The skies are blue and the sun is shining in San Diego.
The flowers are blooming.
And I am powering through the day:
I knocked out a 20 Minute At Home Workout
I am grooving on the coffee and mango butter finds that I picked up at TJ’s yesterday
I love TJ’s Coffees and did a big Coffee Review Post comparing many of their coffees as well as others, like Smores Coffee
From my last post on Mango Recipes, thanks for letting me know you like your mangoes just as much as I do. Well, most of you do. Some people are allergic.
As a sidebar, mango allergies are a pretty common allergy. It’s in the latex family so if you’re allergic to mango, then bananas, papaya, pineapple, avocado and others could be culprits, too. I have plenty of food allergies so can spout off food allergy trivia all day long.
Today I made a batch of Raw Taco Nut “Meat”
I bring this taco “meat” to parties and always impress the meat eaters because it’s hearty, dense, full of flavor, and filling. And takes about 45 seconds to make.
And plated that over a bed of greens because a Raw Taco Salad was the perfect lunch on a spring day when I’m slamming and jamming.
And I baked some Lemon & Dill Roasted Potato Sticks (mostly for Scott) but munched on a few of those.
I prefer to munch on fresh berries and…
…Chocolate!
Like Special K Bars with Chocolate Frosting
I am also really excited because I was featured in a National Fox News Story about the power of blogs and bloggers. The piece, written by Hollie McKay, is about a study that showed that bloggers have more influence than celebrities when it comes to influencing consumer purchasing decisions and I was interviewed for and quoted in the story. Check it out if you have a second!
Questions:
1. Have you ever been interviewed for a story or been on the radio, TV, or in the media in some way?
Other than writing my blog and being in the Movie, A Walk to Remember, that I discussed here and here, I can’t recall any other media features or brushes with fame. Other than doing yoga next to Gwyneth Paltrow and Katie Holmes on separate instances, years ago, which was very cool!
However, I’d like to do more interviews. It’s been fun!
2. How much influence do you think blogs and bloggers have over purchasing decisions?
I personally think they have an enormous influence!
I have done many, many posts over the years on things I’ve purchased or tried because I’ve read about them in the blogosphere. Everything from chia seeds to nutritional yeast as I discussed here, recently.
I’ve tried some gems, and some duds, but because of blogs and the recommendations of fellow bloggers, I tried products that I otherwise wouldn’t have known about or bothered to try. Their endorsement, review, and simply featuring the product or item on their blog did alter my purchasing decisions.
3. Have you bought anything or tried anything new because a blogger mentioned it or featured it on his/her blog?
I also have discussed that I went through a phase where I tried and bought just about anything that I saw floating around, but I have since reigned in my impulse purchases and don’t race out to buy everything I see anymore, either.
It’s fun to try new things and products but I don’t have the budget, or the need, to try everything. Sometimes I know that what I have works well for me and I don’t need to keep trying and trying every latest thing, i.e. certain yoga clothes or protein powders and I don’t need to race out and buy the “latest and greatest”.
It’s a balancing act, for sure, trying new things but also not breaking the bank or buying things you just don’t need or won’t really have much long term use for.
What do you think about the power and influence of blogs/bloggers featuring products? Have you bought or tried things you’ve seen in the ‘sphere?
Enjoy your day!
Congrats on the interview! And you’ve done yoga with two celebrities? Awesome! When I first started reading blogs, I was influenced a lot by bloggers’ purchases and recommendations, mostly out of curiosity and because I trust the blogger to give good recommendations if we have similar tastes. I’m still influenced to some extent, but that urge to try tons of new foods is gone, thank goodness. There’s only so much my budget can handle. :)
well in So Cal it’s not *that* hard to have celebrity sighting and brushes with fame :)
Blogs have enormous influence…for those who read them.
Which is why I do not understand why Peanut Flour is not more widely available (though I have never had it).
That strawberry picture is really gorgeous.
They definitely have enormous influence on me!! Why would I buy a product after another blogger said it was downright HORRIBLE?! That being said, I do not necessarily buy everything because a blogger said it was GOOD, because lots of products are too expensive for my broke-high school student budget ;)
Congrats, don’t forget about us little people. ;) I kid.
I used to buy more stuff I read about on blogs, but now I am more skeptical after far too many duds. Or maybe I just know my taste buds better and know when something looks like something I want and not. Like that mango butter. I am all over that. Well, making it, since there is no TJs nearby. I actually went to the store today and got a couple mangos….now I ahve to be patient while they ripen.
little people. lol
Most days I feel like but a speck of dust. Seriously.
Mango butter. Can’t wait to hear the homemade version and how it goes!
Congratulations Averie!
congrats on your interview!! oh yes, i definitely believe that bloggers have a major influence of others, mainly because i know for a fact that i am influenced!, in a good way, i’ve tried many new foods such as chia seeds for one, because of food blogs. and i’ve tried some of your recipes as well, that i really love!
I see a lot of “great things” on blogs, but I know my tastes and my own likes pretty well, so I’ll only go out and buy it if I’m really interested. I do like hearing about products on blogs, just because it’s a great way to “test” anything, food or otherwise, without having to spend the money on it. I can usually tell the bloggers who are being honest about their reviews and the ones that are just doing it for show, which is another big factor that should be considered before running to the store right away.
Congrats on the interveiw that’s awesome :D
Yes, I think bloggers have a huge influence. Without bloggers such as yourself I would have never tried nooch, coconut oil and chia seeds just to name a couple.
I’ve never been in the media.. in any way. That’s ok with me though, I’m not a fan of being the center of attention for any reason.
Congratulations on the article, Averie!! It was a great quote. :) You always have great stances on things, and I love hearing your opinion on different topics.
I absolutely think the blog world has huge influence! I never knew about so many different food products/workouts/etc. until I started reading blogs, and I think that’s kind of cool. I definitely don’t run out and buy everything, but seek out things that sound good for me. :)
Congrats on the news article! It is definitely tempting to be influenced by other bloggers. After reading some for a couple years I can tell that there are some that promote some item or food in every single post, claiming it’s “the best.” I don’t take those ones as serious as the ones that do it less often and actually have a reason for promoting an item. Not sure if that makes sense but that’s kinda how I look at it!:D
PS congrats :)
I’ve bought TONS of things because of the blog world:
Kale, PB&Co PB, Fage, Sunflower seed butter, ezikeil bread, certain bars,
Congrats on your interview! As always, a balanced and honest take on the whole dilemma of product reviewing, disclosure, and so on. Nicely done!
Congrats on the article, you spoke the truth! There are SEVERAL things that I have bought because I read about them in the blogesphere, Larabars, flax seeds, and almond milk included. I trust bloggers like you to let me know what products are worthwhile! :)
Blogs have a HUGE influence on my food and kitchen purchases. I bought a spiralizer after reading about your zuke noodles! Katie has turned me into a Artisana coconut butter fan (you know which Katie I’m talking about) and without blogs, I never would have discovered (or purchased) nooch, PB & Co. Dark Chocolate Dreams, kabocha squash, or medjool dates to name a few!
hope you’re liking the spiralizer!