One of the most genuine, sweetest blogger I know, Katherine from Smoky Mountain Cafe, passed me this award:
Noblesse Oblige Award
The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:
• The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs
• Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions
• There is a clear purpose at the Blog: one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences, and Beliefs
• The Blog is refreshing and creative; and The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking
The requirements of the person receiving the award are as follows:
• Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award
• The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post
• Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support
• The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog
Thank you, Katherine! I feel so honored!
This award asks me to write what this blog has thus far achieved. Wow, where do I start? This blog has achieved so much for me. It is, quite literally, my life-saver.
When I first started this blog I was having “vacation” in Singapore, which was later extended into 6 whole months. At that time, I was more than 20 pounds lighter, looking like Gollum’s long-lost twin with my sallow skin and sunken cheeks. My mind was held captive by ED, but the little spark in me that wanted to truly recover was still flickering, which prompted me to turn this blog into a recovery blog.
Some of you have been with me since the beginning of my journey. You’ve witnessed my ups and downs, my frustrations and fears, my triumphs and defeats. It’s certainly been a rocky road. But keeping this blog has kept me in tune with my will and determination to fight. It has forced me to delve out all the disordered thoughts and habits I had, and made me face and conquer them one by one:
- I’ve gotten rid of a lot of fear foods, such as pasta
- I managed to kick calorie-counting to the curb
- I’ve made many delicious (or not) creations, having so much fun in the kitchen that food became more of a source of joy and nourishment for me than a source of fear and anxiety
- I’ve gotten rid of the fear of eating out
- I’ve learned to deal with triggering remarks about my ED
- I’ve discovered hunger
- I’ve talked about what recovery means to me
- I’ve even faced a 1135-calorie dish (Holy Cow!)
And I got to share some of my happiest moments:
- Receiving mail from USC
- Giving my parents a nice surprise when I returned home
- Hosted some dinner events
Which is why I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. Really, seriously, honestly, truly…thank you so much, for being there for me. By just reading my rambles and rants, you pushed me to continue on with this blog, and refreshing my strength and resolution to fight this battle.
So, what did my blog achieve? More like what you guys achieved for me: I’ve gained my health, joy, strength and flavor back in life. And that is freaking huge.
Oh, and I would like to pass this award down to:
Ellie from Inside I’m Still Dancing
Nat from Eating to Live
Kim from Adventures in Wanting
and Christina from Dinner at Christina’s
There are a few more bloggers I have in mind, but I’ll leave that up to these girls. Thank you once again, Katherine!
So. Time for food. In honor of thanking my supporters, I wanted to use this little gift I got from one of my biggest supporter, Alda (or Happycao):
5-spice powder! I haven’t had much experience with this spice, but I decided to experiment with it today. My mom just bought these beautiful fruit:
Dinosaur plums! They were so ripe and delicious, and I thought they might go well with the spice…
5-Spice Chicken and Plum Wrap
- 1 small dinosaur plum, sliced
- chicken breast
- about 1 tsp 5-spice powder
- about 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- about 1/4 cup soy sauce
- about 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- squeeze of 1/2 orange
- handful salad greens
- tomato-basil wrap
First, mix together the 5-spice powder, soy sauce, and preserves. Coat the chicken breast with it as a marinade.
Heat up a pan, and toss in the plum, the chicken, orange juice, and all the marinade and cook until bubbly, thickened, and the chicken is cooked through:
Meanwhile, heat up the wrap. Lay on the greens, then slather on the chicken-plum mixture. Wrap up the wrap, and transfer to a plate.
Hey, this kinda looks like the crepe I loved so much at Out of the Pan!
But unfortunately, the taste wasn’t as good. Well, it was good, but not excellent. The plum was really nice with the chicken, though.
It was sweet, tangy, and intense. But I’m still racking up my brains for more ways to use this 5-spice powder. Anyone have any ideas?
Well, I hope everyone is enjoying your weekend! I spent most of the time lounging around the house in my striped pajamas, which I think is the best way to spend a lazy weekend, haha! But I’ll be going to D.C tomorrow with some friends, so I can’t wait!
Question of the day: What do you think you achieved from your blog?
P.S. By the way, I know you guys probably don’t think it’s a big deal because you already have tons of pictures up there, but my picture of the feta ravioli finally made it to Tastespotting.com!! HIP HIP HOORAH!! You don’t wanna know how many times I got rejected ;-p
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Hello miss sophia!!
Congratulations on the award! You totally deserve it! Although I have not been a follower since the very beginning, I know you are a very strong person, and I always find it so rewarding to be apart of this community-not only to watch my personal accomplishments and chances, but also to see others accomplishments and when they overcome obstacles. I honestly think that blogging/journaling is one of the BEST ways to recovery, because, it is very rewarding to be able to look back and see how far you’ve come over a period of time. Honestly, to me, the ED days, seem like a complete blur. I dont remember anything because I was so consumed in it. And now, its much easier for me to remember my strengths through this difficult time, especially when I have it documented on here.
No one deserves this award as much as you do <3 love you girl!
What an inspiring post! It is amazing what happens when you open yourself to the world, even if fearful and unsure at first. Your post is a testament to that: fearlessness and courage to open heart and soul with no shame, no regret, and full of passion and love.
The plums and chicken look delicious too. I know you said that it wasn’t as good as you expected, but it looks heavenly. Maybe a squeeze of lemon or lime juice would brighten up the flavors? That’s usually my go-to fix when flavors don’t seem to quite work together. I’ve only worked with five spice once and I was also left wondering.
Again, thank you for the inspiration. Sending lots of happy thoughts your way.
Thanks for this truly open and honest post. I haven’t been there to read about your whole journey but what you’ve been through and accomplished is amazing.
Those plums are huge!!
that is such a special award! I’m so glad it presented you with the opportunity to reflect on the transformation of your blog and allow you to see just how far you’ve come! I hope you are as proud as I am of all of your amazing accomplishments
Congrats on your award. Very well deserved. I’m certain that there are other accomplishments that your blog has achieved that you may not be aware of. The biggest one is making your readers THINK. Very often your posts shed new light on various subjects forcing us to think about things differently or to nudge us back onto the “right” path.
Anyway while I read often I don’t necessarily comment. More often than not I’m not sure exactly what to say or how to respond. And hate to come off as a shallow dope.
~ingrid
Congratulations on your award and for being one of the random blogs on the Foodie Blogroll! I love your honest and inspiring posts.
Sophie, I think you are wonderful!
Aww congratulations on your award. It sounds as thought you’ve come a really long way and made some huge achievments, you definately deserve it.
Your culinary creations are so amazing as well even if you dont end up totally satisfied with them, Im afraid I dont have any tips for 5 spice Ive never used it.
I`m definately going to look back on your points to remind myself what is possible, you are an inspiration!
For me my blog is a way to let out my feelings and whatever maybe be bothering me. Im quite a private person in real life and dont share my feelings, so its a way for me to let them out somewhere. It also helps me to connect to other people since I really lack that in real life.
Have a great weekend!
xox
congrats! i think anyone who reads this blog are proud of you for your accomplishments!
Sophia, I am so happy for what you have achieved through your blog. That is truly amazing. Isn’t this community so supportive and kind? What a great award to receive. I felt like my blog is such a peon compared to some of you great girls!!
My blog has brought me a few great friendships among other things and I will forever be thankful for that!!
Congrats of the award!! I think it’s so comforting to take the time to note down the achievements you’ve had and how this blog has helped you. This is certainly a medium in which to openly confront your problems and fears, which is necessary for recovery. Seeing your list of achievements I feel even more proud of you!
Fantastic blogger achievements! It’s hard for me to remember -not- calorie-counting even though I know it wasn’t so long ago :/ so you’re definitely an inspiration there!
For me blogging has removed the shield I made for myself. I told myself horrible things, and I really had no idea that’s what I was doing. Writing things down really makes me focus on targeting those negative thoughts and finding their true source.
That is quite an awesome list you have. Those are some amazing accomplishments!
Well-deserved award! Hooray for you. I am dancing. And your recipes are so unique and sweet and tart and grand as you are!
Congrats on your award. I love your blog and the honesty with which you write. What I’ve gotten from my blog are great people that visit that share their cooking experiences and recipes. I’ve discovered that it is so much fun….I’m so glad that blogging has helped you…..
Congrats on your award! I just bought 5 spice powder the other day, but haven’t used it yet. Your chicken looks really yummy!
Congrats! Good for you on the award, and for reaching all of those other achievements in your life.
Congratulations on your award! Great list of accomplishments. You should be proud of yourself.
i love your blog. (: i remember the old times when you were mad about jollibean’s pancakes in singapore and how you have to have them everyday. :p i think i got to your blog from googling bedok interchange food centre, one of your first posts..
Girl, I just discovered recently but you are amazing. The award it totally deserved. You are a shining light in the blogworld and in my life
Anything wrapped gets an A+ in my book!
P.S. Emailing you now…
Congrats on your award & all the achievements you have made on your blog and to personally strengthen yourself–it’s truly remarkable! Through my blog I have stretched myself culinary like I probably never would have otherwise–also I have made tons of awesome friendships! Bloggies rock!
Congrats on the award, Tastespotting.com, and more importantly all your achievements thus far. You and your blog rock! Keep it up.
Congratulations on the award!!
I’m sorry your creation wasn’t GREAT — it certainly LOOKS pretty, though!
I’d been journalling every day before I started my blog, but for some reason it was just … different. I think maybe because with blogging, there’s feedback? I don’t know… but it does prompt me to think more about whatever it is that I’m writing.
<3 <3
You go girl, i hardly ever get my stuff on tastespotting or the other one
Congratulations on your award! You deserved it!
And the wrap looks good, but I always get wary of mixing fruits with things for some reason, I am afraid of mixing, lol. My friends that can cook constantly wow me with all the things that can be mixed and do not taste horrible.
I’m back! I’ve missed you! Wow, that recipe is something else! Creative girl!
Congrats on the award! Blogs are great things… and yours proves it!
Congratulations on the award dear, u deserve them all and much more! Plum wrap looks so delicious and definately it’ll go very well with 5 spice powder!
Aww wow what a journey! That’s so awesome – you deserve the award! As for the five-spice powder, it’s used in most chinese recipes. I’ve never used it either, but I know there were a few recipes in Veganomicon which used it. Oh, you could search the bbc.co.uk/food website for “chinese” – there was a great show with a young chinese girl, called “chinese food made easy”. Those recipes all looked very yum indeed!
congrats on ye award!! this wrap sound absolutely delicious
Congrats on your recent well deserved award!!
Your prune, 5 spice wrap looks just perfect to eat right now as lunch! MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM,…!!!
Congratulations sweetheart! How awesome
But seriously, after all the things you’ve done (including the 1135 calorie-dish 0_0)… you so deserve this!
Love,
Tina
Loved this entry, so honest and full of hope! Your wraps look great! Congrats on tastespotting!
Congrats on the award! What a journey you have had. I have learned so much from my blog, I am not sure I can even articualte it into words. I have learned about trying new foods, about food presentation, about what works for me personally wtih my diet…just so much.
I’m going to go on tastespotting now and look for your photo!
Wow..so deserving..only been checking in for past month and have already been so touched by many things that you have written. Figtreeapps
Congratulations on everything! I wish I would of been there since day 1. I am so happy for you!
Congrats sweetie!!! The wrap looks awesome. Unfortunately, I’ve met a crap load of 1,000 plus calorie dishes in my day too. lol
I love that this blog has been healing to you on so many levels. I am very proud of you.
I’ve never tried 5-spice powder, I think it’s time I try.
My blog has been so rewarding to me. I’ve met wonderful friends along the way and I have become a much better cook.
you have come so far! lovely
i have to keep my eye out for chinese 5 spice, it should be in my kitchen! c ongrats on tastespotting!
Congrats on the award! Your achievements are really so many Sophia and you’ve come a long way since this blog’s inception. You’ve inspired so many and have come up with so much great food…your optimism never fails to put me in a good mood.
I have seen plums being used all over the blogosphere. That means it’s time I start experimenting! I love the looks of this wrap.
Blogging is so thereutic. Better than a Journal, because there are people to offer opinions and support, and it is also an outlet for creativity – be it making meals, writing, or taking photos. Glad to be a part of your journey. And…
YAY FOR YOU ON YOUR AWARD!
Congrats girl-on the well deserved award and for the pic making it t the website
Have to try out the 5 spice powder now!!
Nice blog and beautiful pictures! Will link you to my blog.
Congratulations on how far you have come! Thats so amazing! I don’t use 5-spice that much, but my husband and I use it sometimes to saute edamame (in the shell). Turns out great!
Ah! I LOVE Tastespotting!!! That’s so exciting, congrats Sophia!!!
As I’ve mentioned many times, while I’ve never had an ED, I can relate with you on so many things. Reading your blog and following your journey has really opened my eyes sometimes and helped me on my own journey. I also think you’re going to make a stellar journalist someday. I bet I’ll be interviewing YOU about all your great accomplishments someday
Sorry that your recipe wasn’t the greatest. The ingredients certainly sound like those that I would love to work with.
If I have time, I want to play around with it. I could make it worse. lol
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