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Let's live deliciously! Here you'll find the very best recipes, travel guides, podcasts, videos, and wellness tips to create a healthy, beautiful joyful life.

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Melissa’s Kitchen Masterlist

Obsessed

Here’s my must-have list of kitchen essentials. Gizmos + gadgets, appliances, pots and pans, cookware, knives, and tabletop faves. For decades I’ve collected all your questions! The ones I get on social media, in DMs, emails and texts, from the blog, when I meet you or in our Secret Facebook Group. So I’ve decided to […]

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Sunday Strategies For Success

Wellness

Most people think of Monday as the first day of the week. But if we look at the story of creation … day 1, aka ground zero for Him was Sunday. Just like a tree needs strong roots to rise up and grow, I need a rock solid game plan to ensure the week ahead […]

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Must-Pack Travel Essentials

Travel

I’ve spent a lot of time in the air and living out of suitcases. Nothing brings me more joy than visiting a foreign country and exploring new and exciting places and trying delicious food. But no matter where I go in the world…There are a few items you will always find in my luggage. Here’s […]

Effortless-entertaining-melissa-mayo
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Effortless Entertaining

Lifestyle

Over the years I have hosted small dinners and events that feed hundreds. I’ve cooked for Oscar winners, billionaires, Hollywood studios, friends and family. But no matter the size of the guest list, a successful party comes down to planning. I’m sharing the exact strategy I use every time I host. And I’m confident that […]

Top-travel-tips to-visit-italy-melissa-mayo
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Top Italy Travel Tips

Travel

“You may have the Universe if I can have Italy” – Giuseppe Verdi Italy is the most gorgeous country in the world to travel to. I guess that is why I decided I wanted to retire there. And over the past decade, I have crisscrossed this country eating my weight in pizza. And I still […]

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A Healthy Body Image

Wellness

I have often seen parents who have a poor relationship with food and body image, pass this onto their kids. This is not the relationship with food we want to create for our children.

You are probably familiar with apples and honey for a sweet Jewish New Year. Don’t forget to check out THE video showing you how to create an EPIC APPLE & HONEY TASTING STATION. But that’s not the only food symbol on the Rosh Hashanah table. Pomegranates are considered a new fruit- one that is back […]

This is one of those appetizers that is always a huge crowd pleaser…. The most tender, succulent, moist Chicken on the planet, and the grill give them the most incredible charred flavor. And don’t even get me started on the nutty dipping sauce. It’s basically equivalent to a drug. Simply sublime and totally addictive. You […]

This is just one of those random salads that came together based on what was in the fridge and what was in season. It’s winter at the moment so that means not a lot of tropical fruits on offer. The black cherries add a tart and sweet note to the salad and the apples, peppers, […]

This recipe is inspired by my friend Irene Matys (aka “@TheSpicyOlive”). She is originally from Cyprus and she has the most incredible recipes. You must check out her website. I filled the red peppers with wild rice mixed with fennel, onions, and garlic. I then cooked it on the barbecue until the skin was charred […]

I would have to say that one of the staple foods on rotation in my kitchen is roasted veggies. I make them in bulk every week. I love the way the natural sugars in the veggies come to the surface. The sweet potatoes taste more like a dessert or pie and they are such good […]

I am a huge fan of breakfast. I cannot miss it and most days my go-to is fruit, Greek yogurt, and granola. My gorgeous cousin Loren asked for a recipe for Passover so being me, I couldn’t just come up with one. I created two granolas and they are both so yummy that I cannot […]

I have a herb garden in my back yard and my fresh basil is grown in abundance. I love the smell of it. And there is nothing nicer than a fresh homemade pesto. It is so easy to make and so versatile to use. It’s great with pasta, fish, chicken, or steak or served as […]

Breakfast is hands down the most important meal of the day. I never miss it. It gets your metabolism going. And Papaya ( Paw Paw or Panino if you are from South Africa) is one of my favorite fruits to eat for brekkie. It’s loaded with antioxidants to detox and cleanse your system. I love […]

I know based on downloads how much you loved my Durban Chicken Curry, so I thought I would share one of my favorite curry recipes. A classic lamb curry my mom used to make. The best part about it is that it uses LOTS and LOTS of lamb bones. After all, the flavor of curry […]

  Potato kugel or pudding is a staple of Jewish holiday meals. It’s was my dad’s favorite served alongside my mom’s tzimmes. Jewish foods differ around the world, but every Jew knows potato kugel. It’s like a savory cake; you bake shredded potatoes with eggs and onions, and the inside comes out so creamy you […]

It’s kumquat season and because I LOVE LOVE LOVE coleslaw, you know I had to rock out one with these gorgeous, tart, and oh so delicious sour oranges. Just search my recipe archives and you will see how much I love coleslaws, but this one has a little bit of an Asian spin with soy, […]

This recipe is masterminded by my husband Saul. He is in charge of the grill and this is one of my favorite meals. I am a huge fan of lamb and using it to make the patty takes a simple burger to a whole new level. It’s bold and decadent and better than any burger […]

I'm Melissa, your host & tour guide.

A Food Network chef, author, mamma, eternal optimist, wannabe-mermaid, spice mixologist, and “dough therapist” (yep, it’s a thing)—

I'm also the founder of Susina Cucina, the gorgeous, Italian cooking school I manifested into my reality. I’m obsessed with Aperol spritzes, travel, and mouthwatering food… especially pizza and pasta.

more about me

Ciao Bella,

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The Magic of Italy
without the planning

Explore

Food Netwok Chef, Melissa is dishing up delicious food and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for your soul.

find out more →

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Healthy living is beautiful … That’s why it’s calledLa Dolce Vita”.

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I’m sharing my best recipes, travel guides, and Italian secrets for longevity & aging gracefully. Discover my tips and tricks to become a Rockstar chef, my current obsessions, and tools to embrace joy, find your purpose, and live deliciously!!

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