September 13, 2011

A Makeover, a Little Buzz, & a Breakfast Salad

I’m still in denial that it’s September. We’ve still got at least two more months of ruby-red tomatoes, piles of juicy berries, and fresh corn on the cob, right?

Please say yes.

And we still have two more months of playing outside until complete exhaustion sets in, right?

Because I really don’t want to be under wintertime house arrest quite yet, and naps like this are quite nice.

Even at the table.

Summer kind of makes me lazy, though, so maybe it’s time for things to cool off. Time to get the fall cardis on and start posting more than once a week, maybe?

I have a few fun things to share with you today….

Perry’s Plate will soon be getting a makeover! We’re talking complete and utter overhaul, peeps. Not just a changed header. I’m so excited I can’t see straight. It won’t be revealed until November, but I’ve started prepping. One of the changes that I’ll be making is moving from Blogger to WordPress. And doing a lot of tedious things that I won’t bore you with.

BUT there’ll be a big party for the reveal. With a bunch of stuff to give away!

I do need to tell you two things about this….

1. That I’ve started weeding out old recipes. Our diet and food philosophy has changed a lot since Perry’s Plate was born and there are some recipes that, although they may taste good, I really wouldn’t make again. I did leave the few that, to me, are worth the extra sugar/refined carbs once in a while, so essentially you’ll be left with the best of the best. In our opinion. So if you have linked to any old recipes and find that those links are broken, shoot me an email and I’ll send you the recipe. I haven’t deleted them forever, I just don’t think they all need to be a part of this blog.

2. With the impending change I wanted to ask if you had any suggestions for changes or features you’d like to see on Perry’s Plate? I’m completely open, so if you have ideas, please let me know!

That’s it. About that, anyway.

I did want to share a few cool things with you….

Perry’s Plate was chosen as one of the September 2011 Blogs of the Month by Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution website! How awesome is that?

(Psst, food bloggers… you can submit your blog for this if you like. Just send your blog URL to FoodRevolution@jamieoliver.com!)

Roasted Apple and Butternut Galette with Mustard-Maple Glaze

I was also excited that a variation of this galette recipe (as well as the photo) was featured in the Sept/Oct issue of LDS Living Magazine.

Like, in print. As in real paper. That’s a first for me. As my lovely blogger friend, Bev, would say… giddy pants were worn.

And I may have squealed a bit when I got the magazine in the mail and saw my photo printed on real paper. Did I mention that it was on real paper?

Spinach, Feta, and Bacon Pizza with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce

The lovely folks at Latter-Day Woman Magazine (different magazine than LDS Living) featured my Spinach, Feta, and Bacon Pizza with Sun-Dried Tomato Sauce in their Fall 2011 issue. This magazine is available online only. No, not real paper, but still pretty cool. And I can link you right to the feature! The Dining Room (pg 40)

I believe I linked to this in another post, but I wanted to show you a photo this time and introduce to you the beautiful thing that is Breakfast Salad.

Salad for breakfast! Still not convinced? How about cinnamon toast croutons and maple vinaigrette?

Trust me on this one…

The step-by-step I wrote for this recipe can be found here on the Tasty Kitchen Blog.

Plus, I’ve got more goodies in the pipeline for you, including more CSA Wednesday posts (eggplant and tomatoes!) as well as an update on our Homemade Ice Cream Challenge of 2011.

Vegetables and ice cream. We try to keep a good balance around here.

Breakfast

23 comments »

23 Responses to “A Makeover, a Little Buzz, & a Breakfast Salad”

1

Jayne — September 13, 2011 @ 8:47 pm

You are one busy lady! Congrats on the 'in-print' and everything else!

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2

Health Kitten — September 13, 2011 @ 8:51 pm

Ooo, exciting! You're going to love WordPress over Blogger (IMHO). So many plugins and fun things you can do that are fully within your control!

And that salad for breakfast!? I now know what I'm making for breakfast this weekend! :)

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3

Janssen — September 13, 2011 @ 8:53 pm

Natalie, your blog is one of my very very favorites. I can't think of a single thing I've made that hasn't been fantastic (and I've made probably at least twenty five or more). Thanks for all your hard work!

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4

Marisa Hopkins — September 13, 2011 @ 9:05 pm

WOOO! So exciting! Congrats on the blog feature and I can't wait to see your new blog design!

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5

James and Monica — September 13, 2011 @ 9:14 pm

Nat, you have everything James would like to eat. Care to trade places for a bit?
He still makes your eggs with spinach that you made for us…except his doesn't taste as good.
Love your blog, I'm excited for the changes!

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6

Christina — September 13, 2011 @ 9:26 pm

CONGRATS, GIRL! This is all huge and exciting news!
I hope you have a big stack of those magazines to enjoy :)

As for your new blog suggestions: I hope your new site allows me to comment with my blog name, not my old google account. But if not, no big deal.

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7

Natalie — September 13, 2011 @ 9:36 pm

Thanks for all of the congrats…es. :)

Monica – Is he putting enough salt and vinegar on it? :)

Christina – The commenting issue is one of the biggest reasons I'm switching over. I'll be really straightforward and you'll be able to link to your blog. :)

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8

Joanne — September 14, 2011 @ 1:21 am

I'm excited about the blog changes! I may also email you about who you used…I've been thinking about making the switch for a while now and it might be time! congrats on all those awesome features! I'm so happy for you!

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9

Budget Gourmet Mom — September 14, 2011 @ 5:05 am

Yay, Natalie! That is all so exciting! I can't wait to see the new reveal!

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10

Carol — September 14, 2011 @ 8:14 am

I so hear ya on summer feeling so cut short. And I can't wait to see the new blog. I love this one, so any improvements will just take it from "awesome" to "awesome-er." The photos of your girls are just too cute! Oh, and here's to balance in the world. We like it that way at my house too. Have a great day!! :)

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11

Kristin — September 14, 2011 @ 4:21 pm

That is so exciting! Congrats on being featured. Can't wait to set the "makeover." :)

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12

Amy — September 14, 2011 @ 5:39 pm

Congrats on all the exciting stuff happening!!

Amy @ A Little Nosh

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13

Healthy Mamma — September 14, 2011 @ 5:47 pm

What a cute pic of your tired little girl! ;)
I think your blog is great now so I can't wait to see the makeover.
Thanks for the link to Jamie Olivers thingy and the LDS cooking.

I think you convinced me w the croutons!!!

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14

DancingMooney ♥ — September 14, 2011 @ 9:06 pm

Natalie, you deserve a magazine with your NAME on it!!! What with all those beautiful photographs and to die for dishes! You go girl, congrats on the publication… and, I have always loved the look of your blog, but I guess when you make it to the big time, blogger isn't quite as fancy as wordpress…

Can't wait to see what you're up to!
♥

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15

Ann — September 15, 2011 @ 2:06 am

Wow! Such EXCITING news! I'm SO happy for you! I'm sure your blog will look AMAZING when it's complete and you ROCK for winning the blog of the month on Jamie Oliver! BRAVO!

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16

Natalie — September 15, 2011 @ 2:12 am

Joanne – I think the itch to makeover a blog is contagious. :) Shoot me an email and we'll chat!

Gwen – You're welcome! I hope you submit your blog to Jamie's site. :)

Janell – You make me blush, girl. :) Thank you! I like how my blog looks, too, but there's a few functionality issues that would be cleared up by moving to WordPress (i.e. commenting).

Ann – Aw, thank you! You rock, too. :)

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17

MindySue — September 15, 2011 @ 6:54 am

That is so exciting!! I can't wait to see what you have in store. And PLEASE keep the Grilled Veggie Quesadillas recipe!

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18

The Three Little Piglets — September 15, 2011 @ 12:41 pm

Congratulations! So much excitement for you. That breakfast salad looks like the perfect way to celebrate to me. Can't wait to see the new look…

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19

Jolene - EverydayFoodie — September 17, 2011 @ 3:20 am

Congratulations!

You have so much going on!!

I am totally in denial that it is September too. I am not ready for it.

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20

Amanda — September 17, 2011 @ 1:13 pm

so excited for your blog makeover! someday… i'll do that to my own blog… someday…

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21

Cara — September 19, 2011 @ 2:25 am

Congrats! I'm getting a blog makeover next month. I'm so excited and can't wait to see yours either!

Interesting thought about weeding out old recipes. I've thought about taking them down in the past, both for the reason you mention, and well, bad photography and writing ;) I always end up deciding to leave them up as a sign of progress. But perhaps this is the right time for a clean break?

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22

Cara — September 19, 2011 @ 2:26 am

And how did I forget this – HUGE congrats on the magazine pieces! You totally deserve it!

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Natalie — September 19, 2011 @ 3:15 pm

ahh once you've made the big switch I'll have to ask you some questions…it's one I've considered but I'm scared to undertake now that my blog is 2 years old and there are SO many posts!

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