Relishments

Savoring life in the Berkshires

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • About
    • Start Here
    • Relishments Around the Web
  • Flexitarianism
    • Cookbooks
  • Recipes
    • Recipe Reviews
  • The Berkshires
    • Boothbay, Midcoast Maine and More
    • Adventures in Other Places
  • Technology
    • My Favorite Technology Tools
  • Contact
    • Sponsor

Lessons Learned at Last Year’s HLS

Published on July 22, 2011 By Emily. Updated on July 22, 2011

In just 28 days, I’ll be headed to Philadelphia to attended the Healthy Living Summit.  I went last year, had an awesome time and am really looking forward to going again.  A lot has changed since last August: I’m feeling more confident about Relishments and myself as a blogger.  So, if you’re going to HLS for the first time (or the second, or the third), or some other blogging conference, take a moment to learn from my experience.

hlsattendingbadge

7 Things I Won’t Do at This Year’s HLS

1.  Not be able to clearly describe my blog

Last year, when someone asked me what my blog was about, my answer was something like this: “It’s a blog about…food…and it’s mostly vegetarian, but sometimes not, and I write about places I’ve been and recipes and stuff…”.  It doesn’t matter if I was talking to a sponsor or a new friend, that answer just doesn’t make people want to read my site.  I don’t know why I wasn’t prepared; it’s the most obvious question to expect.  This year, I’m feeling a lot more confident about Relishments and am attending prepared to talk about it.

2.  Dress like a slob

I mention in last year’s recap that “yoga pants and tank tops are the ultimate outfits”, but I’ve rethought that position since then.  Was I comfortable?  Yes, sort of.  But yoga pants and tank tops are what I wear when I’m not planning to leave the house, or I’m at the gym.  I think I would’ve felt more comfortable surrounded by 200 other people if I’d  worn something else.  So, I’m rethinking my wardrobe to reflect me, not what I think I’m “supposed” to wear.

3.  Only spend time with people I know

When I headed to Chicago last year, I didn’t know anyone else attending—at least, not in real life.  Now, I’ve got all the incredible women from CDNY Eat Drink Blog as my friends and a lot of them are attending.  But I can hang out with them any time, they’re only an hour away.  For me, HLS 2011 is going to be about meeting new people.

walkers

4.  Walk

I was super stressed about the 5k fun run/walk at last year’s Summit.  Luckily, a lot of us ended up walking.  This year, however, I know I can run and I might do just that.  Or I might walk.  But I’m confident enough to know that whichever route I choose to go, no one is judging me.

conference

5.  Be shy about networking

Once upon a time, I thought Relishments wasn’t good enough.  I was terrified of meeting “big bloggers” and I didn’t think anyone would know my name.  Now, I realize that there are people who know my name, that I have just as much potential as anyone else and that I love writing this blog.  As a result, I’m going to put myself out there as much as possible and try to make connections.

6.  Drink coffee

It was at least year’s Summit, after a coffee run with some new friends, when I realized that every time I drank coffee, I felt like junk for hours afterwards.  Shortly after arriving home, I cut coffee from my life completely.  Since then, my stomach’s been a lot happier.  I’ll go out to coffee shops with people, but I’ll be ordering tea.

7.  Miss out on catching up with friends from last year or skimp on photos.

I met a lot of really fabulous bloggers last year, including Krista, Freya and Shannon.  I’m so excited to see them again, catch up and hang out.  That said, there aren’t very many photos of me with the other awesome attendees.  This year, I’m going to try to be less camera shy. 

Also worth reading:

  • Heather’s top 3 HLS 2010 regrets
  • Katy Widrick’s Making a Good (Social Media) Impression  

Speaking of healthy living bloggers,

fundraising image

In late June, Susan from The Great Balancing Act was diagnosed with cancer.  Not only is she dealing with the shock of the diagnosis and enduring the harsh cancer treatments, but she’s facing around $5000 a month in medical bills.  The healthy living community has done an amazing job of supporting her as best we can via the internet.  Janetha, the amazing blogger behind Meals and Miles, has put together an online auction to help Susan out.  There is a ton of great stuff up for auction.  You do not need to be a healthy living blogger to participate.  Check out the details about how Monday’s auction will work. 

Related Posts

Pizza and New Friends: Perfect Together
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution Premieres
HLS: Thoughts a Week Later
10 Things I Learned at the Healthy Living Summit (...
Did you enjoy this post? Share it!

Filed Under: events Tagged With: Healthy Living Summit, lists, make a difference

« Pizza, for Breakfast
Highlights: Popsicles »

Comments

  1. Lisa Fine says

    July 22, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    I love your list, Emily!

    I’ve been thinking about HLS and how to get ready for it, and these are great trips. I often find that I get shy around new people, and want to make sure to just get out there and meet people, companies, and sponsors. Yay!

  2. Halley (Blunder Construction) says

    July 22, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    I am attending HLS as a first timer this year! This post was so helpful. I know I would have done the same thing with #1 as you, so now I have a chance to prepare. I am really looking forward to meet you there!

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:14 pm

      Glad I could help! I hadn’t really thought about it and then I kept feeling like an idiot because I didn’t really have a good handle on what my blog was about. What a difference a year makes. Looking forward to meeting!

  3. Michelle @ The Cooking Life says

    July 23, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    Oh how I wish I was going! I’ve never been. Alas, funds are low this year so I’m not able to attend. Looking forward to hearing about it, though, after it is done.

  4. Krista @ Can't Survive on Yarn Alone says

    July 23, 2011 at 2:54 pm

    I am in the same boat as you w the blog description deal last year. I feel much more confident giving my info sales pitch” style now.

    I totally agree with the clothes aspect too. I wore a tank top with what I thought was a cute/funny thing printed on front. I go the total opposite of what I had expected, not a single comment. I wore it because I wanted to but the plan this year is to dress exactly how I want to dress and put getting a response from someone as secondary.

  5. Hilary says

    July 23, 2011 at 5:17 pm

    I stumbled upon your blog via the HLS blog list, so it’s funny that this is the first post I read. I am SO SO excited for HLS and meeting you and everyone else. Thanks for these tips…I found them really helpful. I also really like your banner at the top of your blog. ;)

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:16 pm

      Thanks, Hilary! I spent a long time trying to figure out what I wanted for a header when I did my redesign last spring. It’s amazing the things you can create in Picassa and Picnik!

  6. Lisa @ I'm an Okie says

    July 24, 2011 at 7:38 pm

    Great great tips! :)

  7. Erin @ Big Girl Feats says

    July 25, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Hi Emily! I saw your post linked to the HLS page, and as a first time attendee, this was so helpful. I didn’t think about my blog’s “message” until your post – but now I really want to make sure I have a meaningful way to describe my blog to people. And tips about being social are so true! I’m excited to meet you and others at HLS! :)

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:17 pm

      Glad I could help! It’s so much easier to be confident about your blog if you can explain it to someone else. See you soon!

  8. Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers says

    July 26, 2011 at 4:04 pm

    This year will be my first time attending HLS and I love your list! I think it’s so important to branch out and meet new people and I loved reading your tips. Great post!

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:17 pm

      Thanks! Glad you enjoyed the post–see you in just a few weeks!!!!

  9. Tropical Eats says

    July 28, 2011 at 9:41 am

    loveeee this post !

    can’t wait to see you soon :)))))

    HLS.. here we come!

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:13 pm

      Please, please track me down if I don’t track you down first!

  10. Sam @ Mom At The Barre says

    July 28, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    What great tips! This will be my first HLS and I am both excited and a little unsure of what to expect. Your list is super helpful! I’ll look out for you in Philly!

    • Emily says

      July 28, 2011 at 9:12 pm

      Glad I could help! Can’t wait to meet you!

Welcome!

Welcome to Relishments! Follow along with my adventures in flexitarian eating and cooking in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.

The Berkshires
Recipe Index
CSA Menu Plan
First Time?
 

Support Relishments on Patreon

Just so you know…

I’m just a girl who loves to cook and eat. This site is not a source for nutritional information.

Relishments is affiliated with various sponsors. Some product links on this site are affiliates; I may get portion of the sale. All opinions on this site are honest, regardless of revenue opportunities. Find out more about my policies here

Relishments is affiliated with…

View my food journey on Zomato!

  
Ahalogy Badge

relishments

Emily
It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it t It was a cold and cloudy morning, but we made it to our second annual strawberry picking at @mountainviewfarm413, which included E's first tractor ride (she was very excited). We picked about 9 pounds of strawberries and I'm looking forward to eating them! 🍓
.
.
.
#igers413_food #strawberries #LocallyGrowjln #PickYourOwn #LanesboroughMA
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires

#NorthAdams #NAmazing
Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shir Scenes from this morning in Adams, featuring @shiredonuts, Poseidon Coffee, the Ashwillticook Rail Trail, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Adams Free Library and beautiful flowers.
.
.
.
#AdamsMA #igers413_food
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies #InTheBerkshires #EatLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires
I don't have clear words to express my feelings ab I don't have clear words to express my feelings about the state of the world lately. As a teacher and a mother, it has been extra difficult this week to be fully present in my roles without thinking about innocent lives that should have had longer on Earth. How what has happened in each of the many mass shootings this year can happen anywhere. If you are feeling sad and frustrated too, you are not alone.

I don't have answers, but I'm trying to take care of myself and my biological and school families. I'm saying "I love you" a lot to my children and my students. I'm closely following and sharing the work of @everytown while contacting my state and federal representatives and the president. I'm going for walks and getting fresh air and trying not to overload on news. I'm sharing good resources in my stories as I see them.
UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @aloh UPDATE: the giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats @alohr3!

 @thelazygenius' second book, The Lazy Genius Kitchen, is finally here and I'm so excited! I don't purchase many books, but I pre-ordered this last July because I knew it would be right up my alley and then I pre-ordered a second copy because I knew that I'd want to give one away.

Author Kendra Adachi has been one of my favorite voices in recent years. Her principles (shared through her first book, The Lazy Genius Podcast and her Instagram) have helped me focus my priorities and give myself more grace. 

This book is NOT a cookbook (it has just 2 recipes), it is a kitchen guide - to help you "have what you need, use what you have, and enjoy it like never before". It is beautiful (full color!) and thoughtful.

I'm very excited to send this book to one of you.

TO ENTER: Leave a comment below with one of your greatest kitchen struggles. 
I'll draw a winner at 8 pm on Friday, May 6.
This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram or The Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi.
.
.
.
#LazyGenius #KendraAdachi #NameWhatMatters #TheLazyGeniusKitchen #TheLazyGeniusWay #BookGiveaway
This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berk This morning we took advantage of @massmoca's Berkshire Teacher and Social Worker Appreciation Day free admission. After enjoying the student Art Invitational exhibit, the 4 of us took in several of the other galleries. Mass MoCA always impresses and it was delightful to be able to be out in the world with my kids.
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #MassMoCA #ArtMuseum
Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, Today I finally found my way into @plantconnector, in its new location on Main Street in North Adams. The shop is incredible - the displays are great and the plants are delightful. There's a refill station with bottles and jars for soaps, detergents and other products, a terrarium bar, and an abundance of sustainable and beautiful products. I'm now in the process of pondering who I can purchase Plant Connector gifts for in the coming months.
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #ShopLocal #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #NorthAdams #NAmazing #PlantConnector
This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuse This is your periodic reminder that @berkshiremuseum is a great visit for all ages. The current Voyage to the Deep exhibit, which involves an interactive Nautilus submarine that my 5 year old spent literally hours in.  We also thoroughly enjoyed the Aquarium and Berkshire Backyard. Highly recommended - we'll be back soon!
.
.
.
#igers413 #InTheBerkshires #WesternMA #WesternMass #Berkshires  #VisitTheBerkshires #BerkshireMuseum #PittsfieldMA
My January and early February menu plans for my @m My January and early February menu plans for my @mightyfoodfarm vegetables are finally up on the blog. See how we're making use of these beautiful items, as well as the items from the other pick up we made in the past month. 
Link in profile.
.
.
.
#MightyFoodFarm #EatLocal #EatSeasonal #VermontGrown #CSApickup #CSAshare  #KnowYourFarmerKnowYourFood #MenuPlanning #MealPlanning #igers413 #igers413_food #BerkshireFoodies
One of my favorite things to do is bake from scrat One of my favorite things to do is bake from scratch.
But, in the interest of full transparency, this pie was made with Pillsbury pie crusts and a $5 bag of Walmart Granny Smiths. I used the recipe on the pie crust box.
I am very excited to eat it.
.
.
.
#RelishmentsBakes #BakingFromScratch #baking #igers413_food #semihomemade #pie #ApplePie
#igers413 #BerkshireFoodies
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Foodie Pro Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in