Notes from The nOATbook - A Liebster Award

To many people (namely my husband) the world of blogging is a bit of a mystery.  But when you enter this crazy world you find a range of varied and amazing people that welcome you with open arms and support and encourage your blogging endeavours.

One such way is the creation of the Liebster awards. Bloggers nominate fellow bloggers for the 'award' as a way of recognising blogs they have enjoyed reading and interacting with.  This month I was very lucky to be nominated by the lovely Lauren over at Teacher Types. I discovered Lauren, a fellow teacher who blogs, through the 'I Blog on Tuesday' link up at Essentially Jess and I can highly recommend her site if you are after ideas and resources to entertain your little ones.

Thank you for your nomination Lauren - here are my responses.

1. Why do you love blogging?
I love blogging as it provides a creative and stimulating outlet while I am on maternity leave.  It also motivates me to continue to learn more about food, cooking, healthy eating and photography.  And I love that it in opens a new community that you can access at home while looking after kids.

2. Tell me about your first ever blog post and how does it compare to your writing now?
My blog is not quite one year old yet, so my first blog post doesn't feel that long ago!  It was a post for a healthier slice, a recipe adaptation that first started my interest in healthier cooking. It is called The Recipe That Started It All: Oat Choc Slice

My writing hasn't changed a lot since then, although I am now usually more succinct in my recipe posts.  I also hope my photos are better now!  I'm also getting better at developing my own recipes rather than just adapting other people's recipes.

3. What advice would you give to a blogger starting out?

Gosh, I don't know if I feel qualified to give advice yet.  

If you are sharing recipes on your blog also submit them to food sites such as Foodgawker, Tastespotting and Healthy Aperture as they can really help to drive people to your sites. I find I need to share my posts on Facebook to make sure people find them. And most importantly, blog what you love.

4. Share below your - all time - favourite photo from your blog.

A tough one, maybe this one as it shows when I started to think more about food styling, it is an original healthy recipe and it was accepted by food photography sites.

5. Favourite social media platform?

If I didn't use Facebook I think my mum and sister would be my only readers, but I enjoy using Instagram the most at the moment.  A lot can be said with one image and some hast tags!

6. Favourite meal you like to cook? (I'm looking for some delicious inspiration)

My favourite week night meal at the moment is a Spicy Chicken and Corn Tortilla Pie. My version is coming on the blog soon but you can find the original version on taste.com.au.

7. Favourite childhood movie?

'The Boy Who Could Fly' was the first movie I ever saw at a cinema so it holds a special place but I can't go past 'Grease'.  It is the only movie I can quote line for line.  

8. Ultimate holiday destination? (Can be somewhere you've already been)

South America has been my ultimate holiday destination so far, in particular our trek around Machu Picchu.
I dream one day of winning a lot of money and going on a combined spa, yoga, surfing, all-you-can eat holiday on an exclusive 5 star tropical island with all of my family and friends!

9. One word to sum up 2014?
Challenging (not necessarily in a negative way, but the challenges associated with being a stay at home mum for 12 months which is not my natural state! Sorry, not quite a one word answer.)

10. One goal for 2015?
To be more present - my intention is 'Wherever you are, be all there'.

Now for my nominations.  I'm sure many of the following bloggers have already been recognised and played along but I I would love to hear from any of the following bloggers who have not yet joined in the fun:

Malinda from My Brown Paper Packages
Erin from Erin Made This
Liz from I Spy Plum Pie
Nicole from Champagne and Chips
Bec from Dancing Through Sunday
Lauren from Create Bake Make
Lucy from Bake Play Smile
Clare from The Life of Clare

Here are my questions:

1. If I was to meet you in real life, what might surprise me about you?

2.  If you could live anywhere else in the world, where would it be and why?

3.  If you could live one day in the life of any movie or book character who would it be?

4.  If you had a magic wand to fix any issue in the world, what would it be?

5.  If I could grant one wish for your blog in 2015 what would it be?

Thanks for playing along.

Keep smiling
Dani