Am I the only one who immediately goes to worse case scenario when someone hasn’t blogged for a long time, with no explanation? I realize not everyone blogs at the same pace or frequency, but when someone hasn’t posted in a long time, who used to, I wonder, what happened?
Case in point: Healthy Mom on the Run. She last posted in August when her husband was taking her away on an impromptu vacation, then nothing. Is she okay? Did they have fun? She’s pregnant, so then I start to think, is the baby okay?
Next up: Minus the Whip Cream. Manda lost 20 pounds in March – she kicked ass! Then nothing. I kinda feel like a stalker because I keep leaving comments asking if she’s okay, but no response. 🙁
Lastly: Sharon of Snipets and Bites. She was a blogger back in 2008 and 2009, in fact she was one of the first regular readers I had that wasn’t family. She was a college student in Canada, used to make the most gorgeous plates of fruit and veggies for her lunches, and talked warmly about when she went home and her Dad made her his signature Asian dishes. Her site just shut down one day. 🙁
So any of you who decide to stop blogging, I understand, but could you just have a farewell post? And those I mentioned are okay, could you let me know so I can stop worrying? 😀
It actually reminded me a time when Hannah was about 4. My friend was between houses with her husband and they were staying at her MIL’s house. She had a pool and invited Hannah and I over for the afternoon. She asked if I needed the address, and I was like “I’ve been there half a dozen times, I know how to get there!” We ended the conversation that she was going to jump in the shower, as it was a 30 minute drive.
Hannah and I get to her MIL’s house and ring the doorbell. Nothing. We knock on the door. Nothing. After 20 minutes, my mind goes to worse case scenario. She’s fallen in the shower, cracked her head open and is bleeding! Hannah and I went to the side gate – but it could only be opened from the inside in. I have this clever idea that I am going to hoist Hannah over the fence! There was a frog lawn ornament – I picked up Hannah and got her over to the other side, only to realize she has about a 2 foot drop and I am thinking of what to do, when I hear my friend behind me say “Biz, what the fuck are you doing?”
Um, turns out I was at the house next door – that look almost identical! Oops! I asked Hannah if she remembered that story, but she didn’t, which is probably a good thing! Um, let’s just say that some of my early parenting skills were questionable!
You knew it was only a matter of time before I made another breakfast pizza. I usually cook it 3/4 of the way at home, then finish it off in our work toaster oven – I must have had it on the wrong temperature because I put the pizza in, went to my desk, opened my email and a couple minutes later I thought I could smell something burning! I saved it in the nick of time – I had the temp on 450 for broil!
My friend and I walked for 50 minutes at lunch – I walked with 2 pound weights. The trees are just starting to turn and it was a gorgeous day – in the low 70’s!
I had leftover broccoli ranch mac n cheese, with a side salad. Except I must have taken my low fat salad dressing home because I couldn’t find it. All that we had was full fat ranch, so I mixed 1 tablespoon ranch with 1 tablespoon cholula hot sauce and it was delicious! A spicy ranch! 😀
I have yet a third version of my Cincinnati Chili – this one is the best one yet and the simplest! It’s just the right heat level for Tony too.
Simple Cincinnati Chili (printer friendly version here)
Makes 6 servings (243 calories, 7.9 fat, 5.5 carbs, 2.1 fiber and 36.4 protein)
Ingredients
1 | clove garlic, minced |
2 | tablespoons tomato paste |
2 | tablespoons chili powder |
1 | tablespoon dried oregano |
1/2 | teaspoon ground cinnamon |
1/2 | teaspoon salt |
1/2 | teaspoon black pepper |
1 | cup chicken broth |
8 | ounce tomato sauce (1 small can) |
1 | tablespoon vinegar |
1 1/2 | pounds lean ground beef |
Directions
- Heat non-stick skillet to medium. Add ground beef and cook until almost completely done.
- Drain fat. Add back to pan, add all remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Serve over cooked pasta, with cheese, peppers, black beans, whatever!
Here is my Cincinnati Chili – 5 way: 1/2 cup of chili served over 1/2 cup cooked pasta, diced orange pepper, torn baby spinach, 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese and spicy black beans, oh and hot sauce 😀
Stats for Wednesday:
- 1489 calories, 179 carbs, 85 protein, 50 fat, 26 fiber
- 29% of calories from fat
- 50 minute walk with 2 pound weights
- 15 minute walk with dog
BSI! Sorry for the delay in BSI this week, we had a bit of confusion with hosts this week, but it will work to your advantage because you’ll have more time to submit your entries to Errign of Errign’s Adventures who chose Apple Cider! You have until Sunday, October 17 to get your recipes to her and she’ll pick a winner on Monday, October 18. First thing that came to mind for me were apple cider donuts, but I’ll have to think about it! 😀
I want that! I haven’t done an I want that shout out in a while, but as soon as I saw it, I wanted it. Cook and the Dishwashers Southwestern Bean Soup with Cornmeal Dumplings. I want those cornmeal dumplings!
And not too late to vote for Round 3 in Project Food Buzz. Even though I didn’t make it through, I am not sad because Friday I’ll get the call from Foodbuzz telling me that I won a trip to San Francisco for my Pumpkin and Roasted “Popcorn” soup!
My votes?
- Mara – What’s For Dinner?
- Kim – Poor Girl Eats Well
- Mike – Rooftop Gourmet
- Kristin – Iowa Girl Eats
- Natasha – Five Star Foodie
- Asha – Fork, Spoon, Knife
Sorry this was so long – if you have made it down this far – have a great day! 😀
You know just a few weeks ago I went through my Google Reader, cleaning up my subscriptions and I was amazed how many bloggers have stopped updating their sites without any explanation. I agree – a farewell post would sure be nice 🙂
I really appreciate your support in the PFB!!! Thanks!
I do the same thing when bloggers disappear. There is one in particular right now that really puzzles me. Prior to her disappearance, I felt she was right on target, and developing some deep friendships in the blogosphere, but she has disappeared and none of us can reach her. If she is okay, why is she doing this?
I’ve noticed a lot of bloggers have called it quits, but most of them have given notice. It seems they’ve just gotten burned out or need to devote more time to other writng projects or life in general.
I’M THE SAME WAY! My immediate thought is always that they died. There was that one girl who was supposed to do a BSI way, way back and then never chose a winner. She didn’t post forever and ever since then, I kept checking back. Finally I saw that she’s still active on Foodbuzz, so I figured she probably was just embarrassed and abandoned ship.
Then Sweetie Pie stopped! I was actually going to meet up w/ her in DC last Nov. so I know she’s still fine, but still odd for her to not blog, I used to follow it regularly. I think she still reads though b/c I actually got a comment from her a few wks ago.
Then there was some random girl I’d only followed for a little bit. She lived in NYC and posted one day about it snowing and showed pics of her patio w/ snow on it and then never posted again – no word. I don’t even remember her or her blog!
The fruit sticker cracked me up! That’s totally something I would do.
Oh and what type of pasta is under your chili? It looks like it’s some special fancy kind, but I can’t really tell. Maybe I’m just halucinating. hahaha
It is Barilla brand – it is called Spaghetti Rigati – just a thinner version of spaghetti 😀
And that girl who never picked a winner is BSI is why I resurrected it weeks later! FYI. . . I made apple cider marshmallows as the BSI this week – they turned out so good! 😀
Ha! You called them out. Please don’t do that to us if we don’t post for a while. 🙂 Blogging is so time consuming, no? Wish it was easier to post consistently. Thanks for always having a great recipe and a laugh to share!
I freak out when people disappear too.
I work retail and it seems like it happens a lot. One day this guy came in early Sunday morning, helped me put out the sidewalk, straightened the front of the store, and then I was outside signing the baskets he walked by (I thought he was going on break) and we NEVER saw him again. Kinda freaky. The manager at the time came out and asked where Greg was and was shocked how he just walked off.
P.S. now days I try to friend as many as I can on facebook so that I will not lose touch.
That is so weird Jamie!
Biz, I almost fell out of my chair laughing when I read about you hoisting Hannah over the fence. I can picture you doing this! Lol, and getting caught by some one. Gee, girl that is soooo funny. Your pizza looks wonderful. I’ve never had any of my bloggers stop blogging all of a sudden, but if I did I would probably be just as concern as you were. I mean you do get attached to your regular readers and become really good friends with a lot of them. So, yes i would feel the same way. Girl, you are still having issues with the BSI?? I remember when that episode happened to me when I was a host, I was so confused. If it weren’t for Veronica I would of been totally lost! Have a nice evening 🙂
That story about you hoisting Hannah over the fence just made me laugh out loud! Too funny!
The chili looks great…. so simple! Yum!
I remember Sharon, too! She used to always have those wonderful tofu sandwiches!
I am in love with your breakfast pizza 🙂
I do the same thing with jumping to frightening conclusions. Whenever my husband is more than 30 minutes later than normal I freak out wondering if he was in a car crash…and oh my goodness how will I manage without him..and and and. I also wonder about those bloggers who disappear too.
I always worry about those bloggers too and hope they’re ok. I’d like to think that even if I dropped off the face of the blogworld, I’d still respond to emails inquiring about me.
Funny, Biz. Mom on the Run posted yesterday–she and the baby are fine. http://healthymomontherun.com/2010/10/
I too get really worried about people who drop out. Saying goodbye would be a good thing.
Love the salad. that’s what I want right now!
T
Thanks for letting me know!!
I LOVE that you put your chili on noodles – fabulous! Also, I know what you mean about blogs that shut down. I worry, too! And agree – just post a farewell message, ladies! 🙂
Woo hoo about the Foodbuzz thing – are you going to go?
I get so busy with school so my posting gets crazy! 🙂
Oops, can’t read – thought you said you GOT the call saying you were going 🙂 Well, I hope you go!
I hope you get a response from those bloggers. That would worry me too. One of the blogs I have been reading has not posted in awhile too so I went back and check this week actually to find that she did write a farewell post and I missed. All this time I was wondering what happen.
Okay I really really really need to try a breakfast pizza. Yours always looks so darn good. And that chili….look how easy that recipe looks :0
You’re not the only one. I wonder about some bloggers, too, especially if they were really good about posting regularly then *poof* into the ether.
Cincinnati chili! I often forget just how much I love it. Thanks for the reminder.
Love the story about the wrong house.
Also, I do feel the same as you about people who disappear…I wonder, think and worry about them. The idea of a farewell post is great. There are people I still wonder about who’ve been gone almost a year. I love that if I go more that 3 days without posting, A few bloggers start riding my ass!
oh, I know what you mean about worrying about bloggers. I’ve been so worried about Friend of the Bear. She’s not answered my emails and I just have the worse feeling. Some of the bloggers I follow have become such a part of my morning and evenings that well, they become like friends.
Your food looks absolutely yummy. You’re such an awesome cook. Wanna be like you when I grow up… Oh, I’m already grown… well, you know what I mean.
BTW–breakfast pizza looks great. Gonna have to try that for my breakfast soon.
2 teaspoons olive oil1/2 pound pork loin cut into 1/2-inch chknus and remove all visible fat3 small garlic cloves finely minced1 red onion finely chopped (optional)2 tablespoons flour preferably masa flour2 tablespoons cornstarch4 tablespoons water28 oz. New Mexican chiles roasted, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped1-2 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper optional and preferably fresh1 teaspoon cumin1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 teaspoon white pepper2-3/4 cup chicken broth2 large fresh tomatoes pureed (or peeled and chopped) (optional)A completely traditional Mexican Chile Verde is a green chile stew without any tomatoes at all; however, in practice it is far more common to include some tomatoes some green chilis use so many the color becomes red and the flavor becomes heavily tomato, but that’s definitely overdoing it! This recipe has just a couple of tomatoes, to lend the richer, smoother flavor they impart, but not so many to adulterate the green chile character.The flavor of green chili is influenced most by the kind of green chiles you decide to use. There are about 200 varieties of chiles, only three or four of which are commonly used in green chili.Traditional New Mexican green chiles are a special variety that were originally bred in New Mexico from Anaheims, and which (last I knew) aren’t grown outside that state. The growing climate and the varietal breeding has created chiles that are both hotter and more flavorful. Of these, my personal favorites are Big Jim New Mexican chiles plenty of fire but also lots of flavor. Anaheims have some flavor but very little fire, so they’re usually mixed with the much hotter Jalapenos. Other chiles such as Poblanos or Habaneros (a/k/a Scotch Bonnets) have incredible fire (literally thousands of times hotter than any Anaheim, by scientific measure, as seen below), but not all will have equivalent flavor. Nonetheless, there is no reason to limit yourself to these, if you enjoy experimentation. It’s similar to choosing what variety of apples you prefer.
I agree with the disappearing, although I might be a hypocrite for saying so. I’ve gone for long periods of time where I didn’t blog. I’ve never had a blogging schedule, but when I’m not inspired to share/write/create, I don’t post. No explanation. I get emails and Facebook messages asking if I’m okay from a few bloggers that I’m particularly connected to, and I always respond.
I am going to have to try this chili – my boyfriend LOVES chili but hates spicy. I’m always adding hot everything to my food after I dish out our plates!
I’m just like you. I worry for them, not knowing if they’re ok or not. It’s like losing a friend that you’ve gotten to know, which is sad too. It certainly doesn’t help the “grieving?” process that we keep checking their blog daily, hoping that they’ll write something, anything.