7 Links

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Today on her blog, my friend Anne made a list of “7 links” that sum up her “most” posts. It’s a little game that’s been running through the blogosphere lately, and after you finish stating your 7 “mosts,” you tag other bloggers and request theirs. Lover of lists that I am, I was of course thrilled to play along. Here are my “7 links” for you guys—read them, and then tell me if they’re what you’d expect!

1) My Most Beautiful Post

“I Love to Eat: Embracing Our Appetites”

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I think it’s my most beautiful, and it’s probably also my personal favorite. It was the first time I’d ever articulated how much food means to me (in a good way), and the first time I realized how proud I am of my own appetite. It ended up being one of my more popular posts—to this day, when someone comments and tells me that he or she loves to eat, I feel a thrill—but I think it was also beautiful because it’s a personal declaration that took me far too many years to make.

2) My Most Popular Post

This Post Will Change Your Life

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I guess I should’ve known what I was getting into when I titled this post. To be honest, I might also put banana soft serve under my “post whose success surprised me,” and I might also throw in my own categorization of “post whose popularity is most out of keeping with its merit,” because all it is is a technique (which I didn’t even invent!). But hey, banana soft serve IS life changing, and it is delicious, and I’m happy to have helped popularize it a little.

3) My Most Controversial Post

What Kind of Guy’s Going to Date a Vegan?

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The controversy over this one really shocked me. I suppose I should have known it would, because the “how vegan” posts and posts in which I take a strong vegan position usually generate at least a little anger. But things I didn’t expect to cause debate did, like whether or not the actress in question had been misquoted (honestly? I still don’t think that was to the point). It was so controversial, in fact, that I wrote this follow up, which also generated a ton of discussion, and that subsequent post clarified many things for me and the readers I was in dialogue with. A great example of CR community in action: many strong opinions, tons of mutual respect.

Runner up for most controversy? Mostly Vegan, for sure.

4) My Most Helpful Post

How to Build a Meal-Sized Salad

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At some point over the course of counseling, I realized how many of my clients were starving themselves all afternoon as a result of puny salads, and took it upon myself to give raw and cooked options for salad upgrades. I loved what came of it, and so did lots of you.

5) A Post Whose Success Surprised me

My Top 10 Tips for New Bloggers

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I had no idea that anyone would really care what I have to say about the how-to part of blogging, but I guess you all did. This post got a huge response, and I may just be planning a follow up!

6) A Post I Didn’t Think Got the Attention it Deserved

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Cruelty Free

This was a really tough choice, because my experience has almost always been that the posts that I want to get attention or generate debate, do. And this one did, except that—in comparison to the Mostly Vegan post, say—I think there was room for a lot more conversation, especially since the notion of picking and choosing one’s ethical battles goes so far beyond veganism, per se. Even so, I did love what people had to say, and I rarely post anything thoughtful on CR that isn’t thoughtfully debated.

7) The Post I’m Most Proud Of

Thanksliving.

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And as a runner up, the Whys and Hows of my Veganism. Why? Because they’re the posts in which I started to realize—and express to you all—how my motives and convictions as a vegan eater were changing, from exclusively health-oriented to compassion-oriented. Today, I’m a vegan for the animals, and I remain a healthy eaterfor me.

That was fun!

xo

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    32 Comments
  1. Hi Gena! How do I find old blog posts on your site? I am looking for a post which featured wild rice, vegan sausage and some red beans with tomatoes. I don’t see archives of old posts so I am at a loss as to how to find this post. It was from some years ago.

  2. I think my favorite post of yours was actually about rediscovering one’s identity after an ED… It’s something that I haven’t seen anyone else discuss, but was one of the biggest challenges for me when I began recovery — who was I now? I always enjoy your thoughtful posts; this was a great collection of some of the highlights!

    Of course, I also loved the Blogging 101 post, as you linked to me, and I was still quite new and insecure about my blog. I’ll always recall how your gesture was such a kindness; it made me feel welcomed into the community, and encouraged to keep going. Thanks again for that, Gena.

  3. I loved all of these posts!

    Can I add the post about Chole’s wedding-it was one of my favorites not just because of the beautiful pictures and the loving tribute, but also because I feel like it was one of the first time CR readers got to know a more intimate side of you 🙂 I really enjoyed it.

    Good thing you didn’t have to put your all time favorite recipe-that would be close to impossible for me with your blog. I think your sweet potato hummus or your lemon-cherry cashew cheese would be my top two favorites, but there are so many (and dressings would need their own category).

    I just caught up on all the posts I’ve missed due to all the travel and changes in my life and it’s wonderful to see your new transition. Thanks Gena 🙂

  4. I am happy to have read all of these too!! I hope it helps you realize how much of a serve you’ve provided for the world.

  5. This is a great collection. I have only been reading your blog for a few months and so it’s nice to get a ‘best of’ compilation. I enjoyed the ‘What Kind of Guy is going to date a vegan’ and ‘Blogging 101’ back when you wrote them and I’m looking forward to reading the ones I have missed, especially this banana softserve post!

  6. Thanks for sharing–what a cool idea!

    I think the “I Love to Eat” post is the only one that predates my finding you, and it’s something I definitely still struggle with a lot, so I’m heading over there for some inspiration!
    love
    Ela

  7. I will add my vote for your most popular post..Banana soft serve DID change my life (and the lives of many of my clients) .. a simple idea, I know, but one I hadn’t thought of on my own! .. As a new blogger, I also value your blogging tip post now, as well. I went back to read it, and I appreciate the advice..thank you!
    ~ Lisa

  8. I love that the banana soft serve post is the most popular. Maybe it’s because bananas are just so darn tasty!

  9. Love your Most Beautiful Post. I started reading your blog in January, and have scanned back at many previous posts but had not yet read this one. This list was a great way of re-introducing some wonderful and still very timely ideas.

  10. This is great Gena! I have been reading your blog for only a few weeks (maybe months?) and it’s great to have guided links back to your favorite posts. I’m not an avid blog reader but I read yours every day and try to make as many recipes as I can. As a new vegan and a student with a degree in English going back now to become a dietician, I really connect with everything you write!

    Looking forward to pouring over these posts 🙂

  11. I had never read the post about the meal sized salads and I was laughing as i read it because most of your first pictures of the salads were exactly what I used to make! just recently I started getting the hang of building bigger and better salads but I have to say that it was a challenge. I have a few favorites, but love your post because it gave me a lot of new ideas. 🙂

  12. Love this! I knew you would have some amazing posts to share for 7 Links. I haven’t read all of the ones you mentioned so I’ll have to go back and read them now! You always have such thoughtful, well written posts.

    xo!

  13. YAY! Thanks for the tag! I’ve definitely enjoyed all of the posts you mentioned above and could most definitely go for some BSS right about now. This is going to be such a fun post to write. 🙂

  14. I’m glad you made the list. I haven’t read all of these posts, but I’m going to have fun catching up. I especially want to read the Cruelty Free and Thanksliving posts because in the past 9 months I’ve switched from “health vegan” to “animal compassion vegan”. I’ve also switched from “food vegan” to “lifestyle vegan”. This all happened spontaneously, without planning or much thought, but once I realized it was happening I starting thinking about it quite a bit. It’s a huge turning point for me and I’m excited to read about your experiences 🙂

  15. Oh I loved the discussion on the Mostly Vegan post! It revealed just how dynamic the CR readers (and its author!) are…

  16. I love this recap, Gena!

    I was tagged by two people and have written my post and it will go out tomorrow or the next day.

    I remember all your posts…and I am glad you put the TG Post as your most proud. It’s truly one of your best and I always think of it.

    And I know you’ve away from food combining and perhaps question the science a bit behind it if I’ve read your more recent thoughts on it correctly, but I truly appreciated that post…if for nothing else, just as food for thought and an eye opener.

    As for the dating a vegan and the creuelty free, I totally remember those.

    I’d also include your birth control post..It’s probably a good 18 mos old? Can’t remember the exact specifics but it was a good one!

    And of course banana softseve…legendary!

    • Glad you mentioned the BC post, Averie. I hadn’t seen that and really enjoyed reading it!

  17. I really enjoy this post! Your blog is one I admire and I aspire to model mine similarly (with my own voice, of course!). It was really nice to poke around through some older posts!

    And banana soft serve is definitely life-changing.

  18. Ah, the banana soft serve post! I was vegan (and was running my old blog, “Cardiovegsular”) when you wrote that post. It seriously–and when I say seriously, I really mean seriously–changed my life. I started making banana soft serve practically everyday, and turned friends and family onto it too. Now that it’s summer, what better time to bring it back into my life? 🙂

    I don’t think I read your most beautiful post, so I’ll have to make my way over there shortly. The topic of embracing one’s appetite is definitely one I take to heart. I love all your posts, Gena. I think out of all the blogs I follow, yours is the one I most look forward to reading!

    • Oh, and of course I loved the “Top 10 Tips for New Bloggers” post, because you gave my blog a shout out! Thank you again for that!

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