It is a great honor to be featured in Semberske Novine, one of the most respected newspapers in my hometown region of Semberija, Bosnia and Herzegovina. ( Vlada Vladić, promoter srpske priče u AMERICI – Imamo toliko toga da pružimo svijetu ) Although I have lived in the United States for more than thirty years, my roots remain deeply planted in the village of Međaši, where I learned the values that continue to shape every aspect of my work today.
The article reflects on my journey—from growing up in a traditional Serbian household to becoming an advocate for healthy living, traditional cooking, sustainable gardening, and family values in America. Everything I do today is inspired by the lessons I learned from my grandmother, my mother, my neighbors, and the remarkable women who taught me that love, responsibility, generosity, and hard work are the true ingredients of a meaningful life.
Through my nonprofit organization, Vlada’s Seeds of Life, and my television series Cooking with Vlada, I have dedicated my work to preserving traditions that many modern societies have begun to lose. My mission has always been much larger than cooking. Food is where families gather, where children learn values, and where culture is passed from one generation to the next.
One of the messages I shared in the interview is that the Serbian people have so much to offer the world. While many people abroad know little about Serbia and Republika Srpska beyond history or headlines, they are often amazed when they discover our beautiful countryside, our hospitality, our family traditions, our natural foods, and our deep connection to the land.
I believe these are gifts worth sharing.
America has given me incredible opportunities, but I have also witnessed the consequences of a fast-paced lifestyle that often places convenience above health and family. Rising childhood obesity, diabetes, and mental health challenges have reinforced my belief that the dinner table remains one of the most important classrooms in life. Around that table, children learn far more than what to eat—they learn kindness, gratitude, responsibility, conversation, and love.
America has given me incredible opportunities, but I have also witnessed the consequences of a fast-paced lifestyle that often places convenience above health and family. Rising childhood obesity, diabetes, and mental health challenges have reinforced my belief that the dinner table remains one of the most important classrooms in life. Around that table, children learn far more than what to eat—they learn kindness, gratitude, responsibility, conversation, and love.
This philosophy has become the foundation of my work.
On our property in Temecula, California, I grow fruits from both my homeland and around the world, raise chickens and bees, bake bread, prepare traditional Serbian meals, and encourage families to reconnect with nature and wholesome food. Through educational programs and community outreach, Vlada’s Seeds of Life also promotes home gardening and preserving heirloom seeds, helping families rediscover the value of growing their own food.
None of this would have been possible without the support of countless volunteers, friends, donors, and members of the various communities in America. Their encouragement has helped transform simple ideas into projects that now reach families across the country.
The greatest lesson I hope to pass on is simple: success is not measured only by what we accomplish for ourselves, but by how much good we create for others. When we share our knowledge, our traditions, and our kindness, we enrich not only our own communities but the world around us.
I am sincerely grateful to Semberske Novine for recognizing my work and for giving me the opportunity to share this story with readers back home. My hope is that it encourages others to embrace their heritage, believe in the value of their own experiences, and use their talents to make a positive difference wherever life takes them.
No matter where I live, Semberija will always be part of me, and I will continue to proudly share the beauty of our culture, traditions, and people with the world.
Vlada Vladic