Rena Awada

rena is holding a sheet pan with cookies.

Rena Awada- Author & Founder, Healthy Fitness Meals

Hi! I’m Rena, the voice (and hands) behind Healthy Fitness Meals. Since 2012, I’ve been testing and sharing healthy recipes without being boring, family-friendly but still flavorful, and made with real, accessible ingredients. Having five kids means I rely on meals that are wholesome, flavorful, and simple enough to make on even the busiest nights.

My Journey: Why I Started Healthy Fitness Meals

I launched this blog years ago to help busy people like me who want to eat well, feel good, and enjoy food without more stress. Over the years, my mission has stayed the same: simplify healthy cooking and make it feel joyful. Whether I’m developing weeknight meals, holiday favorites, or meal-prep recipes, I’m always focused on balance and real flavor.

Experience and Media

  • Featured on BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Get Hype’d, INC., and ABC
  • Expertise: 12+ years of recipe testing, Social Media Content Creator, flavor experimenting, and writing.
  • Education: Bachelor’s in Biochemistry at the University of Michigan, Dearborn.
  • Location: I am currently living in the Metro Detroit Area in Michigan.
  • Frequent collaborator with wellness brands, and home-cook inspiration source for thousands of readers.
Rena is next to the bottles with juice.

Personal Tidbits

When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll likely find me chasing my kids, exploring new flavors on vacation, or curled up with a hot cup of tea. I believe cooking should be fun and not stressful, and that real food should bring people together.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Wholesome dinners your whole family will actually eat
  • Decadent (but balanced) desserts
  • Make-ahead and weeknight-friendly meals
  • Holiday sides, comfort food, and special treats

Fun Facts

  • I was born and raised in West Africa Sierra Leone. I moved to the states when I was 19.
  • There was a time in my life when I had 4 kids all under the age of 3, and they were all in diapers.
  • I used to be the first in my class for years back in Africa, and I always won the art/drawing competition.
  • I speak English, Arabic, and African (Krio) really well. I also used to speak French, but without practice for the past 20 years, being in the States, it’s quite rusty now.
  • My two favorite things to do are reading and travelling. Other than cooking, of course.
Rena is standing on a boat in Turkey.

My Favorite Lebanese and Mediterranean Dishes

The very first dishes my grandma taught me to cook were Lebanese and Mediterranean ones related to my culture. Growing up, I loved being in the kitchen helping her, and always so eager to learn. These are still some of my favorites today:

  • Chicken Kafta was my grandmother’s favorite dish, as well as my uncle’s, so she wanted to teach me how to cook it so that the recipe would stay alive in our family for generations.
  • Lentil soup has been a long-standing favorite in my family. Like my grandma, I always add some carrots to it. She said to throw them in for great eyesight; I like the sweetness they bring to the dish.
  • Beef Kafta, a Lebanese plate, always reminds me of when I used to pull up my chair and beg her to help roll them into logs or onto the skewers. It’s traditionally made with fresh parsley, but like my grandma, I make it without. (She always said including the herb was a recipe for heartburn.)

My Kids’ Favorite Recipes:

Let’s Connect

  • Visit my About Me page to read more about my story and what Healthy Fitness Meals is all about.
  • Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly recipes + kitchen tips
  • Follow along on social media: INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | PINTEREST | TWITTER