Disclosure and Privacy Policy

Writing this was one of the most intimidating things I have ever done. And I wrote a damn thesis. Not only is it extremely unclear what you are supposed to include in disclosure and privacy policies, the language is enough to put you in a coma. So I’m approaching this with all my frustration and anger at having to do it. I hope, if anything, it offers a different reading experience.

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from May 2, 2016

This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. That means anything you read here from my opinions on products, services, websites, health topics, nutrition, fitness, etc., are purely my own. I am not offering any sort of professional advice. This is all for fun (except this part).

If I ever claim or appear to be an expert on a certain topic, product, or service area, I will only endorse products or services that I believe are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider.

This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions, or other forms of compensation. As a result, this can influence the advertising content, topics, or posts made in this blog. But that content, advertising space, or post is always clearly identified as paid or sponsored content and all opinions are always my own.

Well that was boring.

Affiliates

This is a list of all the affiliate programs I am a part of (which are subject to change). In these programs, if you happen to make a purchase through one of the affiliate links on this blog, I receive a small commission (and no-it does not affect the price you pay).

At the moment, I haven’t earned anything. But I’m ever hopeful I might make enough money to pay for groceries and hosting and domain fees.

Megan Wells is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy

This policy is valid from May 2, 2016

Your privacy is important and I try my best to protect and respect it. Below you will find details on how exactly I do this.

Rules and laws change though, so this Privacy Policy will also change. I am going to assume you accept such changes if you continue to visit this blog but if you are concerned, check in here to see if the changes are acceptable.

I have links to third party websites throughout my blog but I am not responsible for their privacy policies. Please check each individual site’s privacy policy if you are concerned.

Personal identifying information that I collect on this blog (and what I do with it):

  • Name
  • Email address
  • IP address (example: when I leave comments on other blogs, they collect that I am Megan from www.megiswell.com)

There are three ways I collect your name, email address and IP address:

  1. You decide to contact me through my contact form. I use Contact Form 7, which does not, at this time, store any user data. Your name, email address, and message will appear in my personal email account, at which point I will (hopefully), respond to whatever questions, comments, or concerns you have. This does NOT sign you up for weekly emails from me (no delicious recipes for you) and the information is kept private (I don’t sell or share it).
  2. If you subscribe to my weekly email updates (don’t you want delicious recipes?) I collect your name and email address. It is stored in the email marketing service that I use (MailChimp) and the information is kept private (I don’t sell it or share it). You can opt out at any time—an “unsubscribe” link is included in all of my email updates.
  3. You leave a comment on a blog post where your name, email address, IP address (optional), and message will be stored in my website database. What the whole world can see is your name, website address, and comment. But what is absolutely private and safe is your email address.

Cookies (I wish the edible kind) and anonymous information that is collected:

Cookies are the other way that information is collected. Cookies are small bits of text that are stored on your computer by your web browser. They are also the reason websites are able to tailor content and marketing to you specifically (like when I was researching DSLR cameras and all the advertisements I saw for months on any website were for Canon).

Almost all blogs use cookies in combination with analytical services to help them reach a greater understanding of:

  • Sessions, users, page views, page views per session, average session duration, and bounce rate
  • Demographics (age and gender: this is how I know that I am mostly talking to other women when I write-where are you fellas?)
  • Interests (cooking enthusiasts/aspiring chefs, health and fitness buffs, food and drink, etc.)
  • Geo (language and location)
  • Behavior (new or returning, engagement, etc.)
  • Technology (browser, network)
  • Mobile (which devices people using)

Google Analytics, a web analysis service provided (for free) by Google, is the big kahuna. Almost all the other services that have analytic features (Pinterest, Tailwind, Facebook, Twitter, Yoast SEO, etc.) request your tracking ID to develop reports of your pins, boards, posts, tweets, SEO performance, and all that jazz. Not to mention that it also integrates with other Google programs like AdSense and AdWords.

How do I use this information?

I mostly just use it to see if my blog readership is growing.

If I was smart I would analyze all the information like crazy and use it to better tailor my posts to your needs and interests. But I must admit I usually end up just writing what I want. I go where my stomach, eyes, and heart lead me.

How do Google and other third party vendors and or ad networks use this information?

What third party venders and ad networks, including Google, do is:

  • Use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to my blog
  • Uses the DoubleClick cookie to serve ads to you based on your visits to my blog and other sites on the Internet.
  • You may opt out of Google’s use of cookies by visiting the Google advertising opt-out page. You can also opt out of other third party vendors use of cookies by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt out page.
  • For information about opting out of Gourmet Ads and ad serving partners please visit http://www.gourmetads.com/about/privacy-policy

Instagram with me

  • I’ve been inactive for a long time. My Granddad was in the hospital for a while and there was nothing doctors could do. He passed away on March 25th. ⠀ ⠀ Throughout the whole experience, I baked like crazy to distract and comfort myself. ⠀ ⠀ But there was a void where my words usually flow, an emotional blockage. And I began to experience a social media existential crisis. ⠀ ⠀ I couldn’t write or share or blog or be on social media. It felt stupid, like I was betraying my Granddad and the pain he and my family was in.⠀ ⠀ I knew that blockage would stay until I wrote about my Granddad and what he meant to me, how I’m experiencing his loss, and the power and comfort of creativity.⠀ ⠀ So my March 2018 reflections are just that and I’ve put the link in my profile if you’d like to read the whole post. ⠀ ⠀ It took me a while to write because it felt like my final goodbye. I kept stalling because I didn’t want to say goodbye. But I need to remember that he lives on and that with each goodbye, there is a hello. ⠀ ⠀ My Granddad would have rocked Instagram by the way. He was a creative guy, something I am extremely grateful for right now. As a hobbyist woodworker and photographer, his work feels like an extension of him.⠀ ⠀ Just as creativity helped me through the knowledge that he was going to die, his creativity comforts me now that he’s gone. ⠀ ⠀ He’s all around me. He’s in the shelves that hold my photography props, the wooden rack where our ceramic mugs hang, cleverly crafted Christmas reindeer and ornaments, and precious toddler sized rocking chairs.⠀ ⠀ When I see his work, it feels like a big warm hello and hug.⠀ ⠀ #loss #grief #reflections #quotestoliveby #monthlyreflections
  • I promised I'd share the recipe for this in my stories, so here you go. This Mint Mojito Irish Coffee combines two San Francisco classics, a Philz Coffee Mint Mojito and a Buena Vista Irish Coffee—into one fabulous drink. I'm treating myself to one tonight and maybe a couple tomorrow for St. Patrick's Day 🍀 What are you drinking tonight and tomorrow? Ingredients heavy cream, to top 7 to 10 drops of peppermint extract (optional) 2 teaspoons turbinado sugar 10 mint leaves 2.5 ounces very hot brewed coffee 1.5-ounces whiskey Instructions Put the heavy cream into a glass or stainless steel bowl, add the peppermint extract, and whip it using a handheld mixer with the whisk attachment until it has thickened but is still pourable. If you happen to whip it too much (me!), just stir in some fresh cream until it’s pourable again. Set aside. Zap your glass in the microwave until it’s hot to the touch. This helps keep your drink warm because both the whiskey and cream are cold. Place the sugar in the glass. Toss the mint leaves in and muddle the mint into the sugar until the aromas have released and the leaves look bruised and wet. Pour the hot coffee in and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add the whiskey and stir. Slowly pour the whipped heavy cream over the back of a spoon, holding it so it's right above the coffee. The goal is to float the cream on top of the coffee. Serve.
  • How many of you could use one good day, where you catch up on everything and get a little ahead in life🙋‍♀️?⠀ ⠀ 6 days have gone by again since the last post 😩. I meant to follow up on my Instagram stories where I told everyone about my Monthy Health Reflections I've been doing on my blog. ⠀ ⠀ Thank you so much to everyone who responded to them so warmly. It really gave me all the feels ❤️⠀ ⠀ I had debated whether or not to share them at all on Instagram but here I am, sharing February's 2018 Reflections mid-March.⠀ ⠀ February was a hard month for me. It’s so short and all those shiny new 2018 goals suddenly seem unreachable. And those feelings are trying their best to sneak into March. Work, a stomach bug this weekend, a loud barking dog keeping me up at night, daylight savings time....it's all made it even harder to play catch-up. ⠀ ⠀ So it seems appropriate to reflect once again on what I wrote in February. I spent a lot of time last month thinking about physical and emotional barriers, feeling depression and anger over the Florida shootings, and realizing that scars and wrinkles are everything that you should want in a life well lived. ⠀ ⠀ At a 30th birthday party, someone asked what I felt when I turned the big 3-0. And I was a little surprised at my answer. ⠀ ⠀ I responded without thinking: “I felt grateful”. ⠀ ⠀ I was grateful to be alive, to be out of the hospital, to be able to spend the day in San Francisco walking my feet off and getting completely roasted at a piano bar. Because honestly, there were a couple of precarious moments in 2016 where I questioned whether I was going to be able to make it to my 30th birthday.⠀ ⠀ I'm glad I remembered that feeling of gratitude. Because getting old is a privilege. ⠀ ⠀ Flip through the images to read my thoughts on the privilege of scars and wrinkles or search "2018 February reflections meg is well" to read the full post on my blog. I've also left the link in my profile @megiswell. ⠀
  • And FINALLY (sorry for the delay), the spring rolls. Have you ever tried brown rice spring roll wrappers? I actually really like them. Especially when they're stuffed with Stir-Fried Mushrooms, cucumber sticks, dandelion greens, and cilantro.⠀ ⠀ The dipping sauce is a typical Vietnamese mix of fish sauce, coconut sugar, vinegar, crushed garlic, and Thai red chilies. The recipe link is in my profile @megiswell if you want to put some spring in your step 😉⠀ ⠀ In other news, I also finally got my February Health Update published on my blog. Check out my stories to see what that's all about and help me decide how to best share that content here ❤️⠀ ⠀ #thatspringfeeling #springrolls #easymeals #vietnamesespringrolls #mushroomlove #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #heresmyfood @food #thekitchn #cookCL #f52grams #eattheworld #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #foodstyling #foodphotography #bhgfood #saveurmag #marthafood #mycommontable #onmytable #bareaders #theartofslowliving #realsimple #mywilliamssonoma #megiswell ⠀
  • The spring rolls have been on the blog since last Tuesday 🙄🙈 (the recipe link is in my profile @megiswell). But I had to do a prep photo today because I'm still loving moody mushrooms and baking sheets. ⠀ ⠀ These Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Garlic and Ginger are in the spring rolls AND on top of the congee a couple of posts ago. Because I love them and they're fast.⠀ ⠀ I know I've been really sporadic lately on Instagram. I'm trying to get the hang of posting at different times than I'm used to. ⠀ ⠀ But are any of you social butterflies at certain times of the day and solitary hermits at others? Can you guess which one I am?⠀ ⠀ #mushroomlove #springrolls #stirfry #quickmeal ⠀ #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #heresmyfood @food #thekitchn #f52grams #eattheworld #mywilliamssonoma #cookit #foodwinewomen #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #foodphotography #saveurmag #marthafood #mycommontable #onmytable #tastemade #instafeast #bareaders #vscofood #vscocook #theartofslowliving #realsimple #megiswell
  • Give me all the green. Cilantro, dandelion greens, and cucumbers all laid out for stuffing into spring rolls.⠀ ⠀ It's amazing how a little rain can make everything seem more green and fresh.⠀ ⠀ I'm just going to listen to the rain and hopefully get some work done.⠀ ⠀ #green #eatyourgreens #springfeeling #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #cookCL #f52grams #eattheworld #huffposttaste #yahoofood #cookit #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #foodstyling #foodphotography #foodblogeats #bhgfood #saveurmag #marthafood #mycommontable #instafeast #bareaders #vscofood #vscocook #theartofslowliving #rslove #realsimple #megiswell
  • I got this Brown Rice Mushroom Congee with Sardines published on the blog Friday. I've included both slow cooker and stovetop instructions. So if you want to wake up to this in the morning for breakfast or start it before you go to work, you can.⠀ ⠀ Instead of using water, I made a quick and easy 5-minute dashi broth with dried kombu and bonito flakes. It really ups the smokey fish flavor. ⠀ ⠀ Toppings included are some 10 minute Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Garlic and Ginger, a ramen egg, fried shallots, and some sliced green onions. Recipe link is in my profile @megiswell 😊 ⠀ #brownrice #congee #sardines #porridge #breakfasttime #breakfastlover #foodprepping #putaneggonit #ramenegg #mushroomlove #pescetarian #seafoodlover #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #heresmyfood @food #cookCL #f52grams #eattheworld #cookit #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #saveurmag #mycommontable #bareaders #vscocook #theartofslowliving #megiswell #proteinbowl
  • Just a slice...yeah right 😂 ⠀ ⠀ Sometimes Thursdays need cake.⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #bourbon #oldfashioned #upsidedowncake #orange #wintercitrus #kentuckybuttercake #pokecake #desserttime #thebakefeed #thefeedfeedbaking @thefeedfeed.baking #thefeedfeed @thefeedfeed #cakesofinstagram #letthemeatcake #imsomartha #marthabakes #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #heresmyfood @food #eattheworld #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #foodstyling #saveurmag #mycommontable #bareaders #vscocook #theartofslowliving #realsimple #megiswell⠀
  • I'm not sure how I let 6 days go before posting again. I always feel like I just posted...until I actually look 🤦‍♀️ ⠀ This Brown Rice Mushroom Congee with Sardines is all ready to go but today I'm going to see if it can be done in the slow cooker. Because I need more recipes that I can just leave alone. ⠀ #congee #porridge #jook #brownrice #sardines #stirfry #mushrooms #eatmoremagic #abmfoodie #eatprettythings #shareyourtable #mywilliamssonoma #kitchenbowl #eattheworld #food52 #hautecuisines #saveurmag #nytcooking #epicurious #feedfeed @thefeedfeed #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #cookCL #lifeandthyme #wprecipemaker #foodstyling #foodphotography #mycommontable #bareaders #theartofslowliving #megiswell
  • Yay!!! I finally got this Bourbon Old Fashioned Upside Down Cake on the blog!⠀ ⠀ It's a delicious⠀ ⠀ ...Kentucky Butter Cake that's baked in a sheet pan instead of a bundt pan⠀ ⠀ ...Baked as an upside down cake to showcase the delicious winter oranges from my tree in the backyard⠀ ⠀ ...It's also a poke cake. I grew up serving Kentucky Butter Cake with a hot butter sauce. I added some orange juice, bourbon, orange bitters, and Angostura Bitters to it though to make this cake taste like an Old Fashioned 🥃⠀ ⠀ Go check out the recipe (the link's in my profile 👉 @megiswell ) oh and have an old fashioned too 🥃 they’re 👌 together ❤️⠀ ⠀ #thebakefeed #thefeedfeedbaking @thefeedfeed.baking #thefeedfeed @thefeedfeed #oranges #bourbon #oldfashioned #kentuckybuttercake #cakesofinstagram #letthemeatcake #imsomartha #marthabakes #foodblogfeed @foodblogfeed #heresmyfood @food #eattheworld #cookit #lifeandthyme #beautifulcuisines #hautecuisines #wprecipemaker #foodstyling #foodphotography #bhgfood #saveurmag #mycommontable #bareaders #vscocook #theartofslowliving #rslove #realsimple #megiswell⠀

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I use affiliate links throughout this site—usually at the bottom of each post but sometimes within the content as well—and may make a commission if you purchase through my links. Read my full Disclosure Policy.