Life Lessons from BlogHer Food 2011

Life lessons from a food blogger conference?  Stick with me... I think you'll find a few nuggets of wisdom.

I've had a few days back from BlogHer Food in Atlanta to unwind/recover/think about the trip.    I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend a conference with a group of truly diverse, talented, energetic, intelligent and savvy women and men (yes, there were a number!)   You can pretty much throw any stereotype you may have of a 'blogger' right out the window.   Definitely not one size fits all.  

500 bloggers with interests (and locations) all over the map.   Baking, travel, history, politics, unique dietary lifestyles, the environment... it was all there.   If you can think of it, someone has a passion for it and is writing about it.   I'm still working my way through a stack of business cards trying to tie it all together.   So much squeezed into two short days.   Focused learning intermingled with socializing and a constant growing "to-do" list of ideas to incorporate back at home.

Being surrounded by so much talent is incredibly energizing and empowering and at the same time very overwhelming.  I focused my personal agenda on the topics of photography and writing, with a sprinkling of technology and marketing.  I arrived home mentally drained after two packed days.

I met several bloggers who are establishing their blogs now and applaud them loudly for their decision to learn before doing.   I took a different path.  My personality requires that I jump in feet (or head) first (minus the floaties).  I had no idea conferences like this even existed.   If you are a blogger, new or old, thinking about attending, just do it.   For a newbie, I'll admit, it is a little intimidating at first, but I remind myself that newbies attract other newbies and no one really wants to be alone.

I didn't get to see too much of Atlanta.  I dined with the very talented Jes from Urban Sacred Garden (check out her blog... beautiful in so many ways...) and field tripped it to the Sweet Auburn Market one afternoon.   While brief, I enjoyed my time in this southern city and ate (entirely) too much.    Sigh.

This urban market was a visual feast, brimming with pork products, iridescent blue crab, BBQ, ground on site burgers, uniquely flavored popsicles and all kinds of vibrant fruits and vegetables.  A great outing if you find yourself in Atlanta with time to spare.  Bonus points if you like Yellow Root Tea.   There was lots of it.  (extra bonus points if you can tell me what it is.)

I'll leave you with a few lessons learned that I hope you will find useful as well:

Learn light.   Learn dark.
Be you.   Authentically you.
Everyone starts somewhere, usually at the beginning.
You are your own brand.
Dive right in.
Be active, not passive.
Use your senses, all your senses.
Edit yourself.   Less is usually more.
Tell your story.   Listen to other people's stories.
Ask questions, lots of questions.
Life is a series of chapters.
Be unique, but figure out when you need to color within the lines.
Get closer to the source.
Change starts at home.
Get a little mad sometimes.
Be the King (or Queen) of your household.
Simplicity is good, but sometimes messiness can be very effective.
Strive to be an artist.
Try new things.
Practice, practice, practice.

PS - In case you are wondering, that's a "Soul Roll" in the first picture.    Think lots of southern things stuffed into a freshly fried egg roll.    I hear it got good reviews.

What life lessons have you picked up in unexpected places? 

Trip to the Farmers Market

Beets!   Good.

Beets from the Farmers Market!   Sooooo good.

Aren't these gorgeous?   Everything about them screams earthy perfection.   Dirt covered and all.

Enough about the beets.   We made it to the NC Farmers Market this weekend for the first time in, well, forever.   I don't know why I avoid the Farmers Market in the colder months, seems easier to just order the CSA box.    But as soon as warmer weather arrives, this is definitely one of my favorite destinations.   So much to choose from, so much eye candy!

We filled our bags to the brim.    Spring onions, tomatoes, broccoli, strawberries, peas... 

Check out these potatoes...

They made us giggle (Farmer's Market humor).

We wandered over to the flowers.   John and I apparently have different methods in choosing our spring plants.   I was all set to pick out bunches of beauties to plant in our yard and garden and display on our front porch.   John suggested we make a plan first.   Sigh.   (Although it means we will be back this weekend!)

Rounded the trip out with a visit to the pork farmer.   That's him... the actual farmer.    (We picked up a package of fresh bratwurst, which I proceeded to make, Wisconsin style, and they were fabulous.)

All in all, a great visit.   Looking forward to our return this weekend.  

Do you have a local Farmer's Markets?    Any favorite must haves during your visits? 

Farmers Market Frittata

I'm feeling like my last post was all doom and gloom.   I didn't intend for that, but it really was an altering experience.   I was talking to John about it after he read my post and he said it was a good thing I closed my eyes when I did.   We were truly lucky.

Despite the storm and the disappointment that my family wasn't able to make it in due to weather related travel disruptions, Easter weekend turned itself around.    We had a great visit with family, ending with a  fabulous Easter brunch filled with gorgeous fruits, eggs, pastries and ham.    I wish I had hauled out the camera so I could show you a picture of the beautiful table, but I was preoccupied with eating it all.   So good!

The day ended with an Easter egg hunt for all the little ones.    We had some tears, white clothes and knees turned muddy, kite flying and tons of nostalgic cuteness.   I can remember my own days of Easter egg hunts in the yard on Easter morning.    I'm pretty sure my brother and I fought over an egg or two.    Kids are funny (and cute).

In keeping with the Easter/spring theme, I thought I'd share a quick and easy recipe that is perfect for a Sunday morning at home.     I used a bunch of ingredients we had left over from this weeks CSA box, but you could easily substitute your own "end of week" vegetables in this very adaptable recipe.

Farmers Market Frittata (serves 2)


Ingredients


2 teaspoons butter
1/4 cup red onions, diced
2 garlic cloves, diced
2/3 cup mushrooms, sliced
2 cups baby spinach, rough chopped
4 large eggs
3/4 shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons skim or reduced fat milk
1/2 teaspoon dill
salt and pepper
1 small tomato, diced

Preparation


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Crack four eggs into medium size bowl.   Whisk until blended.   Add 1/4 cup shredded cheese, dill and two tablespoons milk.    Stir and set aside.

Heat medium sized skillet over medium/low heat.    Add and melt butter in skillet.    Add red onions and saute for 3 - 4 minutes until slightly softened.    Add garlic and saute 1 minute until fragrant.    Add sliced mushrooms to vegetable mixture and saute 3 - 4 additional minutes.   Add spinach and saute until wilted, about another minute.   Salt and pepper to taste.

Pour egg mixture over vegetables in skillet and swirl pan until fully coated and even.   Cook for 4 - 5 minutes over medium low heat on stove until eggs are mostly set.    Remove from heat and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Place skillet in oven for another 5 minutes until ready (cheese is melted and slight browning).    Remove from skillet and serve with fresh diced tomato.

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On another note, I'm beginning to grow a small addiction to eggs lately.    I'm thoroughly excited that I just received my first batch of farm fresh eggs in the box this week.   They look like regular eggs, except for being a nice mixture of brown and white.   I can't wait to see how they taste!   I read an article on the plane this weekend about urban chicken coops.   I'm not ready to go that far yet, but this might be a nice alternative.