Reading blogs…can be like a carnival ride.
There are some blogs that are so full of positive energy, that you read it with a huge smile on your face. Then, there are some blogs in which the bloggers are going through some rough times, and your heart aches for them. Some blogs are funny and spunky, and you can’t help laughing out loud; others are deep and pensive, calming you down for silent meditation.
All of them are necessary in the blog world, to keep things colorful and real. I love that although this World Wide Web is very much virtual, it is still quite similar to the real human world. But for now, I want to talk about the support system here in the blog world.
I think no matter how much we’ve tweeted and commented on each other, there are still limitations to the blog world. When it comes to a real and effective support system, I wonder how much the blog world can help you. We are still strangers, after all, and there can only be so strong a connection between us.
First of all: Though one might receive temporary relief from the warm comments that the readers leave you, it’s a different matter once you’re away into the real world, and dealing with these real and painful problems.
Second: We’re faced with a pretty one-sided point of view, and we only get to see from the perspective of the blogger’s words and emotions. So for example, if the blogger is ranting about someone, or hurt by someone, we may be quick to defend this blogger and express outrage for her, but we really do not know the whole story. Not always a bad thing, but just saying.
Third: While reading some blogs, there are a few disturbing things on which I really want to point out (mostly ED-related), but I find myself keeping silent most of the times, because I don’t want to sound too nosy or critical—and besides, it is honestly none of my business. Who am I to tell someone she is eating too little, or working out too much, when I am just a blog-reader, 500 miles away?
However, I can’t deny that I myself have received tons of blessings from you guys, my readers. When I’m down, your comforting comments really uplift me. And even though I still get some generic comments (who clearly did not read my entire post) that says “yummy yum yum” when I just poured out my heart and soul…that makes me laugh out loud and roll my eyes, so even that cheers me up a bit.
So I’ve come to the conclusion that the blog world’s support system can be effective…to a certain degree. I can’t expect my essay-long comments to suddenly change a blogger’s thoughts and mood entirely, but if I can play just a small part in making it better…that is okay, too.
Also, there is a time and a place…Some bloggers, I’ve followed and been in contact enough to be more honest and personal. Others, I don’t know as well, and it’s not my place to be anything, other than friendly and positive.
But there is one thing I can certainly do to all bloggers…and that is to say a little prayer for them, especially those who are clearly having a hard time. So…will you join me? I’m sure for many of you who read blogs a lot, you already have come across several who are not having the cheeriest day.
For today, I’d like to send a little prayer to five bloggers:
Ellie from Inside I Am Still Dancing
Em from Homecooked Em
Tori from Daring to Dance
Grace from Grace Points
Devan from Watermelon Tequila
Love and sweet thoughts to you…I pray that you enjoy peace and joy, in no matter what circumstances you are in right now!
I actually have a prayer list…but I’ll talk more about that next time. 
Now, one blogger who has been in my prayer list for quite a long time is Mimi. Actually, just a few days ago, she was telling me that she knows that our meeting is not a coincidence. She believes it’s the universe, I believe it’s God…but whatever—I just know deep in my heart that our friendship is a very blessed one. I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some dramatic changes in Mimi’s life, and am filled with admiration for this girl’s strength and tenacity. I hope one day she might guest post on this blog to share them, but for now, you’ll have to wait. 
Obviously, another great thing we share is our sense of foodie adventure. This girl will eat whatever I cook for her, no matter how weird it may sound. I wonder if I fried up some chicken feet in lard and served it with cheese and runny eggs, will she still gobble it up? Probably.
Anyway. It’s been too long since we had a cooked together (meaning, I cook and she entertains me), so this time when we met, we cooked something extra special…RISOTTO!
Coconut-Mango Curry Risotto
(serves 2) 
In a medium-sized pot, warm up some chicken stock. DO NOT bring it to a boil, just let it stay warm. In another pot, heat up butter and olive oil. Throw in the onions, and saute the onions for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Mix in the arborio rice, and stir to coat with the onions and oil. Add the apple cider vinegar, then the chicken stock, ladle by ladle. Keep stirring, letting the rice absorb the broth, and then ladling more stock, until the rice is cooked through, but still al dente. This took me about 30 minutes (phew!). Meanwhile, while the rice is cooking, minced together the mango and ginger. You can puree them, but I like having a bit of mango chunks. Once the rice is cooked, you can start seasoning. Add in the spices and seasonings, as much or as little as you want. Then stir in the mango, and the coconut cream. Mix in the spinach, raisins, and the cilantro, stir until wilted. To serve, sprinkle with cashews, coconut, and a bit more fresh cilantro. Oh, and I’m sending this to Christina’s Friday Firsts of course! Question of the day: Is there someone for whom you would like to say a little prayer? And, have you made risotto before? Do share.
OMG! My first time cooking risotto, and it was a freaking success!!! I couldn’t resist creating my own dish instead of following a recipe. I told you, ideas keep popping into my head and I HAVE to implement them! 
I’ve heard horror stories about how hard it is to cook risotto…that’s a LIE. This is the easiest thing ever. You just need patience, what with all the stirring and ladling…but otherwise, a total cinch! 
Mango, coconut, cilantro, raisins, curry spices…How do you say “fiesta” in Indian? Okay, this is not so authentic Indian…but I must say, I missed curry a lot. 
I ate this just an hour after my breakfast, and the lovely fragrance got my appetite going again. I can’t wait to make more risotto! I’m sadly almost out of arborio rice, though. Oh, and I’m totally hitting myself over the head…I just realized that this could have been VEGAN!!! But I messed it up by using chicken stock. Oh well, it was good chicken stock…homemade using Christina’s slow-cooker! My first time cooking risotto…and my second *almost* vegan! But come on…chicken stock is made with chicken bones…which I collected from my friend’s roasted chicken carcass…so technically, I was just scavenging, right? (Please don’t stone me)
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What an amazing post. I absolutely agree with you that while the blogging world provides a great system of support and encouragement, it cannot and should not be treated as a substitute for “real world” support. It’s all about striking a balance. In some cases, the connections we have through the computer are exactly what we need – it’s a place to open up to people in a way you might not otherwise. In other cases, it can be used as an escape, as a way of avoiding people and issues that need to be dealt with in person.
yummy yum yum!
what a sweet post and yes, it’s crazy how you really can create a community over blogs – but definitely not the same as being in-person!
I love the prayer requests! My sorority has a book we send around at our weekly meeting and sign- how awesome would it be to have a prayer list going around the blog world for accountability! Thank you for taking the initiative and sharing your time and prayers with those bloggers(and now I will too). Best!
Katherine
whataboutsummer
I NEVER thought of doing a curry risotto — AMAZING!! I Have to try this! And I agree with your thoughts on blogging…I love the friends I’ve met and the people I interact with, but there are some blogs that make me sad, or I want to say something to them.
Your compassion for others is just beautiful…Thank you for being such a positive force in the blogosphere and beyond.
That is so thoughtful of you to send out some prayers for those you know are in need.
This risotto looks so wonderful! It could easily be made vegan, but at least you enjoyed your chicken stock. I always ask at places about chicken stock and my nickname for a while at work was actually chicken.
Divine risotto! I just love your combination of ingredients. Very unusual! And I agree: it’s a freaking success!
I adore risotto! I always forget about it but this is a big fat wake up call to make some soon! The boy makes an outstanding mushroom risotto that I’m going to hassle him for soon!
I loved this post Sophia! That was so sweet of you for saying a prayer for your blog friends. As much as I’d love to be able to meet all my blog friends in person, sometimes I’m glad that we’re miles apart because if not for that I would not be able to experience new and exciting food and culture where they live. That’s the great part about blogging, being able to meet so many new friends from across the world. I’ve never had a blogger meet up before like you have ( lucky ducky) but I think those are wonderful, to finally be able to meet the person behind the writing would be so cool.
I love risotto but I’ve never made it before. That’s way out of my league for my klutzy, simple minded brain. What’s easy for you would probaby still be a head scratcher for me…teehee. Have a great day, dear
such a good post. after blogging for so long, i honestly feel like there are people out there that i really know and could have a great friendship with. if only distance wasn’t an issue!
your risotto looks incredible! i can’t believe it’s your first time!
yummy yum yum
No! I’m joking! Haha. You know I read every genius and well-written word of yours Sophia!! I think of you all the time. Actually, just yesterday I thought of pork floss for some reason. Ellie is in my thoughts as well. As well as many other bloggers going through strenuous times. There is no better word than “blessed” to use in regards to how I feel about the relationships I’ve made through blogging
You’re so sweet. I think I’ve made a lot of great blogger friends and am grateful for all of them
Couldn’t agree with you more!! While I love the blogging community, my only gripe is that it feels like a popularity contest at times!! (But maybe that’s just me?)
PS. Curry risotto? Two loves in one!
I would like to say a prayer for my Grandma who’s 87 and sick in the hospital
risotto is one of the first things i learned to cook and i was so surprised at how easy it was too!
Sophia – I love reading this post. You always have some witty things to say and put together a serious topic ending with your wonderful recipe and photos. I have not met any of you in the blog world but I follow a few of the blogs as much I can because it gives me other things to think about, other perspectives and human understandings. Yes, I would like to say a prayer for the people who are doing the best they can and those who are doing well. I pray that at one point in our lives, our efforts and struggles will transform themselves into something beautiful and peaceful. I also would like to pray for my father who is fighting cancer. May we all have peace and be well.
Aww what a kind post Sophia!
That risotto looks amazing. My grandfather just sent me like 10 boxes of arborio rice so I have to get cookin on some risotto recipes!
Yes, I do agree with you that support in the blogging world can be effective to a certain degree. But I do enjoy reading some blogs as they provide a different dimension to life and carries me beyond my finite sphere of experiences. When I read about other bloggers, I do feel something stirring inside of me too.
Oh, and sorry I can’t help but say “yummy” to your pictures! =P
Brilliant risotto. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Risotto is one of my favorite foods and I have never seen such a creative version.
I’ve been reading your posts lately on my phone, so I’m sorry I didn’t comment. But I am so happy to hear that you have housing next year with a LEMON TREE!
You are so sweet to send such positive energy into the blogging world. Keep the good vibes coming!
I love all the layers of flavor in your curry and those cashews on top – yum!
Cashews in risotto? Genius!!
You have such a huge, shining heart. Never change!
And yes, that risotto was amazing!
I so agree with you on this blog Sophia. Everyone has an input of some kind. I think the www can be a wonderful place if used in a positive way, but equally it can be destructive if used negatively, so we have to be aware of that. It has brought a lot of people together & made the world a much smaller place for a lot of us…until we sit down & think how far away some of our friends really are!
Darling, you say cooking vegan is hard? You’re one ingredient away! But vegan or omni or alien, this dish looks AMAZING! I can’t wait to try it — though I’ve other Sophia Lee recipes to try first
So neat that you pray for bloggers! We all appreciate it.
Glad that you have been able to develop a friendship w/ Mimi, too.
Your risotto looks delish. Love the addition of fresh cilantro!
I would hire you for my restaurant even if you JUST made risotto!!! yours always looks like perfection, I want to grab it through my computer. I have never made it. After watching all those cooking shows where they always fail, I am quite intimidated.
I know what you are saying in your message above, completely. When I started reading blogs, at first I would try to help people deal with their issues, by writing long-winded comments and thinking I was really getting through. Most of the time my writing was in vein, however I still like to think that it had a slight effect on some, who knows. There are many bloggers, and even family/friends for whom I’d like to say a prayer. And I will.
Mmmmm risotto! I love it with butternut squash ! Yours looks so delicious!
You are such an amazing woman, you know that right?? You give so much to this blog community and I love you so much for it (and for being downright GREAT!) xxxxx
oooooOOO.. i had risotto before..my fren cooked n i watched! Hahaha..all the while askin.. “eh..not yet ready ahhh??” Hungry weiiii… LOL!
Hmm.. say a prayer for someone? My dad i suppose? Sigh. I hope he sees his follies and chg his ways..
I love the wonderful flavors of your risotto! Yum!
i agree with you about blogging….lots of blogs i read i dont comment on simply because i think i would end up yelling or saying something out of line because i am a tough love kind of person. its what works for me…like “tell me how it is” and make me face it and ill do better.
some people arent like that and i get frustrated so i read, pray and support them but usually keep all comments to myself.
other bloggers are just straight up hilarious and i love em for it!
I have to agree with you on this post Sophia – blogs we read are one-sided, and I know some bloggers personally whose blogs don’t represent 1/10th of their real lives.
My life is an open book, I don’t care what anyone says – I love the fact that years down the road, my grandkids can read my daily journal, and hopefully try some of my recipes.
My MIL taught me how to make risotto after I married Tony – so creamy, and you are right, it just takes patience!
Hugs!
That risotto looks absolutely delectable! It’s amazing how smells can get our appetite going!
<3 jess
xoxo
i LOVE LOVE the flavors in your risotto…as always you are genius! whenever i try to make risotto it just turns into jook. not yum!
Never made risotto. I do think it’s fascinating how sometimes we know some people so well without ever really knowing them.
I saw this on tastespotting and it looks delicious! The flavor combinations sound amazing. Love the cashews too!
hahaha “yummy yum yum.” I gotta say, I always look forward to reading the top part of your posts. I mean, our eating habits differ *slightly* so I don’t always come for the recipes (although the coconut curry mango risotto looks freakin’ delicious)
And I SO agree with you on wanting to comment about disturning ED-related tendencies. I feel kind of torn between not wanting to be nosy/critical and being a person who cares enough to do the right thing. It’s like…how far does someone have to go for the comments to switch from being “Oh, yum…I do that too” to “Hey, this concerns me.” Apparently…it’s far
Sophia, I have a few blogs I read and respond to, I’d love to follow more but life gets in the way. Yours is always one I treasure as you have such a perspective that makes life fresh and hopeful, I swear even my computer screen is just a bit brighter too. =)
Now this recipe on the other hand is pure evil genius! What a great idea.
nice post girlie!!!! i touched on that briefly in my last post, i dont have a lot (i.e. NONE at all…) real world support, but it is nice to be able to come online and have connections with people i “know” through the computer screen, God only knows, i’d probably be bananas by now if not..
Are any of the girls on this blog single?
thanks for that dude! awesome idea and thoroughly interesting read. ive been trying to convince my boys that we should have a lads curry night-in instead of going out every week, and actually did it last week. superb success, i can tell you! i found a tasty keema and a few others from this curry recipes site, and even makde the naan myself too. who said guys cant cook!
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