June 18, 2016

Pineapple Pepper Punch

Recipe at the end of the post.

Fun Fact: Pineapple has some amazing science-backed health benefits! For more details and some fun learning, click here.

Sugar and spice and everything nice… like vodka, right?

This punchy bev is inspired by a lot of things. It’s inspired by summer and my first real scorcher living in the South (which I’m not sure my Canadian maple syrup blood can handle); it’s inspired by the fact that it’s the weekend (holler!), but most importantly, this sweet and zippy concoction is inspired by some very special friendships I’ve made in the last six months.

Connecting Over Cocktails

Networking is important in business, and in the blogging world it’s no different. But what is also important (and much less evident) is creating solid relationships with fellow bloggers. A few of my closest blogging chums and I decided to give a nod to the significance of blogging buddies – and what better way than through a cocktail link party?

If we’re friends, you’ve heard me say it time and time again: bloggin’ ain’t easy. This is especially true when it becomes your life. Blogging for business is a constant battle to balance creation, learning, delivery, analytics, research, promotion, networking – and unlike other jobs, where you have your colleagues to join you in griping about work woes, you’re on your own here.

Probably why most of us drink, yeah?

When I grumble to my family or friends about the woes that come with running a blog, I know they can’t fathom it and, as a result, they can’t say what I need to hear. They can’t tell me they understand how annoying it is to create fresh, beautiful dishes only to be beaten out in the rankings by uninspired no-bake cheesecakes and anything wrapped in bacon; they can’t moan and groan with me about how fickle Foodgawker can be when they approve one of your mediocre photos only to deny one you consider a total gem the next day; family and friends don’t understand just how taxing it can be to pour yourself into a well-planned post only to have it ruined by a bad photo session. Most importantly, no one but fellow like-minded bloggers understand the struggles of denying unfit paid opportunities in an effort to avoid becoming a sell-out.

As bloggers, we are constantly questioning ourselves and our decisions, and we absolutely need those few pals to tell us, “Hey, you. You did the right thing.”

Decisions are hard, blogging can be trying, and we need our blogging peers for support. We need their constructive criticism and we need them to help push us forward when we feel like we’re falling behind.

So, if you’re a blogger, go make blog friends. NOW. Find them in your blogging niche and, heck, outside of your niche too! To say it’s rewarding seems like an understatement.

To my blogging friends – thank you. Thank you for being my inspiration, my fuel, and the incredible support that you’ve been and will continue to be.

Cheers to the #FBCConnectingWithCocktails link party members and my bests:

Sean from Diversivore with his Mezcalita del Ocaso

Taylor from The Girl On Bloor with her Watermelon Cucumber Mojitos

Justine from Justine Celina with her Rose Lychee Elderflower Sangria

Jared from The Hesitant Chef with his Minted Cucumber and Gin

Cassie from Crumb Kitchen with her Spiked Strawberry Basil Limeade

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