One year ago today, I posted my first post on Keepin’ It Kind. I felt both exhilarated and scared of what I may have gotten Chris and myself into.
As I said in that first post, I am always writing, though it’s mostly just in my mind. All throughout my day, I’m writing stories in my mind or putting my thoughts down in an invisible journal. After I became vegan, my kitchen creativity was unleashed and as I began creating incredible meals for Chris and I, I noticed that my “inner writing” became more of a dialogue where I would explain why I made certain ingredient choices, why I love the mustard greens my CSA sent us, or how I came up with the idea for the meal altogether. As time went on, it became more and more clear that I was really just building Keepin’ It Kind.
One year later, Chris and I consider this blog one of the greatest things we’ve done together. Chris, who was primarily an architecture and landscape photographer before, has grown into an incredibly talented food photographer. We both shudder when we look at the early photography on this blog (please, don’t look), but I love seeing how far Chris has come. I look forward to our photo shoots, when I set everything up and style the food, then he gets behind the camera and goes to town. I stand-by to re-style food as needed, hold a bounce in just the right spot, point out shots that I’d had in mind (most of the time, he’s already gotten them), and mostly just oggle him while he’s in his element. It’s a process that, without a doubt, has brought us even closer together and the final product that you see here is truly a labor of love.
The amount of writing that I get to do here about things that I love and stories I feel compelled to tell gives me peace. The fact that you all come here to actually read what I write just puts me over the moon! In a drive to show how fun, easy and accessible being vegan and living a compassionate life really is, I am continually pushed to try things in the kitchen that I never would have even considered before. When I hear from readers who tell me about how they got started on their vegan journey or how it’s changed their lives, it makes me feel like I’m on the right path. The friendships I’ve formed and the support I’ve gotten this last year has truly shined a light on a confidence I did not know I had. Needless to say, it has been a great first year.
All of this reflecting on the work that we’ve done here has led me to begin pondering which posts were my favorites. I found that they fell into 2 categories: My favorite posts and our favorite recipes.
Our 5 most favorite recipes:
Cilantro Avocado Chickpea Salad Tacos
These tacos are a staple in our house. Whether I forgot to go to the market or I’m in a “I don’t know what I feel like cooking tonight” mood, I always have chickpeas, avocados, and corn tortillas. It comes together fast and we’re always more than pleased with our meal.
Carrot Cake Waffles with Cinnamon Maple Cream Cheese Spread
These are the best waffles to ever come out of my kitchen. Period.
Portobello Carpaccio Pizza
This was one of those recipes where, as Chris is taking pictures of it, I’m thinking “this is either going to be awesome or totally suck.” It was neither. It was mind-altering.
Ultimate Quadruple Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chris and I are both big chocolate lovers and this cookie is a huge winner in our books. We could eat them daily and never tire of them.
Buffalo Cauliflower Wing Pizza with Tofu Blue Cheese Spread
This post is Keepin’ It Kind’s most popular post to date, and with good reason. The buffalo cauliflower wings themselves have become staples in our house, with or without the pizza. Plus, I win big points with Chris every time I make it. :-)
My 5 most favorite posts (the posts that I particularly loved writing):
Triple Ginger Molasses Granola
This post had me in a fit of giggles as I wrote it. The fact that someone would even search for “self-image of family living rough and smoking” is funny enough, but the fact that it led them to my site just kills me. And that’s just one of the search terms I discussed!
Sloppy Chicks
Vegan MoFo was a blast and my theme led to some pretty humorous writing. This one is one of my favorites.
Tuscan Chickpea Soup
My stint as a nanny was one of the most heart-breaking, loneliest, and soul-shaking times of my life. I’ve had a hard time discussing this with anyone because just the thought of that time makes my stomach turn. Writing about it and sharing it with you was pretty cathartic and the virtual hugs I received meant the world to me.
Chocolate Caramel Macchiato Truffles
The post about how my nannying job came to an end. That was one of the weirdest, most surreal days of my life. At the time, I was traumatized, but I am so thankful for it because it taught me that the choice to be happy is our own. As a side note, this is one of my favorite recipe posts as well. And I think it’s some of Chris’s finest work.
Beluga Lentil & Farro Kale Salad
Discussing my former issues/obsession with my weight is something I’ve only ever talked to Chris about. There was a lot of hesitancy before hitting the publish button on this one. I am so thankful I did, because also sharing my current views on body-image has seemed to resonate with many of you. Some of the the comments on this post brought tears to my eyes and filled my heart with much love.
The Year to Come
Chris and I are looking forward to this next year, as well as many more years of Keepin’ It Kind. I’m currently working on making improvements to the site, such as making all recipes searchable through my Recipage (a long process, indeed. I’m working backwards, chronologically, and I’m now in mid-April, so not too much longer before all recipes are there). I’m also working to reformat every recipe so that they are printable from the post itself. You may be seeing some other minor facelifts around the sight, and hopefully, ultimately, a newly designed, more functional, and prettier Keepin’ It Kind. Any feedback you have on the changes you see or if you have had experience in redesigning your blog, please feel free to chime in and share- all thoughts will be much appreciated.
Thank you so much to each and every one of you for being a part of this crazy wonderful journey of ours. Every single comment you leave brightens our day more than you know. Much love to all of you.
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Happy anniversary to my favorite recipe blog on teh interwebz! You guys do fantastic stuff and I’m always looking forward to the next post! The writing, the photos, and the recipes are nothing short of stellar. Cheers to many more years of Keepin’ it Kind!
- Randy -
Randy Clemens recently posted…My mom has cancer. We’re going to destroy it. Naturally. While helping others.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Randy! Your support means so much to me!
Happy blog anniversary, Kristy! Can’t believe you’ve only been here for a year. You’re a straight-up pro at this! Love this little space and all of the inspiration you have here. To many more years of delicious and kind fare
Laura recently posted…crispy eggplant + harissa flatbread with greens
Thank you so much, Laura!
Congratulations Kristy! I actually thought you’ve been blogging for more than a year because your writing is so prolific and your photos always make me inspired-and hungry. You and your husband are a dynamic duo! Combining both of your skills is a treat for all of your readers. Please keep it up. I don’t have much feedback as to how to improve your site. I find it enjoyable to visit every time I’m online.
You are so sweet, Richgail! Thank you!
Kristy
I love your site and often use your recipes… I love your stories that go along with them.
Heres to many more years of a great blog =)
You’re the best Michelle! Thank you!
you have accomplished SO MUCH in just one year of blogging, it’s amazing! my first year i can’t look back without cringing. i am so looking forward to many more years of keepin it kind and am so glad to have connected. love you, girl!
Caitlin recently posted…Chickpea, Quinoa, and Tomato Soup
Thank you, Caitlin! Your positivity and support makes my heart swell. xx
Happy Blogversary Kristy! i thought the same thing too, that it probably has been longer.. you definitely are amazing at writing, creating and maintaining the blog.. i cant imagine reworking all the recipes into recipage.. maybe some day:) Here’s to a lot more years of fantstic food, photography, travels and your stories:)
Richa recently posted…Sonnet’s Hearty Yam and White Bean Hash. Vegan Glutenfree Recipe
Thank you so much, Richa!
Congratulations Kristy! You guys are doing amazing things together and have brought so much to this blog. Thank you for sharing your creativity with us – the world is a better place because of it! Here’s to many more years..
xo
Thank you, Shira! xo
Congratulations on your first year — and the plan to continue! Your blog is a beautiful synthesis of creative writing, wonderful photography and delectable vegan recipes. Looking forward to next year!
Andrea, you’re so kind! Thank you!
I am celebrating with you guys, congratulations! Keeping It Kind quickly become a favorite of mine! Keep up the heart work! All love…
Thank you so much, Treesa!
Congratulations. I can’t believe it has only been 1 year! I can only imagine what the next year will entail. It is funny because I was just looking at those chickpea avocado tacos and they looked so familiar. Turns out I used the same filling as a sandwich spread. I never would have thought to stick it in a taco but what a great idea.
janet @ the taste space recently posted…Lemon-Balsamic Glazed Chickpeas and Broccoli
Thanks, Janet! We sometimes put it in a sandwich too, but the tacos are by far our favorite.
Happy anniversary! I’ve only recently discovered your site and I love your stories (the first post I stumbled across on your site was the Tuscan chickpea soup post; I loved how you wove the story of your time in Italy into your food post) and also the photography. Here’s to another wonderful year!
Caitlin recently posted…Vegan Caesar Salad
THank you so much, Caitlin! It makes me so happy to hear that you like the stories.
Congratulations on one amazing first year sweetie!
I’ve absolutely loved following your blog over the past year. So many amazing recipes and stories! I love that you and Chris work on the blog together. Such a great project to spend time with each other and keep inspired. So excited to see what’s to come over the next year on Keepin’ It Kind 
Courtney @ The Fig Tree recently posted…Cheesy Vegetable Tamale Pie
Thank you, Courtney! xo
Congrats! Keep on Keepin’ it Kind! You two rock!
Thank you, Melissa!
I cannot believe you’ve only been doing this for ONE YEAR! You are a force, my dear. Or should I say, you and Chris are a force. What a great team.
Annie recently posted…Red Velvet Waffles with Cream Cheese Sauce
Thank you so much, Annie. We love our little team.
Wow! Congratulations on one year! What a big milestone. You guys are doing such a great job!! Way to go!
Thank you, Allison!
Congratulations on your first year! You truly have some of the most uniques recipes I’ve seen and I can’t wait for another year of more!
Thank you, Reia!
One of the greatest things I do for myself is reading your blog. It’s what I look forward to doing every night while curled up on the couch, underneath a blanket, drinking my tea. You’re how I “unwind.”
I’m so glad you made the decision to start this blog and even MORE stoked that you’re still SO enthralled with it all. One of my favorite things about it is that you respond to EVERY comment. I know, though, that pretty soon, you’re going to have so many people professing love for you, there won’t be enough hours in the day to write them all back. So, I’m going to enjoy it all while I can.
You have such an amazing story-telling capability; I love the way you can weave a tale around a recipe that has absolutely nothing to do with food but is completely relevant to the posted recipe. You have a uniquely special ability to not only draw readers in but transport them to when and where your story is taking place so that we can see and feel it AS it unfolds. I always feel like I’m right in the middle of your account. Funny, heartwarming, poignant, entertaining. Your blog posts have it all.
And, most importantly of all, you have this way of writing to make the reader feel like an old, familiar friend. One who is privy to details that you would only share with those nearest and dearest to you. All of your posts feel like you’re sharing an intimate secret only meant for the chosen few whom have earned your trust and affection. Though speaking to everyone, you make your readers feel like “the only one”, like each story was written especially for them. At least it feels that way to me.
And that’s how I got hooked on you. 
I love your creativity and inventiveness with food (you have amazing flavor combos with things I NEVER would’ve dreamnt of pairing together and profiles I haven’t seen other chefs marry), but I’m a sucker for all the words leading up to the recipes. On most other blogs, it’s the opposite — I scroll down past all of the talk to get to the food. On this blog, I don’t even need the food! I could read your words for pages quite contentedly.
)
(So sorry for the epic comment. Laconic I am not. Forgive me and my unabashed effusiveness. I don’t mean to gush. You just rock.
Lori, I can’t even begin to tell you how much your comment touched me. I am moved beyond words. Let’s just say it was a good thing I wasn’t wearing mascara.
I am so happy and thankful and blessed that you enjoy Keepin’ It Kind the way that you do. Writing the story behind the recipe has always been my favorite part and I worry sometimes that it bores people (and I’m sure that for some people, it does). It is so wonderful to hear that that’s your favorite part.
Thank you so much, Lori, for truly making my day. Much love. xo
I’m so sorry that I made you cry!
Honestly, though, *I’M* touched that *YOU* were touched, and I’m so beyond glad that you got to hear how awesome you are. Not just from me but from everyone. It’s obvious that you put your heart and soul into this blog, and that can be so scary sometimes, when you don’t know how it’s going to be received. You’ve been at it a year now, but it’s always nice to get some encouragement and words of support, no?
I’m glad that we can both agree on what the “jewel” of this blog is.
And I am SURE, we are not the only ones.
PS. Do you have a friend named Lori that’s been on your mind? My name is Liz!
Ha! Oh my goodness, I am so sorry! I’ve been trying to work without my glasses so that my eyes don’t become too dependent on them, and I guess when I started the comment I looked up at your name but was actually looking at the name of the commenter above yours! Seriously, this is the second time in a week I’ve made a mistake due to not wearing my glasses. I think it’s time I accept that I absolutely need them.
So sorry, Liz. 
Again, thank you for your kind words. You are the best!
Amazing that you guys have only been at it for a year, your site is so amazing, professional and full of goodness Kristy. I love reading your posts and totally geek out over all the food you post. xx
Somer recently posted…Meaty Cravings?
Thank you so much, Somer!
Happy Anniversary! I am shocked that you’ve only been blogging for a year, you are super talented for sure! Looking forward to many more years of Keepin’ It Kind.
Anna {Herbivore Triathlete} recently posted…Tabbouleh
You have achieved so much since starting this blog Kristy, I can hardly believe you have only been at this a year. Your food is amazing, your stories are heart warming and Chris’s photography is beautiful! I truly cannot wait to see what the next year holds. You are truly an inspiration and I am so happy I have gotten to “know” you in the last year. I hope one day to be half the blogger you are
Gabby @ the veggie nook recently posted…healthy vegan friday #34
You are just the sweetest, Gabby! It has been a pleasure getting to know you too! We’re going to have to have a virtual Arrested Development party when it premieres in May!
Oh totally!! You cannot believe how excited I am for it!
Gabby @ the veggie nook recently posted…sprouted grain cereal chocolate chip cookies
Your site is absolutely wonderful! Congrats on a year of blogging!
Thank you so much, Em!
I didn’t realize our anniversaries were so close together! Happy one year, and here’s to many more!:)
Melissa recently posted…Berry Quinoa Spinach Salad with Maple Vinagrette
Well, thank you, Melissa!
Congratulations! Thank you so much for all of your hard work and for sharing it with us. You are superamazingly creative and talented! Cheers!
The Peace Patch recently posted…A Raisin By Any Other Name…
Thank you so much!
I for one am so happy that you started Keepin’ it Kind, not only for the amazing recipe, beautiful photos and amazing stories but it has given me the chance to get to know one of the most amazing people on the plant- that would be you Miss Kristy!
PS. the sloppy chicks ARE my favorite, they are SO AMAZING!
Heather recently posted…crispy matsutake spring rolls
You are so sweet, Heather. Seriously, I feel blessed to have gotten to know you!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary, Kristy! I really love your blog, and have been so inspired by your food and your attitude toward animals and living in the last year. It’s an honor to “know” you!
Thank you so much, Gena! That means so much coming from you- it is definitely an honor to “know” you as well.