Our usual meals are a mix of traditional Russian and American cuisine. The chief meal of the day is dinner, which is when we all gather together as a family to share stories and bond over food.

For breakfast, I usually have oatmeal or cereal with a cup of coffee. I generally have lunch at work, where I either bring a homemade sandwich or go out to eat with coworkers.

On weekdays I eat at my desk at work, my parents usually eat at home, and my brother usually eats out with friends. I usually have a sandwich or salad for lunch.

At weekends we usually have a big brunch with pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fruit. We have dinner at home, and it consists of a variety of dishes such as grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, and mashed potatoes.

For festive dinners like Thanksgiving or Christmas, we cook a big turkey with all the trimmings, including mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Our special dish is my grandmother's borscht, a traditional Russian beet soup that is always a hit with the whole family. We love to make it together and enjoy it with a dollop of sour cream on top.