This past January 1st marked our 4th blog anniversary here at Just One Cookbook. Each blog anniversary is a huge milestone for me, but this 4th one was quite special and meant a lot to me personally.
Just One Cookbook Then and Now
When I first started blogging back in January 2011, Mr. JOC and I made a decision to give it a try for 4 years. He thought 4 years would give us enough time to see if this new hobby of mine would result in anything.
Looking back, the last 4 years of our blogging adventure was fun and amazing. I’ve met many cool bloggers that became my dear friends, and along the way we’ve had to learn a lot about blogging, photography, videography, wordpress, technology, and food! Just One Cookbook slowly became a bigger and bigger part of our life, like our 3rd child.
Four years later, it’s still unbelievable to me that the website gets about 30K visitors a day, with many readers leaving me sweet and heartfelt comments and sending me personal messages. My hobby became my new career around the 3rd year and I am still just as excited about it as when we first started out.
Blogging as a Career
When blogging became my “real” job last year, it was much harder to juggle time. One of my favorite things to do was visiting other food blogs to drool over their recipes and getting to know the blogger behind the blogs. However, I started to spend more time on developing and testing recipes instead of sitting in front of the computer, and I have less time to read other food blogs.
If you are wondering what a food blogger exactly does everyday, it’s an interesting one. When I first started, I had no idea how much work was involved to have a successful food blog. I simply wanted to share quick and easy Japanese recipes, and I thought my job was complete by taking a few photos and sharing the recipe.
(Recipe: It’s delicious, if you believe me! Taken at the dining table right before the dinner.)
Little did I know the job description also included a food stylist, a videographer, a photographer, a writer, a social media specialist, a help desk to answer questions all day long, and not to mention, a tech specialist.
When I first started, I took about 10 images per recipe. These day, for an average recipe we take about 150 pictures (80 step by step and 70 final shots). Yes, the secret is out of the bag, the 3 final images I share are usually out of 70+ shots that we took.
I’m sure all the food bloggers (and bloggers in general) will agree that it’s beyond a hobby, if you want to do everything well.
Struggles To Overcome
Even after 4 years, I have a few struggles that I’m going through right now.
My biggest struggles is time management. Although my work is flexible since I control my own hours, I somehow end up working day and night. I just don’t seem to have enough time everyday despite the fact that I sleep for only 4-5 hours.
Making videos with Mr. JOC over the past year has been fun, but it lengthened the time to create a recipe from 3 hours to 7 hours of shooting time. I feel very guilty that we spend most weekends working, instead of spending time with the children and taking them to places. Our children are very understanding and supportive, and even offer to help. I just can’t help feeling bad about not giving them our full attention. 🙁
5th Year of Just One Cookbook
What are our goals and plans for our 5th year? Videos are definitely becoming increasingly important in our daily lives. Before when Mr. JOC had to fix something or learn a new skill, he would need to search the web. These days his first search is usually YouTube; screenshots are great but there’s nothing better than video instructions. So we definitely want to create better videos this year and I do plan to appear in “some” of videos. As you know, we shoot videos on weekends when our kids are at home and they make a lot of noise, whether they are chasing each other or playing the piano. It’s very hard to have “quiet” moment in our household. 😉
One of my dreams is to create another e-Cookbook (Here’s my first e-Cookbook), but I can’t promise yet as I already struggle publishing my new blog posts on schedule. I have many requests from readers for a second book and I would like to try my best to make it happen.
Starting next month we’ll be working on a new blog design with a new designer. If you have any special request or features you feel would improve your experience on Just One Cookbook, feel free to shoot me an email or leave a comment below. I want to make sure my site is very easy to use for everyone.
Oh, one last thing! We’ve been working with an architect to draw a new kitchen and first floor space. We’ve went through 3 different plans already….and hoping this drawing will be the last one so we can move forward. I haven’t thought about kitchen-less situation YET. I’ll keep you updated in my newsletter.
And Finally, Thank YOU!!!!
As we grow each year, Just One Cookbook has become one of the most popular Japanese recipe websites in English. I can’t stress enough that it’s your emails and comments, and heartwarming stories that keep me going each day. In return, I am always trying my best to respond to all of emails and questions I receive from you (until I can’t absolutely handle the amount. Haha.).
Mr. JOC and I enjoy creating this website and YouTube channel to be a great source for you to learn about Japanese food and cooking. It’s humbling that my just one cookbook that I wanted to pass onto my children has become everyone’s cookbook. I truly appreciate your support and love, and I want to thank you from bottom of my heart.
Now It’s Time for Worldwide Giveaway!
I’d like to celebrate this big milestone by giving away my favorite and reader’s favorite kitchen gadgets! Sponsored by yours truly and no strings attached.
The 1st winner will receive one (1) Nutribullet 14-Piece Nutrition Extractor 600 Watt Blender Juicer! Let’s make smoothies with me!
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $100 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
The 2nd winner will receive one (1) Miyabi Morimoto Edition Fusion Chef’s Knife (8 inch)! This is one of my favorite knives I use daily.
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $100 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
The 3rd winner will receive one (1) Cuisinart ICE-21 Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker (White)! Get ready for making delicious ice cream with me!
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $45 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
The 4th winner will receive one (1) Taiyaki Japanese Fish-Shaped Hot Cake Maker! Fill your homemade Taiyaki with red bean paste and your favorite filling!
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $35 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
The 5th winner with receive one (1) Cast Iron Takoyaki Plate & Picks! Now you can enjoy making Takoyaki right at your own home!
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $30 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
The 6th winner will receive one (1) Sushi Oke Wooden Hangiri, Bamboo Mat, Rice Paddle Set! You now have a home sushi party essential!
(The winner living outside of the US will automatically receive $15 Amazon gift card or cash via paypal. The winner living in the US can also choose the gift card or cash instead of the gift.)
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To enter for your chance to win one of six gifts, please leave a comment on this post that answers the following question:
What’s your favorite and least favorite of my website? (I will not choose winners based on your answer, so please don’t hesitate to share your true thoughts with me. 🙂 )
Six (6) winners will be selected via Random.org and announced on Monday, February 16, 2015. This giveaway closes on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at 12 p.m. PST and is open to participants worldwide (everyone!). The winners will be contacted via email, so please include a valid email address in the email address entry box.
Full Disclosure: This giveaway is sponsored by yours truly. I will NEVER share your email address.
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Thank you for participating this giveaway! I read everyone’s feedback and I really, really appreciate it! I’ll be making some changes based on your feedback and I hope to improve your experience on my site. Thank you again!
Here are the winners…
#1 Gift: Kristy C (#345)
#2 Gift: Quyen (#265)
#3 Gift: Selina (#335)
#4 Gift: Pavel (#71)
#5 Gift: Emma (#670)
# 6 Gift: Tara (#292)
I’ll be emailing you guys shortly…
Happy birthday to you, What i like the most is your recipes.
The step by step photos in each of your recipes is my favorite part about your website. My least favorite would be the home page. Some parts seem to be a little cluttered.
My favorite thing about your website is the abundance of easy yet delicious japanese meals. I don’t have a least favorite.
My favorite is picture tutorials that helps visual with words. It makes it easier to understand.
Least favorite would be not having alternative for some ingredients.
Favorite – clear and nice illustrations
Least favorite – hard o find the ingredients
Thank you
Claire
I just came across your site and so have not tried any of the recipes yet. Site is well organized and the pictures look great. I really like the vast variety of recipes you have. Can’t wait to try some. Looks like there will be some I can convince my family too eat, they are not as adventuresome when it comes to eating as i am am.
Hi, Nami, ^-^
My favorite thing about your site is the very personal approach you take with everything. You put part of yourself into the personal way you write to us, reply to us, and introduce us to different recipes and ideas in Japanese cooking. It makes this site a warm, friendly, respectful, and polite place to try Japanese recipes, ask questions, and interact with others without worrying about people being inappropriate, inconsiderate, etc. That’s a very special thing! Many places on the Internet are not like that.
My least favorite thing? I don’t know that I have a “least favorite thing,” however, I do have some suggestions for things that I’d like. Perhaps it’s more like a “wish list.”
First, I wish that your recipes were featured on Yummly, but I didn’t see them there. There are other recipes (not as good as yours) on Yummly, but yours are not on Yummly. I feel it is a loss! I think it would be great to add them there. It will help people to find your great recipes through Yummly and as a result you may get more website traffic!
I also wish to learn more about Japanese cultural celebrations and recipes for foods made during those times. I have visited Japan and while there, it seemed as if people were very hesitant to share their culture. I felt as if I missed out because of that. I would like to learn those things from you, if you are willing to share! For example, are there certain traditions at this time of year? Are there recipes that people make just for those traditions/festivals? Do people dress up? Perform? Are there dances or parades? These things are common knowledge in Japan, but here in the U.S., most people don’t know about them. Even the most common practices in Japan, we may not know! I have read posts you’ve made that talk about these things, but I would also like to see more! The Japanese culture has a lot of traditions, festivals, and practices that we don’t have here in the U.S. and it would be great to learn about them! ^-^
Another wish is for more dessert recipes! (That’s surely my sweet tooth talking!) I’d like to see some more recipes for little cakes, cookies, and wagashi-type sweets that you’d have a small portion of with tea. Those sort of small portions are also great for people on diets, so it’s good for lots of reasons!
Overall, I’d say your site is fantastic! Especially for the first reason I mentioned. Knowing that I can share my honest opinion with you and give you well-intentioned suggestions is very important to keeping a site friendly, pleasant, and enjoyable! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge with us! I look forward to learning more about Japanese culture through delicious foods! ^-^
~Oleander
My favorite: red bean paste recipes! And, I think the photos in your recipes are helpful with figuring out techniques I’ve never done before.
Least favorite: The home page is a little confusing to navigate, its a bit cluttered.
my fav recipe is sukiyaki…it is very delicious
my least fav recipeis green tea chiffon cake…it is still taste good, just a little bit dense, maybe my mistake…so it is not really ‘my least fav recipe’ 🙂
Hello,
I love your website, it is my go to website almost everyday to make something special.
My favourite dish is your salmon ochazuke, we have at home at least once a week. I have yet to try all your dishes, so I really can’t say that I have a least favourite dish.
Hey, just discovered this website and eager to try lots of the recipe here. I like the clean website layout (ie. not too cluttered with ads) and the concise step-by-step instruction to cook. However, due to my health some of the items in the ingredients are off-limits (such as seafood and pork), so I think if you can suggest some substitutions for the ingredients (and warning in the recipe page if it contains allergy-inducing items) it will be much appreciated. Thanks <3
I go to Japanese restaurants a lot and I love that your recipes make Japanese food so approachable.
My husband and I have enjoyed using your miso and temaki recipes.
I look forward to following more of your recipes.
I like the pantry section so I can know what to buy. Luckily I do have access to Japanese grocery stores.
I imagine it is hard to pull yourself away from a job that you love but I wish you didn’t feel pressured to maintain such a taxing schedule.
(I came today to find a Valentine’s recipe)
My fave part of your site are all the recipes and how you go through them step by step. I love being able to cook authentic japanese food for my family like my grandmother did for us before she passed away. Its like a little taste of my childhood.
My least fav part has to be that not all the recipes have videos but that is a minor dislike.
Hi Nami,
I love your website. It is easy to use and your recipes are always very yummy. My favourite part of your website is your ‘easy dinner ideas’ section! I am a new cook and I’m always looking for easy recipes.
My least favourite would be the amount of advertisement you have on your website. they can get distracting.
Keep up the good work Nami and all the best to you and your family!
Dear Nami,
thank you so much for sharing your recipes! Me and my husband live in Kyoto for 8 months now and we love love love Japanese food 🙂 Since my Japanese is still lousy (I’m far away of beging able to read Kanji), your blog with photos and videos is so helpful to me to learn Japanese cooking and how to use all these delicious ingredients.
Happy anniversary!