Simple & Real

A year a go, I would?ve never thought of myself as a food blogger.  In fact, I had no idea food blogs even existed.  What I did have was a love for food & new recipes as well as a love for healthy living and exercise.

Once I discovered the food blog world, it took me six months to decide to start a blog.  I attempted a few failed blogs before I settled in and decided it was something I really wanted to have as a part of my life. One of the main reasons I was hesitant to start is because I have a very busy schedule, and I get distracted easily: SQUIRREL!

But that being said, I started PhD Strides in May of 2010, as an outlet for me to share my love for food, exercise and overall healthy living while on a budget and time constraint.  As such, I strive to utilize & create simple recipes that are delicious and wholesome at the same time.  For example, my Summer Chicken Sausage Pasta:

Or Goat Cheese & Fig Pizza:

Both which require minimal preparation, and minimal ingredients.

On top of being simple, my creations, and posts, are a personal reminder that when I put my mind to something, I can create something amazing ? be it a delicious, but always simple, meal (Cuban Black Beans):

writing out matrices for problem in class:

or running a marathon (soon to be accomplished with Julia on October 17!:).

And that all of it can be done with a tight schedule and a money conscious lifestyle.

That being said, I?m a regular girl who loves to challenge herself in the classroom, kitchen, in a workout and just in life in general.  It?s what my blog is all about ? and its what I believe a food blog star should be”: Real and average, with a passion for food (and apparently odd shaped objects that make noise).

So, maybe not that average   But, you can work with me

Regardless, I blog to share myself, my experiences, love for food & passion for exercise to maintain a healthy life with friends (including bloggers and readers), my family and myself.  Which, is why I would love to be the next food blog star.

If you blog, why do you blog?  And if you don?t blog ? what would you blog about if you did?!  What would be your blog ?mantra??

Voting opens Saturday morning ? look for my post for information on how to vote for me to be the next Food Blog Star via the Food Buzz Project Food Blog contest!  (While you?re there ? check out the posts by the other contestants, as there are some other fabulous food bloggers out there!)