Food bloggers seem to get a lot of attention. You’ve likely come across articles in popular newspapers about how some chefs don’t like us because we come to a restaurant with an uneducated opinion regarding culinary excellence. Some gourmet diners tire of us because we take pictures of our food before we eat. Still others think we may be the death of printed cookbooks.
There are certainly some people out there who feel what we do is silly. Then there are others who we have helped tremendously or, at the very least, entertained. These are the folks I like to focus on and it gets me thinking about how much food blogs have helped me. The knowledge I have gained in the past two years is unbelievable.
I’ve met incredible people as well. These people are happy too. You don’t find much negativity in the world of food appreciation. Sure, there are food critics out there who enjoy complaining, but for those of us following our passion it is mostly fresh strawberries and sunshine. I, for one, LOVE IT! Food blogging is a true testament to the fact that a positive attitude rubs off. You only need a few comments telling you how delicious your food looks or how someone was inspired by what you did to put a smile on your face and give you a positive outlook for the rest of your day.
I like to think we are so happy because we have found the secret to eating delicious food while maintaining a healthy balance. We get to exercise the greatest form of creativity that combines food passion with cooking challenges. We eat what we want, moderate when appropriate and we are happier for it.
In fact, I’m feeling all happy and positive as I write this. If you hang out in the food blogging world long you see many bloggers come and go. They lose interest or life gets busy and the desire to post becomes less and less. I plan to be in this for the long haul because I’m having so much darn fun! These are a few of the things that keep me going, things I’ve learned and reasons I enjoy food blogging.
- Quinoa, udon, fiddleheads, zucchini blossoms – just a few of the foods on my very long list that I might have never known existed if I hadn’t read about them on food blogs.
- India, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii, London, Philippines, Ireland, Indonesia – a few of the places and associated cuisines that I knew little-to-nothing about before I began reading food blogs.
- I owe my inspiration to start running and my increased intake of oatmeal to food blogs.
- Photography and gardening — a couple of the hobbies I’ve picked up since food blogging.
- Cookbooks, chefs and restaurants – I still have a long way to go to be fully educated in this area, but at least I now know of Mark Bittman and Dorie Greenspan now.
- I have a much greater interest in history. Yes, this history has to do with cuisine, cooking tools and food practices, but I loathed history for years. You might say food blogging helped me grow up and appreciate my roots.
- There are more herbs and spices in this world than I thought possible and it may take the rest of my life to discover them all.
Whether you read, write or both, what have been your greatest benefits of food blogging?
Photos of cabbage, strawberries and leaf lettuce from my parent’s garden during our visit over Mother’s Day.
Hi, Lori. I, too, am in this for the long haul. I post once a week, on Friday, with just an occasional “extra.” I hope we’ll both soon amass a huge readership of like-minded people interested in “real” food.
I have found the greatest benefit to be other bloggers. Food bloggers are just the best, always willing to share a recipe, technique, or helpful tip!
Oh the amount of food we have discovered through food blogging is crazy & having to write a post not & then really pushed you to try new things too.
This is a great article Lori! I fully agree, I love food blogging. It has got its dramas and its cliques but all blogging circles do. Most food bloggers are very open to meeting and chatting with fellow foodies! I have learned so much that it’s crazy. 😀
Fantastic post. I have enjoyed meeting talented positive people most. The circle of friend that I have fallen into on food blogs is made up of some of the most supportive people I know.
I really enjoyed reading your post. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers!
Great post. For me the biggest thing has been actually cooking. I know how to, but I just don’t. I have no attention span and always need to be doing too many things at once. So, when I start in the kitchen, I get side tracked, and never want to finish cooking. Now, with blogging, taking pictures and thinking about how I want to write about it gives me something else to do while cooking. It may sound strange, but it helps me focus in the kitchen.
for me, the biggest benefit is that it keeps me cooking. i would be much lazier if there weren’t a handful of people waiting to read about what is going on in my kitchen.
You speak for all of us! Though I’ve slowed down with the frequency of posts, it’s due more to realizing that quality of information is more important than quantity. I am amazed at how much other bloggers have taught me, not just about ingredients and cooking techniques, but also how to cook with confidence, fun and adventure!
I hope to be right there with you for the long haul!
I love all of the pictures that I have taken and am now getting more into photography! I also love the community, I have so many “friends” that I may never meet but I feel close to them in some odd way!
love this post!! it is such a positive world and I enjoy every second of it! I love reading yours and other amazing bloggers’ adventures and it always inspires me to explore on my own, and constantly push myself! I love having it as a record/documentation of what I have done/eaten/made. There are so many great tips and tricks out there is this fantastic community!
Agreed!! You tell ’em! Food blogging is the best. I’ve learned so much and I really don’t see when I’ll ever stop doing this. Sometimes I take a mini hiatus, but I don’t think I could quit altogether. It’s just too educational! Thanks Lori!
One reason I love it is the sense of community that I get from blogging that makes me want to keep on going. Not to mention the awesome food challenges I have picked up along the way.
I have also been able to understand more about the passion for photography that my husband has had for so long. We now share a similar interest!
What a great post! I think it is the richness of the food bloggers that I love most. I have learnt lots of new things as you said, and also a more international way of thinking and expressing myself!
Food blogging makes cooking more fun. If I’m gonna cook, I figure I may as well share the recipes that work with people who care – it may help them out one day.
If nothing else, I’m making friends and learning from their blogs while building a database of recipes I know I will cook from when life gets more hectic.
I love this post! It definitely reflects how I feel about food blogging as well. Not only do I find the actual writing and eating and cooking itself, INCREDIBLY enjoyable. But it’s everything I’ve learned from other bloggers, and the wonderful friendships that I’ve made that have really kept me coming back. Beautiful post, really!
Jean – I love the real food movement! Great people and great conversation.
janet – I know what you mean. A great group of people for conversations about all kinds of fun stuff.
kat – Us too. I know what you mean about the push. I always have the blog and getting or trying something creative for good material on the back of my mind. 🙂
Andrea – Thanks! The amount I’ve learned amazes me every day.
Lazaro – Thanks. There is so much support with food bloggers. It is nice to be around, even if through the internet, such a positive, helpful group.
Melinda – That is interesting to hear how it has helped you. Sounds like it has given you more focus. 🙂
sarah – I hear you on that one. I cook a lot more now too.
TN -I’ve actually cut down on posting some too since the beginning. I’m aiming for 3 quality posts a week with a few fun ones thrown in. I’m driven more by content than by number though.
Emily – I know. I’ve met a lot of people that I have so much in common with. I may never meet them in person but the connection and conversations are great.
Elizabeth – Thanks! I love the creative push it gives me and looking back to see how my blog and my views have changed.
The Daily Dose – Thanks! I view it as a source for education as well. I completely understand the benefit of a short break as well. It is kind of like a job in that sense. Time to refresh and renew your perspective is a good thing.
Melissa – Oh, you should do a post with his tips for food photography. 🙂 You’ve reminded me that I need to get in on more challenges too!
Joy – I really like how you put that – a more international way of thinking and expressing. Completely agree!
Zibi – Great point. I’m a big fan of the sharing. It makes cooking almost more worth it when I can spread the word. 🙂
Joanne – Thanks! I too find the everything I do for the blog really enjoyable. Perhaps that is a key component of being motivated to post. It’s my hobby and outlet.
I so agree with you, it completely changed my life, now when I’m gashing about a vegetable there is somebody out there that is actually interested. LOL
And I don’t think the book people should be worried, I still love to buy recipes book, now even more. Now… go to restaurants became a bit of a nightmare because now I’m very picky, don’t even try to serve me half a** meal. And about meet great people, that’s the best part of it. I’m so very lucky. I really enjoyed reading your post. You rock!
You’ve so got it – the learning exploring and tasting. This is like the trifecta of goodness. Every day I am amazing at what I got out of the experience, much more than I even anticipated.
Great post! I have learned a lot about food blogging (about myself, for one) and about other cultures; I blog to express my passion for my culture of origin and I feel so happy when I get feedback from people who really dig what i am doing!Plus I have met really cool people (virtually!) so that’s another plus.
I think being able to connect with other food bloggers is the best reward for me. This is a great list, all of which I agree with.
There have been so many good things that have come to me by way of food blogging, that I’m not sure I’d know where to begin (but you’ve touched on a lot of them in your post).
The best part, though, has been getting to meet other people (both virtually and in person) with whom I have so much in common. And just today I received a completely unexpected care package from another blogger with lots of interesting salts and spices. I mean, you’ve just got to love that!
I just love the inspiration that I get from other food blogs – recipes, products, ingredients. There are so many interesting ideas out there for some great dishes. And I love sharing the creations I make in the kitchen, and that I have a reason to take photos every day.