If you are new here, welcome! What you are reading right now is different than my usual recipe-related content. Instead, this provides a retrospective on life, business, challenges, lessons, and more from a specific month.
I periodically publish life updates like this one when I have something valuable to share. Therefore, if you are interested in learning more about me and behind-the-scenes happenings, please continue reading.
A Difficult February
If you are among the few people who read these updates, you may have noticed that I haven’t published a monthly update since January. The truth is, I have been emotionally overwhelmed since the earthquake in Turkey that happened in February.
The devastation caused by an earthquake of such magnitude is immense, regardless of its location; however, when it struck the country where I grew up, it profoundly impacted me. I spent most of my time glued to my phone, witnessing the unfolding horror while attempting to offer whatever assistance I could from so far away.
I am grateful that my family lives far from the center of the earthquake and is doing well. Still, witnessing such a terrible natural disaster in my life has been so hard to go through. I have never felt so far and powerless in my life before.
Thankfully, my family resides a considerable distance from the epicenter and remains unharmed. Nonetheless, experiencing such a catastrophic disaster has been incredibly difficult for me. I have never felt so far and powerless in my life before.
Regrettably, the path to recovery is long, and rebuilding will take a long time. Currently, we are contributing monthly donations to Ahbap, a non-profit organization that assists the victims and coordinates incoming support for the country. If you wish to contribute, this is a trustworthy organization.
10 Years of Foolproof Living
I bought the domain for this website on my birthday, April 4th,10 years ago. At the time, we were living on a small island in the Caribbean. I had just lost my mother to a sudden heart attack. Island life was good, but I felt lost. The big hotel career I spent most of my adult life was behind me, and I didn’t know what to do.
Little did I know, building a website to tell my story and share my knowledge was exactly what I needed. I won’t claim that the journey has been an easy one, but I can confidently say that I am extremely proud of it.
I am beyond grateful for the privilege to do what I do and for all the support you have shown me here on my blog, social media, and beyond. Thank you so much for visiting my site, cooking from my recipes, and being a part of the Foolproof Living community.
Here is to many more years to come!
What is Working?
- Started working with a personal trainer: I have never been able to build the discipline to work out on a regular basis. Despite multiple attempts, I could never maintain a routine. Following a friend’s recommendation, I decided to work with a personal trainer. Remarkably, after working with my trainer, Leslie, for over two months now, I am now exercising four times a week – twice with her and twice using the Corecircle app she recommended. The most gratifying part of this is that the results are already evident on the scale.
- I’ve got more help: I began collaborating with Kathy back in September of last year. She mainly helped me during the photoshoot days by preparing ingredients and cleaning while I was shooting recipes. Our mutual enjoyment of working together led me to inquire whether she would be interested in helping with recipe testing. To my delight, she said yes! We have been working as a team since early April, and it has been invaluable to have her assistance in developing truly “foolproof” recipes.
- Backyard Project: The hydrangeas we planted in January have started to bloom. Although they are still quite small, and I was informed it would be an entire year before I could fill my vases with hydrangeas indoors, it is wonderful to watch them grow. Sadly, I can’t say the same for ranunculus and peonies. However, our landscaper advised that I should give it more time. Time will tell.
What Is Not Working?
- AI & ChatGPT: I worked with a group of online business owners for the last few months to understand AI and figure out ways to use it in my business. While it is a great source for overcoming writer’s block, I find that the information that it is providing is usually incorrect, especially if you are looking for a specific recipe. Additionally, for those times when what AI gives you is correct, it scrapes the information from websites (and other resources) written by humans (journalists, writers, recipe testers, etc.) Having been a content creator myself, it is hard not to be concerned about where this is going. I truly hope that the powers-to-be value our hard work and figure out a way so that there is still a need for us (and we can still make money by doing what we do.)
- Social media: I am continuously trying to figure out what works on social media platforms and how I can grow my presence there. However, just as I think I grasped what works, the landscape shifts. I get that the demands and preferences of users change daily, but staying on top of these changes is exhausting.
This and That
I thought I’d do something different and share a few things I am enjoying lately:
- Rose Mary: In March, I attended a conference in Chicago and got an opportunity to visit Rose Mary for the first time. I had heard many positive reviews about it, and I must say it lived up to the hype. Mostly serving rustic yet refined flavors of Croatian cuisine, the restaurant offered small plates ideal for sharing, and each bite was delectable. If you are heading over there for a trip and need a good place to eat, be sure to put Rose Mary on your list.
- The most comfortable shoes: I recently purchased a pair of Cariuma sneakers after seeing a few celebrities wearing them. They are possibly the most comfortable and light shoes I have ever owned. Plus, they are machine washable, so if you are like me and care about your shoes being clean at all times, I cannot recommend them enough.
- Summer trips & fancy dresses: We are invited to two weddings this summer. The first one will be held in Oregon, and the second will be in Turkey. I bought two dresses (the first one and the second one) for each wedding. Needless to say, I am excited about all the fun trips coming up and can not wait to play dress-up.
I Leave You With This
This year will mark the 11th year of my mom’s passing. Kathy and I have been going over and updating the recipes I shared back when I first started Foolproof Living, and most of them are my mother’s recipes. Each time I take a bite of her food, it brings up so many memories.
If you are lucky enough to have your mother around, ask her for those recipes you love. Write them down and keep them in a safe place. Because let me tell you, when she is gone, all you are left with will be the memories.
My mom wrote so many of them in an old notebook, which is the most valuable thing I own. I cook from it often and share some of it on the site. Her eggplant beef stew was one of the most popular recipes on the site, which tells me that my readers enjoyed her cooking.
Starting with my own mother in heaven, I wish all moms a happy Mother’s Day. May your family spoil you with lots of good food, hugs, and kisses.
Until next month…
Cheers,
Aysegul
Susan
Dearest Aysegul,
Thank your your update and your information re the earthquake. Glad your family was in another part of the country. It is truly hard to fathom the devastation.
Your dresses are beautiful and your Mother was as beautiful as you are.
Be well, love your recipes.
Susan
Aysegul Sanford
Dear Susan,
Thanks for your sweet message. I, too, am grateful that my family is okay. Though my heart is still aching for the people who are continuing to suffer after what happened.
I am happy to hear that you liked the dresses. I will be sure to take photos when I wear them and share them on the blog come August & September.
Sending you best wishes,
Aysegul
maria Smith
So happy to read about YOU and your changing life. I really was awestruck by your decisions and on going to a pesonal trainer. I love your recipes and have kept them all in a special book called “Ice’s recipes’ to keep them separate from other recipes.
Much good luck with your support for the people impacted by the earthquake.
I wish you strength for the future.
Sincerely,
Maria Smith, British Columbia, Canada.
Aysegul Sanford
Dear Maria,
I am thrilled to hear that you enjoy my recipes and even keep them in a separate folder. I cannot begin to tell you how special that makes me feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I truly appreciate you following along, making my recipes, and being a part of the Foolproof Living community.
Sending you the warmest hugs from Atlanta, GA.
With gratitude,
Aysegul