Expanding the blog

A few weeks ago, I announced that the blog would be undergoing some exciting changes.

The one that I'm most excited about is the new face lift it's going to be getting--a new site that will be easy to navigate and a different url (www.bring-joy.com), a new design that will be much easier on the eyes (thanks to fifth&hazel), and a broader platform for which to work as well as topics to discuss.

The last change (a broader platform), is what I want to talk about in this post.

When I began this blog three years ago, as is the case with 99% of bloggers out there, I wanted to share something with you, and what I had to share (plant-based eating, vegan issues, mothering), I felt was important, otherwise, I wouldn't have put all the time and effort of doing the blog. What was mostly a hobby, a side-gig, something I'd do whenever I got a chance, has morphed into something else. I've decided, "hey, I want to pursue this blog thing full time and talk about more than just food."

Which means: significantly more time commitment, more content, professional content at that, regular and consistent posts. And of course, how I'll get compensated for my time: advertising. I've held off on doing any sort of advertising, other than my Amazon Store (which I get to pick and choose whatever I want there), for a number of reasons, but mostly because I wanted to figure out where I wanted to go with my blog or rather see what direction it would take me, before committing to do any sort of advertising.

I've been thinking for a long time that I needed to expand my horizons beyond just food. I love food. Food (and more specifically, healthy, delicious, beautiful food) is important to me. I like cooking. And I think I know some things about eating healthfully (and vegan) that you might find helpful. But. My life is not all about food and I'd never want it to be.

Another area that I haven't shared too much, but have wanted to go into greater depth, has been fitness. I have taught thousands of hours of fitness classes over the last six years and have learned some things along the way. Some things I wished I would have learned sooner, but I'm glad I've learned them nonetheless (like, it's okay to hate long-distance running, or weights are my friend). So I'll be doing regular posts on workout how-to's, reviews on exercise DVD's, thoughts on latest research and fitness trends, as well as posting 10 minute and under quickie workout videos.

I guess I think of food the same way I do fitness. They are only tools to help me enjoy a richer, more diverse life with the people who mean most to me.

The most important thing in my life is my family. Being a mom, a wife, a sister, a daughter. I'm still figuring out what it means to be these things, and it's a fun and often illuminating soul-searching journey.

I just think these relationships and responsibilities are the coolest things in the world. They bring me joy. Like laughter in the belly, tears in the eyes, give me a hug, joy.

Having had four kids in a short time, and closing in on nearly eight years of happy marriage all the while, has given me lots of thoughts about the issue, and I want to share them with you. I'm not an expert on parenting styles and I don't know all the love languages, but I do know the joy of family and I want to share that with you.

This means I'll be doing posts on anything and everything related to family life: reading to and with kids; fave books; learning; music; design (I'm actually really big on interior design, I have a post coming up where I'll give you a home tour and share some of my fave design blogs), gardening, repair and how-to's; cooking, of course!; and a bit of the "mommy" stuff (but this will not be a "mommy" blog) like breastfeeding, pregnancy as I'm sure there will be another pregnancy in the distant future (I'm not pregnant nor will be any time soon, fyi.), and parenting issues.

I share all of this with you because I believe we have trust between each other. A kinship, so to speak. You the reader, read my blog because you trust that I'm going to be honest, informative/inspiring or helpful in some way, and not waste your time. As the blogger, I respect that trust and am grateful that you're reading, because without you, there would be no reason to blog. I want to offer bits and snippets into my world, with the hope that as I share, you will share, and we'll both be the better.

Regardless of were you are in your life (single, married, mom, working, etc.), I hope that my expanding the blogs topics (without forgetting my roots of where I began) you'll keep reading and sharing!