Long time no talk! I used to share so much about my days with you all, and since I changed formats it’s not always evident what’s been going on backstage. Here are some tidbits!
-On the exercise front, I am a walking machine! I’ve been covering 4-5 miles per day on foot, unless it’s pouring down rain. I’ve been able to keep this up in the hot summer because we’ve been going out right after breakfast around 7:30. The morning humidity dew has been so refreshing and the temps are usually in the 70s. Sometimes I run, but since I usually just had breakfast, I mostly walk. In fact, we walk Matt to work about half of the time. I take the long way home and my workout is done by 8:30. I had forgotten how fun it was to workout first thing, take a shower and get started on my day.
-Speaking of working, I’ve been going into the bakery for business meetings with Matt regularly. Karen offered to watch Mazen regularly while we work on some of the things that fell to the back burner since I left working there full time. It’s been nice to get my head back into the business, and I know Matt appreciates the help.
-I also jumped back into nutrition! A blog reader is an AmeriCorps member, and I spoke to the summer camp she is running for 5-8th grade girls. I had a great time!
-I finally have that make-up/beauty post I’ve been promising for years in the works….
-Sponsored posts are here to stay. I dodged them for 5 years because sidebar advertising was where the brands wanted to be, but these days blogger-brand relationships on the prime time real estate are where the marketplace has headed. I’m doing my best to be choosy and keep the posts in my voice. As always, I appreciate your support.
-I decided to give my hair a boost with some highlights for the summer.
Before:
After:
A nice trim too. My hair was all shag!
I was totally not expecting the highlights to take three hours! Thank goodness Maze and Matt were having a blast together at home.
-It makes me really sad that I don’t read nearly as many blogs as I used to. The answer to the question “What did I do with my time before I had a baby” is read blogs. I’m exaggerating a little, but I feel like now I barely have time to get my posts up each week and I’ve fallen so behind in keeping up with my community! I apologize if I haven’t stopped by your blog. Instead, I’m always on Instagram trying to catch as much microblogging as I can. {But I am lovin’ Feedly as my new reader!}
-Similarly, since Matt and I have been watching Mad Men (60+ episodes and counting) I haven’t picked up a real book in months. You know when I lament “whatever will I do when XX series ends?” The answer is read. I can’t wait!
-What is with me and eating eggs for breakfast!? They are so good!
Lynn @ the actor's diet says
As someone who’s read your blog for years it’s nice to see you grow and change. Nice highlights too!!! I’ve been going on such a major Sopranos binge the last few months I don’t wanna do anything else or read anything else!
Anna Ming says
I fell in love with your blog because of this kind of personal and honest post, in addition to your vibrant food photography. Always know that your KERF readers are here for you, girl!! And you inspire me to go on morning walks btw, I’ve been craving a morning jog but my tum always wants breakfast first! 😀 Thanks for the backstage pass Kath!
KathEats says
Thanks Anna : )
Eating 4 Balance says
I really like your life updates the most because that’s why I started reading your blog in the first place. The picture of your haircut has me thinking I need one too now. Monkey see, monkey do, right? 😉 Well my ends are a little scraggily as I probably only get my hair trimmed two times a year. Maybe three on a good year. Haha. I bet it’s so hard to read blogs with a newborn but I bet everyone really appreciates it when you get a chance to pop in and comment!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
Your hair looks really pretty lightened up…it really brightens your face! Also I am loving walks this time of year too! I try to go on a ‘reading’ walk everyday! I bring a book and read as I go!
Chelsea Preedy says
Sometimes it is so easy to blog about very surface things and I love how real and honest you are Kath! Thanks for always sharing with us. I have been following your blog for a while now, but have just gotten into connecting through your comments. You look great by the way. Loving the new ‘do!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
You look GORGEOUS! That color really suits you and looks so natural! Haha, I’ve been watching waaayyy too many episodes of Law and Order lately, so I feel ya on not reading enough! O’m trying to break out of the habit, though! Have a great weekend 🙂
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
love the highlights – very fresh!
Katie says
Its been a bummer not to see you as frequently, but I’ve liked your posts! The food dump posts aren’t my favorite, but I know some people do love them! I don’t mind sponsored posts as long as the blogger really write what they think about it. Especially the “would I buy it with my own money” answering that question makes me more comfortable with the sponsorship.
I’m also loving feedly, its much easier to skim when I’ve fallen behind on blogs and want to catch up quickly!
Julie @ RDelicious Kitchen says
No matter what direction your blog goes in, I am always reading 🙂
Beth says
“but these days blogger-brand relationships on the prime time real estate are where the marketplace has headed.”
What does this sentence mean? It’s unclear.
Are you trying to say that companies that compensate bloggers to promote their products prefer to be featured in the content of the blog itself, rather than in sidebar ads?
KathEats says
Yes. A few years ago sidebar ads were most of the relationship
Colleen says
Beth, thanks for asking, I didn’t know what that meant either! I can see how that has happened, I no longer notice or pay attention to the ads on the sidebars so if a company wants my attention they have to jump to the middle of the page. But Kath, when you say “keep them in my own voice” does that mean that bloggers are provided with “blurbs” by companies to include in their posts? I love hearing the behind the scenes dirt since I don’t have a blog! Exciting!!!
KathEats says
I think most people write their own. I mean more that when I discuss a partnership I try to choose a post and topic that is something I might write otherwise.
Lauren @ The Highlands Life says
I love a real, honest post like this. Can you imagine blogging as much as you used to now that Mazen is here? Babes are good reminders to switch gears every once in a while.
Liz @ The Shrinking Owl says
I can’t wait for your makeup post! I’m dying to know what blush you use. 🙂
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Yikes, 3 hours! I think me bum would’ve been numb after that long! But the highlights look awesome on you! You look beach ready. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
He is the cutest little guy!!!
RunEatRepeat says
I’m getting highlights too! I love it in the summer.
Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut says
You have been looking fabulous! Love the hair. I also really admire how many balls you are constantly juggling, but still manage to genuinely enjoy life.
PS. Mazen is the cutest. (Confession: I Ohhh and Ahhh over his pics more than I do some of my own friend’s children and it makes me feel guilty! ha!)
Katie says
Kath – There is absolutely nothing wrong with the way you changed your format! Im still just as interested (if not more) than before you had Maze. I love your voice.
Theresa says
Love the hair, it looks great! It sounds like you are one busy lady! But managing to have a lot of fun too. I love the changes you’ve made to your blog and really enjoy reading the mix of posts about weekends, motherhood, and even the sponsor posts!
Kinsey says
Morning walks are my favorite!
Christina says
I love the highlights, but you should know your natural color looks fine without them too! As long as you are honest in your product review posts I have no problem with them. Keep blogging girl!
Lauryn says
Great Post that was fun to read, love your highlights!
Amanda says
How do you make your sunny side up eggs? They always look to die for!!
KathEats says
I crack them into a nonstick pan and just let them sit until the edges start to brown and they slide around in the pan
Amanda says
Wow, really? No flip or cover? AWESOME! Thank you! 🙂
KathEats says
They are sometimes a little runny, but that’s how I like them : )
mary @ minutes per mile says
that’s great that you’re getting your walks in. i’m not a mother yet, but i love reading about how moms juggle working out and having a kid. keep it up kath!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
I don’t have a baby but I’ve still found myself reading less blogs (and books) lately. I think it’s just a slow time for me and there’s other things I need/want to be doing. But it is always nice to go and check-in with those blogs I haven’t been reading for awhile and see what they’re up to!
Alisha @ Gluten Free Perspective says
I stopped reading for a little while, but I’m so happy I popped in today! I like the format and you seem genuinely happy. It’s nice to see. 🙂
Tonya says
I thought that first pic of you was your sister!
Tracy says
This was a fun update post! As a loooong time reader (as in from the start) I’ve missed your daily updates. That said, as a mom of 4, I completely understand your shift in blogging style. I’m just happy you continued to blog 🙂
The nutrition talk sounded like fun. Young girls are such sponges! I bet you made a positive impact on them.
Your highlights look fabulous!!
Brittany (Healthy Slice of Life) says
Love your new summer do! Makes me miss getting highlights 🙂
Alex says
Your hair looks awesome! I often find myself wondering what the heck I did with all of my time pre-baby!!
Heather says
I have to say motherhood has really suited you, Kath. I read a handful of other blogs from time to time and I have to say I really appreciate the balanced approach to mothering little M that you’ve taken. It kind of makes me cringe to see other bloggers force food restrictions and sensitivities on their children…and I just really admire you for being down to earth. I love that you are doing so well breast feeding, you’ve kept with cloth diapering, and you’re feeding Mazen a healthy balanced diet. He looks like one happy little guy and you glow as a new(ish) mother!
Well done!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Looking forward to the make up and beauty product post! You always looks so natural and healthy – though it good be just all the amazing eats! 🙂 Love the highlights! Super glossy!
emily says
Two thoughts – 1. I do miss your daily posts; that style of blogging is a lot of fun! 2. But, I think you do a good job of writing sponsored posts that are still interesting, fun, or informative when you do write them.
Christine @ BookishlyB says
I’ll be sad when Mad Men is officially over, but I hope they end while on top! We got completely sucked into Breaking Bad- we did the episode a night thing for awhile until we were caught up. It’s so good!
Marissa@ohhhsolovely says
since you mentioned you’re kinda jumping back into more work these days, i would love to hear your thoughts on “working after baby.” i’m always trying to decide what would be best for us & love to get other mom’s ideas on this topic. also, i love you’re honesty about sponsored posts. i really don’t mind them & i’ve been introduced to some great brands & products from them!
KathEats says
Ill try to sprinkle this into future posts. 🙂
Maggie @ Sunnyside Up Smile says
Mazen is adorable. Your hair looks great! And I loved this post! It’s really interesting to see how other bloggers spend their days. I love walking too 😉 It’s so peaceful and it’s nice to have some time to myself out in nature. You should do more backstage passes and definitely something about your makeup and beauty products!
Melissa says
Your hair looks great, I’m loving the blonde highlights!
Ashlee@HisnHers says
Love your hair! The highlights look great
Liesl @ Fitnessinthekitchen says
Your highlights look fantastic!
And don’t worry about your new schedule, we totally get it. Having a baby is completely life changing (why I haven’t done it yet) and your priority is being an amazing Mom…which you are totally doing. Thanks for always posting great content!
Erika @ fortheloveofpeanutbutter says
Your hair looks great!
And that’s awesome that you’re back in the nutrition working scene, so jealous that you got to go talk to a camp. Public speaking is a favorite of mine and once I finish my degree and become an R.D., I’d love to do public speaking as a lot of my work. Hope it was fun! 🙂
Alison says
Lovely post! And your hair looks great! I don’t mind sponsored posts and I often learn about some cool brands from them. As everyone has been saying, I love the honesty in all of your posts, and even with the change, your blog is still one of my all-time favorites!
Jeanie says
Your hair looks so healthy and gorgeous!
Harlow says
I just discovered your blog couple of days ago! you and your gorgeous family are amazing! I also am planning to get a degree in human nutrition and become a rd!
KathEats says
Welcome!
Elisabeth says
Love the highlights! I’m brunette & have been doing blonde highlights since my 16th birthday (I’m 31 now!). 🙂 I love the texture they give my hair.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
Can’t wait to read your beauty post! I still enjoy all of your posts, regardless of often or what the content might be.
kristen @ verbs and vignettes says
i love walking outside!! unfortunately, i haven’t been getting to it when the temps are reasonable. maybe i’ll stay indoors until the fall.
it must be a big switch from all the multiple meal posts a day to your new blogging style. i’d say it’s probably easier to eat a hot meal, but who am i kidding with a baby? :p
Kristen @ The Concrete Runner says
Seriously Kath. What did I do before a child?! I totally understand where you’re coming from. Friday nights are my “catch up on blogs” night! Still love yours!
Mikael says
Kath I love this post! Feels like we’re hearing from the lovely quirky Kath of old 🙂 Motherhood is such an adjustment but perhaps having settled into this new phase of your life you can now pick up some of your loves of old – nutrition, working at the bakery, the blog world – everything that makes you you and made so many people follow your blog devotedly back in the “olden days”. I loved your quirky stories about bugs in the house, shapes in your coffee etc and this “backstage pass” feels like a real welcome back into your life to the reader.
Hope to see many more in this style!
Lee says
Love the highlights.
Karen says
What a fun surprise to have you chat with us like you did back in the day! As much as I love these the intimacy of these sorts of posts, I also completely understand and respect your need to “adapt” your blogging schedule so that it better accommodates the reality of life with a toddler.
In any event, I loved hearing your updates on your routine a.m walks (I’ve been a die-hard first-thing in the morning walker for many years myself); your professional life (I bet you are a hit with kiddos, and what a positive influence you might have on young, pliable sensibilities); and those fun blonde highlights (I’m way to dark haired for any such treatment myself, though feel very fortunate at my relatively advanced age to have been spared the need to do a permanent hair coloring.)
Wishing you and yours a beautiful sweet-spot-of-summer weekend, Kath!
Zoe @ Chocolate Covered Chia says
Kath – I have been reading your blog for some time now and what I love the most is the fact that your writing is so real. I have always felt like you are truly speaking from experience. You have inspired me to start a blog and I can fully say that you are a role model of mine in the online world!
Can’t wait to see whats in store for the future!
KathEats says
Thanks so much Zoe ?
Katherine says
Love your highlights 🙂
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com
Samantha says
I think that is funny regarding the direction of advertising and sponsored posts. As soon as I realize a post is sponsored I skip it. I’m sure I’m not the only one doing so. Sponsored posts (in all blogs) are so transparent and blah. I guess the brands will figure that out eventually.
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
I always feel that way when I get hooked on a series (new or old) so I leave the last episode, refusing to believe it’s over. Now I have to catch up on Mad Men, Bones, Breaking Bad, and Boardwalk Empire: I have episodes left of all of them!
Your hair looks lovely, Kath!
Lindsay says
I adored the backstage pass today;) Your highlights are stunning and I can’t wait for that make-up post~ you always look so fresh and pulled together! Here I’m working through all new skin care (Hawaii island weather= constant sweat) so I can’t wait to see what works for you. Also, thanks for the boost in exercise chat, we talk a lot about starting a family, but I worry about how I’ll keep up with it all. You make it feel manageable!
Kat @ Kat's Health Corner says
Love the haircut and color! And it’s funny you mention eating so many eggs for breakfast because I also use to be an oatmeal gal, but for the past few months I’ve been all about the eggs! I think it’s cause they don’t weigh me down as much and satiate me for a longer period of time.
Sandy says
Love the highlights. At first glance I thought it was Larbs with Mazen in the first picture.
Kori says
I love your hair, it looks great! Also, your breakfasts lately inspired me to make eggs this morning, which I haven’t done in a long time! 🙂 Hope you all are having a fabulous weekend!
Kim says
Great post Kath! I hope this doesn’t sound to stupid but what is a sponsored post? How does it benefit you as a blogger? Super curious! I love the shift your blog has taken by the way….I also love BERF 🙂
KathEats says
It’s a post where a brand/company pays to have visibility/advertising on the page. Sometimes the brand is mentioned in the post and other times its brand agnostic.
Georgia-Mae Morrison says
Walking is such enjoyable exercise, and it’s so great for you! When I walk every day I notice that my stomach gets much flatter, even more so then circuit workouts or running! What’s with that? Because of an injury, the only workout I can do right now is walk, and it’s really great to see someone else who considers it a form of working out in and of itself.
P.S. Your hair is gorgeous
Amy says
Hey. I have been looking into a nutrition career lately. What did you hve to do to become A registered dietician?
Aja says
You hair looks amazing! It sounds like you’ve got a lot of stuff going on. My husband and I just caught up on all the Mad Men episodes yesterday and now I’m kind of sad that I’ll have to wait for the next season to end to watch it, and it won’t start for months! Mazen is getting so big!
Ana says
Is that really all of your makeup? Or just a few favourites? I carry more than that in my purse!
So nice that you are getting involved in your business again. I know when I owned a small boutique I
worked 7 days a week 364 days a year. I’ve wondered how you and Matt manage so much time off.
Fiona Daniels says
Your hair looks incredible, and so do you 🙂 Love the highlights too.
char eats greens says
I swear my hair always takes 3 hours to highlight. I always hope for shorter each time, but it never seems to happen. Hopefully next month. Hair looks great and now I can’t wait to get mine done!!
Ashley @ Hudson on the Potomac says
Hair looks great Kath!! I don’t mind the sponsored posts at all!