Hi, friends! Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a fabulous start!
So, guys, I have a little confession for you: I’m bored with taking photos of my food. Phew. There, I said it.
If you’ve been following CNC from the beginning, you know I’ve been snapping photos of my meals and snacks for almost 5.5 years now. That’s a lot of food photos! Even though I don’t take photos of everything I eat, it’s still something I think about multiple times a day. And I guess I’m just not that into it anymore, which maybe you’ve noticed over the past several months.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love blogging and sharing my life āone bite at a timeāĀ on CNC, but, moving forward, I’m going to document less of my everyday meals and snacks. I’m not saying I won’t document a full day of eats from time-to-time, but I just won’t do it on the regular.
What does this mean for CNC? Honestly, not too much. You’ll still see some of my mealsāāmore like snapshots and summaries of what I am eatingāāand I hope blogging less about my daily eats will make way for other fun content: workouts, events, recipes, new products, life adventures, pug photos (obviously), and other randomness. You can also follow me on Instagram (carrotsncake) to see what I’m eating. I post a lot of food (and pug) pics there!
With that said, here’s a snapshot of some of my eats from the past couple of days:
- Roasted chicken with carrots, celery, and onions, steamed broccoli, and rice
- Homemade cauliflower, leek & ginger soup, a banana, and Marylou’s white chocolate chip iced coffee with soymilk
- Green juice made with apple, spinach, carrots, cucumber, and ginger
- Baked acorn squash with vanilla cake batter coconut butter
- Avocado chicken salad
- Avocado + banana smoothie (recipe on Health next week)
Health News & Views
Remember when exercise meant playing kickball with neighborhood friends and Capture the Flag during recess? As a kid, I never went in search of a new workout or felt like I needed to check it off my list for the day. I got a workout without even trying! Boy, when did exercise stop being fun?
If you can’t remember the last time you enjoyed a workout, try this one, which takes place at an outdoor playground. It’s a guaranteed fun time!
Try This Fun, 15-Minute Playground Workout
Questions of the Day
What are your favorite kinds of blogs to read?
What’s your favorite thing about CNC?
Bloggers: Have you ever changed the focus of your blog?
P.S. Local dog owners: Canines & Cocktails kicks off at the Seaport Hotel tomorrow night (6/19)! Murphy and I will definitely make an appearance there sometime this summer. We had so much fun at Yappier Hour last year!
76 Comments
Exactly why I haven’t blogged in about a month! š
I’ve added more areas of interest to my blog over the last year and am constantly thankful that I decided to just use my name as my URL instead of a ‘catch phrase’. My interests are always evolving and I anticipated that the focus of my blog may shift and didn’t want to feel obligated to write on topics because the name reflected it.
I love how you incorporate recipes into your normal daily posts and always have a new workout, recipe or idea to try! It keeps reading CNC fun š I follow all different types of blogs from healthy-living to beauty/fashion to cooking and I love the bloggers that are able to mix it up!
As long as you promise to post juice recipies, we’re cool.
I love seeing what you eat in the day, but I would much rather read other content like you said. I know some bloggers just do collages like you did today (I love collages) and sometimes just dedicate one or two posts a week to what you’ve been eating lately. I’d be interested in just hearing your thoughts on what you choose to eat and how it makes you feel in handling your UC.
My favorite thing about CNC is that you aren’t afraid to change your mind and admit it. Some bloggers seem to feel that once they share their opinion on something it would be wrong to change their point of view. Umm… That’s how life works!
Also, as I mentioned before, even though it may not be what everyone else wants to read, I really enjoy hearing what you are doing GI-wise. Also, I love murphy posts. And I like seeing pinnable workouts where you don’t need gym equipment… And of course Paleo/Grain-free recipes are a fave! š
@Eating 4 Balance: Oh wait… I also like reading your tips for bloggers!
I did a “Week of Vegan Eats” a few months back where I photographed everything that I ate. Holy cow, that was exhausting! I am seriously impressed by anyone who is able to document their daily eats!
I feel like all of you “healthy living bloggers” are doing this transition into less pictures and blogs on what you eat day to day. What gives?
Honestly, I love seeing what people are eating on their blogs but I love blogs that show more than that so much MORE!!!
I think it’s only natural for a blogger’s content to change as WE change. While I still take pictures of my food from time to time, I definitely can’t do it everyday as I think I’d even bore myself (especially since I’m such a creature of habit, including what I eat).
I think you should do what makes you happy and yeah, documenting your food can be exhausting. I did that for every meal for a week and it was just a lot of work. I tend to lean toward a dinner round up for the week on Fridays unless I got lazy. Oops!
I like to read all kinds of blogs from health to DIY to beauty tips and random ones like Lifehacker and Greatist.
Whatever you wish to blog about is awesome because it’s YOUR blog! I love all sorts of blogs – healthy living, food, fashion, daily life, you name it. Usually if I can somewhat relate to the blogger, and it’s quality stuff, I enjoy it!
I love the snapshot idea! It was fun to just see small pictures with a list! š Favorite thing on CNC pictures of you and your adventures!
I like reading blogs with variety – from every day life, workouts, and recipes.
I love that you talk about real issues that everyone can relate to!
I think my blog has changed focus in the past 6 months for sure, I used to run a lot and marathon train then I slowed it down to start a family and am now 5 months pregnant. So while it has changed I try and keep some aspects the same.
I like variety-new workouts, new finds, new recipes, travel, local stuff.
I actually prefer that you dont post the same oats in a jar breakfast.
I do like how you summarized it in the post above.
Have fun at Canine Cocktail hour, sounds like fun! If I didnt have to go home to get the dogs and come back in the city, I would totally bring my girls in!
@Tara: Oh, I coud see less of the ‘free’ stuff you get, It makes me sad that you get all these expensive sneakers/clothing/gear for free that I cannot afford : ) (<—jealous)
I miss oats in a jar so much! Haha! It used to be my favorite breakfast!
@Tina: @Tina: Are you avoiding oats?
I can’t eat them anymore. They go right through me. Haven’t eaten them in ages. š
@Tina: You might find success with gluten-free oats (they exist). Or you could try to prepare in a different way (?). i.e. sprinkle them raw on a smoothie (just to gradually “test them”) OR soak them overnight as a museli (i.e soak in a bit of vinegar or tablespoon of whey overnight…top with some yogurt or milk and dried fruit/nuts in morning). Perhaps the occasional bowl might work for you? The body and abilities and stuff might change over time. Maybe one month you will tolerate the steak and the next month only saltines, its a constantly changing thing with food!
To be honest I think the daily food photos are over done on blogs now! I generally skim or don’t bother to read – especially with the need to follow a diet that’s best for you, eat foods that make you feel good. I actually prefer single recipe posts – better for recipe inspiration! Look forward to the future content on your blog.
I love reading blogs that are full of energy and fitness related (with a little humor thrown in there). A blogger has to have a personality! There are some bloggers out there that do not seem to have a personality and make me wonder if they would even be any fun to hang out with!
I like Murphy stories š And hearing about fun new workouts!
I think this switch is a good one, it does get a little repetitive.
To be totally honest I have been debating whether or not to stop reading your blog for awhile, not because of food photos, but because so many of your posts are about products and companies you are visiting to promote through your blog. I understand that all of the views are your own, but it gets really old and kinda boring. I can only speak for myself but it might be something to consider.
Thanks for the feedback! CNC is my full-time job, so I need to work with companies in order to pay my mortgage and medical bills. Otherwise, there would be no CNC! I hope you understand and thanks for reading!
@Tina: Tina, this is honestly such a wonderful response. I know it can get tough taking constructive criticism, and I have to say you handled these comments well today. Looking forward to reading more in the future!
I actually love reading about the companies you’re working with. For example, I always assumed Silk was another big wig company that was full of crap, but your recent involvement with them has totally changed my perspective. Posts about your workouts and setting/achieving new goals are always my favorite!
So maybe you’ll lose some followers, but your true fans will stick around through the next step in your CNC evolution, and you’ll pick up even more followers. It kind of reminds me of music. Bands will change their sound based on how the group evolves – real fans dig it, but there will be those who stop listening. Just because Stand Up wasn’t the same as Crash doesn’t mean the band folded. š Just another Tina who loves some DMB – keep up your fabulous posts!
Aww, thanks! š
Tina,
I have been reading another Blog that has a “What I ate Wednesday” day. Personally, for me, I think it’s fun to see what she ate that day. I look forward to that day and it’s a little tease waiting to see what she ate.
Just a thought!
That’s a good idea! š
I’ve only been blogging for about 2 years, but I’ve definitely changed over the past two years. I started out by talking way more about food and what I ate, I went through a huge running phase (marathon training) and now it’s more about me and my life and the journey I’m on. Less food and workouts, more self-improvement, etc. We’ll see how it changes in the future, especially since I just graduated law school!
And side note: I totally understand being tired of photographing your food. I only did it randomly and for WIAW and I got tired of that!
When I look for blogs to read, my favorite posts are about workouts, unique recipes, pet pics (!), tips on healthy eating/living/motivation, reviews on gear/clothes/races, and I think mixing it up with “video blog posts” are a cool way to do a post that is a little different than the ordinary. I think links to articles you think are interesting, be it about colon health or really anything, are interesting reads too. My favorite posts of yours are usually about exercise!
Honestly, I skim through almost all of the “food posts” that anyone seems to be writing these days. I really don’t care how many apples you ate, or smoothies you drank – I do like anything interesting that you have made or suggestions that you have like your meal prep post. I also enjoy any posts about restaurants you have gone to. I find your posts to be well written and enjoyable to read. Some blogs have just become too boring and the “same old thing” – so I think evolving is a good thing!
Yes – my blog has changed focus from time to time (I’ve been lacking in the ‘food’ posts lately). It has been harder and harder to blog every day, but really I shouldn’t compare to the big blogs, because blogging is not my job. But really, it is my blog, so who cares?
In general I just like blogs that make you think. It’s nice to get a look into someone’s day/what they eat, but in general, he’s my breakfast, he’s a picture of my treadmill gets old…I like stuff that’s a little deeper (at least sometimes!)
I totally understand. When I first started out my blog, I tried taking pictures of everything I ate, and it was exhausting!
I’ve been reading CNC for over three years now, and it doesn’t bother me that you’re making this slight change. Actually, I hadn’t really even noticed that you were phasing out the daily food pics over the last few months! I read your blog because I’m interested in your perspective on things, love your positivity, and of course, for the Murphy pictures.
Another commenter mentioned it, but I’m a huge fan of What I Ate Wednesdays (Jenn at Peas and Crayons hosts it). I add pictures of my favorite eats from over the week to my WIAW post. That way it’s only the “interesting” foods I’m sharing. š
I totally understand how you feel. I’m a novice blogger (I just started a few weeks ago) and remembering to take photos of what I eat is hard sometimes and annoying. But I also really want to , especially for recipes and WIAWs. And I don’t even use a special camera, just my iPhone! You take amazing pics, by the way!
I moved away from blogging about my daily eats starting at the beginning of 2012. I, too, got bored with taking pictures of the same foods. It also made blogging feel more like a chore, which is NOT what I want it to be.
Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for CNC!
I don’t know how you posted food photos everyday for so long. I did it earlier this year for about a month and couldn’t do it any longer. I was annoying MYSELF with pictures of my meals!
I definitely like bloggers that do a recap of the food they have been eating over the week or month…it inspires me to try new recipes!
I will always be a CNC fan…unless there are no more Murphy pictures….then all bets are off! š
Honestly I love that you never post just your meals you always have a story to share! I’m from Boston and live on the south shore so I also love hearing about your adventures and have tried a bunch of restaurants and fitness related stuff you have mentioned! I also love how real you are and don’t pretend you sit at your computer all day just because you work from home!
I so admire how you document your daily eats and have always wondered how you do it. It must take a lot of discipline and organization to do that.
While I’ve always enjoyed seeing your meals on the blog, I truly do find all of your posts with tips very useful and interesting. The one you posted today on meal prep was so so great and gave me some useful information. I’ll miss your daily eats, but it’s not the reason I read your blog š
I’m still struggling to figure out the focus of my blog. I’ve read your tips for bloggers (haha) and I try to take them to heart. The theme is “Sometimes Healthy Living” as evident by the name š And each post definitely speaks to the theme of embracing the slip-ups and the triumphs in healthy living. But, I’m still trying to understand what people want to read about. I can’t get in a groove of posts where I really feel like each one is well-received.
My meals aren’t interesting enough to blog about everyday, so each post usually has a theme. Mondays recap the weekend, usually focusing on a Sometimes Healthy type of adventure. Wednesdays are WIAW, so I document what I eat. Fridays are my “Kitchen Adventures” day. I recently moved from the city to the country (major new theme on my blog), so I like to talk about my first times trying something in a real kitchen…Sometimes what I make is super healthy..Sometimes it’s not!
Anyway, all the rambling is just to say I’m still trying to find a “center” for my blog. If you ever get a chance to read, I’d love your tips and constructive criticism. It would be so valuable coming from someone as successful as you.
Good for you for being honest to your readers and to yourself! That is a LONG time to be taking photos of food and I am glad you are taking a break and exploring other topics. Maybe this break will help you find another route that you will be passionate about and be just as successful. š
I get yah on the photos! I love to cook, eat and share, but photography is a pain in the rear, especially when the photos don’t come out! I can’t wait to see what new things you explore and share with us!
I totally agree. Heck, I’ve been taking pics of my food for 6 months and I’m already tired of it! Good for you for sticking with it for 5 YEARS!
I don’t need to see pics of what you eat, especially when it is bananas and peanut butter. Nice to have more creative recipe ideas on occasion. I also don’t particularly enjoy consistent brand plugs. I don’t want a constant advertisement even though I recognize that is partly how you get your money. I do like to know about workouts – and not always crossfit although that is fun on occasion too. I started reading this blog because it didn’t fall into the trap a lot of other blogs have with becoming branded and the same o same. I hope you keep it real and don’t continue to go that route…..Murphy pics are always fun š
You’ve got to do what’s right for you š
I personally love the photos of Murph sometimes more than food photos anyway š
I love your blog, but I have to admit I’m a bit bored of photos of every meal too. That isn’t meant to offend, because I devour every post anyway, but I do find myself just skimming over the meals to get to the other stuff. But just make sure to still post really awesome meals and recipes!!
I agree the food pictures do get to be a major chore. I only post what I’m eating once a week and that seems to work out pretty well. I can’t wait to check out the avocado banana smoothie recipe. It looks so creamy and delicious!
I’m cool with you not posting food pics but I miss when you blogged more than once a day. I guess that can get old too?.
My blog seems to be all over the place!!! Sometimes I wonder where exactly I am going with it!! But that’s okay!!
I love seeing pictures of you, Mal, and Murph, just as much I love seeing the food pictures!! Sometimes I just love reading about everyday life!!
I think after 5.5 years of documenting food, you definitely have the right to change it up a bit š
I can’t imagine photographing everything I ate, much less doing it for 5+ years, so I totally understand the need to shift to something new! That said, I do enjoy reading about your weekly meal plans and your recipes. They always give me lots of good ideas, so hopefully you’ll still have lots of those posts! I also like your workout posts, and I liked it a while back when you did the “plank challenge.”
I can imagine that after 5.5 years you’d be ready for a change! Looking forward to whatever you choose to document!
I’m basically really nosy, and love reading lots of different kinds of blogs! I think when someone enjoys blogging and is passionate, it makes it interesting to read.
On your blog, I love the various tips you give, the workouts, recipes and the random humorous things you blog about (like the skull :)). I don’t blame you for wanting to take less pictures of your food. I couldn’t take photos of everything I ate, everyday.
My blog changes focus depending on what I’m up to in my life. I travel a lot, so when I’m doing that I’ll talk more about travel and less about food and exercise. It usually revolves around one of those three things though: Travel, food and exercise.
Hi Tina,
I looooove seeing what you have eaten in a day. It inspires me to eat better š I understand it can be tedious and time consuming but please don’t stop posting pics of this all together!
Love your blog!!!
I like the change! I feel like most of the blogs I read have transitioned at one point or another (KERF and Eat Live Run come to mind). Love seeing your meals, but also love seeing more personality and variety (and more Murphy!!) — looking forward to it. š
I love the travel posts most of all. You do a really great job of showing the places that you’ve been and what you did. It doesn’t matter to me whether you paid for it or someone sent you, I just like to know what it out there. And your Ireland trip from the Groupon was especially helpful since I have always wondered if an international groupon trip would be a good one.
I think it makes total sense to stop photographing EVERYTHING. Ive tried doing it myself and it just frustrates me…
Your posts are always great, and I love the simple recipes…but if you stop snapping pictures every time you have toast and peanut butter for breakfast Im certainly not going to hold it against you! This is one of my favorite blogs and its because of the overall content you include, not every bite you eat š
I started off blogging my daily eats too, but I got sick of it after only a year, so I switched over to just posting recipes, restaurant reviews, summaries of what I’ve been eating, etc. It’s definitely a lot more manageable!
I’m excited to see how your blog evolves!
i could imagine after 5.5 years of doing it it would be getting a little old. I love the way you write your blog.. food pics or not .. i will still follow
My favorite types of blogs to read are health/fitness related. CNC is fairly new to me, but I’m loving all of it so far, especially the recipes and your tips for working out. I also like reading about your experiences with Crossfit since it’s something I’ve never tried before.
Whatever makes you happy Tina – after all, this is your blog and you should focus on the things you want to focus on!
David and I love reading about what you eat and looking at all the pictures but we also love everything else you write about. We have learned so much from you.
So we will keep on reading and look forward to seeing and reading about everything you are up to in the future! Here’s to another 5.5 years!
J x
Ps – as long as we still get our Murphy fix! I couldn’t bear seeing his beautiful face less!