My Plans for the Summer
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Wow, it’s been a long six months. Since last October, I’ve been insanely busy launching our new blog network, Real Food Media on top of taking care of my toddler, Kate. While I don’t regret a minute of it, six months is a long time to do consecutive 12-16 hour days.
I decided over the Memorial Day weekend that I need to reprioritize and be much more judicious about how I am spending my time. Partly for my health (yes, I am still recovering from adrenal fatigue) and partly for my sanity.
I don’t want to walk away from the momentum we are building with Real Food Media. I intend to continue to grow our network and bring on new sponsors, and serve the sponsors we currently have.
At the same time, I want to spend more time with my family. Kate has been in daycare 5 days a week and while that’s been working fine, I’m looking forward to more time with her. I want to take her to the beach and the pool and all those summery kinds of things. So starting in June, she’ll be in daycare only 3 days a week and I’ll have those extra 2 days with her.
Unfortunately, there are not enough hours in the day to do all of the above. Something’s got to give.
As much as I love blogging, I am going to have to stop blogging as much for a little while. I usually try to get 5 posts in per week. I’m going to have to cut that down to 2-3 times a week.
I am also planning to spend more time (with Kate) in the kitchen, developing new recipes. I’m planning a cookbook down the road. So you an expect lots of new recipes on the blog — just maybe not posted quite as frequently.
Right now I have lots of new recipes in the works: homemade tamales, lacto-fermented salsa, peach cobbler, kefir soda pop, sourdough pizza dough, easy pasta with meat sauce, gazpacho, homemade mayonnaise, and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream.
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Thanks everyone, for your continued support of this blog and for your understanding and patience.
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27/05/2009 at 1:28 pm Permalink
I understand and don’t worry, “only” posting 2-3 times a week is still quite a lot. But I’m really commenting to say that I am excited about your kefir soda pop recipe. I just received my notice that my water kefir grains are on their way!
MacKenzie’s last blog post..Can I See a Nurse?
27/05/2009 at 1:41 pm Permalink
Good work! I often look at you and Kelly as a reminder of why I blog – to share information and as a creative outlet – and as a reminder of why I blog the way I do. I don’t want it to feel like another job. Enjoy your summer with Kate, she’s only three once!
I look forward to seeing your new recipes!
Alyss’s last blog post..Kookoolan Farm Tour
27/05/2009 at 1:52 pm Permalink
Thanks MacKenzie & Alyss!
MacKenzie – you are going to love kefir soda pop! It is so delicious.
27/05/2009 at 2:31 pm Permalink
Bravo to you for doing the most important thing, which is taking care of yourself first! I’m sure we all know that if we do not honor ourselves mind, body, and spirit first and foremost, then there’s no way we can be productive or of any good use to those whom we love. And our kids grow so fast! We have to treasure these early days as much as we possibly can. My son is 10 months old and I’m already getting all nostalgic and missing his early infant days! I find myself constantly saying, “Oh my goodness, were you really as small as the other newborns I see being walked in the park?!” So go splash in the pool, cook in the kitchen, and marvel at ladybugs with Kate. Everyone will be alright with 2-3 posts a week
27/05/2009 at 2:46 pm Permalink
looking forward to more recipes – they are really great to read to show that it is possible and that delicious results can occur from making it that way so I always enjoy reading them and then trying them out.
I hear ya, girl! You have to take time for yourself and family yet it’s hard to pull away from something you love and are nurturing and the good you are doing for so many of us readers. Thanks for all you do and for the great decision you’ve made for yourself and, in the end, for us all really.
Annie – Hip Organic Mama’s last blog post..It’s not just what you eat – it’s what you cook it in
27/05/2009 at 2:50 pm Permalink
I am still fairly new to all this and there is a lot of information here and on other blogs I follow. I can’t keep up reading all of it, I can’t imagine how much it takes to put it together. All the work you guys do to bring us great information on how to improve our lives is a blessing. So any post, 2 times a week, 2 times a month, is appreciated. And I am really looking forward to the homemade mayo recipe because I haven’t been able to find one without soybean oil.
27/05/2009 at 3:52 pm Permalink
Ann Marie, kudos to you! I heartily agree with your wise decision. Posting on a daily basis does not hold a candle to quality time with your little one. My “baby” gets married this weekend and turns 30 in a few days. This summer will pass quickly and the moment will be gone. You have made awesome progress in just 6 months. I hope you make a promise to yourself to set a schedule and then just STOP rather than going on for 12-16 hours a day. You will still be an inspiration to us and we’ll have more time to actually read your blog and try the recipes rather than skim them and wish we could keep up with you! Thank you for everything. You are an amazing woman.
Cathy Payne’s last blog post..ONL043 Installing Rainbarrels to Harvest Rainwater
27/05/2009 at 4:27 pm Permalink
I have never posted anything about how much I absolutely LOVE getting the email sent to my box about your blog. While I will undoubtedly miss your many posts, I completely understand you need to step back for your, and your daughter’s, sanity. I, too, have a toddler — he’s 25 months old — and I suffered from adrenal fatigue. In fact, I sometimes still do. I just have learned to reprioritize my life and reorganize the way I eat. Keep up the great work, enjoy every single second with your daughter, and know that you are appreciated! Thank you.
27/05/2009 at 4:38 pm Permalink
Love your plan, Ann Marie!
I’m also trying to figure out some good mayo. If you perfect yours first, then I won’t have to!
The other thing I’ve also been working on is my kefir soda, I’ve got the bottles, bottle tops and the gadget to get them on and everything…if I can get that to fly with the kids, imagine the probiotics they’ll be getting all while they think they’re drinking a pop – he he!!
You forgot to mention in your summer plans that you’re hopefully coming to visit us in Michigan, girl!!! Don’t forget the best part!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop’s last blog post..Are All Drugs “Bad” For Us?
27/05/2009 at 5:31 pm Permalink
Frankly, I don’t know how you and everyone else blog everyday, coming up with all those wonderful recipes, and doing all the work you do all while raising young children (and those who don’t) at the same time. As for me, I will be thankful that you will be sharing any time with us this summer and from the sounds of it – some great recipes as well!
I, too, am looking forward to the kefir soda pop. Recently I bought a seltzer soda machine so I can learn to make healthier beverages for me and my family. I am a seltzer lover.
Take care and God Bless!
P.S. I *love* the pictures of the doggies ;o)
27/05/2009 at 6:05 pm Permalink
I’m proud of you for making the choice that’s right for you. I hope that you have wonderful times this summer with your family. Looking forward to your next post!
Jendeis’s last blog post..I Feel the Earth Move, But I’m Standing Still
27/05/2009 at 6:09 pm Permalink
That sounds like a great plan to me. I am hoping to spend plenty of time with my two-year-old this summer as well. She is at such a fun age – just starting to be able to really help in the kitchen.
Stephanie
Stephafriendly’s last blog post..How to Make the Most of Your CSA Share
28/05/2009 at 2:19 am Permalink
Sounds great with me
I can´t understand either how you or others are able to blog almost every day.
I blog max 1x week – cause I´ve got full time job and a kid, dog and is singel.
Take care of yourself .x
Henriette’s last blog post..Asparges
28/05/2009 at 4:14 am Permalink
Hi Ann, I can totally relate, including the adrenal fatigue. It’s not easy finding a balance between health and trying to start an online business. I’ve been trying to do it in addition to having a full time job!
Many of the blogging experts say to blog every day, but I don’t think it’s necessary. 3 times per week is working just fine for me. I was keeping up with 5, but would have burnt myself out if I kept that up. Although I only write 3 times per week, I try to make each article thorough and high quality which I think makes a big difference.
Good luck and enjoy the time with your family.
Vin | NaturalBias.com’s last blog post..mysqlerror
28/05/2009 at 5:05 am Permalink
Yours is the perfect plan. Ann, and you still fill me with hope for better things to come for the USA! Enjoy every minute with that little one that you possibly can!!!
For those that are awaiting a mayo recipe, raisinette to the rescue!
Ingredients
2 egg yolks
2 tablespoons mustard (as pure as you can find!)
Dash salt and pepper
Squirt of lemon juice
1 to 1 1/2 cups olive oil
Directions
Put ingredients in blender, and blend slowly, adding oil slowly until you have desired consistency.
Eurogreetings!
28/05/2009 at 7:20 am Permalink
Wow. You work really hard! I look forward to all your posts regardless of the frequency. Have a wonderful summer and take good care of yourself!
28/05/2009 at 8:49 am Permalink
Enjoy your summer with your daughter. She might not remember all the times you spend together but no matter what all these times are building blocks to shaping who she is. Plus you will have the memories. So go and enjoy your summer and bask in the sun and get some great doses of vit D.
28/05/2009 at 10:14 am Permalink
I tried making mayo with the blender but I’m much more successful with my Cusinart. You can follow the directions in the Cusinart book, but basically you add the olive oil through the pusher, it has a small hole in the bottom and it trickles at just the right rate for making mayo. Perfect every time!
28/05/2009 at 1:12 pm Permalink
Oh yes please take care yourself and that lovely family. The internet and blogging isn’t going anywhere, lol.
28/05/2009 at 1:47 pm Permalink
Life is difficult to juggle, isn’t it? I totally understand about the needing to balance things out. This site is great, but I don’t think it will be diminished by having only 2 – 3 posts per week. Last year when I started my Health Tip of the Day Google Gadget, I attempted to keep up at least 5 days a week. That was rough, and then my main site, Agriculture Society only got an article once a month or so. I was troubled by this and not having a lot of traffic, so I slowed down even more for awhile. Now that I’m starting to get some traffic (thanks to sites like this), I’m prioritizing what I do each day. I’ve narrowed my efforts into 4 posts per week on AS, and trying to do 2 – 3 tips on Health Tip of the Day. That’s still a lot, so I may have to do less on Health Tip of the Day. It will depend on how much traffic I can drive to AS. Good luck with your efforts; I don’t think you have anything to worry about – you have a loyal following and base of readers, and your site is very well-known. Great information and ideas for everyone!
Raine Saunders’s last blog post..Solar Water Heaters – An Introduction to Solar
28/05/2009 at 2:06 pm Permalink
Nancy, I totally concur, but I tried to keep it mainstream simple. LOL My ultimate gadget is simpler still…a hand blender stick gizmo that is actually an attachment to my cheap mixer, so that I can blend with my right hand whilst drizzling oil with my left. It’s very commonly utilised here in Europe, I never experienced one in the US, and wasn’t even sure what to call it. My son recently visited me here and so I risked asking him. What comedy!!! “Hey Chris, what would you call this contraption? It is one of my very favourite kitchen gadgets!” His answer? I nearly wet myself laughing. “I’d call it useless to my existence, mum!”
28/05/2009 at 4:56 pm Permalink
Best of Luck: You definitely deserve a rest!
Jenny @ Nourished Kitchen’s last blog post..Win a Pickle, Sauerkraut, and Kimchi Maker from the Raw Diet Store!
28/05/2009 at 8:44 pm Permalink
Good for you. I’m really impressed with all the great things you’ve done with Real Food Media. Enjoy your summer “break”!
Colleen/FoodieTots’s last blog post..Artos the Greek Celebration Bread
29/05/2009 at 4:42 am Permalink
Good for you! Taking time for yourself is so important! Have a great summer and enjoy those extra days with Kate!
29/05/2009 at 8:47 am Permalink
As a working mom, I’m right there with you. I think cutting down on posts is an excellent idea. Your daughter is at a wonderful age and you should be enjoying this time with her!
Julie’s last blog post..Switching Sourdough Starter to a New Type of Flour
29/05/2009 at 12:35 pm Permalink
Hooray for you and Kate! I am so enjoying my time with Noah right now. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Noah and I love the beach. We should set up a play date at the beach when the weather gets warmer again! And Annie and I talked about taking the kids berry picking in a couple of weeks.
29/05/2009 at 2:38 pm Permalink
I know how you feel, after my 4 day working week then working the co-op once fortnight I too feel like I am dropping the ball on a long juggling act. I dedicate Sunday’s to cooking and the girls often help me but its tough having to decline invitations when we are invited out somewhere. I really feel that that ONE day in the kitchen is so important to us as a family, that one little day nourishes us in more ways than one. So take some time to sit back, relax & work on that book……I cant wait!
30/05/2009 at 2:23 pm Permalink
I soooo know the feeling. I was not only working 45+ hours a week at my day job but also putting in countless hours at Green and Chic. MS put an end to that and now I’m on disability. Health and family comes first.
I hope you’re able to enjoy your summer.
Carla’s last blog post..Make Green the New Wedding Color
01/06/2009 at 7:37 pm Permalink
Oh, I am so happy for you. You will never regret spending more time with your daughter, but you may regret not spending enough. Does blogging pay enough to have her home all of the time? I would gladdly trade not getting as many posts from you knowing that you were playing with your daughter.