by Kristen on August 31, 2010
I have been blogging for almost four years now, and while I am no expert at all to food blogging, I have seen a lot of things as the food blogging niche has completely exploded into something beyond belief. When I first started blogging, there was a small, intimate handful of us. Now, there are more food blogs than any one person can keep track of… it has gotten quite insane!
What I have noticed over the years, however, is there seems to be two different groups of bloggers. Neither “type” of blogger is good or bad… there are just two totally different philosophies on how they will build their blog.
One type of blogger is the blogger who is all about growth and development of their blog. It is all business and getting to the top of the mountain with ultimate success and financial reward as their main motivation. They are not in it to build friendships. They are not in it to assist others. They are in it for themselves and to become a brand name in food blogging. They believe the information they have is proprietary and they don’t really want to share their blogging tips, photography tips, etc. because it might help to make someone more successful than them. Twitter and other social media outlets are used as a marketing tool versus a chance to engage with others. This isn’t saying that they aren’t nice and kind… there are many bloggers who fall into this category who are some of the nicest people in the world. Their motivation when it comes to blogging is just purely business.
The other type of blogger is the one who thrives on building a community of people to help and support each other with their blogging efforts. They rally around each other, celebrate successes, promote each others blog posts, and do not see the other bloggers as competition. They look at working mostly with PR companies and brands that want long term, mutual relationship. Their first thought isn’t “what’s in it for me” but instead “what’s in it for us”? Sure, it may take them longer to make it to the top of the mountain, but more than likely they won’t be standing there alone…they’ll have a support network of people they’ve built relationships with standing around them cheering them on.
One of my personal goals with blogging is to help as many people as possible find their way along their own, authentic blogging path. This is one of the reasons why I started Adopt a Blogger a little over three years ago. I wanted people to have a person they could trust and count on to provide that sense of community in this big blogging world. Adopt a Blogger will be launching again this month with a new website and a new format! I hope, if you are new or experienced, you’ll join me in building up our blogging community.
I am also excited to announce that I will be speaking about the value of building a blogging community at the BlogHer Food 2010 Conference in San Francisco. I’ll be on a panel with some bloggers that I truly admire: Elise from Simply Recipes, Ree from The Pioneer Woman and Alaina Browne of Serious Eats (I know… pinch me now. I am so lucky to be paired with such a great group of talented ladies!)
So with that, I leave you with this thought (and a link to a killer banana bread recipe from Simply Recipes). What kind of blogger are you? Do the actions you do everyday in regards to your blog speak volumes to the world about how you want to be perceived as a blogger?
by Kristen on August 29, 2010
Have you ever taken a picture and then not realized until after wards that there was a detail totally off? I’ve taken pictures of my kids only to discover after I download them that there is a chocolate smudge on their face or stray hair in their eyes or a fly unzipped.
That is exactly what happened with the pictures of this Chicken Stir-Fry. I took the pictures, we ate dinner and when I downloaded from the camera onto the computer I noticed that big, glaring, piece of onion right in the middle of the plate. I can’t even begin to tell you how much that big hunk of onion gets on my nerves. So much that I almost didn’t post this recipe, but you know what? This is such a tasty and easy stir-fry recipe I just had to share it with you.
Excuse me if I never return to this post again… it is like forcing myself to listen to fingernails on a chalkboard. I do hope you can get past the hunk of onion and look at this recipe for what it is… a must have stir-fry recipe for a quick and simple weeknight dinner! Enjoy.
Chicken Stir-Fry (Adapted from Allrecipes)
4 (4 ounce) boneless skinless
chicken breast halves
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons cooking oil, divided
2 cups broccoli florets
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1 cup chicken broth
| 1. |
Cut chicken into 1/2-in. strips; place in a resealable plastic bag. Add cornstarch and toss to coat. Combine soy sauce, ginger and garlic powder; add to bag and shake well. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. |
| 2. |
In a large skillet or wok, heat 2 tablespoons of oil; stir-fry chicken until no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes. Remove and keep warm. Add remaining oil; stir- fry broccoli, carrots and onion for 4-5 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add chicken broth. Return chicken to pan. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. |
by Kristen on August 24, 2010
I am a dessert girl. If you didn’t know that already, just take a look at my thighs and you’ll easily notice that desserts and I spend a lot of time together. What can I say… I like something sweet. Even if I am stuffed full after dinner, I can always find space for dessert.
I enjoy making a delicious dessert, but do you know what I love making even better? A delicious dessert that has a beautiful presentation and takes less than 10 minutes to make. This recipe…the one I’m blogging about today for the easy, low calorie Oven Broiled Blueberry Dessert… is just that. Dump some fresh blueberries in a ramekin, add some yogurt, brown sugar, put it under the broiler for a few minute and voila! The sugar caramelizes on the top, the blueberries warm and soften, and oh my goodness… talk about delicious.
Next time you crave dessert but really don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen whipping up something fabulous, go for the Broiled Blueberry dessert. Delicious enough for company or for a night where you just need that something sweet to fend off a craving.
Low Calorie Oven Broiled Blueberry Dessert (adapted from Aug / Sept 2010 Simple & Delicious Magazine)
- 3 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and patted dry
- 1/2 cup light vanilla yogurt (or sour cream)
- 4 Tablespoons brown sugar
Divide blueberries among four ovenproof 8-oz ramekins. Spread with sour cream and sprinkle with brown sugar. Place on a baking sheet.
Broil on high 4 inches from the heat for 5 minutes or until bubbly and sugar is caramelized
Erika from Ivory Hut
Wendy from the blog Wenderly, Erika’s mom and Erika at the Big Summer Potluck
