You’ve probably noticed over the last few months that my posts have been much more “politically” minded than you’re used to. In fact, you may be frustrated with seeing these type of posts from me via email or Facebook, when all you signed up for were my recipes. I get that. I would probably be irritated, too. A few years ago, I shifted the focus of my blog from solely food to more than just that. I continued to share recipes, but balanced it with other things that were on my heart.
A shift
As you most likely know, as humans, we are constantly growing and changing. Many of us change careers and jobs frequently. We develop our tastes. We feel called to new ministries or take on new challenges and adventures. We set new goals.
I’ve been internally fighting this shift of my blog for some time now. You see, I am not by nature a political person. We didn’t talk politics in my house growing up. I’ve pretty much always been a “put my fingers in my ears and say ‘la la la la la la” kind of person. I care deeply about people, and I’ve always valued relationship over domestic or foreign affairs. But, as I’m sure many of you can relate to, this past year has sparked something in me.
I’ve realized that now, more than ever, we need sources for information that we can trust. And while I often share my opinions here on my blog, my hope would be that people would believe I have integrity and am not spreading “fake news” or pushing an agenda. And I want to make it less overwhelming for people to get reliable information.
At the same time, I feel a sense of responsibility to those who are following me for recipes and health-related articles. I feel burdened to continue to help people make healthy changes in their lives, but I’m also burdened with this other {very real} world we are living in
Changes in social media
Along with this shift in my own heart, social media algorithms have made recipe development and sharing much less rewarding for me. It used to be that I would spend a few hours developing a recipe, testing it, and photographing it, then I would share it on social media, and most of my followers would see it. Now, not so much. You see, people don’t engage with recipes. They might pin something for later, but they’re usually not going to have a conversation on Facebook about it.
Political posts get engagement. I never post something for the sole purpose of getting interaction, but when I know that a political post will take me the same amount of time (or less) to write up, and will get engagement, it’s a better use of my time. Just take this one example of a recipe post vs. a political post on Facebook. This screenshot shows the number of views I received on a Paleo/Whole30 freezer meals post (look at the number on the right–that’s how many people saw my post out of my 15,000 followers on Facebook):
And here’s a screenshot of a post I did on three executive orders that Trump signed his first week in office:
You can see the dramatic difference. When only 500 people see one of my recipes, but more than 6,000 see a post I write that’s political, it just makes sense for me to go where I’m blooming.
Recipes are hard work
Recipes take a lot of blood, sweat and tears to develop. And so, I’m indefinitely halting recipe development. I’m not changing my blog’s name, because it still fully encompasses what’s important to me: living life fully.
My hope is that you would stick around, but I understand if you don’t want to. I know it can be really frustrating seeing more political posts in your feed. I’d love for you to stay, so that you can be a part of the conversation. And at some point in the future, I may come back to recipe development. I can’t promise that I will never share my opinions. But I can promise that I’ll always be fair, and encourage dialogue. I will always do my homework when writing up an unbiased article, and will note when I’m sharing my opinion vs. sharing facts.
So, that’s where my recipes went. They’re still here, you just have to look for them now. And while I feel like I’m betraying a big chunk of you by not working overtime coming up with new healthy recipes, I truly believe this is where I’m supposed to be right now. And I will still share my heart when it comes to my family, faith, and even health. I won’t be exclusively posting about politics. I hope you all understand.
I would love to hear your thoughts!
Monica says
Thank you for sharing this. I have been a little surprised at the turn your blog has taken, but you are fully entitled to do whatever you want, it’s your blog! I don’t always agree with you politically, but I’m sticking around since I do enjoy watching the conversation and hearing your side. I appreciate you sharing why you’re doing what you’re doing! That’s sad about the Facebook reach!
Shanti Landon says
Thanks, Monica! I appreciate your willingness to stick around!
April says
Wow, that is a crazy difference in your FB numbers! I had no idea why you were being more political, but honestly it didn’t bother me because I appreciate hearing your viewpoint. Nowadays I think too many people are focused on just hearing what they want to hear, and no one wanting to critically think for themselves. I’m still sticking around to hear what you have to say (although I am secretly hoping you eventually go back to coming up with yummy recipes!)
Shanti Landon says
Hi, April! I know, the Facebook reach IS crazy. I really appreciate you being willing to hear me out, and who knows? Maybe I’ll be inspired to share a recipe now and then!
Ellen says
It’s funny because I came here for your recipes but you have always shared your faith which I found interesting because it doesn’t mirror mine exactly but I always enjoy other people’s perspective. I truly believe it is the only way you learn about others than the people you are always surrounded by who tend to have the same beliefs as you for the most part. You have become very political and you always have written many posts I don’t necessarily agree with; however, I have never left a comment because I really don’t understand how people can read some else’s perspective and disagree and be hateful which is how I feel about most things I read. Just because you disagree doesn’t mean you have to be nasty. If people would learn to listen to others and not be so quick formulating their nasty response, they just might learn something or at the very least realize we are not all the same but we need to learn to be kind and understand other people’s lives. So I will continue to follow you because I might just learn something about someone and I have from you and that is not a bad thing. Good luck on your new journey. I look forward to your posts.
Shanti Landon says
Hi, Ellen! Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate you understanding the importance of hearing other people’s perspectives! I think you’re right–it’s the only way we grow. Thank you for continuing to follow!
Jan says
Thanks Ellen for verbalizing my feelings about political posts these days. I am feeling very sad about all the hateful attacks and am also considering, as Shanti, putting Facebook on hold for a couple of months until things have settled some. Maybe then we can share opinions that don’t have such sharp edges!
Grammy says
I have cleaned up my facebook through the past year because of all the hate. I love though reading your post. I may not agree with everything but I dont feel it is done in hate or belittling. Keep sharing your heart
Shanti Landon says
Thank you”Grammy!” ?
Brenda Johnston says
While I love your food posts (and was just thinking the other day that I hadn’t seen any in a really long time), I love your political posts even more! I think many of us have started following politics a lot more closely in the past year. It’s great to see respectful dialogue. There are so many condescending blogs out there, so yours is a breath of fresh air!
Shanti Landon says
Thank you Brenda!! ❤
Michelle Potter says
Thank you for being willing to be transparent, real, unbiased. Thank you for putting so much into your recipes and sharing them too. I totally get what you are saying about shifting where you put your energies. Seasons come and go, and God uses us in different ways throughout our lifetime. It’s a very good thing that you are following your heart and His leading.
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Michelle! ❤
Julie Stone says
I greatly appreciate your posts, they are always thoughtful and make me think. You have a way with words that puts your point across but your faith is always evident in what you post. You often make points that I hadn’t thought of or give a different viewpoint.
When I post political things I sometimes think of your kind but firm ways of commenting. LOL…when I start to get a little hot, which I really try not to do, I’ll sort of pause and think “what would Shanti say”. You are firm in what you believe but are kind also.
Shanti Landon says
Julie, that is the sweetest comment ever. Thank you SO much for your encouragement! It means a ton!
Lindsay says
I follow you for your recipes and health tips, that’s why I’m here. On Facebook, could you mix in health and recipe posts, so it’s not all political? I don’t mind the political stuff, but really really miss your wellness and gluten free recipe links on facebook.
Shanti Landon says
Hi, Lindsay! I will do my best!
Beth K says
I found you because of your honest political views, grounded in your foundation of faith. The recipes were literally “icing”. Thank you for sharing where you’re at and keep following where you’re being led!
Shanti Landon says
Aww! Thank you, Beth! ❤️
Jasmine says
It is nice to hear a different perspective. While I am not religious myself, I like to hear the viewpoint of someone who is but who does so respectfully of other people. In reading your blog posts I hear my viewpoints challenged *in a well written and respectful way* so I keep reading. I enjoy the back catalogue of recipes, and now I can see politics from a different viewpoint.
Thank you for the continued honesty and candor in posting these things.
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Jasmine! Your comment is so refreshing and encouraging! ❤️ Thanks for sticking around!