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This is a post that is somewhat different to what we usually do – let us explain more!

There are some days that just plod along as normal, nothing major happens, and you get to the end of the day, and bam something lovely happens.

This happened to us last week!

So, there we were, checking the blog and comments received during the day, as we always do, and we see a link to a fab blog that we follow After the rain where we find out they have nominated us for a Liebster Award.

I’d not heard of a Liebster Award before, and after a bit of research found out that it’s given to up and coming bloggers with less than 200 followers. Liebster derives from German and translates as sweetest, nicest, beloved, pleasant, cute, kind, welcome. How lovely is that!

A very big *thank you* is now winging its way to Tara! :)

I started to write this blog post straight away, but I must confess that I found it harder than I first imagined, and I like that, because it made me step out of my comfort zone!

There are some simple rules to follow when accepting the award:

  • You have to post the award on your blog
  • Thank the blogger who nominated you and link back to their blog
  • Write 11 random facts about yourself
  • Nominate 11 bloggers who you feel deserve this award and have less than 200 followers
  • Answer 11 questions posted by the presenter and ask your nominees a set of 11 new questions

11 Random Facts About Me:

  1. I’m half French, hence the ‘h’ in my name (Nathalie)
  2. I can speak French fluently, although a little rusty with some words!
  3. My business is based on allergies due to my son and his multiple allergies, but I myself am allergic to pineapples – they make me violently sick
  4. I can’t eat too many tomatoes, they give me chronic stomach pains
  5. I hate the volume on the TV or car radio to be set at an odd number, if it is I feel compelled to change it to an even number!
  6. I have family dotted all over the world, and am thankful for social media which makes it much easier to stay in touch with them all!
  7. Ever since I watched ‘Witches of Eastwick’ I’ve not been able to eat cherries in any form, I literally can’t stand them!
  8. I fess up to being ‘one of those shoppers’ who takes ages to put things in their trolley, checking every single label, and sighing/ getting cross if it contains something the little dude can’t have, or if the ingredients on a previously safe product have changed and become unsafe, and wistfully remember when food shopping was much simpler (boy did I take it for granted!)
  9. I wish that I had magic powers to get rid of allergies the world over, and I sometimes have to pinch myself when I’m asked about the business, and meet people who tell me how it has helped them!
  10. I have written a number of books (cookbooks, children’s books, chick lit) based on allergies and the journey of the past 3 years, and working hard to find a publisher for them all
  11. I find these sorts of things really difficult to write, but I’ve actually quite enjoyed doing this one!

Q&A (fab questions Tara):

What is the story behind your blog name (even if it’s your name)?

It is based on my little boy who is allergic to lots, but still loves his food! There are many business and blog names using ‘allergy’ or ‘allergies’ or ‘allergic’, so I wanted something that would still convey that, but also be a bit different. It’s also a play on the initials GI (gastro intestinal) due to the tummy troubles he has as a result of his allergies.

Is there one particular post you are most proud of? (Please link it)

Yes there is, and it’s actually a very recent one which received an incredible amount of hits and shares. It depicts what life is really like when dealing with allergies and a little one, and many readers could relate!

https://intolerantgourmand.wordpress.com/2015/01/15/you-know-youre-an-allergy-mum-when

Has anything surprised you about blogging?

Most definitely! I love writing, I always have done, and find it very enjoyable, so I knew that I shouldn’t run out of content for the blog, although at first I was a little concerned. It’s amazing where you find your inspiration though, just a random conversation can lead to 2 or 3 blog posts, which in turn lead to more. I have a notebook with me where-ever I go, so that if an idea pops into my head, I can write it down before I forget about it!

What has really taken me by surprise is the many different countries that the blog has reached – that has truly blown me away! The blog started as a means to get thoughts and fears out there, so that what we were going through didn’t seem quite so overwhelming. As it evolved and reached more people, helping them with what we have learnt along the way it has humbled me. We receive emails all the time, thanking us for supporting and providing answers in an often bleak area, and I am so proud we have been able to achieve this! It has been an amazing journey so far, which I hope can continue for a long time yet!

What do you do when you procrastinate?

The hubby will immediately say that I grab my phone and jump on the social media networks! But I call that work, when it’s structured! For me, it’s more likely to be to write a new recipe, or to bake. Baking a cake is the best way of ‘wasting time’! And you get to eat the end result…. Happy days! :)

Do you have a favourite quote? (I’m collecting them for a quote wall in my office, which is actually my bedroom).

If it’s meant to be, it will be!

I’m a big believer in fate. If something is meant to happen, it will do. We might not always get there by the simplest of means, or we may ignore the first time it calls, but if we are meant to do something, or meant to have something, it will find us!

If you had an entirely free day to spend on your own doing something for your own pleasure what would you do?

Oh wow, now this is something that I think all working mums dream of!! I’d start the day by having a lie-in, an obvious choice maybe, but my god it’s a must! Then I’d book into a spa for the day with the besties and have a day of girly catch up and pamper sessions, followed by a late afternoon tea, where I would actually get to finish a cup of tea/coffee while it is still hot!!

Do you prefer city, country or coast?

Country or coast in equal measure, as long as the coast isn’t part of a city. I really don’t like the hustle and bustle, noise and dirt of the city. I worked in the centre of London for a few years, and it really took the shine away when you had to battle to catch the tube and jostle along overcrowded pavements.

We live in the middle of the countryside with rolling hills around, the back garden backs on to fields with horses, cows, sheep etc. Sounds idyllic and it really is! The kids love it! I grew up in the country myself, and I’m so glad they are getting the same opportunity. Callum’s first word was ‘tractor’, says it all really!

Do you have a favourite book?

Ah, now this is a difficult question to answer I have been a book worm since I was a little girl, and have read many fabulous books over the years so it's really hard for me to pick just one!

Are you a morning person?

No! I struggle in the mornings, and find I’m much happier and more productive the more the day progresses! That probably stems from not getting a good night’s sleep, and then resorting to drinking copious amounts of coffee to help me through the day!

Did you have a favourite television programme as a child?

Yes, but it will show my age if I say any more!

*whispers quietly* ‘button moon’, ‘raggy dolls’, ‘rainbow’, ‘puddle lane’ and ‘sooty’ – all firm favourites!

What is the one thing you would tell your younger self?

Not to be frightened of change or doing something different to everyone else, and to always believe in yourself!

When I was at school, and trying to get into uni, a teacher of mine told me I’d never get far because I had no idea what I wanted to do or be. It really dented my confidence. I’m sure most 18 year olds don’t really know what they want to do with their life, and go to uni or start working to find what is right for them. When the time is right, the answer will come, and they will end up doing what is right for them!

 

I would like to present my awards to the following bloggers:

The pie patch

Free2Bake

The Stripy Bear Tales

Feeding my intolerant child

Pinkiebag

Baked potato mummy

Growing Trends

Dairy Free Switzerland

Just fooling around with Bee

Dairy Free kids

Alpha Beata

And if you accept the award I would like you to answer the following:

  1. Why do you blog/ what made you start blogging?
  2. Do you have a favourite place where you like to write your blog posts?
  3. What would you like to achieve with your blogging (if you haven’t already)?
  4. What is your most memorable blog post and why (please post the link)?
  5. Tea or coffee?
  6. Sweet or savoury?
  7. What is your favourite meal and why? (I’m writing an article on people’s favourite meals and how it influences us/ makes us feel)
  8. What did you want to be when you were younger?
  9. What is your favourite time of the day?
  10. What would your dream job be and why?
  11. What one bit of advice would you give to someone just starting out in the blogging world?

Comments   

0 # Guest 2015-02-10 08:21
Excellent post, thank you for doing it. It also took me a bit of time to complete, if that makes you feel better :) I really enjoyed reading your answers and learning a little more about you and your family. Your ideal day sounds the same as mine! Also, I loved Button Moon too :)
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0 # Guest 2015-03-09 06:07
Thanks so much for including me on your list! I just saw this yesterday -- my apologies for the delay in responding! It was great having the opportunity to learn more about you. Et, vous parlez français? I'm trying to learn here in Switzerland, but haven't been making much progress lately! :-) Many thanks, Heddi
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0 # Guest 2015-03-30 19:11
thanks for the nomination - not sure how I missed it! I really enjoyed reading your answers and getting to know more about you. I too am a book worm! I hope that you get a publishing deal - have you found yourself an agent? Wishing you very much luck.
I wrote my first screenplay at the start of 2013 which went into a couple of film festivals and was a quarterfinalist in the Page Awards in the States, and did well in the British Film Festival too. I wrote it to raise awareness about anaphylaxis if you ever fancy a read. Last year I intended to write my first novel, but Aars allergies spiralled out of control and I got delayed with the mayhem and exhaustion... but am nearly done now :)
I am based in rolling hills too and like to work near a window looking out on them...
peace and thanks again! x
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