UPDATE: Having a little image issue. Will be fixed soon!
Apologies for the overused tech reference of 2.0 but for lack of a better term, welcome to 2.0 of The Kale Project. Let me tell you, there is nothing like about to have a baby that makes you get stuff done. The past 8 weeks have been extremely busy and really productive and redoing thekaleproject.com was one of the top priorities.
Redoing the site is something I have been thinking about and talking about doing for almost two years and finally it’s a reality. I was never happy with the lack of functionality with the existing site but not being overly knowledgable with coding and wordpress, the task of redoing it was always very daunting. The site most likely is not what it would have been if I would have redone it two years ago but I’m really happy with how it has turned out. Which brings me to TKP 2.0.
Things will be moving more towards real food, vegetables, recipes, cooking in France, a bit of travel here and there and food thought pieces like this one. I won’t be surprised if there are a few posts related to motherhood and food. Kale of course is still the central theme of the site and I will always include updates about kale in France and new regions which are doing activities with and like The Kale Project. I do feel that it’s also time for the site to evolve because my life in France has evolved and most importantly, kale in France has evolved (meaning the availability of kale in France is leaps and bounds from where it was when I started this little project back in April 2012.) I hope that you will still follow along as there will be more content that is interesting to many (and not just to those interested in kale in Paris).
So what’s new on the site?
I hope the home page is more dynamic for readers and gives them a roundup of all the different things TKP has been to date. Stories of markets, farmers, restaurants that have used kale and recipes.
French!! Originally I wanted to make the entire site bilingual but given that I can’t write in French at all and that translating everything can get a little pricey and since TKP doesn’t actually make money, I decided to translate the existing recipes and certain pages about kale in France. The Kale Project About, Farmers, FAQs, Find Kale, Grow Your Own Kale, Producer/Vendor pages are examples.
1. Newsletter: I have not done one since last February but starting in April, I will again be doing a monthly newsletter. I know it’s crazy considering I’m about to be a new mom but I am excited to explore how I want to use the space. It will change and evolve and vary month to month until I find my own groove, but I hope you will sign-up if you have not already.
2. About: Here you will find information about The Kale Project and me. It’s pretty basic.
3. Farmers: I’ve added this section – which is long overdue – about the farmers that have had more personal contact with The Kale Project and were definitely pioneers for cultivating kale.
4. Kale Ambassadors: These lovely women are working really hard to get more kale in their respective regions. I hope to add more dedicated people involved if they want to be. These women also have and will contribute to the site telling more about their stories in working with local farmers and reintroducing kale to those in their communities.
5. Find Kale: The first tab includes the #KaleSpotted Map and the second tab is a live feed to the hashtag #KaleSpotted. Anyone that tags kale will be included in this so it’s a great in real life update of where kale is anywhere in the world!
6. Eat: Here you will find recipes categorized. There is even a category for all recipes in French! I also have a page for some of my favorite places to eat in Paris.
7. Shop: Hopefully this information will be easier to access as I don’t think it was before.
–Books: Easy access to my chou book (coming March 18!) and update information about 2 other books in the works!
–Seeds: Planting season is coming soon. If you need seeds, all info here and a direct link to buy them on Etsy. This year, I will also be offering dandelion and collard green seeds (two other leafy greens I desperately miss!)
–TKP stuff: Bags & Shirts
8. Grow Your Own Kale: This page is everything you need to know about growing your own kale and where to buy seeds. A document to download with how-to instructions
9. Producers/Vendors: This section I’m really excited about (and should have had ages ago) but here is where producers and vendors can download The Kale Project info card to hand out when they are selling kale. It’s also where they can contact me and upload photos with information about the kale they are growing and selling so I can then write a blog post and diffuse the information.
10. Current subscribers: I will have to manually enter your email again this week so if you get an email, please accept!
I’m sure there are a few links and such that aren’t working anymore and I will be working over time to make sure everything is in working order but if you see anything that isn’t right, please let me know!
I’m so excited to share the new look and vision with you and hope you enjoy!
Edna says
Congrats on the launch of 2.0, it looks great! Can’t believe it’s been three years since you started TKP, I still remember when you told me about it! Good luck with the new upcoming adventures!
Kristen says
Thanks Edna! I hope you’ve been enjoying your time in Paris! It’s such a relief to finally have this out and live (and just in time!!)
Cassie says
I wish I was old enough to be an ambassador :( I love kale with all my heart!
Kristen says
You can always be a kale ambassador! Where do you live that you’d like to bring more kale to your area? There is also always the option to be a Kale Hero for National Kale Day! (nationalkaleday.org)