Saturday 21 June 2014

Calling it a day

Hi All,

I am bringing down the curtain on Mamacook.  It's been going for over three years now and during that time I've had some amazing feedback.  I'm at the point now though where I'm going to have to make a big investment in camera equipment to be able to even stand still (as I no longer have access to an SLR as you will have seen from recent photos).  I've got to the point where I'm questioning whether it's the right decision for me and my son.


My son was under 1 year old when I started this blog and now he's 4.  Through my blog I've helped him discover a love for great food and it's helped me challenge myself and stretch my imagination on what kids will and won't eat.

I had intended to continue my blog moving into lunch box food as he starts school but with the changes being made across the UK, this now makes it a moot point.

So I very much hope you have enjoyed reading.  I will keep my blog up and visible for anyone who wants to read it; it is effectively my online recipe book anyway and I keep going back to posts I love.  I just want to spend less time promoting, researching and testing recipes and more time with my son.  All bloggers like to claim they don't look at stats but we're all naturally competitive and I don't want to be ruled by that anymore.  I do have a couple of posts left to write and a couple banked but, I can honestly say my heart isn't in it as much as it was and I think it's starting to show.  I'd rather finish on a high than feel like I'd let things slide and there are so many fantastic blogs out there now with really exciting recipes and much better photography than mine!

I really hope you've enjoyed reading and will continue to read.  That is the nature of the internet, my work is published, out there and hopefully helping other parents feed their kids interesting food.

I might, some day, take my experience and start working on another blog but for now, this has been some of the hardest but most enjoyable 3 and a half years of my life.  Thank you for reading.

Heidi (Mamacook)

Update:  I have now launched my new blog, Eat Like You Love Yourself.  Please take a look.  The blog is all about food for busy people who often eat alone but don't want to eat rubbish!  Here are a few photos to wet your appetite!









33 comments:

  1. That's a shame but I understand your reasons. I use your recipes a lot for my 1 and 6 year olds. Best of luck x

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    1. Thank you. I'm wondering whether to start something new, take a break and then start something or just leave blogging altogether. Got lots to think about but it's been a huge part of my life for a long time. It's the right thing to move on, especially as my son is now older but it's hard to let go.

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  2. I will miss excitedly reading new recipes that you post! I sincerely hope you enjoy the 'free' time that not blogging will give you. Thank you for the time and effort that you put in :-)

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  3. So sad to hear but thank you for the inspiration.

    All the best

    SSG xxx

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    1. Thanks. I think I will be a blog reader rather than a writer for a while.

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  4. That's a shame! How about just taking a break.... I have stopped worrying about stats and am trying just to enjoy what I do.... Best of luck to you and your family. Cheers from Carole's Chatter

    PS I'll keep you on the Food on Friday list unless you ask me to take you off - your links are always much appreciated and I'm sure you will have old posts that fit upcoming themes.

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    1. Thanks Carole. It's all so time consuming though. I put in a massive effort in promoting my blog one month and it really had an impact, just to fall back the next month. I had a major setback as well where someone who asked me to do some work for them (for free, but I negotiated a donation to one of my favourite charities) then decided they didn't want me anymore and didn't have the courtesy to tell me.

      Essentially it was a reminder my hard work is for me, I earn nothing from it but now have a fantastic record of my son's food in his first few years of life. But with him going to school, times are changing. I am sad but it's the right thing.

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  5. I just want to thank you for all your time spending in the blog. And share your wonderful and creative recipes. These really save us. I hope all the for you.

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    1. Thank you and obviously they're all still here and free to use.

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  6. I am so gutted to hear this as you have really inspired me to cook great meals for my 2year old.
    Rarely a week goes by that I don't cook one of your recipes. I am so glad you will keep the blogs open to still see as I will still be using all your recipes :)
    Understand also how hard it must have been with a young child to fit all of it in being a self employed mum myself.
    Have lots of quality time with your little boy and enjoy him while he is still young

    :)

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    1. I'm sorry but there are over 500 recipes on here, should keep you going for a while!

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  7. I completely hear you, being in a similar position myself - keep blogging about doing things with the kids or spend more time actually doing those things?! I wanted to say a big thank you though - I have used many of your recipes, and with my second child being a fussy eater you have helped me get vegetables into when I thought it impossible! Good luck and enjoy your time just being a mum x

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    1. Yes, exactly. It was a release to cook last night without taking photographs and without thinking I had to make a 'dish'. We made oven baked salmon (simply, in foil, nothing added) with mini sweetcorn, green beans and peas served with mayonnaise followed by strawberries and cream. My son loved it but this is the kind of simple food I love but wasn't making.

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  8. What a shame - but completely understand your reasons and wanted to say a massive thank you for taking the time and effort to make such a fantastic resource for the rest of us

    I have only recently found your blog so I have plenty of old recipes to keep me going for a while...

    All the best for your future endeavours

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  9. Thank you. It feels like the right time.

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  10. Like the other commenters I just wanted to say thank you. Your site has been really helpful, especially in the first year of my daughters eating life (?!). When she was getting bored of mush, your recipes for babies and toddlers helped us to introduce healthy foods and a variety of flavours, as well as reassuring me that she can eat normal food! She is 18 months now and loves her food and is always willing to try new things (especially when frittered or wrapped inside a muffin!!)
    Enjoy the additional time with your boy and feel proud that you have inspired so many! x

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    1. Thank you and it does feel great to have had an impact, however small! The recipes are still here for you to use, I hope you enjoy.

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  11. Im just going to say exactly what everyone above has said! So sad to hear this Heidi, but you've got to do what's right for you all. I've really enjoyed reading your blog and I'll continue to use it as a source of inspiration. Thanks for giving me the confidence to try adventurous food with my daughter (who is now heading for 3 years old and will mostly eat anything). Best wishes for the future! X

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    1. It's lovely to know I've had so much of a good impact on people. Thank you for taking the time to tell me :-)

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  12. I've just discovered your blog this week. I tried the spinach and cheese pasta recipe this evening and it was a hit with my one-year-old. Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas.

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    1. Thank you. That was one of the first recipes I wrote, I'm glad you like it. I still make it for my son and I now.

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  13. Sorry to hear this, I love your blog. You should be very proud if your hard work and I'm very glad it will remain available as a fantastic resource for child friendly recipes!

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    1. I hope you continue to enjoy it! It's still my online recipe book; I'm cooking pakoras tonight.

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  14. Sorry to hear you've decided not to continue, but I completely understand your reasons. I'll keep your blog bookmarked so I can go back and see some of our favourite recipes that my now 18 m old son has been enjoying for the past 6+ months. Good luck in whatever is next.

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    1. Thank you. I had a moment at the weekend when I wavered and seriously considered taking it up again or starting something new. I'll have a think. I end up cooking for one a lot at the moment and there's a thought in the back of my mind to do something along those lines. Not sure if I want to throw myself back into it though.

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  15. Thank you so much for all of the hard work that you put into this blog. It has been a huge help to me and made me a much better cook for my family! I am sure they thank you as well. All the advice and practical tips are wonderful. Please know how much it is appreciated!! Best wishes for you next journey!

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    1. Thank you. I'm just about getting to the point of looking back on some of it fondly now. It had got to the point of being too much work though. It's amazing how many people still read when I'm not posting though.

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  16. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Poornimma, you have spammed my blog with four links to your own website. All will be removed. Please don't do this.

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  17. Thank you for your inspirational recipes. You managed to convert a cooking virgin into someone with a huge appreciation for homemade food.
    I am just about to wean my second son so I am sorry to hear that you won't be around to help me through but your archives will be put to good use.
    All the best for the future.
    Thank you again!
    Love Nicola, Jensen and Austin x

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    1. Oh thank you and what great kids names! A F1 and rugby fan in the house? It's all a bit tricky because I won't be cooking as much for my son with him eating every day at school with the free meals scheme. I'm wondering whether to do something though with interesting food for parents with no time!

      I hope it all goes well with son number two. Feel free to contact me.

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  18. Oh no! I've only just found your blog and I must say it's fab! My daughter is only just 6 months and I'm looking forward to trying some of your recipes with her. Thanks for all your hard work! X

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    1. Don't worry, there are still hundreds of recipes! My son is 4 now though and happily eating grown up food so it was becoming a bit silly saying I was writing recipes for kids. I hope that you have similar success introducing your child to food. Good luck!

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