Your outpouring of prayers and love to Shane and Hailee yesterday (and all last week) melted our hearts. If you haven't had a chance yet and would like to add a comment for them, you can do that here. I know Shane saw what was there so far and I'll ask him to check again if there are more. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. 🙂
I also want to thank those of you who filled out my website survey a few weeks ago. This post is to update you on what's going on around here since then, and I want you to know that I listened to your suggestions!
An Apology
Well reader friends, first I'd like to apologize for making my resources page more tricky than it should've been in the last year or two. No one likes clicking and then having to click again, or maybe not even finding what they were looking for and getting empty spots instead. Growing pains, you know? SO I've redone my resources page to make it easier. I'll be adding more and making it a lot prettier and more streamlined soon, too. Hopefully those of you who used to visit to find real food or other healthy products will use it again now that it's fixed up, and please keep checking back to see the new updates as I have time to make them.
(By the way, I just added this barbecue sauce that we all love! I bought a case after trying it at a conference and was able to meet the people who make it. They loved talking to someone who “got it” and appreciate no junk ingredients in their sauce, and I loved meeting someone who “got it” enough to MAKE a delicious sauce with no MSG, no HFCS, no preservatives, and mostly organic ingredients! You can click here to get it. I just ordered 9 to get free shipping from the ‘external website' there — they keep well unopened — and then used the coupon code BONUS20 for 20% off.)
Most said they could navigate fairly easily around the site…
When I asked in the survey if you had trouble finding what you were looking for around here, most said it was no problem. For those still having trouble, make sure you're using the box over in the sidebar that says “search-archives-popular posts”. For more detailed help on how to use that box and how to find what you need, click to TRY THESE TIPS! (The best tip is this: Google ‘Kitchen Kop search-word-or-topic-here‘ – that usually turns up what you need the quickest. If not, email me so I can fix the problem!)
Note that the ‘archives' section does still need to be cleaned up and and made more concise. It's on my to-do list, but for now you could just browse through there.
More changes since reading your feedback
Besides making the resources page easier to use, I've also added the little thumbnail pictures for Real Food Wednesdays, and cleaned things up to make it less cluttered on the homepage, made the reading area bigger, etc. Hopefully you like it better!
A Favor?
A couple of people said that my site doesn't work well on mobile phones, would you be willing to check your phones for me and then comment below with specifics on what you see, what works, what doesn't work? Do you see the little option at the top for mobile phone viewing? OK, I found something broken, grrrr, so I put my guy on it. But don't worry, he's only $125 an hour. ACK! (See why I hope you'll click an Amazon link here on my site now and then and go shopping? Every little commission that way helps. Thanks to those of you who remember to do that, it doesn't cost you anything extra and I'm grateful to you!)
Still working on suggestions!
- A couple of people said that my old recipes are confusing at times. I know, they need help! I'm working on updating those, slowly but surely. It takes SO much time, thanks for your patience!
- One person who didn't leave their email said they're having trouble signing into the Real Food for Rookies online class that they bought a subscription to – please email me so I can help you! [email protected]. (Your email with access information probably went into your spam or trash folder by mistake.)
- One person mentioned the ads in the sidebar and how they sometimes conflict with what I write about here on the blog. If you ever see that, please email me because I can try to get it not to show up anymore. Even better is if you take a screenshot and email that to me. [email protected]. Thanks for your help. (Keep in mind, though, that they are automatically generated and usually show up based on other sites you've visited on that computer.)
I'm always here, and could use more questions to ask on Facebook
Please email me if you ever have more comments or concerns or questions and I'll try to help. Remember I always need more questions for my Facebook page. All of you, my faithful readers, are SO intelligent and we can learn a lot from each other, so shoot anything over to me that you would like input on from the real foodie community!
I wasn't fishing for compliments, honest!
The survey was done in order to get a good idea on what needed work around the site to make things easier for you and what you do and don't like, I honestly didn't mean it to be a fishing-for-compliments thing, but wow, many of you made my day with your kind comments. I especially loved the one below when they said they feel like they know me, because as weird as it is, I really feel like I know you guys, too!
- “Kelly, I would not change anything! I learned so much from you and I am grateful. I have eliminated all the bad oils from my diet and have gone as far to make my own bone broth and I even drink raw milk. My stomach is no longer in constant pain and the diarrhea is gone.”
- “You are – for so many reasons – one of my most trusted online sources. You tell it like it is, you keep it very real, you're not a drama queen or histrionic about stuff, you just put it out there. I have shared SO MANY of your articles and posts. I read a ton of blogs and I am here to tell you that you have somehow found the secret to be whatever it is to be very successful. I feel like I know you. 🙂 Thank you for all of your phenomenal effort.”
- “There is one blog I will not EVER unsubscribe from and that is Kelly the Kitchen Kop. When I recommend real food blogs, you are the one! I do find your site easy to navigate. But most of all I find you are a real person and it comes through your posts. I like that!!! Plus you are the first person who taught me about real food. It just so happened I found you on CatholicMom.com. Thanks for all you do for everyone. Thank you for helping our family see the truth. I like your rants because I, too, like to rant. Oh, you said be concise. Sorry!!!”
- “I love all your posts & love being on the email list. Thank you for all you do! In a way, you are saving lives :)”
- “Thank you for sharing your life!”
- “Your site has been a fantastic inspiration to me. I started reading your site a few months before my daughter started eating solid food. She is almost 2 1/2 years old now and is super healthy with no health concerns. My journey has been very enriched and made easier with the information you have provided. Thanks so much!”
Your encouragement helps to keep me going on the days that are just so overwhelmingly busy at times, and especially on the bad days when I sit here with tears running down my face out of frustration at my computer because I can't figure out something else that's going wrong.
Thank you all for being here and I look forward to moving forward with you on this journey together toward better health!
BethG@OuttaThePark says
Thanks Kelly for the sharing word of our BBQ Sauce with your followers! What a great surprise to find this in my KTKK email just now – and also to find the reason that Abe’s stocked out yesterday. 🙂
We sent them more Outta The Park Original BBQ Sauce yesterday and they should have it ready for ordering by Friday – I hope. If anyone is interested in ordering sooner, we’re happy to take orders direct – the old fashioned way – over the phone or by email – haha! Just call us at 919-462-0012 or see my email below.
Also, someone asked about sweeteners – we use brown cane sugar and unsulphured black strap molasses. Our complete ingredient lists are on Abes site and our website:
https://www.abesmarket.com/store/outtathepark/
OuttaThePark.com
Cheers from NC!
[email protected]
BethG@OuttaThePark says
DO NOT POST THIS COMMENT!!!
Oops! Hey Kelly – I just realized after submitting my last comment that you may have an affiliate relationship with Abe’s – thus it will be better if your readers buy sauce from them since it will give you credit that way. Please feel free to edit my reply by deleting that one sentence OR if you want me to I will rewrite my comment I will.
Gotta look out for such a great real food gal – ya know. You and VGN have been great to me! LOVE all of you!
PS: Ain’t it great that Pope Francis made Time Mag person of the year – I LOVE this! And I’m not even Catholic but if I recall correctly I think you are. 🙂
KitchenKop says
Hi Beth,
Your 1st comment got stuck in moderation, and then your second one went up automatically. 🙂 Either way, that’s OK, my link went to Amazon where I can get an affiliate fee, but if it’s not in stock, I’d rather they call you direct so they can get some!
And YES, we LOVE Pope Francis and his humility, how sweet that you remembered we’re Catholic. 🙂
Take care Beth!
Kel
BethG@OuttaThePark says
Thanks again, Kelly! Glad all the comments worked out and good to know Amazon is the best place for your readers to buy. 🙂
BTW – I have a family-friendly book about St. Francis of Assisi by Robert F. Kennedy that I’ve had for years. I love it and still enjoy reading to my sons. Highly recommend to anyone who wants to know more about the Saint who has so inspired Time’s Person of the Year.
https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Francis-Assisi-Life-Joy/dp/0786818751/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1386817376&sr=1-1&keywords=st.+francis+of+assisi+robert+f+kennedy
Take care, and hope you and your family enjoy the sauce!!
Beth
KitchenKop says
Thanks Beth, I’ll have to recommend that to my Facebook followers!
I’ve got one on my nightstand about St. Francis that has been there a while (I love to read but rarely have time anymore, bummer!) called, The Restless Flame. Kent said it was really good.
Kel
Nina says
Just wondering what the barbecue sauce is sweetened with.
KitchenKop says
I just checked my label and there are mostly organic ingredients, but the sweetener just says, “brown sugar”.
Did you see the recipe I linked to above, though, you could use all honey or maple syrup in that one: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/02/homemade-barbecue-sauce-recipe.html.
Kelly
Nina says
Thanks I’m going to give it a try!!
Dani says
Android user here, and huge improvement on the mobile viewing! I don’t see a mobile button or anything, but came right to a tighter page than it used to be. Oh, and Wardeh at GNOWFGLINS and you are the two blogs that I still follow, although I do cycle thru others sometimes. Thanks, you’re the best, and I’ll be doing some Amazon Christmas shopping thru your link soon!
Kelly the Kitchen Kop says
You are SO sweet, thank you very much!!! And also thanks for the scoop on how it looks on your phone! 🙂
Kel
Magda says
I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your site, Kelly. I usually only have time to read your daily post and possibly click on a link or two but I love how you vary your content. I don’t read so many recipes now – I look for quick and easy ideas to incorporate into my family’s meals, but I love reading about health, GMOs, homeschooling (even though I don’t do it), etc. I find your articles amusing, interesting, enlightening and always well-researched. You’re certainly right up there with the Healthy Home Economist and Mark’s Daily Apple blogs for me!!!
KitchenKop says
Gosh you big sweetheart! It makes ME bored to always write the same type of posts, so I’m very happy to hear that you like things varied, hopefully others do too!
Kel
Kimberly says
I always read on my iPhone iOS 7, and I have no problems. Everything has worked well. I don’t see an option to view a mobile site, but I prefer desktop anyway.
KitchenKop says
Thanks for the feedback Kimberly, that’s good to know. 🙂
Maryjane says
Guess what ad I got on the sidebar today? “DEPENDS”! Maybe my computer is trying to tell me something – LOL!
I was just thinking today about making my own BBQ sauce. And then I read this! But when I clicked on the “external website” (which you did not name — was it Abe’s?), they are out of stock! I think a lot of your readers are looking for good BBQ sauce . . .
KitchenKop says
Too funny about the Depends!!!
Bummer about the BBQ being out of stock, darn it! (Must be I bought too many…) Hopefully it’ll be back into stock soon. In the meantime, here’s my homemade recipe that’s simple and yummy too: https://kellythekitchenkop.com/2008/02/homemade-barbecue-sauce-recipe.html.
Kel
Janis says
I would like to know whose blogs YOU follow and trust to give good advice. As you know there are lots of blogs but some of them aren’t as good as others so I spend too much time trying to figure that out. I knew I could trust your site when Sarah Pope mentioned you and your blog.
KitchenKop says
That’s funny, the one that came right to mind as I read the first sentence was Sarah, then I kept reading and you mentioned her, too! 🙂
Sarah is just one of many though. Another favorite is Jenny @ NourishedKitchen.com, Katie @ KitchenStewardship.com. Gosh there are so truly many I probably shouldn’t mention any at the risk of hurting feelings! I’ll try to do a post on it soon and then we can ask others who they like, too!
As a side note, there are really only a few of NON-foodie blogs I follow: TheMattWalshBlog.com, ConversionDiary.com, OceansOfJoy.wordpress.com, and that other gal that writes the blog with stick figures that CRACK ME UP. Can’t remember her blog name, as I’m subscribed and it just comes. 🙂
Kel
Sher in Ky says
Kelly, your barbeque sauce link takes you to Amazon but doesn’t show the item. Just thought you’d like to know. Thanks again for all you do.
KitchenKop says
Hmmm, that’s weird, I clicked and it took me to the right spot. Maybe try a different browser?
Can someone else check it and let me know if it works for them?
Thanks!
Kelly
Susan says
Hey Kel-I clicked on the link and it worked for me!
KitchenKop says
Thanks Susan!