Conversations with the Inspiring Traci Dietrich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Traci Dietrich.

Traci, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My husband and I moved from Iowa to Colorado 3 1/2 years ago. The area was completely new to us, and I needed something to keep me busy while I was waiting for my physical therapy license to be approved in Colorado. On a leap of faith, I started Midwest Mash as a creative outlet until I could work again. I’ve always enjoyed cooking, and I thought sharing recipes from my Midwest roots would be a good way to stay connected to where I grew up. Little did I know that a year and a half later, I would kind of unexpectedly become a stay-at-home mom after my first son was born, and Midwest Mash would blossom as I changed my path in life. It brings me so much joy to share recipes I have created and stories of my motherhood journey with all of my readers. I honestly never knew I had such a passion for writing until I started my blog, and now I’m not sure how that part of me stayed hidden for so long.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Starting a blog from scratch is a continual learning process especially if you don’t have a programming background. Thankfully, my husband is wonderful, and he has helped me through some of the technical challenges. From a personal level, it has definitely not been a smooth road. After my son was born, and I transitioned to becoming a stay-at-home mom, I was a little bit lost. I felt like I had gained this amazing new role in life but that I had also lost the one that had defined me for so long. It took me about a year and a half to be brave enough to share my motherhood journey on my blog because it felt really personal, but I know now that it has been only a positive experience by helping me connect with other amazing women. For other women who are thrown a curveball in life or are transitioning to something new, I would tell them that it’s okay to find a new passion. Sometimes the things that make you the happiest are the things you didn’t have written out in your life plan.

What should we know about Midwest Mash? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
It’s still funny to me to call my blog “work” because I truly love creating it. My blog is full of recipes that I have developed from simple family dinners (kid-approved, of course) to easy desserts. I’m a mom so recipes need to be easy and eaten by everyone in my house. The other part of my blog that I started after my second son was born last year is mainly about motherhood. Not advice, just real life stuff from my perspective. I know that a lot of stay-at-home moms (and moms in general) have the same struggles I do, and if I can write something that makes someone feel not so alone then my blog has served its purpose.

It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
I have a pretty hefty collection of cookbooks that I use to inspire me (and to do the meal prep work for me when I don’t feel like it). I’ve started listening to the “Eat Blog Talk” podcast, and it’s been great to get advice on the blogging world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://midwestmash.com
• Email: traci.dietrich@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/midwest.mash/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/midwestmash/

Image Credit:
BeFree Moments Photography

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