Conversations with the Inspiring Renee Fuentes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Renee Fuentes.

Renee, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a 34-year-old mom to a 5-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl. I’ve been an Arizonian for 8 years now and have primarily lived in the East Valley. I love all the development and growth happening in Phoenix and the East Valley. The food scene here is amazing and I couldn’t be happier that the city is shifting to more local joints.

I’ve always had a passion for cooking and learned from my Mother, who is from Thailand. After marrying my husband, I learned recipes from my mother in law, who is from Guadalajara, Mexico. In April of 2016, I decided to start a food blog, Thai Caliente and share my passion for cooking delicious Thai and Mexican food. My blog is my creative outlet, and when I’m not in the kitchen, I enjoy exploring the city and trying new restaurants. My husband and I have a list of restaurants we want to try, and once a week we make our way down the list. We’re always adding places, so I have a feeling we’ll never run out of spots to visit!

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Taking the first step to start my blog was the hardest part. I worried so much about the little details, that it prevented me from taking the risk. Finally, I realized that this is what I wanted and if I didn’t start, then I would never know the outcome. I published my first post and kind of left at that. Then I decided I would do a couple more posts and make an announcement to my family and friends. I received such positive support and feedback, that it gave me the motivation to keep going!

When I started blogging, I was using my cell phone to take pictures, editing on free programs, and using a free WordPress template. This worked and it allowed me to get my blog going without any upfront costs. Of course there were and still, are learning curves and challenges along the way. Anytime, I felt that I was gaining momentum, I would hit a bump in the road. But just as you do in life, you pick yourself back up and keep on pushing forward.

As a woman, and as a mom, I feel we are our biggest critic and can be harsh on ourselves. The social pressure for women to ‘Have it all’, is real and it can be one of the hardest things to come to terms with. I’ve quickly learned that there is no such thing as having it all. Instead, focus on what brings you joy and fulfillment in life. These are the things that fuel your passion and keep you motivated. It’s not easy to realize this, but once you do, you’ll have clarity and pave a path for your success.

what should we know about Thai Caliente? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My food blog focuses on Thai and Mexican recipes and sometimes a combination of both. While the cultures are different, I love the similarities in herbs, spices, and flavors of the Thai and Mexican cuisine. I know it’s challenging to find time at the end of the day to make a home-cooked meal and this is why I try to keep my recipes easy and quick to make. There are some traditional recipes that I post that do require some planning and prepping involved, but I say save those for the weekend or when you have time to enjoy and cook a slow meal while sipping on a glass of wine.

When I’m not cooking in the kitchen, I love showcasing local Phoenix area restaurants and places on my Instagram. I try to cook balanced meals at home, but splurge a little when going out. My philosophy is a mixture between a balanced lifestyle and You only live once!

For good reason, society often focuses more on the problems rather than the opportunities that exist, because the problems need to be solved. However, we’d probably also benefit from looking for and recognizing the opportunities that women are better positioned to capitalize on. Have you discovered such opportunities?
I feel there are some amazing opportunities for women, especially for women based companies and workshops that cater only to women. Women make up the bigger consumer and as a blogger and influencer, I get to target my reach and message to these women. I can relate to the challenges that mom’s face to provide a nutritious meal for their family. and that’s why I hope to inspire and provide guidance for recipes to make this task easy and enjoyable.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.thaicaliente.com/
• Email: thaicaliente@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thaicaliente/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThaiCaliente/
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/thaicaliente/

Image Credit:
ThaiCaliente

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