About
Hi! I'm Melanie Lorick, a vegan recipe developer, sustainable living advocate, and content creator living in Atlanta, GA. I create original recipes and educational resources that help readers cook delicious vegan food while making the most of every ingredient.
My passion is exploring the intersection between what we eat, what we grow, how we live...and how we do so without sacrificing quality, sustainability, and inclusivity. So, rather than simply creating recipes, I also discuss the connections between food, gardening, sustainability, and how they influence our everyday lives.
These topics have shaped my perspective thanks to personal experience and years of research. My father's two cancer survivals, my award-winning graduate research on the Affordable Care Act, and influential books like Food Politics all reinforced the importance of questioning the systems that shape the way we eat and live.
Today, I use my background in communication, research, recipe development, and digital content strategy to create approachable vegan recipes and sustainability resources readers can trust.
Before pursuing Inspired Epicurean full time, I spent years leading digital content strategy in corporate eCommerce. That experience shaped how I research, test, and communicate recipes and sustainability topics in ways that are approachable and useful.
A little more about me:
- Vegan and native gardener for over four years
- Trained storm spotter with the National Weather Service
- Member of the Georgia Native Plant Society
- Passionate animal advocate
- Former radio DJ
- “Mom” of 2 rescue cats, Lando and Lucy
- Married to an incredible husband who has incredible patience and provides unwavering support
Recipe Philosophy
Every recipe published on this site is original and tested in my home kitchen. The principles I use to decide if it's ready:
- Is it something people will want to make more than once?
- Can it help readers reduce food waste or make better use of ingredients?
- Is it creative, yet easy for home cooks to replicate?
Many of my recipes also include practical ways to reduce food waste, repurpose leftover ingredients, or make more sustainable choices without adding complexity to everyday cooking.
Why Inspired Epicurean?
Inspired Epicurean began as a simple hobby to showcase delicious recipes and lifestyle ideas, but with an important focus: to challenge the norm. How? By showing that delicious food and quality, thoughtful lifestyle content doesn’t need to be expensive or exclusive. These choices can still be inspirational and luxurious…or, should I say, epicurean?
Over the years, the brand has evolved to more closely embrace veganism and sustainability, all while staying grounded in the mission that started it all: kind, environmentally-conscious choices are attainable, empowering, and beautiful.
What you'll find here
- Original vegan recipes with low-waste tips
- Sustainable lifestyle guidance that includes:
So, if you’re:
- vegan curious (or very experienced)
- interested in seasonal cooking
- want to stretch your food (and dollar)
- desire a beautiful lifestyle that aligns with your values
- curious to learn more about how the environment, food and lifestyle choices intersect in a judgment-free space
- interested in exploring the connection between what we grow, what we cook, and how we live
…then you’ve found your community!
Whether you're here for a vegan recipe, a seasonal gardening guide, or a practical way to waste less in the kitchen, I hope Inspired Epicurean helps you create a lifestyle that's both beautiful and sustainable.
As Featured in
Inspired Epicurean has been featured in the following publications:
