About me
My name is Helena Dines, and I am the founder, creator, writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind GrandmaZeal, a vibrant lifestyle blog for the middle-aged and beyond!
Join me to explore:
- delicious recipes,
- exciting travel experiences
- valuable fitness advice, and
- compelling true stories.
Embrace life beyond midlife with me and find inspiration in every moment. Let’s embark on this incredible journey together!
More about my journey
I am a woman in my 60s who left Slovakia and started a new chapter in the UK in 2004. For the last few years, I have divided my time between Dubai, where my husband works, and the UK.
As a mother of three sons, grandmother of two, and a dedicated wife, I am always looking for ways to enrich my life. I find joy in gardening, coastal walks, hiking, skiing, cooking, baking, sewing, reading, and, of course, travelling.
I recently discovered a passion for photography. As an amateur photographer, I’m learning and improving my skills and developing my style. I’m eager to explore the art of photography and share my unique perspective with the world in my travel stories.
Where did it all start
I was just 21 when I got married, but I had no idea how to cook. I had to rely on recipes from my mum, friends, and cookbooks to learn the basics. But as time went on, I began experimenting with new ingredients and making cakes, pickles, and jam.
As my 40th birthday approached, I found myself feeling unhappy and unfulfilled. Despite my friends and family telling me that I was “too old” to make a change, I knew I needed to take a risk and pursue my dreams. And I’m so glad I did.
Moving to England has been one of the most life-changing decisions of my life. It has led me to meet my future husband and pursue my passion for fitness by studying to become a certified instructor. It taught me so much about nutrition and healthy eating habits. Through books like Tosca Reno’s Eat Clean Diet, I learned how to read food labels and shop for foods with natural ingredients, healthy fats, and low sugar content.
At the age of 50, I participated in a fitness competition. Thanks to good nutrition and regular exercise, I was in the best shape of my life. And there I was, on the main stage! However, I will share more details about this experience in one of my future stories.
About the food blog
In my early fifties, my weight increased despite leading an active lifestyle and maintaining relatively healthy eating habits. Determined to take charge of my health, I realized I needed to eat the right foods for my age. So, I extensively researched nutrition by reading numerous books and researching and experimenting with various diets. However, I wanted something that I could sustain as a lifestyle.
I love cooking and baking, especially for family and friends gatherings. I often save customized or traditional recipes on my laptop, and it was during this process that the idea of a food blog came to me.
RECIPES
Creating GrandmaZeal
Do you know what’s great about middle age? It’s the perfect time to explore new things, learn something new, and change old habits. You can be your best self and enjoy life to the fullest!
At first, I thought of creating a recipe blog, but I came up with many more ideas after learning about website and blog creation. Cooking is just one aspect of my personality; I love travel adventures and take thousands of pictures of everything I see. Moreover, I am a fitness instructor with over 15 years of experience teaching Pilates, Zumba, and body conditioning.
And as most of us are over 50, my life is full of stories I want to share.
That’s why I created GrandmaZeal, a friendly blog that celebrates life after midlife. This blog is a place where you can get inspired and empowered to embrace each day with zest and enthusiasm.
I believe that life truly begins at this stage! So, what do you say?
Join me on this journey, and let’s make the most of it together!
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