There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes at Fit Foodie Finds HQ. Here’s a look at a typical day in the life of @LinleysHands.
It’s been almost three years since I joined Fit Foodie Finds alongside my friend Lee Lee. I remember when Lee decided she wanted to expand the team — that moment convinced me to jump into the blogging world. For the first six months I worked part time at Fit Foodie while holding two other part-time jobs to make ends meet. I was filing at a law firm during the day, serving at a café at night, and splitting time between those jobs and Fit Foodie HQ. Working three jobs was exhausting, but it was worth it: after six months the business had grown enough that I could focus on Fit Foodie full time.
My role at Fit Foodie Finds has evolved into something I never expected. When I started, I was managing social media and testing recipes. Today my responsibilities include social media management, event planning, writing posts, recipe development, food styling, relationship management, and — yes — hand modeling. I also get to collaborate with some of my closest friends, which makes going to work that much more enjoyable.
Many of you have asked what my days actually look like, so we put together this “Day in the Life” to give a clear picture. If you work from home or for an online business, you know every day can be different. On weeks without travel or events, a typical day usually follows a routine like this.
Morning
Mornings are my favorite part of the day. Before heading to Fit Foodie HQ I try to move slowly and set my day up intentionally — which is harder than it sounds because I tend to move fast. First I brew coffee, then I check our social posts for the day, give Frannie (my housemate) some snuggles, and head out to pick up Lee and Marky Mark for our workout. We usually do morning workouts to kickstart the day; typically we go to Switch MPLS and it’s intense but worth it. I’ve learned that if I don’t exercise in the morning, it often won’t happen later.
After our workout we arrive at “the office.” Our routine there includes showers, breakfast (sweet for Lee, savory for me), more coffee, and a quick rundown of the day’s plan. On recipe days I head out to buy ingredients. I could honestly spend all day in grocery stores — they’re one of my favorite places, along with airports — so going several times a week is a dream. I usually stop at Trader Joes and Lunds and Byerlys, and we always look forward to seeing Alison, our favorite Lunds employee. After groceries I handle admin tasks, and then my favorite part of the morning: recipe work.
Afternoon
We try to create and photograph two or three recipes in a day. I usually begin recipe development in the kitchen while Lee documents measurements and notes on the computer. We’ve developed a smooth system: I style the shot and Lee adds finishing touches and photographs the process and finished dish. This is when my @LinleyHands really come into play — cooking, styling, and modeling hands for shots. I admit I’m messy when I get into a project; the kitchen can look like a cookie monster went through it. Lee follows behind me with a towel and a broom, which keeps everything under control.
Lunch is often a dish we’ve already tested, or something fresh like arugula if we’re lucky. I love afternoons split between recipe work and visits to coffee shops. If we finish our recipes for the day we’ll head to a café to wrap up computer work — I’m always more productive in coffee shops than at home.
Evening
If everything isn’t finished during regular hours — which happens more often than not — I continue work at home. Evenings can include scheduling social posts, pinning, writing, and additional recipe testing. Cole often helps with taste testing, which is a fun part of the job; someone has to sample everything.
On nights without recipes, Cole and I frequently eat out. We love discovering new restaurants for inspiration and a palate reset, and we’re always hunting for the best chicken wings in town. Outside of work, Lee, Emily, and I are close friends and we shift into “play mode” with dinners, hikes, or trips to the river.
Every day brings something different, and while I enjoy the variety, I do struggle with deadlines and focus when working from home. At the start of each week I plan my schedule and set daily to-dos — that helps me stay on track. Life at Fit Foodie HQ is busy and creative, and I wouldn’t trade these days for anything.
Other Posts by @linleyshands
Toast Tuesday – Eggs and Arugula Toast
Toast Tuesday – Peanut Butter Banana
Toast Tuesday – Strawberry, Avocado, and White Cheddar