Round about 5 years ago, give or take a few days, 84th & 3rd was born.
It happened — without buildup, without fanfare, without a repository of content, without thousands of Instagram followers, but with a single post that told a short story about my life at that very moment.
To say the blogging landscape has changed exponentially in the past 5 years (much less the past 10 or 15) is an understatement. New blogs are launched these days with events to rival book releases, with build up and buzz, springing fully-formed like Athena from the head of Zeus. Celebrities and media personalities and even (gasp) journalists who turned up their noses at bloggers for years realised they could own a platform that wasn’t linked to a publisher or a network or a TV program — and suddenly embraced what they had previously looked down on.
Not that there’s anything wrong with change, it is inevitable after all, and in every industry there is evolution and growth. As a channel gains traction and becomes more commercial (or a trend becomes mainstream) those who have been living and playing in that space have to perpetually re-evaluate why they are there, where they fit, and what’s next.
So where’s this all headed? Well nowhere really — or perhaps everywhere.
If you’ve been here for a while you may have noticed that it’s been a bit quiet on the blogging front these days. Some of it is due to the fact that this-here blog, while not my full time job, has in effect launched a new (or not so new anymore, it’s been a few years now) career as a photographer, stylist and commercial recipe developer.
And as such I find myself creating stacks of content for clients, and teaching workshops so others can take pretty photos for their own properties, but for some reason sitting on posts for this space for weeks or even months on end. The rest is due to the fact that Instagram is simply so easy and I’m far better in quick quips than long prose, usually, so most of my almost-recipes and daily happenings and photos taken with a phone end up over there instead.
Anyway, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon but I did want to ask you, if I were to pop around here more often what would you want to see?
Maybe some travel-diary posts about Scandinavia and Japan and Peru and America and Italy? Maybe some main meal recipes? Or almost-recipe-fridge-surprise bowls? Perhaps more unprocessed allergy-friendly slightly mad-science-flipped desserts? Maybe some crafty stuff or gift guides or photography and styling tips? Or beautifully styled rants and in-my-opinion, opinion pieces? Or maybe something else? Or nothing at all?
I really would like to know, and with a few passing clicks on the way to the recipe you can have your say.
And then you can go have a raw truffle — just please don’t call it a bliss ball (oh look, there’s a rant brewing already – ha).
Lemon, Macadamia & Coconut Raw Truffles
Like a little lemon pie in every bite. How very perfect.
Makes 30(ish)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 c raw macadamia nuts (150g)
- 1 c shredded coconut, unsweetened (70g)
- zest from 1 lemon
- ¼ c lemon juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup or rice syrup
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2 Tbsp desiccated coconut, unsweetened
METHOD
In a food processor or high-speed blender blitz macadamias to a rough puree. Add shredded coconut and lemon zest and pulse to combine.
Add lemon juice, vanilla, coconut oil, syrup and salt, pulse until well mixed. Refrigerate mixture 30 mins until firm enough to roll.
Scoop into 1 Tbsp portions, roll into balls and toss in desiccated coconut. Store in refrigerator for a few days, or in the freezer until you eat them all.
COOK’S NOTES
- To make desiccated coconut, pulse shredded coconut in a processor until finely chopped.
- For sweeter truffles add use maple over rice syrup, or add more to taste, however if you add more than a few tsp you may want to increase the coconut oil to help the truffles firm up in the fridge.
vegan // vegetarian // gluten-free // dairy-free // refined sugar-free // soy-free // probably paleo // raw
Best wishes as you explore new terrain. Creative people need to shake it up every few years.
Always! xx
Hello,
I want to make these but only have macadamia butter not whole nuts. How much macadamia butter would I use for the one cup of nuts you specify please?
Many thanks
Love & Light
Haha… ah, I hate the term bliss ball. Whoever coined it has a lot to answer for! These raw truffles look divine, love the buttery shade of yellow and the winning combo of lemon and coconut (that speaks summer to me!). I’ll definitely be trying your recipe <3
As for blogging? Wow. You are so entirely right. It's wonderful to see a gradual shift towards respect of blogging as a creative medium (even to the point of being 'professional' within the blogosphere). So happy to hear about some of the opportunities your blog has brought you, though I can definitely understand how it's become more difficult to balance your time. Argh. Hoping that this new year brings more balance and exciting opportunities. And plenty more Instagram. I loooooove your Insta! xxx
Lemon gets me every time 🙂 Balance and opportunities, I’ll try for that – oh thank you lovely, I do love myself some Insta ;D
These look positively blissful (don’t hit me!)
Congratulations on your roughly 5 years. You are one of the true originals and I think it is so fabulous that this lovely space has generated a new career for you.
Heehee well they do a bit 😉 Thanks Nicole xx
Oh how much do I hate the words ‘bliss balls’. Seriously?! I refuse to go there – I call them bites or truffles. Congratulations on the 5 year milestone – I stop by here often but rarely comment but I do enjoy your writing and photos so more of anything suits me 🙂
So glad to hear it’s not just me! Thanks for stopping by, it’s good to put faces to visitors 🙂
We’ve been with your from (almost) the start; although not always good at sending comments. Love your work, keep it up and evolve as you need to. The privilege of running your own gig is just that – it’s your gig and you have to follow your heart. And THANKS for this recipe. Look forward to making it over the holidays.
I absolutely adore the look of these… totally making some… for me, not for giving away (though they would be perfect for that). Your pics are amazing, as always! 😉