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Most people today can't trace where their food comes from.  It’s not like 60 years ago when you bought your produce from the local farmer.  The majority of food in the grocery store travels almost 2,000 miles from where it is produced to your table. Most fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ready and ripened during their travels with harmful chemicals.
Organic foods have been proven to have a higher nutritional content and a cleaner more robust flavor that should be given a try instead of the smothered vegetables that commonly end up on our tables.  The next time that you're perusing the grocery aisle really take a look at what you're taking home to your family and how better choices could lead to a longer, happier, more active life.

The video posts are the easiest to post and that's all there's been lately but there is good reason....I've had severe writer's block and I'm trying to write a second submission piece for a site mom found for me, that are hiring freelance writers. I've found inspiration but I'm having a hard time getting it together.  I really want this place to hire me.  Anyway, so now that I'll be submitting it tonight you'll be hearing a lot more from me! 


Here are step by step instructions for any of you who want to write articles:
1) Find a niche topic about which to write. If you already have a niche web site, write on related topics. One thing that is important is writing articles that pertain to the needs and desires of people who buy from you, not just the people who read your web site. You should be targeting your buyers, specifically, and drawing new buyers to your website.

2) Write a title that is keyword optimized and accurately reflects the content of the article. Use your keyword first in the article, then tell the reader what they are going to learn in your article.

3) Write 3 main points to your article. 3 steps to getting something done, 3 interesting facts, 3 ways to do something.

4) Write an intro paragraph which summarizes what you teach in the 3 points.

5) Write a close/bio that tells the reader how they can get more information about your topic.

So I'm proud to announce that I'm in the top 10% on FoodBuzz.  Here is the logo that proves it.  WooHoo! 

I woke up this morning with 150 emails from FoodBuzz letting me know what friend requests had been accepted and what comments I have.  Thanks to everyone who accepted my request or sent me one.  I've been inspired so many times already by all the great stuff I've seen people cooking.

I've been trying to build up my friend count on FoodBuzz and this is one of the people I sent a request to.  I love the shirt!

So today I spent a majority of the day updating my FoodBuzz blog.

The site has some cool features like adding your favorite restaurants and creating a wish list for ones you haven't tried yet.  I made my list so now I'll know exactly where I want to eat in NYC when we're there.  Like I've said 100 times before Les Halles is the next.  Hopefully Anthony Bordaine will be there that night.  I actually think I would pass out if I met him. 

So here is my profile page for anyone that wants to check it out, and I already have 1 creepy friend on it!  But that's how it is with all social networking features in my opinion.
"Crystal deBoer's FoodBuzz Profile"

I've noticed a lot of the food blogs I read are featured publishers for a site called FoodBuzz

So today I signed up for an account and sent in my submission to be a featured publisher.  The great thing about this site is that I don't have to re-enter anything I can just link to my blog on the days I have cooking submissions and there it is posted on their site.  Hopefully after a month or so of posts they'll have to say yes and send me the logo I need for my blog.

Since no one else will hire me, I've hired myself.  Might as well start promoting my brand.  Here are my newly designed business cards.


Thank you Vista Print!  Where else can you get 250 cards of decent quality for 3.99?  I even designed the entire thing and uploaded it.  Usually that costs more.  Now, I will be waiting 21 days for them cause I really didn't want to pay for shipping but that's fine with me.  Pete has a few suggestions for me to pursue from Danny and Scott that I'll need to discuss with him more when he gets back so by time I'll need to hand any out they would just be getting here.

OMG, I can't believe that I actually did it but I sent out my resume today for 3 actual writing jobs. 


This is just the first step in trying to branch out to make money doing this.  I'm trying to find every resource and site that will get any sort of experience so I can build a resume. So far I've redone my cover letter and I'd really like to thank New Water Street and those darn birds because I now have published material going back to "2003".  Really the jobs are paid internships but I'm not complaining.  It's hard to find anything office based here that inspires me. 

My next article is geared toward a parenting magazine. Below are the list of tips that I found online. If you'd like to read the original article please click "Here".



1.  Consider The Audience
All magazines serve a specific niche audience

2.  Study The Submission Requirements
Magazines receive hundreds of queries for articles in any given week. Many editors simply will not look at a submission when their guidelines have not been followed.

3.  Magazine-Style Writing
A good magazine article should also contain plenty of research and statistics to back up the information presented.

4.  The Structure Of A Magazine Article
You can use a variety of techniques for a “hook,” such as an anecdote, eyewitness account or startling statistic. As you write, try to answer the following question: How does the topic affect the audience? The body of the magazine article should blend hard facts with the human interest.

I've decided to write a series of articles on how to identify and build your personal style.  As of now there isn't a planned number so we'll just start and see how it goes.

Is your closet a complete disaster? If you follow the 5 easy steps in this article you'll be throwing together outfits with your eyes closed. 


Take everything out of the closet and start trying it on.  Make 3 piles; 1.  Fits  2.  Too small  3.  Damaged/Alterations.  I know all women have a pile of clothes that they are keeping because "they'll fit back into it someday" and I'm not saying that you need to throw it away but it must come out of the closet.

Take the pile of clothes that fit you and take out the pieces that you haven't worn in at least two months and set them aside, especially if it has tags on it.

Anything in that final pile that you feel is worth saving or making fit properly should be dealt with as soon as possible.  In my opinion if it's not fixed or tailored within a month it should be consigned or donated, more on that later.

Group your clothes by category, Shirts, Dresses, Skirts/Pants, Jackets.  Arrange each category by length of garment then by color hue.

Take all the clothes that you have decided to get rid of or aren't wearing and make some money off it.  Head to the consignment shop or donate them to charity.  If you donate make sure you keep your receipts so you can write it off on your taxes.

Since I'm waiting patiently to get something through my temp agency or one of the million job emails I send out daily I've started to consider what I can do to make money, preferably sooner than later, doing something that I really enjoy.  Obviously the blog started as a way to keep people back home up to date, but It's really reminded me how much I love to write.  I had looked up last summer how you could "Make money writing"   so I think I might give it a go.



When I actually got there the stress of the environment and the need to make money took over and writing really never happened.  I'm doing 2 sample pieces on documentaries I watched this past week to get going.  My goal is to write an article a day next week, starting on Monday.  This week will be for brainstorming topic ideas, finding what articles are the most marketable and general research.
 
I did a little research this morning to get started:
"How to write an article in 20 minutes"

"Magazine Writing Tips"

"Tips for getting Published"

"How to write book review"

"How to write a movie review"

"How to write restaurant reviews"