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Laura Lohr

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A New Chapter. New Opportunities.

June 28, 2012 by Laura Lohr 2 Comments

A little less than two years ago, I went to a pre-BlogHer meet-up with other local San Diego bloggers. I was nervous about going to the meet-up. I was nervous about my first time at BlogHer. I had been blogging for more than five years at that point and had few meet-ups with friends I had met online. For me, meeting people from online “friendships” was still a bit taboo. What if these people were creeps? What if they thought I was a creep? My anxiety was running high. I bribed Mr. Bear to come with me to the meet-up. I was afraid I might need him to rescue me.

Mr. Bear was reluctant to go. He had a long day at work and coming to this “blogging thing” was not something he really wanted to do. He was on the fence about blogging. He was not quite sure why I was so mesmerized by putting my whole life on display, nonetheless, he supported me because it made me happy. Happy wife, happy life, as the saying goes.

Hours later, I had made many friendships. I met many women I felt I had a connection with and those friendships have blossomed throughout the past two years. Mr. Bear never had to rescue me that night. In fact, he practically had to drag me away. Furthermore, the results of that meet-up and the blogging opportunities that followed changed his mind completely about this “blogging thing.”

Months after BlogHer, a friend I had met at the BlogHer meet-up posted on Twitter about a part-time opportunity at the publishing company she works for. I applied for the position. I got the position. It was only supposed to be a part-time, temporary position for three months. I have been there for over 18 months now. It was surreal! I got my first job since I became a mom on Twitter. It was awesome!

Next week, this opportunity will end. I was well aware when I got hired that this position could end at any time. With budgets, my own skill limitations, my time constraints with wanting to be at home when Allie gets out of school, and numerous other hurdles that could arise—this opportunity could be 3 months or 6 months, but likely not forever.

In the past 18 months, I have learned so many new things. I knew very little about marketing. I knew very little about publishing. I knew very little in many areas that I now know significantly more about. I have had a lot of things happen personally during that time, including health issues and various other challenges. I have learned many skills in balance and planning, as being a working mom has had its own share of obstacles. I have loved these experiences, by virtue of the growth I have seen in my life professionally and personally. I enjoyed my job and the people I have worked with. I have loved learning new things and developing new skills. When you want to market your websites or business, it is better to ask SEO firms and experts from North Gold Coast.

We leave for New York City and BlogHer next month. I know that new opportunities await with the networking I will do. Sure, BlogHer is parties, swag, and fun, however I will never approach another conference or meet-up the same again. There are friends to meet, connections to make, and grand possibilities ahead. It is all about the people. You never know what these fabulous experiences may offer. Two years later, I have many friendships from BlogHer 10 and the pre-BlogHer meet-up.

I walk away from this chance meet-up with a multitude of blessings: friends, job opportunities, new skills, a discretionary income, and no regrets. While I am sad to see this chapter end, I know in my heart there is something new on the horizon and I am anxious to see what is waiting for me.

Filed Under: Blogging, BlogHer, Blogher 2010 New York, Friends, Laura, Social Networking, Work Tagged With: blogging, Blogging Events, blogher, blogher10, blogher12, friends, marketing, networking, New York city, social media, twitter

Summer Sweetness with California Strawberries

June 8, 2012 by Laura Lohr 4 Comments

CA Strawberries

Last fall, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Los Angeles with a few San Diego bloggers for a blogging event with the lovely folks from CA Strawberries. They provided an incredible spread for us, complete with beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, of which I chose the non-alcoholic variety—TASTY!), appetizers, main courses, and desserts galore. I learned more about strawberries that evening than I ever thought I would learn.

DSC_1342
My friend Laural and I enjoying some non-alcoholic strawberry refreshment. Laural is hilarious! Check her out on Twitter @LauralOutLoud.

Crab Tostadas with California Strawberries and Mango Salsa
These were so T A S T Y!! Crab Tostadas with California Strawberries and Mango Salsa (recipe below)

For example, did you know that strawberries are the only fruit to have their seeds on the outside? I never questioned this tasty little fruit, however, they are fascinating little guys!

Crab Tostadas with California Strawberries and Mango Salsa 2

Crab Tostadas with Strawberry & Mango Salsa
Recipe from the California Strawberry Commission

For the salsa:
2 cups fresh strawberries, stemmed & diced
1 cup diced mango
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil
1-2 jalapeno chiles, finely diced
salt & pepper to taste

For the crab salad:
1 pound lump crabmeat
1/2 cup English cucumber, seeded & diced
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
48 small corn tostadas or nacho chips

For the salsa: Combine all salsa ingredients, mix gently, reserve.

For the crab salad: Pick over crabmeat and remove any pieces of shell. Gently mix with cucumber, green onions, mayonnaise and cilantro; add jalapeno and lime juice. Place a small mound of shredded lettuce on each tostada or nacho chip. Top with a heaping tablespoon of crab salad and garnish with strawberry mango salsa.

…
It is summer and in California, it means it’s strawberry season. Over the past several weeks, I have been hearing the buzz from the CA Strawberry farmers across the California coast on Twitter and I have been remembering the blogging event fondly. They were wonderful and I have a new found appreciation for this truly super fruit!

Strawberry Shortcake Sliders
Strawberry Shortcake Sliders (Click for Recipe)

Today, I was going through the photos from the event and had to share these fabulous recipes from the event. They have an awesome website, where they share nutritional facts, recipes, and other pertinent information about strawberries.

Strawberry Caprese
Strawberry Caprese

Strawberries. One more reason to live in California. Did you know California is the largest producer of strawberries? Yum!

The Variety
My full plate. I had no idea how versatile strawberries are! There were so many yummy ways they prepared them!

You can find many recipes on the California Strawberries website, including this one below for Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos with Strawberry Salsa:

Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos with Strawberry Salsa

Grilled Mahi-Mahi Tacos with Strawberry Salsa
Recipe from the California Strawberry Commission

Mango, pineapple, lime and other fresh ingredients are combined to take fish tacos to a whole new level!

Ingredients

Strawberry Salsa:
1 cup diced fresh California strawberries
1/2 cup diced mango
1/4 cup diced papaya
1/4 cups diced pineapple
2 tablespoons diced red onion
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons rice vinegar
Salt and black pepper
Cayenne pepper

Avocado Sour Cream:
1/4 cup diced avocado
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Chipotle Sour Cream:
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 chipotle in adobo
Salt and white pepper
Granulated garlic

1 pound mahi-mahi, cut into 2-ounce pieces
Salt and black pepper
Ground cumin, ground coriander and ancho chile powder
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas, heated
8 (6-inch) flour tortillas, heated
2 cups shredded napa cabbage

Directions

To make Strawberry Salsa, gently mix together all ingredients; season with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper. To make Avocado Sour Cream, blend all ingredients in food processor or with stick blender. To make Chipotle Sour Cream, blend sour cream and chipotle in food processor or with stick blender; season with salt, pepper and granulated garlic. Season mahi-mahi with salt, pepper, cumin, coriander and ancho chile powder. On gas or charcoal grill, cook fish until it offers no resistance to the point of a small, with a small sharp knife from Cut it Fine. Place 1 corn tortilla on top of each flour tortilla. Top each corn tortilla with 1/4 cup cabbage, 1 piece mahi-mahi and 1/4 cup Strawberry Salsa. Serve Avocado Sour Cream and Chipotle Sour Cream on the side.

Nutritional Information

Nutrition Information Per Serving: 575 calories; 19 g fat; 102 mg cholesterol; 714 mg sodium; 71 g carbohydrate; 9 g fiber; 32 g protein

Makes 4 servings

Filed Under: Blogging, Community, Cooking, Entertainment, Events, Meet-up Tagged With: Blogging Events, CA Strawberries, Los Angeles Blogging Events, Recipes, Strawberries

About Laura:

Wife, mom, runner, geek, lifestyle blogger, fitness badass, world traveler, social media lover. San Diego transplant, living in Temecula's wine country.

I'd love to hear from you! E-mail me!
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