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| from Istock, I don’t have that much free time. |
In the early days of this blog, I read a post on a friend’s well-established blog (AKA as blog people actually read and enjoy) about meeting some of her blogging friends. At that point blog friends was as foreign a concept as having a blog people actually read. After a year and 10 months, no need to age the blog prematurely, I have a blog that some people seem to enjoy and as of a week ago I also have blog friends. These friends aren’t just virtual friends, we met face to face. Ameena of Fancy This Fancy That, Sam of Mom at the Barre and I had lunch at Candle 79 and I’m now convinced that in this world of screens you can meet lovely, smart people.
I was flattered when Sam nominated me for 7 links. I hadn’t heard of 7 links before but have loved reading some of my favorite blogs 7 links. To quote Sam:
The “My Seven Links” project has been going pretty strong for the past week or so. In a nutshell, its goal is to unite bloggers from all sectors in an endeavor to create a bank of posts that deserve to be re-read.
Rules are as follows: Blogger is nominated. Blogger publishes his or her 7 links on his or her blog. Blogger then nominates five more bloggers to take part. And the cycle continues.
On the 7 links website it advises participants “don’t overthink”. There’s no way that was going to happen. I found it interesting to go back and read old posts. There were posts I’d love to edit, posts I forgot I wrote and a good year of posts I’m fairly certain nobody else read. So here it goes:
My most beautiful post-some of my best ideas come from my clients who I see in our Foodtrainers offices each week. I have fantastic clients some of whom I’ve known for a long time. This was a post I wrote about one of my favorite clients and the special gift she gave me at a hard time in her life.
My most popular post-was a recent post. It was viewed a lot though readers did not necessarily agree with me. I realized with this post and a few others that it’s much more fun to receive comments where readers disagree with me and make me think than when they say “loved this.” It’s still totally fine to say “loved this.” I never take comments personally and love nothing more than a good debate (well I may love a good massage a little more). If you haven’t read this, see what you think– and feel free to let me have it.
My most controversial post may have been the post above but this one was controversial for its subject matter. I have no issue talking about bowel movements or any bodily functions but this was me writing about it. Since then I wrote another Potty Talk post as well.
My most helpful post– is a hard one to pick. There are a lot of food situations that trip us all up. In this post I responded to a clients hysterical 911 email from a bachelorette party. My advice holds for any food situation involving peer pressure
Post whose success surprised me– this is a post people always comment on. I hate fast food but found myself in a blizzard on an interstate with two hungry children and an exhausted husband and food supply. I caved and wasn’t happy about it. No fast food since (it was 2009) or hopefully ever again because, as I described, it makes me feel so ill.
Post that didn’t get the attention it deserved– it’s hard to give something attention when you don’t know what the thing is. So while I’ll single out one post, there were about a year’s worth that went unread or were only read by about five of my dearest friends. And of those posts, after rereading them, there are many that don’t deserve your attention. There’s one, however, I think you should know about and that’s TIDEI. TIDEI stands for Tweet It Don’t Eat It. Clients email us all the time seeking our help and this extends our reach to twitter. Simply tweet @Foodtrainers I’m walking by the Mr Softee truck trying to ignore it #TIDEI. We’ll respond with advice as needed. It’s fun, try it.
Post I’m most proud of– professionally I take pride in helping people make important changes in their lives; however, I’m most proud of my family (so sappy I know). I ‘ve talked about my boys and Marc but wrote a post for each of my boys. This technically makes 8 links (and yes I overthought that) but here was the one I wrote Weston last year and this year for Myles.
And my nominees are:
Camille and Sarah @ Svelte Gourmand
Lauren @ Running Dialog
Andy @Small Bites
Dr Ayala @ Herbal Water
Shari @ My Judy The Foodie
I should mention I’ve also met the adorable Erica Sara through this blog. I am wear my 26.2 “race bling” she designs with pride.
What’s the strangest place you’ve ever made a friend? Do you have any posts you’ve especially liked or disliked on this blog? Did you read any of my 7 links? Be honest.
This is such a great idea!! I know I have read most of these, but I am going to go back and read the one about fast food….I agree with you that fast food is nasty, but I always find great things at places like Wendy's (chili and baked potato…YUM!).
I think the Tweet it Don't Eat it idea is fantastic. I need to start doing that with my clients! Brilliant.
Thanks Gina, TIDEI is fun and I find we even do it with each other (all RDs) as everyone needs accountability.
Lauren, what a lovely collection of posts. I do think that "Tweet it Don't Eat it" should get more attention — it should be trending, especially on holidays. Thanks for the nomination! And let's meet one day!
Congrats on 7 links-what a cool idea! I has read about half of the posts you mentioned, so it was fun to read (yes I really did read them 🙂 the other posts I hadn't already read. Truly, I love reading all your posts, but I think my favorites are the ones about your boys. The last one you did inspired me to do a birthday cake post for my son, and am planning another one next month when my daughter turns 10 (yikes!). I really hope we can meet one day in person 🙂
Love the TIDEI concept!!
Funny that you mentioned the apple cider vinegar in my pudding recipe. My husband asked me the same question. I can't really give a good reason except that it sounded good so I added it haha 🙂 I am definitely not a chef…
EA, thanks for the sweet comment. I feel guilty when I stray from nutrition so it's nice to hear you don't mind the family posts (will not make them too frequent I promise). Wow 10 is big. FNCE this fall?
Lisa- I guess I'm not a cook either because I was trying to determine what the acid in the vinegar did to the chia etc. Well it's a diuretic apple cider vinegar, that's a good enough reason.
Hm, strangest place I have ever made a friend? That is a good question. Astoria Park. Not that strange, but different? Anyhoo, I just wasted, er, spent over an hour reading all the posts. I am your new biggest fan! I especially enjoyed the Poo Post.
oh yes! I did the seven links thing last week and I thought it was interesting to go back and read some of my old posts. Definitely could use some editing in some of them! I am going back to check these old ones out now!
Strangest place I made a friend..Jury duty!, I read and love all your posts, but the letters to your boys are my favorite. You are very witty and smart and I like that you post about a variety of topics. I have also found out about other people's blogs from you..my other favorite is ericasara and I loved and admired Jen from youfearless.
Melanie- so glad you follow erica and glad you followed and learned from Jen. So sad.
I loved reading your 8 posts! TIDEI is genius. I didn't follow your blog at that time so I loved catching up on your 'best of' collection. I also really enjoyed the Miles and Weston posts! And the peer pressure post is very relatable for me. That happens a lot with me and I actually get belligerent when friends try to bully me to 'just eat it'!
The strangest place I made a friend was at the Cook County Hospital subway stop in Chicago. Odd place to make a friend but I knew this person was a fellow doctor and so my guard was down a little less than if it was at the Times Square subway stop!
fun and yep blogging is awesome hope to meet you one day if we come to NYC 🙂 or let me know if you either in NC
I honestly enjoy all of your posts. Thought-provoking, sincere, educational, funny — what's not to like?
I love when your posts egg on a huge discussion — and i'd say almost all of them do! Which makes me one happy reader =)
I hear ya on getting "loved this" responses b/c I get a lot of the same. "YUM!" "THIS IS GREAT!" stuff like that makes me wonder if the post was even read and, though it very well may have been, it certainly leaves me feeling super empty =/ Its 100% part of the reason I vanish from blog land now and again. I need conversation, I need discussion!
off to check out some of the posts I haven't seen yet! mwah!!!! <3
You hit the nail on the head with all the categories! I feel like it must have been hard to choose some of them, but I agree big time on TIDEI! I love the posts you wrote about Myles and Weston. I think people love following your blog because it's so diverse, and these posts capture that really perfectly. I also have to say that although it didn't make the category cut, I loved the post about pacific french onion soup. I know that may seem like a strange random one, but something about the way you described the soup and enjoying it sent me straight to the grocery store in the snow. Maybe it would fit under "Post most likely to nominate me as as a food critic"
Ha, Lisa that's so funny. I guess when I love something I really love it. I recall first tasting that soup and it was awesome. Jenn I am with you and promise I will never say "yum" on your blog.
Omg your Potty Post was the best! Even if it's not the best post to read while eating a meal, it's still a MUST READ <3
xoxo
Lauren,
Thank you for including Small Bites as one of your "five great blogs" — it means a lot. I don't know if I will do a similar post on my blog, but I wanted to acknowledge your mention.
I know what you mean about controversial posts being the most interesting; always fascinating when you manage to get people talking and engaging in discussion. I especially liked the Shake Shack post because it was you saying "wait a second… all these reports say 'nutritionists' applaud and are okay with Michelle Obama's decision, but I don't identify with that!". I think it's crucial to say something whenever the media likes to attribute one mindset to "all nutritionists".
I hadn't read your family's fast food anecdote until just now. Love the "grease polka dots" on the bags. Great visual.
Thanks again for your support and for being a fellow RD who likes to challenge conventional dogma.
Oh do it Andy, it's fun. Some great bloggers have had a good time with it. No matter what field I am in, you can count on me to challenge conventional dogma. I wish I had snapped a grease polka dot photo.
Oh, I love #TIDEI. So funny! I'm going to start using that one!
i think it is so great to meet people through this blogging world! and i have read some of those posts lauren 🙂 but not all……happy tuesday!
the strangest place i've met a friend…in addition to meeting you and sam (highlight of my trip to nyc last month) i've also met bloggers in london, minnesota, seattle, san francisco, and washington d.c. i love blogging because i have friends…great friends all over the world now!
i am excited to check out your 7 posts…i am fairly new to your blog so it's great that i can catch up on these.
So nice Ameena, I've never been a trip highlight before (not sure what that says about your trip-kidding). We'll have to make it to LA too.
I read all of the posts. I agree with you about The Shake Shack, for the record. 😉
Fast food is just awful, I think that fast food is pure chemical combinations to produce the exact flavor of the actual ingredient.