During a recent book discussion and signing I was asked about my journey as a blogger and everything which has evolved from Savory Sweet Life. As the words left my mouth I realized how much has changed over the years. I’m discouraged by the constant bombardment of social media marketing, “I rub your back, you rub mine” type of networking, and the humble brag which isn’t really humble at all. Then there is the issue of self-importance many bloggers (and when I say many, I put myself in this category as well) seem entitled to perpetuate. Last year I made this decision to start stepping away from the “successful” strategies bloggers employ to quietly live beyond the blog and focus on finding joy, rediscovering myself, and engage myself with my friends and family without having my online world overlap with my private life. I finished my book talk to encourage anyone thinking about blogging as a career to stay true to self, focus on your own voice (instead of the one you may be tempted to project in order to be liked), and follow your own rules.
I’m at a crossroad in my blogging career in the sense it has no longer become a creative outlet. This makes me sad. It’s like grieving the loss of a loved one where you can sense the heart of the person is deteriorating. This is not a good-bye post by any means. Instead, I am making a new commitment to you. Whether this is your first time visiting or you’ve been a long time reader. I am going to only share with you honestly. If I post a recipe you can be sure it is something we are eating at home that I didn’t just create to blog about. I am not going to project life is perfect and if I ever write in a cringe worthy way by making 1st world problems seem larger than life, you have my permission to call me out and unsubscribe. Nor am I going to post anything I wouldn’t eat myself because I know the internet will just deliciously eat it up. I want to consciously blog with integrity. I want to speak my mind freely without worrying trying to persuade anyone to like me or this blog.
I’m pulling myself out of the food blog rat race. I’ve been turning down most sponsored / review type posts unless I really love the product or use it on a regularly basis. I am not going to beg or ask for votes for anything. Been there, done that. Didn’t like it. Instead, I want to write and share when it feels natural and unforced – which means posts may be infrequent and surely will not fit the 1-2 posts a week many bloggers strive to publish. I think I’m batting maybe 1-2 a month. I want to fall in love with blogging again but on my own terms.
Lastly, I will continue to write for PBS weekly. I love working for PBS and I will post here when I can to let you know if there is a recipe I think you should try that I posted over there.
This leads me to this Indian-inspired curry tofu dish I made over Swiss chard. It is seriously good in a comfort food for the soul type of way. I love this dish because the flavors from the spices and Greek yogurt together make for one memorable dish which happens to also be super healthy.
Until next time.
- *Tofu Curry Sauce:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 quarter-size pieces fresh ginger, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- 3 teaspoons curry powder
- 1½ teaspoons garam masala
- 1½ teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
- ½ cup canned diced tomatoes with their liquid
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 3 ounces medium tofu, cut into ¾-inch cubes
- Optional garnish: lemon slices, plain Greek yogurt, small pinch coriander
- *Swiss Chard:
- 1 bunch Swiss chard, stalks removed, leaves cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
Love reading about your heart hear. I’m so curious about your journey. It would be fun to do coffee sometime. Blogging has become such a passion for me, and I want to keep it that way – staying true to myself and the heart of my blog. Love the wisdom you are giving here. Thanks for that.
Wow! this is really great. This is the kind of food that we should be serving. Thanks for giving us an idea.
Thank you, thank you! I have been following your blog for years and always love it. I have unsubscribed from many former favorite blogs because they have succumbed to the blog rat race, as you call it (which is hard to avoid) and lost the individual spark that I loved so much in the first place. I look forward to continuing to follow you.
P.S. Your peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies made with raw sugar is hand-down my favorite cookie recipe of all time.
Alice, what a delightful chef and writer you are! I love reading your blog!! You are gifted, talented, and creative. Thank you for being an inspiration to me. 🙂
I’ve been quietly following your blog for about a year or so (came for the japchae,…stayed for many other goodies and the posts 🙂 I have been loving your honesty in posting about where you and your family are at in your journey of life. Totally applaud you being real and letting us share with you as you redefine what you want on your blog and the changes you are experiencing/creating in your real life. I agree with one of the other comments that posts like these are one of the reasons I follow your blog. Thank you for being authentic….it’s a gift to your family and to those of us ‘onscreen’. And I’m trying out this recipe!! Have some tofu and greek yogurt that’s begging to play with these spices 😉
Looks like a great vegetarian curry that I will make.
Yes, yes, yes. Amen. I love this post and I thank you so much for putting it out there. I am encouraged. Keep up the amazing work.
Alice, you put in words what I’ve been feeling. Thanks for keeping it real and for having the courage to opt out of the path of least resistance.
Way to go! Be true to yourself and everyone will admire your integrity and love you for it. I value and support truthfulness and honesty in all people.
your courage and integrity is so inspiring. Will always be a fan of your recipes and style of writing. Looking forward to your posts however infrequent they may be.
Love your heart and your “realness.” I’ve definitely cut down on posts…pre baby I had all the time in the world to blog…not so much anymore. But I still really love it and it is still a creative outlet for me. This dish looks amazing by the way…definitely gonna add this to the menu this week 🙂
Hi Alice,
I really enjoy reading your blog and I check daily for your postings. You do an awesome job! May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
Posts like this are why I follow you :). Thank you.