Saturday, May 22, 2010

Baked Kale Chips and other things.

kale

You know how I’ve been pretty bad about updating this here blog lately? Yeah. Sorry about that. I have lots of excuses, but the truth is, I hit a bit of a creative wall a week or so ago and needed some time to step back, refocus on what I’ve been doing, and really thinking about how I want to move forward. I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about everything, this blog, my passions and everything that goes along with that.

kale!

The conclusion I’ve come to is that I love this, this space here, and most of all I love taking pictures of food. There’s few things I love to spend my time on more. I’m know that this is what I want to do for a living. Not immediately, of course, I don’t have the experience, skill level or the technical knowledge yet. I’m not sure what to do to move forward, but I’m working on it. I don’t know if the answer is art school, an apprenticeship, or something else entirely. All I know right now is that I do want to move forward. I have to believe I was given this passion for a reason.

It’s both scary and exciting to finally say it out loud, to tell all of you like this, definitively. I’ve struggled with feeling legitimate, like this photography thing was just a hobby that I’d one day move on from. I haven’t though. It’s this thing that both frustrates me and invigorates me, I figure that’s probably a good place to be. If you have any tips or words of wisdom for me, please leave them in the comments!

I didn’t think all of that was going to come out when I sat down at the keyboard, and I’m so tempted to delete it all, but since it did, I guess it’s time to hit the publish button!

Oh, this recipe? Just something I made this evening to munch on. After seeing recipes for kale chips here and here, I knew I had to try them. Delicious! Try them out for yourself!

kale chips

Baked Kale Chips

1 bunch of kale
olive oil
coarse salt

Tear kale into small, bite sized pieces.
toss with olive oil, and salt.
Spread onto lined baking sheet and bake at 350° for 12 minutes, or until crisp.

Posted by hannah queen | honey & jam at 11:02 PM
Labels: , ,

58 comments:

  1. I think putting it in print, hitting publish, is possibly more for you than for anyone else. It makes it real. It makes it not a dream or flighty thing but a goal pronounced – and we're your witnesses. We get to sit and cheer you on, and watch what comes from all the creative gifts you've been blessed with. And that's cool. Personally I can't wait to see how He uses you.

    My 2¢? I'm still learning this at 42, but what I've seen and what I've experienced is that what works for one, may not work for another. Not everything is formulaic in the creative world. Find your own path. Chart your own course. And if something doesn't feel right or isn't working, (even if it's the way everyone else is doing it) it may mean you need to backup and regroup.

    Rock it girl!
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  2. I wish you the best of luck with your photography pursuits! I also wish I had some words of wisdom to give you. But I am by no means so qualified.

    I am so glad you continue to post here. You continually inspire!
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  3. Hannah, I say take the risk. The one thing that you really want to do, but aren't sure about. Go for it. Step out of your comfort zone, because you know what? Once you push your boundaries, you gain a greater comfort zone, a greater amount of opportunity. Maybe you'll find that "something else" that makes you the happiest :).
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  4. You definitely have talent and if you love it you should pursue it! This year I went to photography school and it was the best decision I ever made.

    www.hallmark.edu

    I'm not trying to sell the school to you, but if you are serious about photo and learning great technique as well as business, check it out, I'm 19 years old, I'll be graduating in June and I'm hoping to go into food photography. I'm truly inspired by your blog and pictures and keep checking back on it all the time! Can't wait to see more from you!

    -Jenn
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  5. Hannah,

    Your photography is absolutely beautiful. I feel like you're already a professional. I work in the film industry, and for me going to film school was so important. It allowed me to take risks, learn from them, learn from my professors, etc. in a very "safe" place. I'm not saying that's the course for you, but it worked well for me.

    I wish you all the best, and please continue to post. Your pictures/recipes are truly a joy to read/look at.

    Cheers, Adrianna
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  6. Well, first off, I commend you for putting yourself out there in this blog post. That takes courage, itself. So, bravo!

    Please, do follow any dream you might have. If you have a drive for something, there is a reason. It may be to become the most celebrated food artist in history. It may be just to pursue something you love. It may be to lead you to even more things you love and love to pursue. Who knows? That's part of life. But what makes life great is being able to live. I mean really live. There are so many things in this world to see, do, feel, and be. And you never know where each road may lead. The exciting part is the journey.

    And, your photography is amazing. I love the lighting. I am one of those people who can't seem to do, but I know great stuff when I see it. Yours is great stuff. The world is better off for it.

    Plus, we all hit creativity walls. Also part of being human. It just means you have to get creative about getting creative. You never know where the inspiration may come from.

    I wish you well on your endeavors.

    -Tia
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  7. Dear Hannah, thank you for not deleting this post; it blessed me to see your heart for a bit because... well, me too. Can't wait to see where we both go with all of this new stuff! Love, Hannah
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  8. You are young and bursting with talent - a very blessed place to be. Enjoy this time and pursue what you love.
    I'm sure so many feel the same way you do and your honesty is freeing and encouraging. Thank you.
    Keep it up Hannah! I'm so excited to see where God takes you.
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  9. You WILL do amazing things. God has gifted you with an incredible spirit and an eye for beauty where it's not always noticed. I don't know you personally but between Twitter and your blog I feel like I do in some strange Internet way.
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  10. i know about hitting the walls. i know that you have a bright future with this and you should definitely follow your dreams.
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  11. Hannah-
    You are one extremely talented young woman! You can't wrong when you pursue what feels right. You'll do BIG things!
    -Jamie
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  12. I never would've guessed that you'd hit a creative wall, I've definitely been enjoying your project 365... you should definitely make it into a book. I think it's great that you've decided to make a career of it, it's something that you love and you've already got amazing talent! Keep it up. I need to try the kale chips
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  13. The success will follow you wherever you'll choose to go. Such is your talent. Such is your sensibility. Cheering you on with all my heart!
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  14. Hannah! Girl you are so talented! You are going to do some amazing things in your life..... I just know it!!! Thank you so much for sharing your gifts with the world in this little space:)
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  15. ok so i haven't commented on one of your blog posts yet.. but i found your blog about oh, 2-3ish weeks ago, and do you know what? the first time i clicked on your site, at first glance i instantly knew you had something magical about your posts and pictures. I subscribed, bookmarked, and followed you on twitter about thirty seconds later. You've got something girly! I am seriously hooked on the crispness and simple yet striking factor of your pics. (im not a professional photographer or anything.. but i think those words somewhat capture your photo-taking awesomeness) Can't wait to read more of your posts! Keep up the wonderful work <3
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  16. The most scary things are the things that are worth doing. And you know what, if you decide 10 years from now to do something else, do something else! Who says you have to do one thing forever or that you can't follow what you love. Just do it and you'll never have any regrets. Hooray for you for taking the chance.
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  17. I'm glad you hit the publish button :) When I was writing my last post, which is quite personal (much more than the ones I usually write) I was tempted to delete it too. But I published, and I'm glad I did because I felt better after it.

    Deciding about your future is not easy! I'm not sure about what I want to do either. In all probability, next year I'll be taking a degree in International Business Economics. I like economics, sure, but I also love creating. I'm a creative person: I love photography, painting, drawing, writing.... It's like if a small voice in my head was telling me "what if I'm doing wrong?"

    So what if I'm doing it? Life is a trial and error process. If I don't like it, I'll move to something else. I strongly recommend you trying with photography: you're talented :)

    And if it doesn't turn well for some reason, you can always try something else ;)
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  18. Hannah,
    you are a natural, unpretentious talent. Because you are still young in age, you can freely explore your options. Education is always good. To know the field you want to travel down is necessary. When you have a need to get something, you will do what it takes. Reaching a goal is just a pit stop, because it is actually not the goal but the activity that drives us.

    To become educated in some field doesn't mean only becoming knowledgable of things related to a profession, but to better understand yourself in a larger frame of life. A profession will give you a freedom to explore your identity much deeper and define yourself beyond what you do.

    When I saw your photos on Flickr for the first time, I sensed your autenticity and thirst for life. There is fearlessness and openness in you that will allow you to do whatever you want to do. I hope you will never lose your sweetness and kindness of heart. Best luck to you regarding your future!

    Laksmi
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  19. I've never commented on your blog either, I think, which could be due to the fact that I only recently discovered it. I'm only 18 as well, but I do want to tell you this - I think I know exactly what it is you're going through - I spent the last 2 years just about right there, going backwards and forwards in my thoughts and decisions, finally dropping out of school. I believe you will be led to what you're meant to do, it doesn't really matter how you get there, just that you do something to get started in that direction.

    A lot can happen without purely by "coincidence" (there are no coincidences, I find :P), but then miraculously turns out to be exactly the right thing. Sure, I've been asked lots of times how/why I did it, drop out "so close to the end", but I know it was right because so many good things have happened since then, and it just felt absolutely right when I made the decision. Now there's no going back, only forward.

    Reach for the stars.
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  20. Hannah sweetie you have such a wonderful natural talent and affinity with your camera and with food. Follow your dreams my girl. Make them a reality. Starting with getting educated in the field that so interests you is probably the way to go. And remember that God has gifted you and He will be with you all the way. Hugs to you and wishing you all the best xx
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  21. I love kale chips. It's so easy to eat a whole big bunch of kale that way!
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  22. Follow your dreams. What makes you happy and fills you up with ideas and excitement is exactly what you should be doing.
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  23. you can do anything you set your mind to :) go for it... you're wonderful!!
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  24. Hannah - I'm a therapist in our school system, but I have a part-time portrait business. The best learning tool I've ever had (and still have) is being an active member of www.photocamel.com

    You should come check it out. There is a "commercial photography" board, as well as a "still life" board, and there's a huge mix of professionals and amateurs; it's a friendly place and a lot of fun as well. If you come, holler at me - I'm "Rain Lily" on the forum. And keep an eye out for "Brooks" because you can learn TONS from him - he does product shoots all the time and is an excellent teacher for all of us. :)
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  25. BTW - I SO think you have what it takes to do what you dream. :)
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  26. Congrats! This revelation is so exciting. You have already done hwat th emajority of people fail to do... listen to their hearts. Keep listening to yours and it will tell you what to do.
    Plus... I think professional training and experience can be wonderful... but sometimes diving right in, talking to folks, and putting yourself out there can be a catalyst in and of itself. Best of luck... you will do great. Wait! You are already doing great. I love your blog. Look how many supporters you already have...
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  27. Hannah your photos are some of the best I've ever seen and I know you can do it!

    And I love kale chips - we eat them 4-5 times a week. Have you ever tried nutritional yeast? It is delicious on them!
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  28. Hannah, you are an incredible girl - and it seems like you already have high regard in the food photography realm. You have amazing potential and I'm sure you will succeed in whatever you decide to do! Good luck - you are braver than I!
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  29. Hannah, you have a natural gift for photography and if it fills your life with happiness and it's the one thing you see yourself doing right now in life, than I say go for it. You do not want to look back and regret it. Weather going to school or getting on hands training to further your knowledge, is up to you and your learning style, everyone is different.

    Trust me when I say that all creative people hit walls. Everyone has self doubts, but you are still so young and bursting with so much to offer that you shouldn't give photography up because you feel less creative for a moment. And if 10 years from now you find yourself on a new adventure and your not taking photo's, than at least you know that what got you there was your passion and following your heart. My best wishes go out to you, and I'm excited to see what is in your future. Take care, Jacqui
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  30. mmm i LOVE kale chips, i did a post on them awhile back! that's the only way i eat kale, not sure how else to cook them haha.

    good luck w/ your photography endeavor, your photos are really great and i think you will be very successful!!
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  31. Your work is so beautiful and inspiring. It's a gift that you give all of us. I know you'll find a way to do what you love.
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  32. Sweet Hannah,

    I echo what many others have said and tell you that you have been givin a raw, natural gift from God and we are all proud that you have not buried your treasure. When you are discouraged or doubt yourself remember how far you have come and all the possibilities ahead of you....you will go very far my dear and we are all your cheerleaders!
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  33. Hannah, if you are able to pursue what you love to do and what your passion is, go for it, don't hesitate. This can give you the motivation and drive you need to go thru any obstacles you may have on the way. You are also very lucky that you are doing very well on what your passion is. Make good use of this gift and explore what's out there. One way leads to another. No one knows what we'll end up at. But at least when you look back, there's no regret!

    As for the creative wall, it's just a reflection of how much you take your photography and your blog seriously. You don't want to repeat what's been done before and you always want to achieve something new. I'm sure it happens to many of us. Don't worry about it! It will pass. Take a break and look around. Inspiration will come back all of a sudden.

    BTW, love the dark look of the kale pictures. The contrast really highlight the texture of the kale!
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  34. Thanks for being brave and sharing your heart! Ah, it's so hard but so freeing, isn't it? If you're so inclined, I also shared my story on my blog about how passion began to outweigh fear in my life...you're not alone in pursuing passion despite your fears. http://naomifigueroaphotography.com/2010/02/paradigm-shift-2/
    Keep going, following your heart. Some super inspiring photogs that have helped me along the way are Jasmine Star and Tasra Mar. Above all, be YOURSELF and follow your heart.
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  35. Your photography is amazing and you are such an inspiration. I hope everything goes perfectly for you!
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  36. I think there are many roads to happiness but the most traveled and most exciting one is where you make your passions the things that fill your life the most!
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  37. Hannah, I don't know you, but your work has been such an inspiration to me. You are such a gifted photographer and I wish you the best in whatever comes next for you. :)
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  38. Hi. I only found your blog recently so this is pretty much my first post that I'm reading from you. I want to thank you for putting yourself out there first of all. Also, why not "say" it out loud?? It's important to be able to follow your passions and dreams and never feel ashamed or embarrassed of them. I understand though, I'm new to the whole "food blogging" thing but I've taken to it like crazy very suddenly and I can't figure out why. I say keep at it and find a way to be able to do it for a living. I mean, if you can get paid to do what you love...what's better than that? Good luck and thanks for sharing!!
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  39. I have just stumbled upon your blog and I am loving it! You are so talented. I love your photographs...you are an inspiration!
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  40. I love your photos!
    ALso, I made the kale chips a few weeks ago and I never would have thought that I would have liked them so much!! :)
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  41. You have an incredible amount of talent and the fact that you love it means you will throw 100% into it. Good luck you will be amazing!!
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  42. hannah, glad you made it over your wall. you truly have an amazing passion and talent for this...go get it!
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  43. So glad you've decided to continue your blogging, Hannah!
    And I agree about the photography. I would love a new camera, which would force me to take a class. (I'd also love a class in food design!)
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  44. Haeshu has a lovely quote at the moment that seems entirely appropriate. I'm sure you've seen it, but if not: "Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore."

    The other one that comes to mind: "Bite off more than you can chew. Then chew it."

    Hannah, you have a gift, huge and luscious. You couldn't abandon it if you tried. We wouldn't let you :) By which I mean, we'll be here, applauding, encouraging, cheering you on, as your talent and life unfolds.

    Joy and peace to you,

    Molly
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  45. Go for it! Unfortunately I can't offer any words of wisdom about how you could do it, but judging by the standards we've seen on here you'll be amazing!
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  46. Hannah - go for it, follow your heart. You obviously have a wonderful natural talent and if this is what you want to do then you should pursue it and I wish you all the luck in the World.
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  47. you are so talented, love your food! :)
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  48. hannah, you are awesome! take your time to figure it out, there is no rush. try different things to peruse your passion of photography and you will find what fits you best! your work is beautiful!
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  49. I know EXACTLY what you mean. Both about the kale chips, and everything else. I just discovered this passion for cooking, blogging, and now taking pictures. I still don't even have a real camera - but getting there soon. Just continue exploring your passion, and instead of wondering where it will lead, etc. - just enjoy it. That's what I'm trying to do, anyway. xxSAS
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  50. My advice is to follow your gut ~ if you follow your path, no matter the fears: if it feels right to you, gives you satisfaction like nothing else, then it is the thing for you to be doing ~ have confidence in that! :)
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  51. as always, your photos and recipes are so inspiring....and it's ok to hit a wall at times...it happens to us creative folks, but then you'll be amazed at how inspired and motivated you'll get - twice as much!
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  52. Thank you for creating such a lovely space : )

    I’d like to invite you to win a piece of my fine art through a giveaway on my blog.

    http://walterhelenaphotography.blogspot.com/2010/05/whp-giveaway-two-of-twelve-clouds.html

    I wish you all my best.

    WHP
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  53. God made you, Hannah. He knows what He's created you for. Many are the plans of a man, but it's the Lord that directs our steps. Your work is unique and more than captures what it is that drives someone to love through culinary arts. I'm driven by the same passion, but with four little ones, and a pastor for a husband, the Lord's made his calling on my life clear at this point! Blogging is probably about as far as I'll ever take it...but it's the Lord that directs our steps, right?
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  54. Hey Hannah, how are u?
    I'm a brazilian food blogger and, well, your site is very very wonderful! I'm surprised!
    A good surprese.
    Perfect pictures and delicious recipes!

    Congratulations! :D
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  55. I think it's a really good thing that you know what you enjoy doing at such a young age. My advice is, keep pursuing it! I had no idea what I wanted and my job is nothing more than a paycheck (with a headache) to me (although I'm extremely grateful to have it). And I think your pictures are just awesome :)
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  56. well, i just ran across your blog this morning, but i want to tell you that you have incredible talent and potential. i can already tell that you have a great eye and just want to send a little more encouragement (from a complete stranger) your way.

    and, just as a side note, a friend introduced me to baked kale about a year ago and i'm hooked on it. i often prepare it for company, along with some roasted asparagus, because they're so quick and easy, great for snacking and, though they're just normal vegetables, people are always so surprised at how tasty they are!

    good luck to you. your blog is lovely.
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  57. just ran across your blog today and, though i'm not sure i have the authority to say this, you absolutely DO have the experience, skill level and the technical knowledge to do this starting NOW! don't stress about schooling- girl, you've GOT this ALREADY!
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  58. I just want to say that I love your photography and your recipes.I love to read about your experiences with both.

    There are very few people born with such a talent as yours.I am 41 years old and I have just recently began taking some photography courses and I love to cook.

    When I was your age I thought I had all the time in the world.Time does have a way of getting away from us.If I were your age now then I would take some photography workshops

    http://www.pennydelossantos.com/

    http://jenyu.net/foodandlight/

    http://whiteonricecouple.com/photography-travels/online-food-photography-class/

    http://www.photostylingworkshops.com/store/home.php

    Those are just a few interesting sites.I think you can be a fantastic Food Photographer and even a Pastry Chef..Don't let anything hold you back shoot for the stars and land on the moon.You have such a wonderful life ahead of you.
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