On December 31, 2014 I got an email from a man named Gregory. He wanted to thank me for the information provided here on Spanish Sabores, and also asked a series of questions about Spanish dining culture, hoping that I'd answer him here on the blog or by email.
I never did.
I don't get many reader emails, so when I do I try my best to answer them as quickly as possible. To my credit I wasn't about to respond while sitting down to New Year's Eve dinner, but as the weeks and then months went by, his email sat unanswered in my inbox-- always marked as unread.
In many ways my failure to respond to Gregory reflects the chaos I've felt at times this year. Going into 2015 I knew it would be a whirlwind. I knew I'd have to travel often. I knew my social life would suffer. But I also knew it was for a good reason!
You see, at the end of 2014 we'd made plans to expand our food tours to include Malaga and Seville-- and knew that taking on two cities at once wouldn't be easy (it was actually impossible as we later learned). I realized that our growth meant hiring new people, taking risks financially (always stressful!), and basically working my ass off. I also knew that travel and fun would be taking a back seat.
Does it have to be this way?
I don't know-- it's a good question. The web is filled with "lifestyle design" blogs, and people who seem to make a living doing what they love while also having lots of fun and sipping mojitos on the beach. Are they all liars? Perhaps-- we all know that Instagram and Facebook aren't the best reflection of someone's true day to day!
But I can't help but think that some people must be getting it right! (If that happens to be you we need to talk!). In the meantime, I'll keep trying to achieve this thing they call balance...
My 2015 to date
- I spent 73 days outside of Madrid from January to June.
- We planned and launched our Devour Seville Food Tours and to our great surprise they were filling up from day one! We've had some fantastic feedback and I think we've really nailed it with an amazing route and some incredible family run businesses that make excellent partners.
- We rebranded our company from Madrid Food Tour to Devour Spain-- a company with the mission to connect travelers to authentic Spanish food and the people behind it. We have lots of plans for the company's future, and couldn't be more excited to make things happen!
- Our team has grown by six people-- each of which has been a wonderful addition to the family.
- I jumped head first into public speaking, by participating in an event with the American Embassy in Madrid about starting a business in Spain, and later speaking about blog monetization at the Women in Travel Summit, and about using social media to grow a food brand at the Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) conference.
- I became the About.Com Spanish food expert where I publish recipes and food articles every month.
Of course this wasn't without challenges!
- We realized we took on too much trying to launch two cities at once, Devour Malaga will be launched later on this year to be able to give it the time and attention it deserves!
- There were some months where I didn't speak to my family for weeks-- and I used to chat with my mom every day. I also grew to hate WhatsApp and resent anyone who sent me a message with it-- I simply didn't have time or energy to read and respond.
- I often felt I had no creative outlet, my hobbies (travel, cooking, blogging here and on Recetas Americanas, reading and dancing) had no space on the agenda most weeks.
Breathing again
But there's something about making it to mid June and seeing the progress of the past months that is extremely liberating. I finally feel like I can breath again-- the past couple of weeks I've made time to cook and go running, and I've called home a couple of times too (I'm sure my mom is happy!).
But I still haven't answered Gregory.
Changes Ahead: A new Spanish Sabores
I've changed my vision for Spanish Sabores many times throughout the years, but I finally have decided a clear path for the future of this site.
I want this place to be the go-to resource for Spanish recipes and culinary travel within Spain.
This means I'll be publishing in-depth Gastro Guides to my favorite Spanish cities, shorter Best Bites articles with the top things to eat in many Spanish cities and even neighborhoods, my picks for Gastro Hotels-- great places that have a food angle or are perfectly located to explore an area's local cuisine, and reviews of food tours and winery visits.
And I'll finally answer Gregory by writing about the very basics of Spanish cuisine-- things I take for granted these days but would be helpful to many travelers.
But I won't be doing this alone!
After planning to work with contributors for years now (and publishing some great posts from people like Trevor Huxham and Marti Kilpatrick) I've finally handed over a portion of Spanish Sabores' articles to the talented Amy Bingham, another Spain based, food obsessed woman I first met when she interned for Madrid Food Tour. Amy is a wonderful writer with a background in food, wine and journalism. She's traveled through most of Spain, and has her own food blog called The Restless Fork (don't you love that?).
Amy will be helping me take on the challenge of providing a comprehensive website about Spanish cuisine and travel, and we will also be looking to work with other food lovers by taking some contributions too. If you'd like to get in touch or pitch an article, please send me an email.
Giving thanks
If I've learned anything these past few years it's that you always have to be thankful for what you have-- things can change so quickly. I'm extremely thankful for so many things in my life right now, from my family and husband who are always there, to the friends who still support me despite never getting to see me, and of course for the great people I have working with me on different projects (you're the best!).
Summer plans
All work and no play wouldn't be fun now would it?
Alejandro and I are in desperate need of a break, and we've decided to head to Mallorca for some sun and relaxation at the end of this month. It will be our first official vacation in a very long time! We'll spend six days exploring the island (if you've got any tips, please let me know!). I also hope for a quick visit home to Massachusetts to see my family (my nieces and nephew are getting so big and Skype just doesn't do the trick) and in August I am thrilled to finally be heading north for a few days to explore Asturias, an amazing part of Spain I've never been to before.
And if you've made it this far-- thank YOU! Your support means a lot to me too. Please let me know if there's anything you would specifically like to see here on Spanish Sabores in the future, we are all ears!
If you'd like to start receiving the new Spanish Sabores newsletter (first mailing in early July) please sign up here.
What are your summer plans?
Tamara
Your journey has been amazing to watch, so I can only imagine how crazy it's been to live at times. So glad to see all your hard work paying off in exciting new ways. It was a pleasure to catch up in Madrid. Our first visit to the city was much too short. Hope to return to enjoy more exploration and eats soon.
Lauren Aloise
It was great to meet you guys too. Hope you come back very soon 🙂
Trevor Huxham
Looking forward to seeing how Spanish Sabores grows in the future (and I wouldn’t mind contributing another guest post here and there, too!). Wishing you the best of luck with Devour Málaga and I hope you and Alejandro have a blast in Asturias—they’re saying the summer is supposed to be much warmer and sunnier this year up north than last year, so get excited!
Lauren Aloise
Good news time two! Thanks for your constant support Trevor, and I'd love to have you contribute. Let's chat about that! Hopefully you're right about Asturias this summer too-- woo hoo!
Vicki Winters
You are such an inspiration to bloggers everywhere! Congrats on everything and continued success to you, Lauren!
Jeff Dobbins
Wow. Lauren, you really are an inspiration, creating so many incredible offerings. Congratulations on all your well-deserved, hard-earned success.
Anne Manson
I've always loved reading your posts and this one was no exception. What an exciting year you have had - all your hard work will definitely pay off. You have your product, your enthusiasm and a great team ! Hope to see you in Vejer sometime soon!
Lauren Aloise
Thanks so much for the lovely comment Anne! I look forward to visiting you one day in Vejer, no doubt we would have a great time together!
Lisa
You have had an amazing journey so far and deserve all the success you have worked so hard for. And as an older "mum" ... I'm glad to see you slowing down and taking time to refocus priorities. When it all comes together, doing what you love is all the more fun Looking forward to seeing you all in Malaga.
Lauren Aloise
Thank you so much for such nice comments Lisa, your support is much appreciated! We will definitely meet up next time in Malaga (finally!).
Graham
Cannot wait to see you eat up the competition in Malaga.
Amy Bingham
Couldn't be more thrilled to see and be a part of such exciting changes! Here's to even more tasting, savoring and devouring!
Lauren Aloise
So excited to have you on the team!
Lauren Aloise
So happy to have you on the team!
Cat of Sunshine and Siestas
It's been so exciting watching your dreams form and your company grow! Here's to many more years of success!
Lauren Aloise
Thank you lovely and to you too!