Each month we profile a different Canadian Food Blogger who is part of the FBC community. This month we meet Danon a blogger who makes amazing salads, likes meal prepping and finds ways to pivot food items to maximize food use.
Name: Danon Pascoa
Blog name: Eats Salad Daily
Where were you born? Hamilton, ON
Where are you living now? Burlington, ON
Why did you start your blog?
Initially I started because I always get questions about how to make something, what recipe I used. I continue with it because there’s so many people who have limited confidence in the kitchen and with food prep and even more fear of what they think they “can’t do” vs desire or confidence in what they can learn. I also love to share quick and budget friendly meal ideas to anyone who will listen.
How did you decide on your blog name?
I have had a few blogs in my life and each I try to be quippy and a bit punny but with Eats Salad Daily it is kind of a way of life. There’s always a salad and I always find my way around veggies. After sharing my commitment to go forward with this I went to my sounding board (mom and sister) and we brainstorm. They had some great ideas and overnight I started the page created the blog and said what about this….initially it wasn’t met with full enthusiasm (they were hella supportive but it wasn’t THE one) until it was. It just worked with the concept and ideas I had.
What do you blog about?
Mostly recipes, meal prep and ways to pivot your food items (you have a whole roast chicken, that’s like 4 meals in one-meal, salad protein, sandwich and a soup) and maximize food use to limit waste. I also throw in coffee, sarcasm and family stories because what’s a recipe if you don’t add layers?
Is your blog your business, your hobby or something in between?
Currently it’s a hobby and serious passion. As we go through the changes in the economy more and more I want to find and learn ways to build my passion into something with longevity. For now I juggle my professional life with meal prepping in our day to day life and a true passion for food styling and photography - really I’m trying to say I want to professionally get paid for playing with food. Lol.
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
I think you can find my zest for food and experience in “Summer Greens, makes me feel fine” and also “Hot tub Time Machine” which is really about the great white Buffalo salad I created but I can’t resist a song or movie reference so there you go.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
Scuse My Fattoush is a great blog post that honestly I just love the images and who doesn’t love fresh mint and bright bold flavours. It’s a great meal prepping salad because you can use left overs and build from it and I’m also starving right now and would love to eat it. Also - Stacy’s Pita Chips are so good you need them on this salad for crunch.
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
I was and still am really proud of breaking out of my comfort zone and volunteering to contribute an article to FBC on The Art of the Prep - Meal Prepping. First creating that type of content was such a great experience and second, writing in that type format really pushed my creative writing to a new level. I also really loved the post Winter Citrus salad that really got me. The insta post did well for my small following at the time and it was just pure - a great song and natural light goes a long way I guess.
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
I think gaining a following through the blog specifically is something I have not found my stride in as well as monetizing efforts. Where that isn’t the full reason I do this, it hasn’t been a strong focus but as I grow into this space and use of social media mediums I really want to grow on all platforms and give something unique, draw people in and connect. For me I love to stay in contact, chat and drop a kind word because connection is what makes us all thrive and I’m here for that. I am also learning things like Pinterest posts and how to make that work for me, how to make my blog better from a formatting, content and interface for readers. It’s always a new learning curve but I mean how great is that to learn new things. To think when I started I was 41 and had two hobbies now I’m 43 and am learning daily and am constantly creating something.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
Don’t let anyone tell you your ideas don’t have value or they will flop. Anyone. Doesn’t matter if they’re your loved ones, a business associate or a troll comment - if you believe in it there’s value.
What has been your biggest success as a blogger so far?
Truthfully the article I wrote “The Art of the Prep” for FBC was such a success personally, because it pushed me out of my comfort zone and familiar writing style. I am really proud of that! I think being consistent in posts and continuing to grow even if imposter syndrome creeps in. That and I think I have a good creative eye and approach. Currently I have worked with a couple brands and the fact they believed in me to do something with minimal experience means the world to me.
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
- Food Bloggers of Canada (for real) - I love the features, insightful info and amazing meetups they plan. I lurked as a wallflower for a while thinking all these seriously talented humans are all here I don’t have a space yet - and well here I am.
- Half Baked Harvest - Literally anything Tiegan makes us gold. GOAT STATUS. But I really follow her because of how truly genuine she is and oh how she and her family hustle. To me breaking bread is essential and doing that with your family as a family fills my soul with something topped with guacamole it’s that good. I adore her books and am always inspired.
- Plays Well with Butter - I have followed Jess for a long time and easy meals with beautiful photos is my aesthetic of choice. I love moody pics and molecular gastronomy but when you get me all hungry with a Buddha bowl and some sweet Potatos we’re bound for life.
- Think A Bao Food - Christine is a stranger friend I have never met but honestly she’s truly one of the most sincere, kind and talented women I have met who has supported me since ESD started. She’s a wonderful creator and I’m always impressed with her styling - also her Teriyaki Cauliflower recipe was the inspo for my Cauliflower Power Bowl
- There are seriously so many more Samara from Kopi Thyme, Surbhi from KitsKitchencrush so many amazing and inspiring blogs and feeds
What are you working on next for your blog?
I am trying to revamp my blog to include Jump to Recipe sections an all posts and I want her pretty and inviting. I’m learning as I go and am the least technical person of life so the fact I got this far is literally everything to me.
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
Literally, we have likely talked in real life. What I mean is that I am that person to spark conversation in public or share a suggestion or recipe idea for a product. I am the person who wants you to always have food and enjoy what you make. My love language is acts of service involving food and I am an incredibly accurate judge of character and food preferences.
What makes your blog unique?
I try to make each post a good time. I use know phrases and song/movie references because I want to rope you in and hope you’re like minded. And if you don’t like the post at least we had fun reading together.
How do you cultivate a sense of community around your blog?
I actively engage and ask for thoughts and experiences. Suggestions and insight. I love to be inclusive and also the opportunity to learn - if someone can educate me and we have food as the common ground I feel that’s such a great starting point for any relationship.
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful?
The blogging resources I have learned a lot from. I always love great restaurant ideas and suggestions and I am always here to read and learn about the features because it’s great to be exposed to other like minded and talented creators.
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