I receive quite a few emails each day. In fact, one of my biggest internal debates is how to read everything (I’ve given up on responding) and still maintain life outside computerland.
You see, I don’t think computers are necessarily the best thing for my health. And yet. They are so much fun. And so very efficient. It is an ambivalent love affair that I have with the lovely little laptop that sits upon my desk. So, I make it a priority to live real (in 3-D) and not invest any more energy than necessary in life online. Still, I spend an inordinate amount of time in the virtual world and have practically made my peace with it.
Along those lines, in order to give you a teeny tiny glimpse into my wild cyber world, I would like to share a couple of messages from readers. And keep in mind, the only constant in messages from readers is that nothing is constant; this online life is full of the unexpected –one of the many things I love about it.
Here is one message that was sent to me via email by way of my contact form:
Please contact me at 303-555-5555.
I would like to know where you are buying your almond flour? After checking into it myself I have found that the price of the flour is off the charts!!!!! The most expensive flour I have ever heard of. Whole foods does not carry it in bulk and neither does the Vitamin Cottage aka, Natural Grocers. You can buy it pre-packed in either store for a whopping $7.00 per cup which is 16 oz. Not very cost effective.
-Linda
Free exclusive eBook, plus recipes and health tips, delivered to your inbox.
When I receive something such as the above, I wonder what I am doing wrong and how I could better help. Although I do have a list of several vendors that sell more cost effective brands of almond flour on my site (see the ingredients page), I question what I need to do differently to get information to people. If you have any ideas, feel free to leave them in a comment below!
Then there are ones such as this:
I’m interested in using coconut flour, but if the taste is very coconutty I’m worried I wouldn’t like it, your thoughts?
-Elizabeth
I’m at a bit of a loss when I receive this type of question because I think taste is such a subjective thing. I don’t think that the items I make with coconut flour taste like coconut, however, I could be wrong. Again, I would love to hear from readers what your thoughts are on the taste of coconut flour.
Then there is this one that I received yesterday in the form of a comment from a reader about my vegan eggnog post:
…I think it should be called “vegnog” :-)
-ML
Now that’s fabulous! I read the above and the only thing that comes to mind is –why didn’t I think of that!
And finally, there is this totally outrageous card that I received from another reader:
This is one of the nicest things I have ever received. Some absolutely amazing person (Cindi!), took photos of her child eating one of my recipes at his birthday and went out of her way to send me a card. In the mail!
This made my day, no make that month.
Thank you Cindi, you are incredible and I totally appreciate your hunting down my snail mail address and sending me this gorgeous card with your adorable child. What could be better?!
So there you have it. An ever so small glimpse into the missives I receive on a daily basis.
Never a dull moment; loving every minute of it,
Elana
Sandy Gillett says
Recipes made with coconut flour do not taste like coconut, and they are incredibly moist! The card is a treasure! I am blessed by your cookbook also. The pumpkin pie is out of this world good! Thank you!
Ruth J. Hirsch says
Thank you for sharing Happy Birthboy David’s picture and Cindy’s note. It’ll stay with me, the image.
And many thanks for the Vegnog. another Elana Yum!
oh do I resonate with your pre-computer/virtual time quandary. I am amazed at how much I am pulled into spending time on my laptop. When we had TV, never strayed into TV life the way I do this.
I did set my laptop up so that I stand when I use it at desk. Helps some. Stand with views of the Esopus River rushing below, squirrels scurrying…. when I focus away from the screen.
I really am amazed at how compelling this screen is.
thanks for the articulation, blog and book!
Ruth
Amanda says
I don’t find coconut flour to taste like coconut really, even when it’s the only flour there (maybe because there are other strong flavors, like in your Cranberry Walnut bread or Lemon Rosemary Mini Muffins). I do find it a pretty temperamental flour, though, and doesn’t always bake up like I hope. If there is any overwhelming flavor in recipes with coconut flour, I’d say sometimes they are egg-y because of all of the eggs needed for leavening.
I think that you have your ingredients hotlinked directly to online sources is the best way I’ve ever seen anywhere, although less tech-savvy people or those who use the internet, but not for buying things may not find it as helpful.
Personally, I’ve not used almond flour because I’m sensitive to it, but have found that a mixture of brown rice flour and arrowroot generally work out just as well. I’ve not looked around much. Are there substitutions for commonly used ingredients listed somewhere?
I agree with Cindi, though. Your website is fabulous! I was able to enjoy birthday cake for the first time in 2 yrs thanks to your carrot cake and coconut frosting recipes. Thank you so much!
Dena says
Elana, Twice in the past 3 weeks I’ve meant to write and forgot with life being busy. So let me now add to your pile of posts.
First, we made the salmon for Shabbat last week, and oh, my, was it a hit! Having no access to specialty foods, we replaced apple cider for plum cider, honey for agave nectar, soya oil in place of grapeseed. Still, it was delicious! None left to give the cats!
Second, my father sent me an article from Philadelphia Inquirer about GF becoming easier and it featured you and some of your recipes. Great to see your fame spread to non-bloggers country-wide!
Megan says
I grind my own almond flour. I buy almonds in the bulk section and grind them in my food processor when I need some almond flour. I measure out the whole nuts, place in my food processor, and grind away. I like the flavor of the fresh ground nuts better than the package stuff. It is much cheaper this way too.
JoAnn Whitley says
Hi, I too make my own blanced almond flour. I let water come to a boil, remove from stove and pop in the almonds for 30seconds. Then drain quickly and the skins pop right off. I grind them using my coffee grinder and it works great! JoAnn
Sandy Gillett says
How ingenius! Thanks for sharing!
Sandy Gillett says
Katrina at Gluten Free Gidget makes almond milk first. How resourceful is that!
Leslie says
Hi Elana,
I just wanted to let you know I made my first recipe…the Cranberry Walnut Bread with coconut flour and it was absolutely scrumptious. My non gluten free friends loved it no one including myself thought it the tasted like coconut.
Thanks so much!
Leslie
Cook 4 Seasons says
Now this is something to be Thankful for! And for your capacity to see it:)
Christa says
What a fun idea for a post this week!
Elana, you do so much for so many people – I don’t think you can possibly be expected to do more! If people can take a little time to look at your site, all the information is there…
We tried the new salmon recipe tonight – it was incredible!
And Cindi’s card is wonderful….blessings to you and your family. And many thanks from many of us…
gfe-gluten free easily says
Communications like that last one make food blogging with a mission soooo worthwhile! Loved the vegnog comment, too. :-) In regard to the other comment, folks get busy, distracted, whatever, and don’t take the time to look around. We all do it from time to time. Even if there was a big flashing sign that says, “INEXPENSIVE ALMOND FLOUR” it would probably still happen. I’ll never forget The Far Side cartoon of The School for the Gifted and the child pushing fervently on the Pull door. The joke there re: lack of common sense, but my point is ignoring the obvious happens. One can’t keep a clean, simple looking site and yet meet the needs of all one’s readers.
Hugs,
Shirley
jennyrose says
Shirley, I love that Far Side cartoon. I cut it out and put it on our fridge, because it was my daughter to a tee!
Kathryn says
I don’t think coconut flour tastes like coconut. I use it to make pancakes and they are light and fabulous.