Hi, I’m Makena — the creator of 5 Ways to Use, a simple living and zero-waste cooking blog built around one belief: every ingredient, every object, and every season has more value than we realize.
I’m a recipe developer, writer, photographer and mother who loves turning everyday ingredients into nourishing meals, creative kitchen projects, and practical home solutions. My approach is rooted in simplicity, sustainability, and making the most of what you already have on deck.
I started 5waystouse.com as a way to share the recipes and practices that keep my home running smoothly:
• simple, flexible meals
• zero-waste kitchen tricks
• 5-ways recipes that help you stretch ingredients
• natural wellness and homemade staples
• holistic, slow-living ideas for everyday life
My background spans cooking, sustainability, UX design, food photography, and years of living and working abroad. I’ve cooked in tiny kitchens, farm stands, beach towns, mountain villages, and busy cities — always finding creative ways to make nourishing food with whatever was available. Motherhood deepened this approach even more. I wanted a life where my daughter could grow up close to nature, close to real food, and close to the simple habits that make a home feel grounding and peaceful.
5waystouse.com is more than just a guide to using what you have, wasting less, and finding beauty in the everyday.
5 Ways to Use 