Monique Volz Makes the Internet’s Most Viral Recipes—and She’s Sharing Her Secrets

I always feel a spark of magic whenever I go there Ambitious Kitchen. The homepage is a study in all things aesthetic, eye-catching, and utterly delicious. Of course, there are recipes full of flavor and color, but there’s also the variety and volume of inspiring recipes that Monique Volz develops (and tests, photographs, and thoughtfully writes about…). Having founded the healthy living and food blog over a decade ago, Monique claims a unique corner of the internet. It’s a corner that has evolved along with her growth as a blogger and business owner – and the vibrant, devoted community she’s built.

With every recipe, Monique makes it clear that what she makes isn’t just food – it’s a story. She seamlessly weaves narrative, ideas, and personal anecdotes into her recipes. Through her writing, we learn not only about Monique, but also about the ethos that runs through her brand. In her words, ambition isn’t just about getting the job done. It’s about being present to the achievement of the goal and honoring the journey that takes you to where you want to be.

Waking Up with Monique Volz of Ambitious Kitchen

Monique’s commitment to appearance not only affects her work, but also her daily life. As a busy mom of three boys (under the age of four), Monique manages motherhood and a small business with a healthy dose of modesty, acceptance, and real talk. Thinking about yourself morning routineShe jokes that she wishes she could share something more like the aspirational TikToks that saturate every FYP. But she embraces the chaos of AM, prioritizing those connection points with her beloved family of five.

Often, in true Ambitious Kitchen fashion, this means sitting down to a delicious, nutritious breakfast. “It’s important for me to set the tone for the day in a joyful way,” she tells us. From the way Monique describes her morning rituals and her work, it’s clear that she’s found a balance that serves her best in this season of life. By being conscious of filling her cup and aligning her day with exactly that, she’s been able to consistently pursue her passions, grow her business, and make time for the things that matter most.

We sat down with Monique to find out more about her morning routine. From her minimalist beauty routine (yes, we’d steal it) to her outfit formula and her rules for success, Monique has plenty of inspiration to share. Let’s dive in.

Psst… for even more delicious recipes (125 to be exact, including the Glowing Skin Vitamin A Smoothie, the Best Cinnamon Rolls You’ve Ever Eaten, Buffalo Chicken Chop Chop Salad, and more) pre-order here The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook, (Expected to be released in autumn 2024.)

Tell us about your career and starting a business. What has your life been like as an entrepreneur?

I started Ambitious Kitchen when I was 22 and three years later I was able to take it full-time, so this entrepreneurial journey has been the greatest part of my career. Being able to share my passion for food and health with others for the past 10 years has been a blessing.

It has also helped me recover from trauma, practice vulnerability, succeed, fail, and build myself back up again. It has taught me the importance of structure, time management, organization, and most of all, determination.

From the start, I was determined to build a blog, even though I didn’t yet know what the path would be. In my 20s, I worked hard, often spending nights out and sacrificing my social life to run my business and build it to where it is today. I’m so proud to be able to touch so many people’s lives through my recipes and storytelling. Whether that means inviting them into the kitchen to try a new technique or recipe, or bringing my readers together for a hearty, comforting and nutritious family meal.

What was your biggest learning last year?

Knowing my limits and taking breaks to be the best version of myself. Recognizing when I’m at my best and being willing to let go or change things when I know my time or mental health will suffer. As an entrepreneur, I always want to say yes to everything, but setting boundaries has been important, especially since I became a mom.

How would you describe your personal style?

Feminine, romantic, and a little fiery.

What is your daily outfit?

Black sweatshirt or shirt, Madewell jeans, thick black belt, cute vintage colored or patterned blazer or jacket, platform shoes or black boots! This is my favorite outfit.

What does a typical day look like for you?

It really depends. If I’m testing recipes, I’ll usually test them two days a week and make 5-6 dishes a day. They’re not always perfectly perfect, and I like to test most of my recipes 2-3 times before they go on the blog. When I’m not testing recipes, I’m writing and editing them, managing my staff, filming videos for our upcoming YouTube series, doing voiceovers or filming for reels, and doing a lot of administrative work. It’s crazy how much of my time is spent doing tasks I don’t like, but that’s part of being an entrepreneur!

What time do you wake up?

My kids wake me up most mornings, usually between 5:30 and 6 a.m. I probably get 6-7 hours of sleep a night. I definitely wish it was more!

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Lie down with your sons, talk to them about your day and yes, have a cup of coffee.

What’s your morning, pre-work routine like?

I wish this sounds like one of those incredibly inspiring morning routines you see on TikTok, but the truth is that mornings are pretty chaotic for us. We have three boys who are four years old and under, and getting them fed and dressed in the morning is hectic work. I typically wake up with my kids between 5:30-6 a.m. I brush my teeth and immediately go downstairs to empty the dishwasher and start making coffee. I drink coffee Califia Toasted Coconut Almond Milk (So ​​good!) Then I’ll make homemade pancakes, waffles, smoothies, muffins, or pull something out of the freezer if we’re in a hurry.

Spending time with my sons in the morning is very important to me, and I enjoy giving them something nutritious to eat before the day begins. When I was a little girl I was always in a hurry to get out of the house and my mother rarely made breakfast. Starting the day happily is important to me.

After breakfast, everyone gets dressed and then we leave for school at or around 8 a.m. by walking or scooter. A few days a week, I work out and strength train before I start my day. I would like to do more of this, but it seems like I’m in a very busy phase of life, and I’m accepting that this won’t last forever!

What rituals set you up for success?

I always make a list of what I need to do and then rank it in order of importance. It is difficult for me to complete all my tasks in any given day, but assigning importance to tasks helps me prioritize.

Describe your morning beauty routine from start to finish:

I use two products before I start my day. Dr. Dennis Gross Daily Peel Pads followed by Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine SPF mixed with organic rosehip seed oil. If I don’t have to go anywhere, I go fresh with no makeup on, which I think is important for clear skin! I do switch it up often though. I like to keep my skin very hydrated and glowing.

What will we always find in your refrigerator?

Siggi’s yogurt, Califia toasted coconut almond milk blend, Persian cucumbers, sambal oelek, gochujang, Honeycrisp apples, Siggi’s yogurt, cottage cheese, pickled jalapenos and lots of fresh fruit.

Do you exercise in the morning?

I used to work out almost every day, but now my focus has shifted from how often I work out to the quality of my movements. I do heavy strength training three days a week and the other days I move around outside as much as I can.

what do you eat for breakfast?

For breakfast, I usually like to enjoy baked oatmeal or a smoothie. I’ve been loving my food lately Blueberry Muffin Smoothie or mine Lemon Poppy Seed Blueberry Baked Oatmeal,

What is your favorite getting ready soundtrack?

any one of mine spotify playlistMost of the time, I like to keep it quiet.

What’s always on your nightstand?

My Hydroflask water bottle and a good hand or body lotion. (I like Essential Body Lotion,

I take an hour to focus on self-care and my own health, whatever I need to quench my thirst. To be honest, I love going for a long bike ride along the lake every morning or having coffee with a friend or my mom or going to a fun workout class.

What are one or two things you do every day to live a more joyful life?

I put my phone away when my presence is important, like at dinner or when I’m playing with my kids. I always feel happier and more present when I don’t have my phone with me. There’s no need to pull it out to capture moments – the moments just exist and I’m there to feel them!

If you could pin your success on one thing, what would it be?

Determination and ambition. Just wanting to be successful at what I do and figuring out what that looks like for me and how to do it. And never giving up.

Sentence finishers:

I never leave the house: SPF.

If there were more hours in the day I would: Practice more self-care.

The healthiest morning habit: Going for a walk within 1 to 2 hours of waking up.

Worst morning habit: Not drinking enough water and drinking too much coffee.

One thing I want to be known for is: Inspiring others to feel their best.

The one thing I fear most is: Losing someone I love.

When I feel this fear, I: Focus on the present.

I always recommend this book: The body keeps score,

To be successful in life one quality that you must have is: To be yourself and live your truth without shame.

Bath or shower? Which is your favorite bath product? Baths: love Epsom or Magnesium baths!