So, nearly two years ago…I started this little blog. I call it “this little blog”…although it has grown and grown and has become almost a fulltime (mostly unpaid) job. Now I know most of my readers have never clicked on my about me page…(in case you don’t know google analytics can tell me what gets clicked on), so I feel I need to tell you why I blog about kids food and a bit about me. Yesterday I was at a session run by BUPA and Mindshare and one of the questions I had to answer was why I blog, and it got me thinking, how many of you actually know why I do this? It also got me thinking, how can I expect you to vote for me in the awards if you don’t know me well enough?
So here goes. I’ve got two kids, I’ve been a teacher, I’ve been an educational designer (fancy words for developing on line learning environments for students in Universities) and most recently I’m a mum. But I’m not a mummy blogger. I’m also not really a food blogger. I’m a KIDS FOOD blogger. And I love blogging about kids food.
Many years ago, I didn’t have much exposure to amazing home cooking, I didn’t grow up in the kitchen helping out, I’ve had no formal food training. I just love food. Proper food. Food with ingredients you find in a pantry, things your gran or nan would know how to use, without thinking twice.
When I got married in 2005 Mr kidgredients and I moved across the globe to London where we spent two and a half years. I was teaching and as I was casual teaching for the most part, I didn’t have all the marking and planning that cmes with fulltime teaching and had time up my sleeve. We had an awesome little green grocer up the street, he knew me by name, the shop had fruit and veg that I’d never really seen before in my life…the fishmonger was a colourful cheery man with a shop full to the brim of fish that I didn’t know what to do with. So…I bought stuff I didn’t recognise, I asked questions, I listened to the answers and I went home and played with the food. I used my trusty Cooks Companion by Stephanie Alexander to fill in the blanks I bought cooking magazines, cookbooks, I attended classes, I came to love food. I visited my Aunty in france and did the same there, we travelled all over Europe and our main concern when we arrived in a new destination was finding somewhere awesome to eat.
So…when I had Miss 5, I made all of her baby food and tried to constantly make different foods for her that she would love. And for the most part it worked. She has quite a good palate…and loves food! She will eat smoked salmon, prawns, brie cheese, olives…basically anything you put in front of her she will ate least try. Master 3 on the other hand…he’s asthmatic, he’s allergic to pineapple and he’s a lot pickier. He still loves things like smoked salmon and camembert but the initial act of getting him to try something new can be tricky. I was told by a paediatrician that the best way to ensure he has a good chance to grow out of his asthma…is to cut out processed food. Hard task. But we have mostly done it.
But why bother blogging about it? Because. I’m not perfect. I try things, the kids either love them or hate them, we try more things, if they work and the kids love them, I share them, because there isn’t enough easy stuff out there on the web that is homemade and can be done by the average Mum quick enough! I’m so passionate about kids food that I just want to shout it from the roof tops!
Most of all, it’s about you. I want this blog to help other people to make good choices about food that work for their family. I want to give you options and I want you to feel as though the things I do are achievable. I want to make a difference to how you feel in the kitchen. I want to continue to do this and make sure that I can reach as many people as I can.
And if I’ve managed to do that, even on a small scale, please consider voting for me in the People’s Choice Awards for the BUPA blogawards. It closes on 28/08. I’d be ever so appreciative, I have big plans for how I can make this blog an awesome resource for Mums just like me…and I want to get started!
http://theblueroom.bupa.com.au/blogawards
Mim Jenkinson says
I love your reasons for blogging and I love your blog too – good luck lovely lady!! x
kidgredients says
Thanks Mim…count down is on for Problogger!!!
Kate says
I love that your post recipes that I can actually make… no super fancy ingredients, no difficult steps, just yummy stuff that I can have a go at! Thanks so much for your awesome blog!
kidgredients says
Aw thanks Kate! That’s what it’s all about, yummy stuff everyone can make!
Kate Lloyd says
Your blog is such a valuable resource for everyone Kylie. I always find fabulous ideas and I also really value your opinion with the reviews you do.
Anna says
I’m so glad you started this blog! I love your content!!
kidgredients says
Aw thanks Anna!
Chelsea says
LOVED reading your story. Best of luck with the awards, you totally deserve it!
kidgredients says
Thanks Chelsea, it felt weird writing it down, but such a good exercise for working out my “why”!