I had a first as a blogger today.
I got my first official rude comment. I’ve had some backhanded ones before that I chose not to publish because that wouldn’t have done anyone any good. But today? Today I got a comment telling me that I “shouldn’t” be eating things like dark chocolate and “how is it possible that rice isn’t allowed” on this “newfangled plan” of mine.
I thought about letting it go. I thought about not saying anything, about not giving “Scared Sandy” any sort of recognition at all, and then I thought again. What is it about anonymity and the internet that makes people think they can say whatever they want? I’ve linked to this before, and I’ll do it again:
I’ve seen it on message boards and on other people’s blogs, but I’ve never experienced it firsthand in the comments of my own. The negativity. The rudeness. The inexplicable need to be anonymously terrible to another person. So rather than taking the easy way out and just hitting “delete” on the comment, I took a chance and responded. I defended myself, and explained that I’m not a blogger that reveals each and every thing I eat. And then you all came along. You, my amazing readers, came along with emails and comments too, defending me and my choices, and I’m absolutely blown away and humbled. Thank you all from the bottom of my non-rice-eating heart.
Speaking of chicken, that’s just what I made tonight. It was simply roasted much like I did back in January, and I served it along with some (more) roasted brussels sprouts. Since there’s no recipe, and just a bunch of photos, please enjoy the visual candy. Meat-o-phobes, you might want to stop reading after the pictures of the sprouts!
Thank you again, friends, for confirming why exactly I stay a part of this amazing community. We may all have our differences, but in the end, we have one common bond… and energy vampires and flower cutters be damned! When one dares to try to bring us down, there’s 30 more to pull us back up.
Also, a VERY happy anniversary to my mom and stepdad!! How cute are they??
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Sorry you got a rude comment girl.
I got my first really bad one this week and it totally threw a damper on the day, and even days after. Glad you are remembering all of us that love you! 
Booo. Just so you know, someone asked me, well actually, told me, that I shouldn’t be eating pizza and cookies if I wanted to lose weight. Terds.
Ugh, so sorry someone did that. I haven’t got much of a reader base for negative comments but sometimes when I don’t post all meals, I think about those negative Nancys. Do people really expect every bite to be photographed?? Or that everyone will agree on one eating theory?? Love the cartoon though, that made me laugh
im sorry for the haters!! I’ve been getting a few rude comments as well.
Congrats to your beautiful Mama and Stepdad!!!
The b. sprouts and chicken look amazing!!
.-= glidingcalm´s last blog ..India Post #32: Asiatic Society, College St., Rhodey Girl Q&A =-.
I’ve been getting a LOT of haters on my blog (and FB fan page) as of late and I feel your pain! It stings a lot at first and I start questioning wtf it is that I’m doing. I’ve even gotten emails from people telling me I should edit my stuff because I’m putting “too much” of myself out there. WTH? It’s my blog, my voice, my thoughts and I should be able to write what I want!
Then I realize that A) these haters don’t have the balls to even reveal their real names when they’re hating so that’s kinda stupid, and B) I must be doing something right if I’m eliciting such strong reactions from people. You’re doing the same. You’re striking a chord with people and making them think twice, perhaps about what they’re even eating (people don’t like to admit to that sort of thing when they’re being evil). So don’t fret, my pet! You’re fab and so is your blog, and remember, the haters only come when you’re doing something good!
.-= Kimberly @ Poor Girl Eats Well´s last blog ..Tastemaker Program Recipe: The Ultimate Veggie Omelette =-.
One last thing: it IS okay to have things like chocolate when you’re trying to lose weight! Deprivation is one of the HUGEST downfalls most dieters face (which is why I don’t diet; I just eat better). Don’t deny yourself a darn thing, just don’t eat as much of it. Everything in moderation! And of course, exercise is key. I usually step it up when I’ve been a little chocolate happy myself.
.-= Kimberly @ Poor Girl Eats Well´s last blog ..Tastemaker Program Recipe: The Ultimate Veggie Omelette =-.
Never ever ever let the turkeys get you down! Reading your blog is always a bright spot in the day!
LOL, I love that picture. So true about trolls, “people” get so brave behind a screen. I have my share of haters. Eff ‘em.
One of my favorite song lyrics:
“When they hatin’ on you then you know you’re doin’ something”
Think of them as fans and thank them for coming because they are helping your blog prosper whether they realize it or not.
I love roasted brussels sprouts, but you know that. hehe Your mom and stepdad are cute!!
Jenn
I’m glad that you stood up for yourself! Way to go! I love your blog by the way, very cute!
Sorry about the negativity. Your dinner looked very delicious! Great picture of you mom and step dad too. Your mom doesn’t look old enough to be your mom!
I missed the comment, but I’m very glad you stuck up for yourself. It seems judgemental and also ill-informed. Since when is eating dark chocolate bad? Losing weight is a simple formula of calories going in < calories being exerted. It doesn't mean you have to cut everything tasty out and nibble on raw celery.
I barely eat rice just b/c I prefer not to. I'm not even trying to do anything w/ my weight. It's just personal preference. Who cares if you eat rice or not?! You also don't eat a whole other slew of legitimately unhealthy foods!
Anyways, your chicken looks beautiful! I've never roasted a whole chicken, believe it or not! It just seems so scary. If I cook a whole chicken I butterfly it open and cook half at a time, it seems less daunting. The brussel sprouts look delish too!
.-= Christina´s last blog ..Cajeta =-.
I havent commented before, but i love your blog! sorry you got a rude comment.
Darn it! I missed the snotty comment…but perhaps that’s a good thing, because I can spew out expletives like no other.
Unless a person is eating really disorderedly, and needs some sort of concerned warning, you shouldn’t be criticizing what a person eats…besides, there is no “right” diet. Jeez.
I hate rice. Nasty grubby white things.
By the way, your mom is gorgeous, and her smile is STUNNING! She looks so much like you! Or should I say you look so much like her? lol
Mara, I’m so sorry that you experienced this! Ugh. I have only had a few myself, and they ruin my day. It’s just so ridiculous what people think they can say online…things they would never say to your face.
On a happier note, I am completely obsessed with roast chicken lately! How is it that it goes so perfectly with roast brussel sprouts?!
.-= Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..Getting Away With It… =-.
That chalkboard animation is hil-air-ee-us. Poor anonymous negative commenters, nothing better to do than rain on OUR PARADES!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Bar None =-.
Mara, my love….PEOPLE SUCK!!! Give them a chance and they will find every possibility to blatantly state their opinion. Almost all of the time, this comes out of their own insecurity or because they are just plain miserable with themselves that they obviously feel it necessary to try to crush other’s happiness. What a joke! Sorry that it got to you, but trust me, you are so loved and blessed that one little bad comment is nothing compared to how many supportive comments you will always receive from the people who actually care!
<3 you girl!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Appetite? Is That You? =-.
wooo! what happened sweetie? who dares?? you’re so sweet and outgoing all the time, like a big source of happiness to everyone. why people would want to hurt you? I really don’t understand that. But good that you defended yourself. Hope you feel better now. Hugs~~
.-= coco´s last blog ..Let the fun beings! =-.
I didn’t see the comment but I can say that people are jerks sometimes. I’m not sure why people think they can judge just because they aren’t face to face with a particular person. Oh well… let it go. You’re fabulous and that’s all that matters
.-= Karla´s last blog ..SUNSHINE =-.
Obviously, if they feel the need to critique strangers in cyberspace, their negativity is more about their own issues than yours or mine. Sometimes they have an agenda, sometimes they feel threatened, but most of the time they have little control over their own lives and need to pretend they can influence someone else’s. They’re filling a role they’re not “allowed” to in real life.
I remember reading an article by a man who camped out by his house and watched the cars go by; some of them would exhibit early morning or post-work road rage, honking or tailing or making rude hand gestures. When he saw one of his neighbors doing this, he would call out, wave and smile, and watch the shock register on their faces. They immediately started “behaving” again. As long as people feel anonymous, protected by a computer screen or an enclosed car, they feel free to lash out because it seems like they’re not really hurting anyone.
I am so sorry Mara! I hate that too! I have recently gotten some really mean ones too. People like that are just unhappy with themselves and want everyone else to be miserable too! You are the better person FOR SURE!!:)
.-= Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly´s last blog ..This Is Why You Have A Baby! =-.
Good for you standing up for yourself. I think weak minded people leave those kinds of comments! Sorry you had to deal with that! I love roasted brussel sprouts…I could eat them everyday!
So sorry that you got a “bad” comment, hopefully that will be last one! Just found your blog last week and have been enjoying it!
.-= Crystal´s last blog ..Surprise! =-.
I love you. I’m glad you stood up for yourself. People who comment under the cloak of anonymity are cowards, pure and simple. They have the audacity to attack people brave enough to put themselves out there and that just makes them tremendous LOSERS. You, my dear, are fabulous!!! xoxoxo
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Damn You, Tom Colicchio! =-.
I can’t believe how nasty people can be when they *think* they are anonymous. It’s horrible. I recently got a nasty comment on my blog and had a difficult time digesting it. I’m glad to know that you had support from other bloggers, isn’t that a wonderful feeling? You are awesome Mara!
.-= Amanda (Two Boos Who Eat)´s last blog ..Aurorae Yoga Mat Giveaway! =-.
Your mom and stepdad both look amazing!! Sorry about the rude comment. Unfortunately in a public domain you open yourself up to any and all comments, good or bad. It’s unforunate that people abuse the anonymity on the internet. Keep your chin up, Mara! We’ve all got your back
.-= K from ksgoodeats´s last blog ..Jump (For My Love) =-.
Good for you, Mara. Don’t let anyone get you down. You’re fabulous and don’t need to give it a second thought.
But that is a perfectly roasted chicken! Whoa boy.
It’s sad, but I think rudeness in general is on the rise.
Yesterday morning I called the police – the police – because I thought I may have crossed paths with a fellow who may have broken into a home that had apparently just been robbed a few houses down from a friend of mine. I thought I might be able to provide a description for them, and they were so rude, chastising me for not calling immediately. I explained that at the time, I didn’t realize that a house had just been robbed, and if I called the police every time I saw someone walking down the street I’d have to call them a hundred times a day! grrrrr…I just shook it off and told myself not to let my own good nature change just because of their crappy attitude. Sounds like you’ve done the same! You have a fab blog and your readers love you…so have an awesome day, girl! 
.-= the wicked noodle´s last blog ..Carrot Souffle =-.