Hi friends! I have something a little different for you today. My friends Kristi and Jenn both recently asked that I take part in this blog tour, and it sounded like a lot of fun! I don’t think I’ve ever actually spoken about writing on here (probably because it scared the crap out of me), so I figured it would be a nice challenge and a little change from ice cream and grilling recipes. 
So without further adieu, here are the questions:
1. What am I working on?
Actually posting? Balance? Living life? It’s kind of a strange time right now to be honest. I’ve recently taken a step back and gone from posting 3-4 times a week to closer to 1-2 (if I’m lucky). I’ve been focused on quality over quantity–improving what I give put out all areas (recipes, photos, writing, etc.).
At BTP I attended this incredible writing workshop by Cheryl of 5 Second Rule. We were all able to choose from a few prompts, and many people even shared at the open mic at the end of the weekend. There were some really beautiful words, but instead of leaving feeling excited to write, I left with this lingering feeling that my writing is so young and insignificant. I kept wanting to create something meaningful and poetic, but ya know what? That ain’t me. I still talk like a kid, and my youthfulness is a big part of what makes me…me.
I guess that’s a long way of saying I’m working on being me. You’d think that would be so easy, but I feel like, for many of us, it is a constant struggle. Not trying to be someone else. Accepting that we are enough. Not setting unrealistic expectations. God, life is so much more FUN that way!
2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?
Well….does it really? I don’t know. I feel like being a healthy recipe blog is already pretty specific. I do feel like I have a pretty specific photography style (simple, a surplus of straight-on photos, obsessed with action shots), but I don’t know how different my work is from any of my other favorite healthy recipe blogs. I do think one thing that makes me stand out is that I have lived the life of the people I am trying to reach. I have lived off fast food, been almost 100 lbs overweight, struggled for years, and fought to find success in terms of healthy living. I hope that people like me can connect to that experience, and that this little spot on the internet can inspire them to find health and happiness.
3. Why do I write what I do?
Simple. I.Love.Food. Always have, always will. This blog went through many stages as I figured out what it was. I originally started out modeling myself after life style healthy living blogs like Carrots n Cake–that was the first blog I ever read and the reason I started one! I wrote a little about recipes, but I would post every day about what was happening in my life and all of my workouts. Some people can continue that for years and years, but I got bored really quickly.
My husband had recently purchased what I so technically refer to as “the fancy camera” and he started photographing my recipes. I quickly became obsessed with the idea of “making it” on Foodgawker, took over the photography of my site and fell in deep, deep love with food photography. What used to stress me out has now become my favorite part of blogging, and honestly I write recipes for 2 reasons: To inspire people to cook healthy meals and because, if I didn’t, taking high res pictures of every recipe I create would feel even more self indulgent than it already does. Plus, I like connecting with you people, and unless I wanted to start a blog about musical theatre, this is pretty much the thing I know the most about.
4. How does my writing process work?
That is so hard to answer because I feel like I begin “writing” long before I ever get out my laptop. It starts from the moment an idea for a recipe pops into my head, then continues throughout creating that recipe, and into the photography where I do my best to tell you a story and create a window into my life through a snapshot of the food. The actual words? Uggghhh. That “process” is more like me staring at a blank screen thinking “WTF do I even have to say about anything???” Get me in person and I’ll talk your ear off, but in a post? Sometimes I’d rather just let the photos and the recipe speak for themselves!
I try to think of a story or a memory to connect with the recipe I’m sharing, and sometimes that works, but if it doesn’t, I usually just talk about my favorite subject…ME! One time I really couldn’t think of anything to say, and I started writing about how I hate when people say “So what’s going on with you?” because I was feeling the same sense of pressure, and the same feeling of answering “Ummm…nothing.” It actually ended up being one of my favorite posts writing wise, and it taught me the valuable lesson of just taking whatever I’m feeling and going with it, which is a big reason why I don’t blog when I’m in a bad mood!
Well, that’s that! My non-writer process behind a blog not really about the writing. Next in line I’m tagging my girl Katie from Peace, Love & Oats. Katie writes about her life, workouts, recipes, and her super cute fur niece Molly! Aside from being one of my favorite humans, she also has a unique voice that makes you feel like you’re having coffee with your best friend, and she writes some really great, honest content!
Also, YOU! Anyone who wants to join, please do! I know we’re all busy, but I would love to hear from you guys as well! And thanks again to Kristi & Jenn for getting me on board!