This is it. My first official entry to Project Food Blog. Project Food Blog is the first-ever interactive competition where thousands of Foodbuzz Featured Publishers are competing in a series of culinary blogging challenges for their chance to advance and a shot at the ultimate prize of $10,000 and a special feature on Foodbuzz.com for one year. Foodbuzz knows how to throw a party and I’m so happy to have been invited.
When I first heard about this competition, I was a little hesitant to join. There are nearly 2,000 featured publishers who have entered and in the mix are well rounded home cooks, restaurant owners, chefs and celebrity bloggers. It’s a bit intimidating and well… nerve wracking. As I thought more and more about this competition, I realized that it is an attempt to encourage and challenge all of us to become better bloggers and improve upon our culinary repertoire. I decided to use this format as a way to build my own blogging skills, open myself up to other cultural foods and utilize it as a chance to reach many more people to the mission of my own blog. To enjoy cooking from scratch using traditional methods and find the pleasure and value in growing and raising your own food.
So what defines me as a food blogger?
My boys.
I praise the Lord for the responsibility that He has given me to nourish their tummies and ensure that they are healthy and their immunity system is strong.
Organic Gardening.
I spend countless hours in my gardens growing most of my families food for the year. It allows me to see the real value in food, embrace our seasons and cook using the freshest ingredients possible. Being in my garden is also my haven for peace and solitude where the Holy Spirit speaks to my soul.
Organic Gardening also allows me to teach my children where their food comes from and how it comes to be. We all take pride in working the land that we have and seeing the fruits of our labor.
Urban Chicken Farming.
I am now in the second year of raising backyard chickens for eggs and the first year of raising chickens for meat. Next week, my husband, children and I will be culling 13 chickens to add to our deep freeze. The experience of raising your own animals for food is one that draws you closer to life. You can begin to understand the way animals were intended to be raised and the realities of our fallen industrial food system. As in organic gardening, I am also passing on these traditions to my children. Next year Nehemiah will proudly display one of his backyard urban chickens as a part of 4-H at the Iowa State Fair.
A preserver of food.
With all of the food that I grow during the season, I freeze, can and dehydrate our harvest for the cold winter months.
A traditional home cook.
This is where the fruits of my labor come into play. Utilizing food that I have labored for, I create traditional Spanish and Mexican recipes passed down through my family. I make delicious mineral rich bone broths the way my Abuela Rora used to do. I utilize different pieces of the animal to flavor and enhance the nutrition of each dish I create. I strive to cook the way my family has in Spain for generations. Using the freshest ingredients, cooked slow and always in season. It was my Abuela Rora that first showed me how to buy the freshest chicken (alive) and cull it in your kitchen. Yes, this was once normal and something that I’m trying to reinvigorate into my own kitchen today. From a culinary stand point, there is nothing better than a freshly culled roast chicken.
So this is me, this is what defines me as a food blogger.
You see, I’m not a trained chef or someone that intends to create the newest gastronomic emulsion. Instead, I want to be as confident in my kitchen as my Abuela Isabel and Tita Rora were. To cook as they did. To understand the different cuts of meats and how to cook them. To understand when vegetables are in season and how to best utilize them. To be in touch with our food as God has given them to us. To cook from scratch and be able to look into my families eyes as they truly enjoy and appreciate the labor of love you put in to better nourish them.
and most of all…
to teach all of my readers that this goal is attainable and just takes a little bit of thought and practice to be the best home cook that you can be. Away with preservatives, chemical and hormones. Away with diabetes and cardiovascular disease! Real Food for Real People!
If you have time, cast a vote for me 😉
hooray for Real Food! good luck in the competition! 🙂
I truly feel family is a huge part in how we create such wonderful meals. Your boys are beautiful and thank you for sharing your story with us. Good Luck to you!
congrats!!!!
FOR GETTING SELECTED AND ALL THE BEST FOR COMPETITION.
Love love love your blog and I really loved your first post for the competition! I'll keep following you!
Really great post. Good luck. This was a hard one.
Great post I just submitted mine too, and it's hard to know what to say. I don't expect to win, but thought I'd push myself by entering. Best of luck
Lovely post! I wish you the best of luck in this competition :o)
Good luck with your project, I mean it!
I love farm to table and seasonal cooking. Food is at it best and "fresh" is the first best ingredient. Good luck on your challenge.
Nice to see someone not afraid to show her faith and family as a foundation. Very best of luck to you!
Thank you for sharing you life with us. I am loving reading about everyone's life during this foodbuzz challenge. I posted my FBC blog yesterday. Check it out and let me know what you think.
Ashlee
http://ashandlewplus2.com/2010/09/18/project-food-blog-ready-set-blog/
Muy bien hecho. I'm in awe of your hands-on approach to the food you feed your family. Good luck in the challenge.
This is a fantastic entry! Oh how I want chickens but with two terriers I dare not try it. 🙂
Diana, you know you'll have my vote! Wishing you all the best and good luck! Hope to hear from you more often.
Best wishes, Kristy
I love your entry Diana- it is perfect. Wonderful job 🙂
I really enjoyed this post! It's so amazing how you're doing so much gardening and fresh, natural cooking. Good luck in the competition! Your boys are so cute!
You know I adore your posts! Your boys are so lucky…it would be so neat to grow up with you!
You sure have my vote.
Many blessing for you and your family.
Thank you so much everyone for the kind words of encouragement and support. You're the best!!
So honored to be in your company, amiga…best of luck!!! =)
Nice post. Good luck!
Diana,
I'm rooting for you all the way!
You got my vote! Cheers and aloha.
I'm definitely voting for you. Your gardening and preserving skills alone are what make you better than any restaurant chef!
Diana, I almost didn't join when I saw you and Yvo (Feisty Foodie) were in the running–but it's not always about winning, is it? This will recharge my blog and get me back on blogging track! I so love your site and can't wait to see what you do with PFB!
Voted! 🙂 I love your blog so much! Good luck on PFB!
Great post! I have always fantasized about raising chickens. But my laziness always prevails. I voted for you! =)
Good luck!
You can check out my PFB post at: http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/view/503
I really enjoy your blog and totally agree with you. Cooking does not require a fancy chef degree. You have my vote.
Looks great, you got my vote! You can see my entry at http://www.foodbuzz.com/project_food_blog/challenges/1/view/594
Sent a HAPPY ♥ vote your way. See you in round two!
~ Mary
Wonderful post! You touched on the reasons why I follow you- AND you draw the reader into your life and want to get me to change. Good luck!
Me encanto este post!!! May God continue guiding you and shining in your life!!! Keep Smiling =) Good Luck!
The boys are too cute. You got my vote Diana!