Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Special Report: Diva Tells All ...

Earlier this month, I agreed to take part in ProBlogger's 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge. Why? I want this blog to be fierce! I'm dedicated to bringing *you* the freshest, most scintillating content on the web ... and dedicated to making *me* a household name. ~wink~

Sounds good, right? And it is good, or was good, until I realized there would be homework. I'm not a fan. If you ask Mama Diva, she'll tell you I went the entire four years of high school without ever bringing home a book. While that's not entirely true, it is true that I have an aversion to being told what to do. It brings out the irreverent in me ... you'll see.

Yesterday's task was to write a "list post." It should come as no surprise that I'm going to do this Diva-style: tongue in cheek and strictly off the cuff. With out further ado, I now present ...

The Five Hidden Truths of Life as a Foodblogger:

Fact One: Once you become a foodblogger you will never again enjoy a hot meal. You'll be lucky to down a few lukewarm sips of your soup after spending more time photographing it than you did creating it.

Fact Two: You can call yourself whatever you like, but your ass will expand in direct proportion to the deliciousness of your cooking. 'Nuff said.

Fact Three: As a foodblogger, you will be invited to a number of yummy food-related events. This can be a good thing ... or a bad thing. See above ass-expansion.

Fact Four: In your quest for content you will be encouraged to sail heretofore uncharted culinary waters. This can be a good thing: hello halloumi cheese! Or, a bad thing: pumpkin cookies, anyone?

Fact Five: Develop an audience, be Divalicious - and, eventually, marketers will offer you free stuff. This, is a very good thing!


Divalicious Chocolate Yogurt:

  • one 5.3 oz. container of Oikos Organic Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
  • 1 heaping tsp. of unsweetened cocoa powder, or more to taste
  • some agave nectar, to taste
  • some crushed walnuts, crushed pecans and toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish
Using a small wire whisk, whisk the vanilla, cocoa powder and agave nectar into yogurt until smooth and well combined. Taste for seasoning, adding more agave if you like a sweeter yogurt. (Alternately, you could use Splenda or some other sugar substitute, if desired.) Spoon the chocolate yogurt into a serving vessel - martini glass, optional - top with your favorite nuts and or fruit. Serve and enjoy!

As written this recipe will serve one.

All kidding aside, I'm am immensely grateful to Darren of ProBlogger for hosting such an informative event and I encourage you all to check out his site. He rocks!

I'm also not kidding about the Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt. Its made by Stonyfield Farm and it is excellent. Kristina from Stonyfield reached out to me and offered me some coupons for their new Oikos line and I was happy to accept. I'm already a big fan of Stonyfield Farm and was thrilled to discover that they are now making an organic Greek yogurt. Its non-fat, high in protein and so thoroughly rich and creamy you'll swear you're eating full-fat sour cream. Flavor the plain Oikos as I've done here and I'll go you one better - you'll swear you're eating ice cream. Its spectacular!

This is my go-to breakfast. Its light, yet nutritious, and 100% satisfying. I recommend it, highly. For the record, I don't and haven't accepted every offer. I've turned down a fair number for a variety of reasons. I'm happy to highlight the yogurt here because its a product I use and enjoy. I hope you'll enjoy it too. Click the Oikos link above for a coupon of your own!

I have a feeling I broke the task rules by not simply posting a list. So sue me, that's how I roll. This is my list and I'm sticking to it. If you're a foodblogger, what would you add to the list? Curious Diva wants to know.

Bon appetit!

26 comments:

Lydia said...

HAHAHA! I like the one about the lukewarm food -- definitely an unintended side effect of capturing that steaming dish on film! Also, your tagline is very cool.

stephchows said...

hahahah too funny :) I still need to pick up my oikos yogurt to make something fun!! Can't wait :)

Unknown said...

First of all, I think your blog is totally fierce. Second, I have only been blogging a month and a half now, but I totally relate to what you said, especially that thing about your food getting cold. God, that pees me off royally, I refuse to eat cold food! Mabye thats y my pics never get accepted on those food porn pages! Finally I love your yogrut idea. I will definitely try that one! I am a big fan of greek yogurt. Plus it looks not that bad on calories, good for my Rocky Mode.

Veriance said...

My ass thanks you for suggesting the non fat Greek yogurt!

Daily Spud said...

I would modify Fact Five to read (in my case at least) as follows: "...eventually, marketers will offer you free stuff and you will have to point out to them that, because of US customs, they cannot send it to you because they are in the US and you are not" - I just gotta work on getting businesses closer to home to send me stuff instead :)

Melissa Good Taste said...

You crack me up! That is so true, I cannot enjoy my meals anymore -- I feel like I am cheating on my blog if I eat a meal without reviewing it!

The Duo Dishes said...

Ooooh yes to the chocolate yogurtini! Happy breakfast. Also: As for fact two, you're right. Ass expansion abounds. Unless you're a guy, which seems to be the way that happens the majority of the time. You are obviously high on everyone's favorite list! You get to go to many fun events. Lucky you!

pixelgal said...

So you really did have homework after all? And you really didn't finish it in study hall??? Tsk, tsk, tsk! Looks like it didn't matter, eh? This dish looks like a yogurt I can enjoy. Will definitely try it.

Danae said...

lol I'm more of a baking foodblogger, so I don't worry too much about my food getting cold while I'm taking all my photos, but I have noticed some icy glares from my boyfriend who is waiting rather impatiently for his portion to be photographed before it's served!

Christo Gonzales said...

list sounds about right to me...

The Diva on a Diet said...

Lydia - thanks and welcome to Beach Eats! I got a huge kick out of your post today as well. Thanks for stopping by!

Steph - I was surprised that my store carried it ... and happy too, its delicious! Can't wait to see what you do with yours.

Heavenly Housewife - thank you for saying that, sweetie! You don't want to know my opinion of the food porn sites! LOL

Veri - I know you're a fan of the Greek yogurt, and I think you (and your ass) will like this one too. ;)

Daily Spud - ugh, really? What a bummer. There must be some local products that would be happy to have you endorsing. I mean, Kerrygold sent us coupons! LOL

Melissa - good, then I've done my job today. Glad to give you a chuckle. ;) I agree about the meal reviews ... I dined out on Sat. and forgot my camera, then was bummed about it.

Duo - so true and so unfair about the guys. What gives with that?! Bah!

Pixelgal - I'll never tell. ;) I do think you'd enjoy the yogurt. Its yummy, and portioned just right for a snack.

Danae - hello and welcome to Beach Eats! Will look forward to checking out your baking blog asap! So true about the impatience of those waiting for treats while we photograph. I say put him to work and have him help you style the shot! ;)

The Diva on a Diet said...

doggybloggy - you've been at this for quite awhile ... when was the last time you had a hot meal?! LOL and j/k your photos are spectacular, so I'm guessing you've got it down by now, yes?

Cookie Brochette said...

Love the list, Diva! Good job!

And get the hell out of my way, I'm coming after that yogurt.

Elizabeth said...

I love the five hidden truths. They are so true!! I often joke that my dieting blog is making me fat. :) Also, recipe looks really great!

JAMJARSUPERSTAR said...

Yes - lukewarm food! When I did my couple of snaps of food last year my food was barely warm at all so I had to eat cold pasta which wasn't that great.

Still, at least you're showing us what a good cook you are so that rubbish cooks like myself can look and dream....
Ciao

Scarlet xx

Tangled Noodle said...

A corollary to Fact One (a): You will eat alone because while you're too busy styling and photographing a dish (which is YOUR rapidly-cooling portion), everyone else has gone ahead without you.

Your list hits the spot for me, except for fact three: I'm still waiting for those invites.

I just checked Darren's site and have bookmarked it; as for Oikos, I just bought some and can't wait to try your chocolate yogurt! Mmmmmm.....!

aoife mc said...

Heehee! I can already concur with fact one to three on your food blogger list.

I'm adding on at least 30 minutes to every recipe time now just for photo taking. And arranging ingredients in a nonchalant manner so it looks like the aubergine just fell over the tomatoes like so, you know yourself!

That choccie yoghurt looks kick ass!

aoife mc said...

Oh jeepers and your blog is totally fierce! Like Tyra!

Deb said...

Diva you are already fierce!

Love the yogurt idea too bad that particular yogurt is not available to me but I use the Fage non fat - also delish! I mix with frozen berries and Kashi for my daily breakfast. Also good with sugar free jello stirred in and eaten with some nuts or Kashi for crunch.

Deb

Carolyn said...

I'm doing the 31 days to a better blog also. I'm completely in touch with #1. My friends actually have started styling the plates for me, so they can eat sooner!

Justine said...

So funny; I love it. And you yogurt reminds me of one I made: http://lifeslashjustine.blogspot.com/2009/03/sixtyfour.html

Unknown said...

That is great! I have years of practice at tasting all kinds of foods, but I have SO many "DOH!" moments when I realize I'm several bites in with no pictures to show for it. Where do I find this fabulous info on improving one's food blog. Us sisters definitely aspire to becoming recognizable as well.

Aggie said...

love your post! and love your yogurt!!! I''m a huge fan of Greek yogurt...mmm

Lynn said...

Fun post! As a fellow food blogger, I have to add, people coming over to your house will think you're strange as you stop to photograph food before you serve them. I had a friend coming for a visit spy me through the window, photographing cookies as he walked up the walkway. Of course he wondered what the heck I was doing :)

The Diva on a Diet said...

Hello and Welcome, Aggie and Lynn! Thanks so much for stopping by! :)

I agree on both the Greek yogurt love and the oddities of needing to photograph your food. I've gotten some pretty strange looks in restaurants of late ... which makes me feel a bit gun-shy. :(

Alisa@Foodista said...

Love this post! You definitely write fierce :)