why blog?

I started reading blogs in November of 2007. I was sick with a mono-like virus and couldn't go to class so I needed "I'm weak but not sleeping" entertainment. Food blogs fit the bill. Not only did I find them interesting, but many of my firsts (Eat Like Me, Eat Live Run, Kath Eats) updated three times a day. They were perfect for a bored girl longing for an appetite. And on that day I finally felt better, I was inspired to make oatmeal for the first time. Soon after, I also found a passion for well being, especially nutrition. I signed up for a nutrition course the next semester and acquired a collection of health literature in the mean time.

Jump ahead to March of 2008: I had made lots of new healthful recipes and was more informed than I'd ever been about taking care of myself. I felt physically, mentally and emotionally better than ever. I decided that I wanted a blog of my own, even if I had no idea where to begin. I knew I wanted it to be somewhat about food, but I also didn't want to do what had already been done. Then I realized - it's probably unique that I was going to be studying abroad in the upcoming school year. I knew I'd have to incorporate my travels, fascination with languages, and cultural experiences somehow.

Onto April 22, 2008: Around the World in 340 Days was born. I wasn't sure what I was doing and the dear VeggieGirl was most likely my only reader. But then I lived in Ecuador for a month, Chile for five and France for four. I slowly but surely developed my voice and grew into the blogging community. I acquired more readers, followers, and friends than I ever could've imagined. I struggled with finding a balance between my pleasure-seeking sense of adventure and health-conscious wellness priorities. Eventually, I also moved back to the US, graduated from college, road-tripped solo, and started working. Somewhere along that way, this blog became A Nourishing the Glimpse.

[whole-wheat penne, sautéed garlic spinach, cannellini beans, fresh parmesan cheese, shy glass of wine]

As of today {April 22, 2011}, I've officially been blogging for three years. I can hardly believe it! I've learned so much about myself, others, and the world in these 1,096 days. I've even acquired photography skills (or so I think.) I know now that I am not just a food blogger. For as passionate as I am about nutrition, I also care deeply about travel, art, diversity, yoga, culture, and self-reflection, and it took all of these passions to make the freshly-appointed danielle abroad what it is today. Thank you for having supported me throughout the journey so far! For as many lemons as life has handed me, I'm so grateful to have had all of you to share them with. The same goes for the good times too, of course :). Here's to you, many more healthy meals, and the exciting life adventures ahead of us.

If you'd like to find out more about why I blog, please read "all about blogging" and "the right way to be opinionated." And please ask me any questions you still have.