I’m not sure how you feel about blogs and bloggers, but this recent post on 2012 Food Blogger Trends That Need To Go Away prompted me to reflect on my own habits and rituals. While Feed Our Families is technically a blog, I’ve never considered myself a Blogger. I might be more inclined to think of myself more like a sharer of all I’ve learned.
So, when this article was shared with me, I was immediately on the defense: oh, dear; do I partake in any of these food blogger trends? Evaluation ensued.
Because I don’t see myself as a food Blogger, I don’t over-stylize my food shots (if they turn out FoodGawker-worthy, it’s random luck), I don’t set up my plates for the perfect Instagram or Pinterest shot, I don’t include trendy foods (but if I can successfully make a “real food” sprinkles inside a chocolate chip inside an M&M inside a cookie concoction, you’ll be the first to know).
While I usually don’t use a cake mix, my pantry usually has some organic ready-to-back brownie mix for the surprise playdate. I love kale chips but haven’t done a post on them (should I?) because they’re pretty simple.
And I love multi-colored baker’s twine tying a stack of chocolate cookies wrapped in parchment paper together, or tied on a jar filled with candied nuts. I may even use some on our memory jar this year!
But then I stopped. And wondered why I cared. Are any of those “habits” really annoying? Does any of this really matter?
Here’s the deal: none of these little things are really important to me. But if I wake up tomorrow and decide to commit my free time to developing my photography or cake pop skills, I hope you’ll continue coming here. What is important to me is sharing what I come upon in the food world, helping families who want to feed their families in healthier ways, and working towards improvements to our food supply.
I have to admit that this article rubbed me a bit too. I want to surround my family with people that support and love us, rather than take pleasure in pointing out our flaws. Who needs that? I’m not perfect. I adore my children but they’re not perfect either – and we’re all thrilled with that!
And with that…I wish you all a fabulous new year!
5 Comments
Go Gina! I know exactly how you feel! As a lighting designer who blogs about lighting I also sometimes get caught up in the “shoulds” and “should nots” of my business and its blog. As a mom of a picky eater on the Feingold diet, I love your blog and the way you write it. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
Lisa – Your comment made my day! I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately because it’s so easy to get caught up in things that aren’t important and lose focus. Thanks for the kind words too!
Hi Gina. I have only just found your blog, in a desperate attempt to understand my 7 year old’s scary meltdown today. Your article about food dye and its affect on behaviour and your readers responses caused a lightbulb moment! Keep up the good work!
Thanks so very much, Sue!
I just discovered your blog and it seems to be very interesting, I’m from Romania, married for 16 years and am the mother of a boy of 15, so I think I have some experience of family life. I’d like to share some of our family experiences.