How food blogging changed my life

2012-10-07T00:00:00Z How food blogging changed my lifeCarrie Steinweg Times Correspondent nwitimes.com
October 07, 2012 12:00 am  • 

Like most people, I enjoy a good meal, but in the last year, I’ve begun to develop a better appreciation for the food that sustains us. I’ve learned more about where it comes from and the passion of those who produce it and prepare it.

In the spring of 2011, my sister, Becky, had a cooking party at her house in the west suburbs. She had taken gourmet cooking classes in the past and she is a world traveler who has been everywhere from France to Fuji, Austria to Australia, Poland to Prague. In her travels, she is always excited about trying new foods.

I haven’t been lucky enough to travel as much as she has, but her passion for food is contagious. So, at this cooking party she had, there were some last minute cancellations and it ended up being just four of us. One other couple was there – a former sous chef and his wife. It worked out very well as more people would have really been a hindrance. Four fit perfectly in the kitchen as we each went about a different task of making the meal, which included a savory salad of greens and goat cheese with a homemade vinaigrette, a meat empanada, chicken buerre blanc and a dessert of fresh fruit crepes with homemade whipped cream. Julia Child would have been proud. We created a visually appealing and delicious French meal and had a blast in the process.

As we enjoyed our meal, I suggested to my sister that we start a food blog, to share recipes and review some of the wonderful restaurants we’ve visited. On July 1, Chicago Foodie Sisters (CHICAGOFOODIESISTERS.BLOGSPOT.) was born.

It got off to a slow start, but it was instantly something I was in love with and was way more than just another writing gig to get done. I started looking at the whole world differently. I planned out meals differently and started to experiment more in the kitchen. I started to follow other food bloggers, who offered great tips and ideas, and were a whole new group of online friends and a valuable resource to go to when I was stumped in the kitchen or wanted to learn more about what some eateries were serving.

The opinions expressed are solely the writer's. Carrie Steinweg, the mother of five, lives in Lansing. Reach her at csteinw@yahoo.com.

Copyright 2013 nwitimes.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Follow The Times

Facebook

on Facebook

Twitter

on Twitter

Email

Get email updates from

Email Updates

RSS

Follow via RSS

RSS Feeds

Latest Local Offers

Valpo ATA Black Belt Academy
Tiny Tigers (children ages 4-7) class now available!

Join our new class Tiny Tigers (children ages 4-7), Mondays an…

Portage Ace Hardware
Take Care of your Lawn! RED HOT BUY: Green Turf Crabgrass Preventer with Fertilizer, Weed and Feed

See our April Circular for all of our specials: http://acehard…

Allstate Elaine Morris
With Elaine Morris of Allstate…You’re in good hands!

Elaine Morris has over 25 years of experience with Allstate

Feikema Plumbing & Sanitation
Let Feikema Plumbing & Sanitation keep your septic System problem free

For nearly 60 years, Feikema Plumbing & Sanitation has bee…

Featured Businesses

National Video

Newsletter Sign-Up