Each month we profile a different Canadian Food Blogger who is part of the FBC community. This month we meet Erin, the Edmonton blogger who always says "Food is Love". 
Name: Erin Walker
Blog name: A Little Salt
Where were you born? Edmonton, AB
Where are you living now? Edmonton, AB
Why did you start your blog?
I was at a crossroads in my career as a photographer and stay-at-home mom, trying to figure out which direction to take next. For years my husband had suggested I start a food blog, but I really never thought it was realistic. One day my husband suggested I start the blog for myself, as a creative outlet, as time to invest in my own love for food. He started to take the kids for the full day, one Saturday each month so I could work on it. And it just grew from there!
How did you decide on your blog name?
I chose it to represent how little things make a big difference. I really believe that simple food is the best food, and something simple, like a pinch of salt, can completely transform a dish from good to great!
What do you blog about?
Simple recipes and the stories behind them - whether those are traditions, or funny family stories.
Is your blog your business, your hobby or something in between?
My blog started out as a hobby, but quickly became a business.
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
A recent post that was really vulnerable for me was my post about being diagnosed with epilepsy. I worked really hard on that post, to explain the backstory but the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being diagnosed with something chronic, recognizing that your body is mortal and fragile. But there’s strength in it too, working on believing that you can overcome, one step at a time, each day. I think this post encapsulated my own character: living out the simple real-life truths, but holding on to hope that there is always opportunity to grow, to learn.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
I always find it sad when a sponsored post (both on my blog and on Instagram) don’t get the attention they deserve. I feel the posts are still vulnerable, still a real reflection of me and those recipes are really well tested, so they are always good! I think with all the marketing we take in every day, it’s easy to pass by anything with affiliates or sponsorships as straight advertising, but I really like to think of these posts more as recommendations…especially since I’ve never worked with anyone I really didn’t love!
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
I think it’s always surprising how much people seem to connect with my posts about some of the more traditional foods that I’ve learned to make. Tradition isn’t something you can just look up and learn from the internet…it comes from story, from family and friends passing these traditional recipes down to us. My audience often messages me and emails me after these types of posts (particularly the images I’ve shared about paska and pyrohy making) and have shared so many of their own stories with their Babas and how they learned to make these dishes, or how they wish they would have learned! So many sweet stories and traditions out there…it’s so heartwarming!
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
I’m what you might call a “slow creative”, someone that creates best simmering over time, rather than pushing out new ideas daily. The blog world values more content, daily posts, a high google ranking. I really want to create for myself first, rather than succumbing to all the other pressures of the industry, because in the end, those really aren’t that fulfilling for me. But it’s a challenge! There’s a real demand to keep up with the Jones’ in the blogger world!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
People connect with vulnerability! My most vulnerable posts have created the most engagement.
What has been your biggest success as a blogger so far?
I consider every contract a success, but I think the best part is that the brands I’ve connected with are a true reflection of the things I love. It feels real and easy to promote the brands I work with, because I really do think they are the best!
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
Ohhhh, I’ve been a huge fan of Smitten Kitchen since the beginning of time I consider her the original food blogger!
My favourite meat marinades always come from Carlsbad Cravings. I never knew how to cook a roast until reading her blogpost about it!
I also love Katie Webster’s Healthy Seasonal Recipes. She’s the one who taught me how to properly segment an orange, and French cut an onion!
What are you working on next for your blog?
Actually right now I’m working on updating images and stories from old recipes and blogposts. It’s crazy to look back to where I started (sometimes embarrassing!) but it’s a good practice to see how much I’ve grown over the years!
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
My newest love and hobby is gardening…when the pandemic started and slowed our life down, I discovered how much I love vegetable gardening. It’s like therapy! Getting my hands in the dirt, watching something grow from a tiny seed…and then getting to create recipes with all those fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s the best!
What makes your blog unique?
I asked my husband this question, and he said what sets it apart is that I try to share about all aspects of life…not just the good parts, like an influencer would, but all the struggles, the questions and the crazy, every-day-life stories too. I like to think that any regular person could stumble on this blog, look at the photos and think, “Wow!” but then look at the recipe and think, “Wow, I could totally do that!” We don’t live a fancy life over here, just a normal (weird) life, and I always want my blog to reflect that.
How do you cultivate a sense of community around your blog?
Honestly, there are good and bad parts of social media, but the community that comes from Instagram and Facebook really can’t be beat. I’ve connected with so many interesting food photographers, bloggers, and foodies on those platforms! It’s very different from someone looking up recipes and finding you on Google…social media is a place where people are looking to engage and I love that about it.
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful?
When I first started blogging, I peeled through every corner of the FBC Blogger Resources, but that food page is just a super fun scroll…I could get lost in there for hours! Gorgeous images and great recipes.
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