Hailey's interview
Interview by LydiaWe interviewed Hailey!
Visit the blog: On the side of nine to five.
"To me food is about more than food. It's about giving your body the best you can to be able to function at your best. It's about sharing a moment with people that you love."
Hello Hailey, so tell us...
When did you begin your blog, and what inspired you to start it?
After a few failed attempts, three to be exact, I began my blog at the end of March 2013, so it's really new to me! I had reached a point where I felt like I had become complacent and apathetic. I wasn't unhappy, but I certainly was not the happiest that I could be, although I had all of these amazingly wonderful things and people in my life. I realized that I have so many passions and interests that I wasn't experiencing and decided it was time to start doing the things that I love to do and trying new things.
In high school I spent a lot of time writing, everything from poems to short stories, and I felt like I had lost that passion and even lost the skill. That's where the idea of blogging came in. I've always had a passion for food and entertaining, so blogging about that was a no-brainer. I also got certified to teach spinning and am very passionate about fitness and even more than being fit, just leading a healthy, well-rounded lifestyle, so I decided I would post about fitness as well. When I realized I had become complacent, just watching TV every night, I decided I needed to become an active participant in my own life and find the things that make me happy -- on the side of my nine to five and hopefully helping a reader out along the way. So here I am, a few months later, loving it!
How many hours per week do you spend on your blog?
I spend about 10 hours per week on my blog - give or take. It really depends on the week and what I have going on and things that I want to do. I like to go out to dinner and drinks with my friends and go to movies and shows, and those things come first.
Are you involved in the blogging community - how do you attract new readers?
I try to stay involved in the blogging community. I've attended a number of local events for bloggers. One was a run with yoga at the end, and another was at a candy shop [my own personal piece of heaven]. These events are great ways to meet new people, read other blogs, and gain a few new readers of your own. I attract new readers by using social media - Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest are all great. The power of technology and social media is amazing -- the world really is becoming smaller.
What is your earliest food memory?
Oh my -- I have so many food memories!
1. I used to love hot dogs with ketchup and cheez whiz - maybe that's where my love of crazy combos comes from!
2. My mom used to make this smoked salmon dip with cream cheese, salmon, and horseradish when I was younger. She only made it for her annual holiday party and would always sneak me a small bowl with some stoned wheat thins
3. Decorating gingerbread men at the holidays has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember, we still do it to this day, and I even had a gingerbread man decorating station at my own holiday party this year
4. My mom makes the best stove top popcorn you'll ever taste in your life. I remember making it with her and it would always overflow before we dumped it into the big blue plastic bowl and drenched it in butter and salt. Which is one way to make a healthy snack unhealthy, but it's the only way.
5. I was always in the kitchen trying to come up with concoctions throwing everything I could find, from eggs and butter, to flour, Doritos, and chocolate into a bowl and baking it. I once took this to a neighborhood boy that I had a HUGE crush on. Needless to say, I never heard how it was.
I could go on forever, but those are my top 5...sorry, I think you only asked for one. I've always loved food and with the exception of cheez whiz and ketchup on my hot dog and Doritos in my baked goods, I eat these foods today and love feeling nostalgic when I do.
Which of your recipes would you suggest to readers for a perfect meal?
For the perfect meal including, appetizers, main course, and dessert, it would be something that was healthy and delicious but easy to prepare and would probably go like this:
My cucumber and hummus rounds with shaved carrots are one of my favorite appetizers. They're simple, fresh, and healthy - and the best part is they kind look fancy, but they're not at all! I'm also a big cheese and crackers girl. Because really, what's better than cheese? Other than melted cheese of course. I would put some extra, sharp cheddar, Manchengo, and a herbed goat cheese on a wooden cutting board with some nice crackers like Dr. Kraker's bites and some rice thins for anyone gluten free, grapes, and some mixed nuts out on a nice wooden cutting board. http://wp.me/p3l6PA-gk
For a main course, I love salmon. I know that not everyone loves seafood, but for those that do, pan seared salmon is so easy and delicious. This beet salad is also really easy and healthy. And finally, asparagus is a great side for any meal. http://wp.me/p3l6PA-2X Serve up with some brown rice or quinoa if you need a starch.
And the best party, my crazy sweet tooth loves these mini apple crisps http://wp.me/p3l6PA-4B warm topped with vanilla ice cream.
I'd have this meal with a nice glass of wine -- red or white is fine with me but to complement the salmon my white would be a sauvignon blanc and my red would be a pinot noir.
If you could be a contestant or guest on any cooking show what show would you choose?
This is a tough one too! The Food Network is one of my favorite channels. If I could be a guest on a show it would have to be Chopped. The dishes the contestants come up with are absolutely amazing and innovative. I'd love to be a guest judge to taste test. I couldn't be a contestant on that show because I'd just break down and make a huge mess. I need more time to think! If I could be a contestant on a show though, it would have to be Top Chef. I'm a big planner and I love how they get to serve bigger parties and get the entertaining aspect in as well. I also wouldn't mind judging Top Chef: Just Desserts to fuel that sweet tooth.
Is there any dish, ingredient or type of food you refuse to cook?
I'd like to say that I'd try everything once. If someone dropped something off on my door step and asked me to cook it I would!
Who are your culinary idols?
My culinary idols are many and vary, but I would have to say #1 Joanne Chang who owns Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston. She started her career working in a completely different industry and has applied her aptitude for math and science to make amazing recipes and a four wonderful storefronts. It's amazing how much science and math goes into baking, but if you read the intro to her first cook book, you can really learn so much. She's also such a successful business woman, which I really respect.
I would be star struck if I saw/met Barbara Lynch. Her group owns the best restaurants in Boston. I wish I could say I have been to them all. The dedication to fresh local ingredients is incredible and leaves you wanting more. The detail and carefulness that goes into each dish at every restaurant, regardless of cuisine is something that other restaurants could certainly take note of. She also has an amazing group of people working in her restaurants, and I wouldn't mind meeting any of them either. A cooking class perhaps?
As far as celebrity chefs go, well Bobby Flay. He's the man.
Oh - and my mom. She's not a chef persay, but she's my biggest influence as far as my passion for food and entertaining goes. She has done and seen it all!
What are your goals for your blog? Where would you like to see it in the next year? Five years?
My short term goal is developing the content and getting more recipes and entertaining tips on my blog and connecting with more people in the blogging community. In the next year, I would love to have more followers on my Facebook page, Twitter, and Pinterest. In the next five years (or sooner would be nice too!), I would love to be someone that people come to for advice. I've been asked to create menus, do the desserts for a wedding, plan a wedding, and asked for health and fitness advice since I started and even before, and I would love to do that more regularly. It has taken me a lot of ups and downs, but at this point I am experiencing my most balanced lifestyle, experiencing the things that I love and I just want to share my passions with readers.
Anything else you would like to share?
To me food is about more than food. It's about giving your body the best you can to be able to function at your best. It's about sharing a moment with people that you love. It's about learning and creating. I hope that your readers will join me as I share my passions for food and life in general!
Finally, never forget...
"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well"
~ Virginia Woolf
Thank you Hailey for answering our questions and see you soon!
Published by Lydia - 07/16/2013
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