Blogging Slump

I think “slumps” are a natural progression of life. I can’t tell you how many different kinds of slumps I’ve experienced over the last 26 years, but in that time, I’ve learned how to deal with them. They can be frustrating, time consuming, and disheartening (depending on the situation). Swimming was where I experienced most of my slumps – losing the groove of a stroke, trying a new distance, being burnt out, or in the early years, still getting used to my body and adapting to it in the water. Even though they can be a pain, the good news is that slumps aren’t forever. Enter: the blogging slump.

This blog is something that I really enjoy. It’s opened me up to a world that I really don’t think I would have experienced otherwise. I’ve met and connected with some really amazing people and companies, and have been able to fuel and embrace passions of mine in a like-minded community. Similar to slumps, interests change, and come and go over time. Recently I’ve found myself less and less interested in food blogging, and much more passionate about running and life in general. Now don’t get me wrong, I still think about food pretty much all the time and love spending time in the kitchen, I just have come to a stand-still when it comes to recipe creation. Most of my weekly meals come from cookbooks or other blogs, or are recipes I’ve already shared. So in that situation when you have a blog that’s dedicated mostly to food, content becomes tricky.

One of the key components of writing a blog is finding your niche, which is something I’ve been struggling with lately. I’m not really a “food blogger” like I had once set out to be, nor am I a running blogger (though I do blog about it quite a bit), and I’m certainly not a healthy living blogger (pass a cupcake, please). I have plenty of ideas to blog about, but I usually get a few sentences or paragraphs in and jump ship. Most of the time I think that’s because I care too much what other people think. To an extent I should because this is a blog that I want people to read and enjoy… but at the same time, it’s mine! A big reason why I’ve been so hesitant just to post what I want is because of my blog name; I mean, hello, it’s called FOODosaurus Rex… so there should be some food element. And really, that’s why my posting has been so sporadic. One week I’ll spend a lot of time in the kitchen and dream up some share-worthy recipes, run a race, and boom – content. Another week will be less than exciting, with running and maybe a note worthy (but not newly created) meal here and there. It leaves me unsure on what I should post – there’s nothing I loathe more than a junk post (i.e. a photo dump, posts round up, etc.).

So as I continue having a blog identity crisis, I’m looking for some input from you, the reader! In the meantime I’ll be carrying on with business as usual, posting running and food related things, when and if the mood strikes!

What would you like to see more of on the blog? Less of? 
Any tips to help get me through the slump?

My first attempt at overnight oats

There are a few things that the blogs I read and people I follow on Twitter seem to always be talking about. Aside from running and food in general, specific to healthy living and eating, there is always talk about green monsters, overnight oats, breakfast cookies, and general health foods that have been made yummy, even for the most skeptical.

After seeing lots of posts about overnight oats, I decided to give them a try. You can really make them however you want – the base ingredients are rolled oats, some type of milk, a bonding agent (say yogurt for example) and then whatever flavors you’d like. Since Wednesday was the first full official day of fall and having stocked up on cans of Libby’s Pure Pumpkin, I decided to make pumpkin overnight oats. After seeing the general recipe from the likes of Healthy Tipping Point, Oh She Glows, Kath Eats, and others, I got crackin’.

My favorite part about making this is that it literally takes you two minutes, and then you can just throw it in the fridge till morning. Then, when it’s all thick and creamy, you can either eat it cold, or pop it in the microwave for a minute or two! While it doesn’t look the most appetizing, it is in fact delicious. I have some nectarines lying around, I’m thinking about throwing them in next. This is definitely going to be a fall and winter breakfast staple for me!

Pumpkin Overnight Oats

Ingredients:
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk
1/4 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
1/3 cup pure pumpkin
1 tsp all spice
2 tsp nutmeg
4 tsp cinnamon

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in bowl, cover with plastic wrap or foil, allow to sit in fridge overnight
Enjoy hot or cold!