s easy. It works. You’ve got this.”
Let’s Make It Fun Again
Cooking should feel a little fun—even if it’s just throwing things on a tray and hitting “bake.” I keep things light, warm, and approachable here because you don’t need another person telling you what you’re doing wrong. You need someone cheering you on with an oven mitt in one hand and a half-sliced lemon in the other.
And that’s me. Your kitchen wingman.
What’s Next?
If you’re new here, I recommend starting with some of my most popular beginner recipes, like:
- Baked Salmon with Asparagus
- High-Protein Brunch Bowls
- One-Pan Chicken and Veggies
- Dairy-Free Mac & Cheese for Real Life
Or head to the Recipes section to browse by type, mood, or dietary need.
And if you ever have a question—or just want to share what you cooked—I’d love to hear from you. Use the contact form or email me directly at:
📬 mark@brunchisacrunch.com