Still at it

I’ve been blogging for over 4 years.

I know this because I remember Michael Phelps’ record relay swim was the very first day I blogged.  It’s hard to forget something that memorable.  Especially since I was at Boat Basin with friends and the scene was insane.  In a good way.

Anyway, it’s crazy to me that I’ve been at this for so long…in all honesty, I never thought I’d write about food for any real length of time, but here I am, still doing it.

My tastes have certainly changed along the way, but many of my favorite foods are still favorites.

I still eat hummus like a fiend.  I still pack my work lunches every single day.  I still hate that I love Kombucha.  And I still eat a mostly vegan diet.

If anything has changed, it’s been how I’ve grown into the “hippie” title even more.  I now make my own nut butters, breads, and granolas.  I create crock pot meals from seemingly nothing.  I’ve explored raw foods in ways I never even thought of before.  I have my own real garden.  I’ve embraced yoga as way more than a running rest day activity.  And I’ve managed to encourage my husband as he embarks on his own vegetarian journey.  Not necessarily big changes, but significant ones to me.

Anyway.  I didn’t mean to write some big reflection monologue, so now I’ll move on.

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I made a kale salad with an almond based dressing the other day, and forgot to share it.

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The salad portion had raw kale, red cabbage, carrots, plain tofu, & dried cranberries.

The dressing portion had almonds, almond butter, almond milk, tamari, maple syrup, ginger, and garlic infused olive oil.

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Dressing meet greens.

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I massaged the kale for a few minutes until everything was completely coated in dressing.

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I let it chill in the fridge, which helped the rough kale leaves soften a bit and allowed the dressing to really permeate through.

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I waited til Kyle got home.  He popped the wine – Colcannon 2010 Petite Sirah.

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Kyle’s salad was limited to one serving, alongside a bowl of brown rice (more for me!).  I had four servings of salad, no rice.

I love kale.  I guess that’s another thing that developed over the past four years.

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Comments (30)

  1. j3nn

    That raw kale salad sounds so good! That’s a great flavoring combo for the dressing. I’m just getting into low-FODMAP eating. After reading more about it, I’m hopeful that it might help my IBS. I went gluten- and dairy-free this week–among other things–so fine-tuning a bit more won’t be so bad.

    Your blog and other web site have been helpful. Thanks!

  2. Abby

    Yay! You know I love your blog and even when I don’t comment, I’m always lurking in a totally non-creepy way. I do have one question for you though that I ask with 100 percent NO judgment, as I’m kind of in the same boat.

    I eat a mostly vegan diet, but still include some organic eggs and sometimes organic Greek yogurt. I know you eat a lot of eggs as well. Do you have an issue with saying you’re “mostly vegan” or do you get crap from others for the egg/dairy thing on occasion? I don’t always feel comfortable saying I’m mostly vegan, simply because I know that label holds a lot of weight to it in that community, but I still do anyway. Heck, it’s how I eat–as aware and compassionately as I can while taking care of myself–and I couldn’t care less about labels.

    But you’ve changed your platform a bit over the four years you’ve been blogging. Do people give you a hard time about that at all? Do you think you’ll ever go back to straight vegan? Just curious. You don’t have to answer my ramble 😉

  3. Elise (Post author)

    i sometimes get a little inquiry given that i used to exclude eggs from my diet…ive always avoided labels (even in my very first “about me” back on blogger i said i ate greek yogurt occasionally), so its usually for newer readers who have seen predominantly vegan recipes and then see an egg and get confused. i know what you mean about using the word “vegan” though because it definitely has a very specific definition and i did get some crap a while back for saying “veganish” which i have since stopped using. ive tried to switch my language to “plant based” as a result because i think it describes my diet pretty well. but as you know, theres always going to be change. i dont think anyone goes their entire life eating the same exact way, right?? sorry for the rambling answer. 🙂

  4. Abby

    Nope. I get it. I just know there’s a lot going on right now with people debating “plant based” and vegan and all that jazz. It doesn’t affect me as I’m in the same boat as you, but I was curious as to your take (you’re a much bigger blogger than I am in terms of that community.) Thanks for the reply 🙂

  5. jess

    haha, you had 4 servings. of course.

    i still remember when i read skinny bitch and told you about it. i believe it was around the same time that we stalked rachel ray at barnes and noble. ahhh, the good ol’ days.

    reading your blog makes me sad sometimes because i miss you so freaking much.

    xoxo

  6. Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy

    Wow over four years! Thats so awesome! Congrats – that’s really something to be proud of:) Isn’t it fun to look back and see how we’ve changed and grown over the years? Its good to know that the hummus has been a constant:) haha Great post! and great looking salad!

  7. Katie @ Peace Love & Oats

    Congrats on four years! That’s a long time!

  8. sarah

    Yours is one of the 1st blogs I ever discovered- iv been a religious follower ever since & your writing is still one of my absolute favourites. You definitely have presence in the blogworld!
    So I’m happy you are still at it. Hungry Hippie is a joy to read that I always look forward too:) .
    Xxx

  9. Lisa

    I love your blog, one of my favourites! That’s crazy you’ve been blogging for 4 years now!
    I liked your little reflection monologue!:)

  10. Courtney

    4 years is awesome–congrats! I remember when I found your blog working at a horrible job that I hated…I read your blog there and it always made me laugh 🙂

    Courtney

  11. Lou

    4 years… amazing! You are awesome, and I love reading whatever you decide to share on the blog…. now we just need to organise YOU and KYLE to get over to Aussie for an international blogger met-up! 🙂

  12. Elise (Post author)

    agreed!!!

  13. Elise (Post author)

    awww…thanks sarah!

  14. JL

    Congrats!!! Yours was one of the first blogs I found when I made my transition to a vegan diet – I am forever grateful for the creative ways in which you create plant-based meals on the go – my kind of vegan eatin’!

  15. sarah

    Congrats on 4 yrs! Just shows you can never tire of making delicious food and we can never get enough of reading about it and stealing your ideas!
    I love your blog–it’s the one I look most forward to reading each day!

  16. Haley

    Congrats on four years of blogging!! You are by far my favorite blogger (I get a little giddy when I see a new post in google reader). Thanks for the amazing recipes and great example of balancing healthy living while working and having a life 🙂

  17. Jill in Chicago

    Congrats on the 4 year blogversary! I can’t remember how I found HHH, but I enjoy it here 🙂

  18. Emily

    Wow…four years is such a long time. That’s actually really amazing. I’m so glad that you’ve stuck with it because I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of your posts. They’re honest, interesting, and your recipes are always unbelievable- this one included! It actually sounds somewhat similar to Chef AJ’s Kale Salad which I make all the time and LOVE. I can’t wait to try it!

    And I’m with you…kale is amazing. Another thing I’ll never get sick of.

  19. Alaine @ My GF & DF Living

    Wow, congratulations on 4 years! It’s always fun to look back and see how much has changed in that period of time.

    I love kale too and that salad looks delicious!

  20. Jill

    That’s awesome that you have been blogging for 4 years now!! I have really enjoyed following you. I have been trying to live a healthier lifestyle, which has included changing my diet. I have gained motivation from your posts!! I really want to try your recipe for kale salad. Maybe one day, I will make my own almond butter too!! (:

  21. ethel

    Happy 4th Blog-iversary love!

  22. Elise (Post author)

    thanks fpic.

  23. Elise (Post author)

    thanks jill, thats so nice to hear. 🙂

  24. Elise (Post author)

    thanks alaine!

  25. Elise (Post author)

    i definitely modeled this off chef aj’s kale salad…

    and thanks so much for your kind comment. its always nice to know that people enjoy reading 🙂 keeps me motivated to stay at it.

  26. Elise (Post author)

    thank you jill – im glad you like reading 🙂

  27. Elise (Post author)

    awww…thats so so sweet of you to say haley. seriously, thanks for the comment.

  28. Elise (Post author)

    thanks sarah!!

  29. Elise (Post author)

    thank you so much JL…its an honor to even think i had any role in your success…you re doing BIG things for plants based diets and i think its absolutely awesome. congrats on the demo, btw.

  30. Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats

    4 years is awesome! Grateful that you do what you do! You’re one of my favorites to read! 🙂

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