Friday Foodie Feature

Friday definitely always comes faster when I am nervous about a long run! I am going 21 miles tomorrow, the longest I will be running during this marathon training season, and I am pretty scared! I have done it before, and I think that’s why I am so nervous; I know how difficult it is going to be!

Still, I am excited that it is the weekend and even more excited to introduce Michelle from Fun and Fearless in Beantown as the Friday Foodie Feature! I love Michelle’s blog and tweets, especially because she is a fellow Bostonian and always seems to have great suggestions and dining experiences. And she is super sweet. Her blog was recently featured on Boston.com; once you check it out, you will see why! I haven’t met Michelle yet, but I hope to soon. Boston blogger meet up anyone? 😉

How long have you been blogging?

I started my blog in July of 2008 as a personal online diary.  I was inspired by my friend Kim who has a blog about her Ironman training (she’s a two-time Ironman athlete) and it motivated me to start my own blog about my “fun and fearless” adventures in Boston (hence the really long title to my blog).  I only had a few readers, which were close friends of mine.  As my blog started to get a more defined focus on food, cooking and restaurant dining experiences, my readership started to grow. 

What is your favorite thing about blogging? Least favorite?

I write about the food that I truly enjoy (whether cooking or eating) and have been thrilled to meet people who share this same interest.  So I’d have that my favorite aspect of blogging is meeting so many wonderful food bloggers at some fabulous food and wine events – all because of this blog! 

I think every non-professional food blogger can agree that the most difficult part of food blogging is finding the time to do it all.  I work full-time as an attorney and I cook regularly but the process of taking photos and writing is always time consuming.  There are so many great restaurant experiences and recipes that never make it to my blog because sometimes you just want to eat or cook without taking notes and photos along the way.

What has been your most fun blog post to write?

Last month my boyfriend and I went to a flourless chocolate cake cooking demonstration and port tasting at Troquet in Boston (http://funandfearlessinbeantown.blogspot.com/2010/02/flourless-chocolate-cake-and-port.html). I love cooking demonstrations because you can learn something and then of course taste what you’ve learned!  In this instance, how could you not love tasting chocolate cake?  This was such a fun event for both of us to experience and it was great to meet some local food bloggers.

Where do you see your blog this time next year?

I want to continue to find strength and confidence in my writing.  Until recently, my writing was mostly focused on my cooking experiences and restaurant reviews.  I’ve started to expand my blog to include food product reviews and also participate in food and wine events.  As the subject matter of my blog expands, I want to continue writing quality pieces in my own voice.

Is there anything else about your blogging experience you would like to share?

Although he refuses to take credit for it, my boyfriend Bret takes a lot of the photos for my blog.  You can definitely tell which photos are his and which ones are taken by me from my Canon One Shot.  My favorite blog posts are the ones that we experience (i.e. cook or dine out) together – where I write and he takes the photographs.  For us, cooking, eating and blogigng about food is done together with love and something that brings us closer together in our relationship.

Thanks, Michelle for sharing your blogging experience with us!

Do you want to be the next featured foodie? Email me at traveleatlove2009@hotmail.com

Also, my ALLY Foundation raffle ends in 8 days. Click here for more info on the great prizes that will be raffled off: http://www.firstgiving.com/meghanmalloyteamally

AND I will be announcing the winner of Secrets of a Skinny Chef tonight. Click here for details!