These Vegan Guacamole Breakfast Bowls are a fiery way to start your morning, with sautéed pepper, spicy paprika potatoes, and tangy guacamole.
Earlier today I was reading a post by a food blog, Sarah’s Cucina Bella, about how food blogging has changed in the last ten years. And while I have only been blogging for two (almost three) years, I have some thoughts on what she wrote. This might be an oversimplification of the post, but Sarah essentially comments on the fact that blogging is, by and large, more of a business now (for many bloggers), and some of the authenticity and passion of blogging has been lost in the face of sponsored posts, social media hacks, and obligated engagement.
I don’t really know much about what the food blogging scene was like ten years ago, but it’s not a secret that many bloggers write sponsored posts. I’ve done sponsored posts, and will continue to do them – but only with brands that I vouch for and personally like. In fact, a few days ago I had to turn down an offer from a brand because they weren’t the right fit for Well and Full. However, the vast majority of recipes here are not sponsored, and I create them because I love food and I love writing about food. But if a blogger did do a lot of sponsored posts, I wouldn’t begrudge them. Everyone has to make their own decisions about what is best for them and their blog. And ultimately, sponsored posts do NOT = inauthentic. It may be so in some cases, but in my experience that is the exception, not the rule.
For me, Well and Full is 90% passion and 10% business. I LOVE cooking, I love photographing, I love writing, I love connecting. Of course there is a strategic side to blogging – you want to connect with people who want to see your recipes! But even if zero people read my blog, I would keep doing it because I love it so much. In fact, recently I was interviewed by a local media company in my state, WeHartford, and I said the exact same thing: “But ultimately, I put my heart and soul into everything I cook and write for Well and Full, and that’s what keeps me going!”
Blogging friends, what do you think about the state of blogging? Do you do it as a passion project or as a business, or both?
And readers, what do you think about food blogs? What do you look for in an authentic blog?
Guacamole Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
Spiced Roasted Potatoes
- 3 Cups Chopped Potatoes any kind will do
- Drizzle Avocado Oil or other neutral oil
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 Tsp Dried Parsley
Sautéed Peppers
- 2 Cups Chopped Bell or Sweet Peppers
- Drizzle Avocado Oil for sauté
- Pinch Salt + Pepper to taste
The Rest of the Bowl
- Your Favorite Guacamole
- Mixed Greens
- Fresh Black Pepper and Chili Flakes to taste
- Sprouts or Microgreens optional
Instructions
Spiced Roasted Potatoes
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
- Prep your potatoes - chop them into 1/2 inch sized chunks. In a bowl, mix the potatoes, enough avocado oil to lightly coat, and salt and spices. Mix until potatoes are evenly covered.
- Roast potatoes in the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until desired doneness is achieved.
Sautéed Peppers
- Prep your peppers - chop bell or sweet baby peppers into small-ish pieces.
- Bring a little avocado oil (or any other neutral oil) to medium-high heat in a pan. Add in peppers once oil is hot, and sauté until peppers are lightly charred.
- When done, toss peppers with a little salt and pepper.
The Rest of the Bowl
- Assemble your bowls - on a bed of mixed greens, add a scoop or two of your favorite guacamole, and the peppers and potatoes. Top everything with a crack of fresh black pepper and chili flakes, and sprouts (if you like).
- Enjoy!
Notes
P.S.
If you make this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram @wellandfull and #wellandfull! I love seeing your takes on my recipes :) Enjoy!
8 Comments
puja
January 2, 2018 at 8:06 amSo colorful and lovely breakfast recipe Sarah.. Wish you a very happy new year. :)
Sarah
January 2, 2018 at 8:49 pmThank you Puja! I hope you have a wonderful New Year as well :)
Welp.
January 3, 2018 at 11:00 amI’m going to likely be the pariah here, but I tend to agree to some point that blogging has become less sincere. Back when she was talking about, a lot of blogging was done with almost a diary mindset. Now, it seems as though most blogs are just trying to sell you something. Everybody’s a coach now, everybody’s a nutritional biologist, everybody’s a blerdebler – it goes on. I understand that many people use it as a source of income, either primary or passive, and I’m fine with that. I tend to shy away from blogs, though, where they only seem to be grabbing at your pocket book instead of creating quality content.
Sarah
January 3, 2018 at 12:03 pmI definitely hear you… Actually I was recently thinking of this blogger I know who hardly does ANY non-sponsored content anymore. It seems like every instagram post is an advertisement for something, and it does get kind of old. I don’t know. But on the other hand, I think Tieghan of Half Baked Harvest does a really good job – she does some occasional sponsored content, but her posts talk about her family and life, her recipes are always high-quality, and she seems to really care about her readers. I love seeing that. So I think a balance definitely can be achieved!
Meg | Meg is Well
January 3, 2018 at 6:20 pmThose spice roasted potatoes are making me extremely hungry and I love that shot! And thanks for sharing your thoughts. I think balance is the key but ultimately I don’t begrudge anyone they’re choices. There are so many blogs out there that I think you can choose who you are going to follow and engage with. There are definitely some bloggers who have that special voice and touch where they can do a lot of sponsored posts and if feels completely authentic and natural.
Sarah
January 3, 2018 at 10:09 pmI agree with you, Meg!! I think there is definitely a balance to achieve between almost all sponsored content vs. organic content, but I feel like more of the bloggers I know/engage with strike that balance. For example, most of the brands I work with are brands I ALREADY use in my cooking. One of my favorite brands to work with, One Degree Organics, makes this flour that I used in my kitchen even before we worked together. And like I said in my post, sponsored does NOT always = inauthentic. Sometimes you’re just super psyched to talk about a brand that you love! I know I am :)
Eva
February 27, 2018 at 11:10 amOmg this really sounds like heaven! Especially with those roasted potatoes as an added touch, I’d never think of that! Perfect for a busy weekend as a heavy brunch :)
Sarah
February 27, 2018 at 11:37 amThank you Eva!! I always love roasted potatoes for any meal :)