Ch-ch-ch-changes! (as a result of the reader survey)
In yesterday's post, I shared some of what I learned from reading your survey responses. It's been such an enlightening experience, and I'm excited to apply what I've learned (because learning is great, but applying is even better.)
Read on to find out what changes are comin'!
Goodbye, Food Waste Friday, hello, menu post!
I've been doing Food Waste Fridays for forever and a day, and since they weren't a super popular item on the survey, I think I'm going to put them on hiatus for now.
In place of Food Waste Friday, I'll do a menu post, and I'll hopefully do a grocery report with that too. Plus, since my food waste saves (not my food waste fails) were the most popular part of Food Waste Friday, I'll add those into the menu/grocery post.
I'm vaguely nervous about how well I will do at managing my food waste without the accountability, but I'm going to give this a try and then reevaluate a few months down the road.
Can I take my training wheels off and still stay up? Or will I slip back into my food-wasting ways?
Time will tell!
Adios to one photo post.
A surprisingly large proportion of you said Five Frugal Things (FFT) posts are some of your favorites (I had no idea! This is why surveys are helpful.), along with stream of consciousness and miscellany.
Since you all are pretty mixed on the Tuesday/Thursday photo posts, and since FFT and its ilk are pretty fast posts to write, I'm thinking I'll do a photo post on Tuesdays and then on Thursdays, I'll write a FFT/miscellany/stream of consciousness type of post.
(I expect that food-waste-saves will appear in these types of posts, so if that was your favorite thing about my blog, never fear!)
I'm going to try to post more recipes.
Recipes are pretty time-consuming, especially if you do the step-by-step variety like I do, so I can't make 'em a weekly feature. But, I'm going to make them a priority when I'm planning my blog posts each month.
Q&A's will stay every other Monday.
You guys said you like these, so I'm keeping them as-is, every other Monday. You all shared quite a few questions in the survey, so I'm going to work some of those into the Q&A posts.
I'm going to write more about simplicity.
Many, many of you asked for help in this area. Since simplicity is a huge topic, in a future post, I'll open up comments for a discussion on exactly what types of simplifying you're wanting help with. That way I'll make sure I'm writing about what you most need help with.
I'll try to hit on other topics you guys asked for.
The cry for grocery/menu posts was the loudest, but there were also some other topic suggestions that came up in the comments multiple times, so I'll be working on adding those in as well.
I think that about sums it up! I'm excited to change things around here and breathe some fresh air into my posting schedule.
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I'd be remiss if I closed this out without thanking you guys once more for taking the time to give me your feedback. You all are seriously one of the loveliest group of blog readers on the web, and I appreciate you!
Hi, I didn't do your survey and don't have a lot in common with you. I do try to live a frugal simple life, sometimes works sometimes doesn't.
I visit your site because you are a lovely writer and make the mundane interesting. And every once in awhile I learn something new. Which helps me not be stuck in a rut of always doing things one way.
Thank you for taking the time from your busy life to share your knowledge.
I'm sad I missed the survey, since I've been following you forever, but the changes sound great! I also missed your grocery/menu posts!
Please, please, do not stop your Food Waste Friday. I love it. You are my "waste not" guru. I love the idea of the recipes and simplicity, but only if the recipes are simple 😉
I specially prefer simple recipes without a bunch of sauces and processed items. They are so often in freezer meals, batch cooking and slow cooking that its impossible for me to use. More, I have a diabetic mother, so clean food is the way to go.
I love your blog. Best regards
Yay! No more moldy food pictures. 🙂
Looks like you have some good changes in mind.
If you're still craving the accountability of food waste Friday, you could post a picture and overview on instagram. That way you still get the public accountability, but it would take less energy than writing a whole post that some readers aren't interested in.
I was going to suggest something similar. If you didn't want to post it online, you could keep a personal document so you would have a record. Or an e-mail like your budget e-mail that you do with your husband.
Accountability is really important for many people. It doesn't mean you aren't responsible if you still need accountability to stick to a habit. This was a big realization for me after following Gretchen Rubin's blog.
I'll always be a reader, no matter the format! I do appreciate your interest in what many want to read. Just adds to your awesomeness!
what kim says 🙂
I love your blog and I love that you care about what your readers want to see. I'm so tired of "staged" lifestyle blogs or blatant self-promotion blogs, and what you're doing here is so refreshing.
The changes sound fun. But I do miss the muffin picture. 🙂
As much as I love you putting your readers first (who doesn't like to be so important?!) this is your blog and should meet your needs and fit your values.
Food waste is near and dear to your heart. You should continue food waste if you need/want these posts and also want to continue "spreading the word" about your values.
I thought of you immediately when the President brought up food waste in this country. It is people like you through your blog that have helped raise this issue.
All that being said, they are my least favorite posts too 🙂
I think the plan to incorporate how she avoided food waste (what she made with the food) is a good compromise for keeping the idea of not wasting food going without devoting a whole post (with...unappetizing....photos!). Its those practical tips on what to do with the old food that are so helpful!
YAY! So glad the food and menu posts are coming back! That's what led me here to begin with! I am also glad to say goodbye to FWF. Looking forward to all the changes and inspiration to come. Thank You!
It all sounds great! Look forward to the changes. But, how will no Food Waste Friday impact Jo, (Simply being Mum?) I love her Friday Fridge pictures! And, I'm amazed by them, as well.
I like how you are incorporating feedback so that your blog is enjoyable & helpful to as many people as possible (and I also love the five frugal things for some reason!) ---but as stated above, it is YOUR blog and your life, so if writing posts M-F is too much, than go back to the pictures or leave it quiet. I'd rather get 2-3 thoughtful posts a week if that's what works best for you.
I love your blog and did take the survey. I am glad to see more recipes and menus. I made your brownies this weekend for the first time. They were a huge hit with my two teenagers, the pan only lasted for a day and a half. Next time I may have to make a double batch.
Thanks!
No FWF! Such a dramatic change, leaving behind what started your blog in the first place. Does it feel a little weird?
Well, live and grow, eh.
I kinda have mixed feelings about the end of FWF. I'm glad for the awareness. When I toss something out I think about it more because of those post (usually I think "I'm glad I don't have to go public with this!") I like the food saves portion of it and it is getting old to see gross pictures. What makes me sad that they are being cut is seeing the realness of striving to cut out food waste.
We can NOT have you slipping back into food waste, so do give us your food saves in tiny doses. Those are awesome! 🙂
No - Thank You - this takes a lot of time on your part and just know it is appreciated. I realize the recipes take a long time - but know I at least have used many, that are now in my regular routine. Since I'm single I just freeze the leftovers that don't get used as lunches.
I sincerely love all of your posts! I failed to participate in the survey 🙁 , but think I will so enjoy menu posts, as I struggle mightily for meal ideas. I try to refer to the older ones you have posted, and so appreciate them.
I love your food waste Fridays. It is part of your blog that shows the true you, a real person. I hope you incorporate it into your new format (even if you don't have pictures). I don't think the "how the food that could have been wasted was used" portion is the most important part. It is the fact that you are aware of your waste, you take action, and yet show you are human when things get past you. Can you at least link at the bottom to the other blog that does the FWF?
If it help keep you accountable, you could always move your FWF posts to instagram!
True, true...although instagrammers do tend to like to see beautiful things!
I've just discovered your blog, so I didn't take the survey, but am excited to see what's to come.