It’s been nearly 2 years since KERF went from a thrice daily food and lifestyle journal to a 5x a week blog with lifestyle posts thrown in. I’ve done a lot of thinking about my work flow, my interests, your feedback and where I see KERF years from now.
The big reason I had to switch away from daily blogging was because my life became so unpredictable with an infant. There were days when I literally had zero minutes in my day to even look at the computer, and I didn’t want the stress of not having a post up and you guys wondering where I was if I couldn’t fit one in. I’m a very consistent person! (Hence the reason that for KERF’s first 5 years I barely missed a day.) I hate the feeling of leaving people hanging – even though many of you will tell me that you can survive without a post every now and then 😉
I’ve enjoyed doing planned topic posts during these 2 years, but to be honest, they aren’t as fun and take twice as long to prepare as writing about my daily life and meals! People used to ask me how I blogged three times a day, and I would reply that my content was auto-generated by my meals so it didn’t feel like work. I didn’t have to come up with anything to write about and enjoyed sharing my life with you. I miss being able to pop in and tell you about my workout and lunch. And I know many of you miss that too. I have been craving a more casual tone of posting for a while, but you can’t really write about topics and get that same vibe. In one of my surveys, 80% of you guys asked for more informal posts, so that’s the direction I’m headed.
I want (and need) to continue to do topical posts as ideas come to me because I don’t want to put the pressure of having the whole week wide open with nothing planned. Plus some posts work better as formal topics anyways. I also want (and need) to continue to do sponsored posts, as they are what keeps this blog running.
Thus, moving forward I am hoping KERF will be a hybrid. (But don’t hold me to anything – I might change my mind!) I’m not planning to go back to 3x a day posts everyday, but I do want to incorporate a lot more meals in posts as they used to be. Instead of Lately roundups of a week’s worth of meals, I am hoping that posting them the afternoon or evening they were enjoyed might be preferred for us all. Maybe I’ll even come back with 2 posts in one day at times! I know it’s taken me a while to put your requests into action, but I haven’t been ready until now.
So from here on, expect to see a mix of things. Expect the unexpected. Anticipate my posts to go up mid-afternoon or evening. And if I disappear for a day or two you now know why!
xoxo,
Kath
Linda @ TheFitty says
Do whatever suits your schedule best! Your faithful readers will be here to stay. 🙂
Kaila@HealthyHelperBlog says
Excited for the return of daily (or more frequent!) meals! Your pictures are always so pretty!
Steph says
I’m really looking forward to this change! Thanks for listening!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
Love it, Kath! Your blog has been such an awesome inspiration over the years, I can’t wait to keep reading 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Go with what feels right to you, we’ll all understand! 🙂
Hannah @ Sprints and Scones says
I’ve read for three years now and love it all. You’ve inspired many meals for me and changed the way I view food. I am excited for the return of your meals, because honestly, the lately posts are my favorite 🙂
Ryan says
we’ll all understand! 🙂
Lisa C says
I’ve been a reader since you were pregnant with Mazen. It’s all good! I like a mix of formal and informal! Looking forward to it. 🙂
ashley says
yay!!!!
Lynda says
I also am excited for the return of the daily posts but I am happy with whatever works for your schedule. I appreciate that you take your readers preferences in your decisions. I have learned so much from your blog regarding healthy eating and made changes in how I eat. This is one of my favorite blogs. Thank you.
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork says
Sounds like a fabulous plan! I love that you are able to mix things up as you need to and I always find what you have to say interesting (and your pictures phenomenal!). I started following more regularly post-3x daily posts, so that’s what I’m used to and love many of your in depth/topic-specific posts, as well as RD guest posts. I’m excited to see how this will evolve!
Patty says
Sounds good 🙂
Katherine says
Been a long time reader (I think nearly 5 years??), but rarely comment. I’m excited about the change to less formal posts! But I agree with the comments above that just whatever works best for you!
Hope says
Definitely excited for the return of the daily eats posts!
Stephanie @ My Freckled Life says
I am definitely excited for the return of more daily meals (you have such inspirational meal posts), but I totally understand why you originally decided to go from 3x a day to just 1x. Life definitely takes priority over blogging, and I respect that you made the best decision for you. I cant wait to see what KERF morphs into next1
Ash Bear says
I’m so happy to have you back blogging more frequently!
Christy @TheMuddyApron says
Personally, I didn’t follow you when you did 3x a day but it sounds exhausting. Quality over quantity. Love reading all things KathEats.
C.
Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out says
I am excited to see what is to come!
Anonymous says
Yes, anyway you want to do it is fine! Just love checking in every so often:) (well…or daily:)
Kelly says
I just left the comment about anyway you want to do it is fine, I think I forgot to put who it was from:\
Tonya says
Right on. We look forward to whatever you’ve got planned.
Leigh says
I started reading before you had Mazen, and enjoyed the daily postings. (It doesn’t matter to me if you post 3X a day or not, to be honest.) I like those posts the best.
Fancy says
Yay, I’m very excited! I so miss the way your blog used to be with more of a day-to-day approach to your lifestyle. Thanks for going back, Kath! Great news!
Sophie says
As a loyal follower of your blog I’m excited to see the blog continue to move in new (and maybe back to some old?) Directions! Personally I prefer your own posts to guest posts!
Caroline says
You have done an AWESOME job of transitioning your blog since becoming a mom. I really appreciate that this hasn’t turned into a straight up mom/family-blog like a few of my other favorite food bloggers have drifted towards, your main focus is still on the food with bits of your life thrown in a natural way. Whatever your style, your voice will remain same, and I like others will stick with you!
KathEats says
Thank you! It has been tough as a new mom but im glad we survived 🙂
Audrey says
Could not agree more!
Beth says
YES!! thanks so much!!
Lindsay says
I love reading anything you post! It is interesting reading your posts about food for sure. We can definitely understand random posting times when you have an INFANT! Enjoy this time 🙂
Victoria says
“Informational” for a food blog is tricky, because it all boils down to “Eat Real Food.” There are are only so many ways to keep saying that over and over.
Eat real food.
Real food eat.
Food eat real.
Food real eat.
Eat food real.
Catch my drift?
It will be hard to come up with new, fresh, information that we haven’t already heard, seen and read in magazines or via other blogs. I mean, there is already a website entirely devoted to eating real food – 100 Days of Real Food.
The last thing we need is more textbook information. Personally, whenever you feature other R.D.s or you do a blog on a singular aspect of nutrition, those are the blogs I skip because it’s just rehashing. We know to eat our Omega-3s. We know whole grains are better than refined. We know avocado fat is superior to Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger fat.
The reason 1 out of every 2 Americans are overweight isn’t for lack of knowledge but lack of how to apply the knowledge.
The reason people like to see what others eat is 1 part normal human curiosity and 2 parts reconnaissance work. We’re hoping to glean ideas for our own lives. “How does she incorporate vegetables in fun, tasty new ways?” “What does she do with garbanzo beans beyond hummus and throwing them in salads?” “What can I do with eggs beyond scrambling them for the millionth time?”
At the end of the day, we all want to be registered dietitians of our own lives. Maybe we don’t want the certificate and the degree on our wall, but we do want to be healthy and have he, althy families. We don’t need information merely put out, like one might put out a bowl of dog food for their pet. We need someone who will bring us *alongside* and show us how to do it. That old (but relevant) cliche of, “Lead by example.”
Just my 2 cents. Tax free.
KathEats says
You’re absolutely right! I used to say that kerf shows the how to eat real food rather than just the why and that’s what I’ve gotten away from. Hope to bring it back!
Tamara Dabic says
Looking forward to it! Faithful readers will of course be here to stay (and read)!
Amanda F says
I am all for the change. I think it’s a great idea! I look forward to more informal posts. 🙂
Emily @ Life on Food says
I look forward to the change and hearing more daily about your day to day.
Tracy says
Yay! I really like where you’ve taken KERF but I really miss the old style and tone, too! A hybrid sounds like a great solution. I look forward to seeing how it goes!! 🙂
Caitlyn says
Hi Kath! CAn you please incorporate more snacks that you eat? I know you have that “gallery of snacks” sponsored post you link to frequently (and I love that post!) but I’d like to see more of what you snack on every day 🙂 Healthy “real food” snacks are something I struggle with!
KathEats says
I guess the reason I don’t post more snacks is because I have gotten out of the habit of snacking! If I do have something, it’s very small. Remember how I used to spoil my dinner so much? I’ve found that just a tiny bite of something – a cracker or a few nuts or a mug of tea – will get me to dinner hungry just fine. So I don’t have a lot to share! I can think about doing a post of my bites though 🙂
Lauren says
Also, as a fellow mom of a toddler, I find that I hold off on snacks because I’ll nibble a bit on my sons meals. I actually find that I eat less now than I used to since I’m grazing throughout the day instead of eating big meals.
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Good stuff! Your meals are always an inspiration!
Lauren says
Hooray! I am excited about this change. The Lately posts were my least favorite ever. So glad to see that they are taking a back seat.
Christine says
As long as you keep writing, I’ll keep reading! I’ve been through a couple of changes now and I’m always able to find something of interest in each post. Whether it’s a new recipe, a new product I haven’t tried, a new orgnaization tip or just the fun of looking at new pictures of a fun day with Mazen, I enjoy it no matter what.
Maggie says
woo hoo change is fun! i love reading either way 🙂
PS: just got back from CSA in Negril – thanks for your recaps + recommendation!! We were very happy with the resort (overall – a few gripes but given the price it was beyond what I expected in most ways). The only major bummer that would possibly keep me from returning was the wine 🙁
KathEats says
That’s awesome you went to CSA!! Yeah the wine was nothing to write home about, but it wasn’t a big deal for me because I was secretly pregnant during my trip!
Hannah @ eat, drink and save money says
Great news! I’ve always enjoyed the lately posts, but sometimes it’s so much food that my mind can’t handle all of it. I can’t wait to see it broken down.
Lynn @ The Actor’s Diet says
I have found (as well) that once I stopped posting daily eats as I eat them, it actually takes longer to blog – looking forward to whatever you do!
Emily says
Yay!! I love the day to day sorts of posts 🙂
Alex @ True Femme says
I’m really excited to see where you go this year with different types of posts and such! I’ll be following regardless 🙂
Kim says
Thank you kath for being upfront and always transparent to your readers. I think you have transitioned really well as a full time blogger to a work at home mommy. I think you have to do what works well for you! I personally skip over the sponsored content (not a fan) but I do miss the frequent postings about daily happenings! I think your meals and daily life is inspiring on many fronts! Question though…will you still include your day in the life if, home near home, and lifestyle posts? Those are my favorite and would be really sad to not see them !
KathEats says
I’ll probably do a little of everything!
jen says
Wishing you all the best with the changes! I’ve always been here for the food inspiration, so it all sounds great to me. I haven’t commented on the topic of sponsored posts in the past, but I have followed the debate a bit in the comments and have given it a lot of thought (probably because I’m a former analyst now sahm whose brain misses work!). Most people don’t protest imbedded advertising much (my husband excluded), but advertising that stands alone, “for advertising’s sake”, seems more often offensive. I realize there was a whole truth in blogging, disclosure of sponsorship, movement a few years ago, and I don’t know how much leeway you have, but what about sponsorship of products that just happen to be included in some posts rather than whole sponsored posts? For instance, instead of Green Giant sponsors a post and you talk about why their frozen veggies are good and create a recipe for them (which usually feels a little forced on this end), you partner with Green Giant and whenever your meals include one of their products, you tell us about how you used it (and you just don’t partner if it’s not a product you legitmately find yourself using more than once). I’m rushing here, but the idea is to let us feel that you’re selling what you really love, rather than what you’ve been paid to promote. No one’s ever irritated by your promotion of Survivor or Oatmeal, and I don’t think it’s solely because these aren’t sponsored topics. I think part of it is how obvious it is that those are products you enjoy and use. And CBS totally owes you a fee, because you got me hooked on Survivor again! Best wishes, sorry for blabbing!
KathEats says
Haha – Survivor for the win!!
I would LOVE to weave the sponsorships in as you described, but the companies just haven’t been that interested in that kind of structure. I’ll definitely recommend it though!
jen says
Also meant to say this post title had me thinking of some of your LOTR inspired titles. It’s There and Back Again, a blogger’s tale by Kath 🙂
KathEats says
Haha I love it!
marcie says
Great! I love your blog no matter what, honestly. I have been reading for several years and it is the first thing I read!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
I’m along for the ride wherever it takes you, Kath! I’m a huge fan of the informal posts though, so I’m extra excited for more of those 🙂
Hannah says
So excited for you Kath! You are great and I know lots of readers are inspired by you! And I love the honesty here: So much easier for people to continue to follow and read when they can hear from the writer what she is thinking and her vision. It’s a great way for us to keep supporting you! And who knows, if and when #2 comes along, there will probably be some change again, which is awesome. Again, so excited!
leatitia says
yes! very happy about this change. that’s what I loved about good old Kerf. Just informal checking it, hey what’s up? posts. I love HTP blog because of it. She posts about her daily life, plus formal posts here and there. I used to love Kerf, but in the last months, I was only reading the weekend posts. Can’t wait to read you in the next weeks!
Tracey from Mississippi says
YAY! I’ve been reading KERF since 2010 🙂 & am now a mom, too! ;0
Vasu says
I am excited about this!
Ashley Saul says
I will love your blog no matter what! The exciting part is not knowing what’s coming! A thrill to look at it everyday! Xo
Ashley
Julie says
Yay! I found your old style of posting to be more helpful for me in terms of healthy eating. Love your blog no matter what though!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I can’t even imagine trying to post every day, with everything else going on in my life! Kudos to you for putting in all that effort 😉
Dana says
Yay! GREAT news!!
Anna says
Yes! Your blog is great now, but I honestly loved and looked forward to the thrice-a-day meal posts back in the day ;). I love all three meals of the day, and it was always such a pleasure to check your blog and see beautifully-taken pictures of realistic, healthy and delicious food. I related to it (and it’s unique – no other blog I have found is structured like that). Of course, you gotta do what you gotta do, but I look forward to seeing those meal posts again once-in-a-while 🙂
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
I’ve been reading for a LONG time and honestly I like to read anything you post. I liked it when you were doing the three times a day posts but I also like it now. Either way you are awesome 🙂
Donna says
I’m excited to hear this news! I’ve been a follower since you were getting the new bakery up and running. I used to check in with you once or twice a day. I hate to say that lately, it’s been more like once every 2-3 weeks. The blog has just not been the same. I’ve just lost interest . Please bring your previous blogging style backkkkkkkkk!!!!
Kimmy says
I think this is great news! I’ve been reading since just a few months after you started KERF, when you still had a job! I much prefer the old style. It’s not that I need to see what you eat 3 times a day, but I love to see how you live your life and stay healthy. Thanks for writing Kath.
Rainey says
I enjoy reading whatever, and however, you decide to post. Thank you so much for sharing your life and your time with us. Looking forward to your future posts!
Lindsay says
I’m happy to read whatever you post! I also like the informal posts, you are one of the reasons I even started my own wee lifestyle blog! I appreciate the honesty of life with a newborn, I don’t even have a crazy following, but I’m already curiously stressed about not being able to keep up (baby girlie arrives ANY day now). I feel better knowing that you can move in and out of flux, and that doing what is right for you will keep your readers coming back…because it’s YOU and we obviously love reading your story;) Keep up the inspirational work, no matter what form it takes.
Lauren @ A Dash of Soul says
Sounds like a great idea! I’ve been following you for about 5 years so sometimes I do miss the old days of hearing about your meals, runs, working at the bakery, etc. but we ALL know that life changes and so it makes sense that your blog needed to change with your life. We totally get it! But I look forward to seeing some old school posts! 😉
MelanieF says
Very happy with the changes! I’ve been a reader for the past 6 years and I missed your daily posts and your everyday eats a lot! Looking foward the reading you daily again!
Laura says
Very excited! I love your blog either way but I miss the daily meal posts. You’re such an inspiration for me to eat real food.
Sabrina says
My absolute favorite posts are the really early ones where you shared your meal and day. You also shared why you ate something or didn’t eat. It was more CK style and I miss that!