Monday, September 15, 2008

Why do I blog?

I discovered an interesting post on a blog I've never visited before this evening. The post was regarding food bloggers, eating disorders, and why people post everything they eat in a day (i.e., "flogging," which I've been doing lately.) Here's the link so you can read it yourself.

I know that I do not have an eating disorder, but this post really made me think -- why do I flog, and why do I blog?

First, the flogging -- I fell into, what I felt, were bad eating habits this summer. I was thoughtlessly eating a lot of junk, (processed food, candy, etc.,) and needed something to help me be more mindful of what I was putting in my mouth! Enter accountability, in the form of a daily food log, or "flog." Posting my daily meals and snacks really helped me identify ways I was falling "prey" to junk food -- not packing a lunch or enough snacks for work, not eating enough breakfast, eating when I was feeling stressed, etc. So, I've been flogging for a few weeks, and I think I'll stop, officially, for the time being. Sorry if you've enjoyed the flogs -- I'm done for now! Flogging has served its purpose.

Now, why do I blog about food? I love healthy, whole, organic, local foods, and I love, love, LOVE to cook and bake. I find a great deal of comfort, calm, and peace in my kitchen. Cooking focuses my mind, and allows me to do something nice for both Dan and myself that is also good for both of us. So, I blog about what I love to do the most -- doesn't everybody else who blogs blog for that same reason, regardless of what they blog about?

The surprise I found in blogging was the community aspect -- I never knew I would find so many people out there "just like me!" My friends and family love to eat my food, but no one I know, save for one or two friends, (and several coworkers at the kitchen store!) will talk food with me in the way the food blogging community will. So, I put in a little effort, and reap great benefits -- that's why I blog about food.

Food and cooking, for me, are passions -- not obsessions.

So, why do you blog about food? Drop me a comment or post on your own blog -- I'd love to know!

14 comments:

Liz said...

Very well put- I've briefly worried about my blogging being a remaining symptom of a past eating disorder, but I really think it's about loving to cook/bake and loving to connect with others who feel the same way.
By the way, I love that we both have food snob blogs and live in the Twin Cities!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

I blog about food because I like sharing with others about my baking adventures :0)

aTxVegn said...

I read through some of the comments on that link and found it pretty n/a to the vegan blogs I visit and the posts I write. Like you, I have always loved to cook and bake. I blog and read blogs to LEARN. I started my blog because I was a new vegan and wanted to learn how to prepare great vegan food. I would love to read and write more posts, but I never let it interfere with my everyday life.

Anonymous said...

I love this post! This is EXACTLY the way I feel about food and people I'm around. No one else understands, but my blogging community! Everyone I come across think that I'm so weird for taking pictures of everything I eat and then posting and writing about it online. Thanks so much for posting this!

Anonymous said...

I find blogging as a vegetarian to be extremely helpful. Also there is no real veg community where I live so it is impossible to meet any vegetarians. As long as I blog - I don't have to! I have a community right here online. There are some people who definitely have eating disorders who blog but they are few and far between. Most people (at least vegetarians) have pretty healthy relationships with food. I love seeing everyones recipes and the passion and love they put into their cooking. It makes it so much easier for me to stay veg when I have all of this inspiration around me!

J said...

Great post! I'm going to check out that link, interesting about the connection between eating disorders and flogging. To be honest, I didn't know what FLOG meant until I read this post. I figured it was something like "LOL", I was one of the last people to know what that one meant too. ;-)

Why do I blog about food amongst other things? Well to be honest, when I first started blogging it was to have an off site storage of all my recipes. And I figured if I was going to do that then I might as well share. Now it it that, and a place for community, a place for me to share my ideas, learn from others, and try to do what I can to help myself and others live in a more sustainable way. Oh, and making good food helps dispel the notion that we veg*ns only eat salad. I actually rarely eat salad now that I think about it, but I'm not lacking in the veggie department.

Crystal said...

Speaking of blogging...I really should do that ;)

I started out because I'd always tell people what I made for dinner, but they just didn't "get it" or couldn't picture it. So, out came the blog.

I agree with you that it has become so much more of a community than I had ever imagined.

I also get surprised when family members say they read my blog posts and are inspired by them. It can be rewarding, but it's also work at times!

-Crystal

Anonymous said...

I am not a blogger, but I read veg blogs for meal ideas and recipe suggestions. When I find the ones that I like, like yours, I also enjoy reading about their travels and lives. Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

I think your reasons for flogging/blogging make perfect sense, and I appreciate that you do it! I am sure it takes some extra thought and work to photograph and write about everything you eat! But your posts are much appreciated enjoyed :o)

Courtney

Angie said...

Interesting post! I've only commented one other time, but I enjoy your blog as a fellow Twin Cities girl. I'm not a vegetarian, but I used to be one in college. I'm now more interested in the locavore movement.

Anyway, what I'm about to say probably isn't going to be that popular, but here goes...

I think that it *can* be easy for people following restrictive (might I even say utopian) diets like veganism to develop unhealthy relationships with food. Or, perhaps it's more accurate to say that people who have unhealthy relationships with food can easily find comfort in veganism. I have NEVER sensed this problem on YOUR blog, however. (I have sometimes wondered about *some* of your commenters.)

I frankly avoid food blogs that emit an obsessive vibe. The writers of such blogs typically are consumed by concerns with food "purity." First they're vegetarians, then vegans, then gluten free, then nightshade free...and so on. They often post about the utter disgust and fear they feel when presented with food that doesn't adhere to their strict rules. (Such food often is refered to as "poison.")

I think it's kind of a "you know it when you see it" thing.

-Angie

Anonymous said...

I've never been one to keep a diary. Yet, my blog has become my diary. As I look back and what I ate that day, I am reminded of how I was feeling or what I was up to. Yes, I have a passion for food and cooking, and I love how blog has given me a way to record my life through food.

Sarah said...

i blog about food because I am able to connect with people who are like me. I for once feel 'normal' and not alone with my lifestyle. I find more power to push through all ridicule and show others how great we all live. Plus I love cooking and baking, so I get to show off and find new delicious finds.


btw, I was at Target a week ago. And randomly they had shopping carts on sale for 15 bucks. I pretty much ran and got one. Its a bit heavy and bulky, but if it saves my shoulder, Ill be the awkward girl on the bus, which already is the case ;) We shall see how it works.

Sarah said...

As with Liz, I have some worries to cover when I blog. But I have actually found that blogging has allowed me to find a way to have a healthy relationship with food. Since starting my blog and also turning vegan, I have found myself having a much higher interest in nutrition and healthy eating, since I cant just turn to a frozen pizza or some other horrible meal. And also, I have found a love for cooking. I always have loved baking and of course eating, but now that I am the cook, seeing everything that is put in my food and therefore in my mouth has helped me realize the importance for good health. Some worry that I am obsessed with food, but this is a healthy relationship. It is necessary to have some sort of relationship with food and blogging has helped me do that. Plus, all the recipes I find are amazing. Its all great fun :)

Sarah said...

haha, I just realized I already posted why I blog! Three weeks later and I find a new reason to blog, so its all good :)