BlogHer Food '09
I had a lovely Saturday. I attended the first annual BlogHer Food conference, and it was fantastic.
I was actually a bit hesitant to attend, since I don't really consider myself a foodie, and although this is technically a food blog, and even though I've written about food for over a year and have a cookbook coming out (in a few weeks! squee!) I don't actually know that much about food.
And I will never, ever have a zen moment while cutting an onion.
shhh. don't tell anyone.
So I was a bit worried to go. I was worried that it might feel a bit snotty.
I was SO WAY WRONG.
I didn't bring my camera (Adam had it on the soccer field for the girls' game), so I don't have pictures of the lovely ladies I met, but I'd like to link to some extraordinary women (and Sean. Hi, Sean!) who you might or might not already know.
These are all real people who know about food. I had a real conversation with all of them, and guess what? No one was snotty. Yay!
And they all twitter. I've been super hesitant to jump on the twitter bandwagon because I'm terrified of time-suck. But I signed up, so I can keep in touch better with my peeps. I haven't actually tweeted anything yet, though, because I haven't figured it out. I think this is who I am: http://twitter.com/stephanieodea
well. I know WHO I am, but that doesn't mean I know what to do with this here account. I plan to put the kids to bed early and figure it out.
(psst, there is no order to these blogs. just how they happened to pop into my head just now.)
Shirley Braden, Gluten Free Easily
Diane Eblin, The W.H.O.L.E. (whole healthy organic living everyday) Gang
Alison St. Sure, Sure Foods Living
Elana Amsterdam, Elana's Pantry
Michelle Stern, What's Cooking Blog
Karen, Sassy Monkey
Kristen Doyle, Dine and Dish
Michelle Lentz, My Wine Education (wine-girl.net)
Book of Yum
Anne-Marie Nichols, This Mama Cooks
Shauna James Ahern, Gluten Free Girl
Kalyn Denny, Kalyn's Kitchen
Sean Timberlake, Hedonia
Stefania Pomponi Butler, City Mama
Lydia Walshin, The Perfect Pantry and Drop In and Decorate
Alana Kellogg, Kitchen Parade and A Veggie Venture
Jaden Hair, Steamy Kitchen
Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes
I enjoyed this conference so very much, and if I had a choice between attending the full BlogHer conference or BlogHer Food, I'd choose the smaller focus of the Food. While I always have a complete ball at the full conference, I really liked the smaller feel at Saturday's event.
I get overwhelmed easily.
There has been a bit of buzz throughout the blogosphere about lunch. Lunch was sponsored by Bertolli, and the wine served was from one of my favorite wineries: St. Supery. I was invited to an event Friday night at St. Supery winery, and although I originally RSVPd yes, I chickened out due to 1) being pregnant and 2) not wanting to stay out late (probably had lots to do with number 1!)
Adam and I served St. Supery's Sauvignon Blanc at our wedding, and I routinely give St. Supery as a gift. It's a great wine, a great price, and it's local.
As for the food, I didn't have it, because I ate the gluten free option, which was a fabulous risotto.
Which you can make in the slow cooker!
Traditional Risotto
Corn Risotto
Breakfast Risotto
Thank you to Lisa, Elisa, and Jory for this wonderful event. I'm looking forward to next year!
I am so bummed that I had to miss it-again-this year!! Maybe next year. Glad you had fun!
ReplyDeleteOMG...I love slow cookers too. I'm a single mom, working fulltime as a Safety Coordinator and I own an online boutique. The slow cooker has become my best friends.
ReplyDeleteIt was so nice finding your blog.
Best wishes!
Yoli Kalkofen
Love your Blog! The slow cooker has been a great help for those days where I don't want to spend my whole day in the kitchen, which is most! Simple Mom just had a great post on Twitter, I don't use it myself because I keep thinking it would be a huge time sucker. Here's the link http://simplemom.net/smart-girls-guide-to-twitter-ebook/
ReplyDeleteOh I am so adding your new book to my Christmas list. I LOVE my crock pot and wonder.... AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT GOES THROUGH THEM LIKE CANDY? I tend to have to replace mine every other year. I BRAKE THEM... WHAAA!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat brand did you use?
Love your site-- especially the gluten free stuff. But that add at the bottom-- the 'Flat Belly thing'. Geeeeezzzzzz
ReplyDeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeletewhere's the ad? I don't like the sound of that.
xoxo steph
Sounds fun! You were brave to go and I'm glad you did!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say THANK YOU! I have 2 crockpots that I never use because everything that comes out of them is not very tasty. I decided to try once again after I stumbled across our blog and every recipe I have tried is fantastic. On my lunch I load it up and I get to come home to a fantastic meal that everyone in my family enjoys. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteP.S I can't wait to for your cookbook to arrive : )
thanks for list of great food blogs
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun!!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot of fun wasn't it? Glad to see you on Twitter. No rules, just do it when you feel like it. I'm a pretty occasional twitterer some days myself!
ReplyDeleteI "Stumbled" onto your website this afternoon and love it! The recipes sound right up my alley because I think my slow cooker is the best thing ever...why would anyone want to stand over the stove to cook when you can do this in the morning or at lunch time and be done with!!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a fantastic event, too! As soon as I get over my jet lag, I'll do a post as well. And, I have to admit, I was a tiny bit amused that other people were unhappy with their food choices for once. The gluten free folks are usually the ones who don't get the best choices. This time our freshly made risotto looked quite good to everyone!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the shout out! The very best part to me was connecting in person with so many (like you), who I'd only known online before. It's really such a great community of folks. :-) I'm sure that BlogHer will listen to input and next year's event will be even better!
Shirley
THAT sounds like my kind of BlogHer. I would love to go.
ReplyDeleteOK dear, we didn't get to hang out nearly enough! Next time, right?
ReplyDeleteI am totally with you and will probably not be attending BlogHer again... just the BlogHer food. More my style!
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteYou captured so many of my emotions from BlogHer Food - going in and coming out. I, too, was slow getting up with Twitter for the same reasons but after making so many wonderful connections, I have been bit by the bug. It seems like a good network.
Sorry we didn't get to spend more time together but we all have so much to look forward to next year!
[I am in the easily overwhelmed camp, too. But I want to join in the fun next year.] Can't wait to get a copy of your new cookbook! xox Karina
ReplyDeleteWe didn't meet at BlogHer Food, oh well! There were so many people!!! A pal on Twitter shared your post on yogurt in the crock pot tonight and now I want your book! Tonight I had tossed in a chicken and vegetables for a lazy version of coq au vin, took a nap (have a bug of some kind) and woke up thinking I must really be sick, I didn't smell anything. Well, of course I forgot to turn on the thing! Sigh.... I'm off to peruse your past posts and plan my fall cooking with you!
ReplyDelete@HeatherHAL
Stephanie - it was so nice to meet you! Like I said, the women on the board I run love your site and it was so cool to put a person to a blog name, especially when the person is as charming as you are!
ReplyDeleteYou are so amazing. I'm still unpacking and you've got this posted and more. It was so awesome to meet you in person. I agree with you about liking the smaller venue of BlogHer Food. It was nice to get to meet so many great people. I can't wait for next year. I'd love to have one every 6 months but I'm sure they would go crazy. I was one of the lucky few who had a great lunch. I can't eat gluten or rice so even the gluten free risotto was out. I had an amazing plate of fresh sauteed vegetables. It was great. Hope you make it to east coast soon. I'd love to have you over for a crockpot meal. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt was great to finally meet you in person, especially after our phone calls and gmail live chats...I can't wait to meet up with you again!
ReplyDeleteI watched you on Good Morning America today and am so proud of you!
I bought two of your books today for birthday gifts. Hoping I get one of my own for my birthday. I have been using your site for a year now. Everyone thinks I am a great cook and that I spend a lot of time on the meals. Thanks!! I just think you are great.
ReplyDeleteI've spent my morning on-line looking for slow cooker cookbooks - because - ta-da - I want to start cooking for my family and slow cooking seems to be my best option! Nothing has caught my eye until I saw Stephanie's NEW cookbook. But it's only 3 of us, so can anyone tell me if this cookbook will still work for us? We don't mind left-overs but just not tons of them. Hope this isn't too dumb of a question. I am not a cook - just a wannabe one. Thanks
ReplyDelete