Hi, I'm Erin! 👋
I'm Erin Antoniak, the recipe developer and food creator behind Erin Lives Whole. Since 2017, I've been sharing easy healthy recipes and better-for-you treats made with real, wholesome ingredients that still taste like the real thing.
Here you'll find high protein dinners ready in 30 minutes, gluten-free and dairy-free recipes the whole family will love, and SO many healthy desserts. Everything is made for real life with a busy family, because that's exactly what I'm cooking for too!
2017
Started Erin Lives Whole
2018
Went full time
500K+
Home cooks on Instagram
800+
Posts and recipes
My Story
I grew up in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and studied communications at Temple University, graduating in 2016. I started my career in public relations and later worked at a software company, cooking, baking, and writing recipes every chance I got on the side.
In May 2018, I quit my corporate job to do Erin Lives Whole full time. I gave myself one year to make it work, with my PR degree as the backup plan. Today this blog is my full-time job, and our community has grown to more than half a million people on Instagram. It still feels a little wild to me!
My relationship with food wasn't always a healthy one. In my late teens and early twenties, I had an unhealthy obsession with exercise and food restriction that led to major health issues, and I'm recovered from an eating disorder. Healing is what made me fall in love with cooking real, whole food, and it's why I believe all foods fit. I share my story openly because I know how much it helps to hear from someone who has been there.
How I Develop My Recipes
Every recipe on this site is developed and tested in my own kitchen in Philadelphia. These are the things I care about most:
- Real, wholesome ingredients. No diet products, meal replacements, or "detox" anything. Just good food made with ingredients you can find at your regular grocery store.
- Flavor first. A healthy recipe still needs to be something I'm excited to eat.
- Realistic for busy weeknights. Lots of 30 minute meals, one pan dinners, and meal prep recipes that work for a family.
- Recipes for how you eat. Hundreds of gluten-free, dairy-free, and high protein recipes to choose from.
- Balance over perfection. Dessert is non-negotiable in our house, so you'll find plenty of healthy desserts made with better-for-you ingredients.
Reader Favorites
New here? These are the recipes readers make again and again. Start with one of these!
As Featured In
- The Philadelphia Inquirer: Feature on Philly-area recipe creators (August 2025)
- Thrive Market: Easy recipes for date night at home
Life Outside the Kitchen
I live in Philadelphia with my husband Tom, our son Rhys, and our golden retriever Coconut. When I'm not in the kitchen, you'll find me on long walks with Rhys and Coconut, grabbing a coffee, or cheering on the Phillies.
I share a lot of our everyday life on Instagram too, so come say hi!
Let's Stay in Touch
Get my newest recipes and weekly meal plans sent straight to your inbox. They're built for busy weeks and they're totally free!
Brands, I'd love to work with you! Check out my Work With Me page. You can also find me on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, and Facebook.