I’m Zoë Portaels, 20 years old, and the enthusiastic force behind the food blog Zoë’s Healthy Life. The blog was born out of my love for cooking and good food, combined with a passion for writing and photography. For me, cooking is a creative outlet, a moment of calm, and a wonderful way to experience the world. With a good dish, you can tell a story, create an atmosphere, and evoke emotions. Every ingredient has its own story to tell. The art lies in bringing that story to life as best as possible.

If you use high-quality ingredients and eat as much as possible straight from nature, you’ll always be able to put a tasty and healthy meal on the table. Nature provides us with everything we need, all with a rich and varied flavor profile.

I’m studying Culinary Arts, a mix of hospitality management and cooking like a pro. I’m really enjoying it. The flavor combinations of a Michelin-starred menu, the seven thousand different ways to bake a potato, and the technology behind grilling an eggplant—the world of food has so many wonderful stories to tell. I can only listen in awe and pour my passion for cooking, my experiences, and these stories into the recipes I share with you here.

When I’m not cooking, I play the violin, gaze at the stars, or daydream as I watch the sun glisten on the water of Bruges’ canals. I love being in nature and I love animals.  Going for walks with my beloved dogs, Vico and Zara, is one of my favorite hobbies. I also make time for yoga and Pilates on a regular basis.

Feel free to send me an email or a message on Instagram with photos if you've made one of my recipes. I always love seeing your creations.

I wish you all the best and hope you have a lot of fun cooking!

Best regards,
Zoë