March is a big month for me and my little corner of blogdom. As of tomorrow, All Day I Dream About Food celebrates its 2nd birthday and we head into the third year of creating and writing about my recipes. It’s so funny to look back on the start of this little endeavour. I’ve said it so many times before, but it really was just started on a whim. I had recently become a stay-at-home mother following the birth of my third child, and was tooling around the internet, looking up healthy recipes. Food blogs weren’t really much on my radar at that point, but I kept coming across them in my search. I was hooked almost instantly, and it hit me that one did not need to be a professional cook to write a food blog. It seemed like fun, so I decided to start my own. I did not know, at that point, that the gestational diabetes I had during pregnancy would decide to stick around. I posted maybe once every few weeks, whenever I felt like it, and the blog really had no purpose at all. It also had no readers at all, beyond my friends and family.
Toasted Coconut Ginger Blondies, Chocolate Coconut Flour Cupcakes with Espresso Buttercream, Thai Coconut Bread Pudding with Vanilla Cardamom Cream
It was my foray into low carb and gluten free baking that truly inspired me to blog with purpose. As I experimented and played with these new ingredients, slowly getting used to the way they behaved and gaining some skill, I realized I had a lot more to offer to the general public. With each success, I gained confidence and it wasn’t long before I knew I was onto something. I was pretty good at this, and good at coming up with new, creative ways to use these alternative ingredients. Slowly, through various channels, my blog began to gain traction and people began to pay some attention. It’s really been an exciting journey, to see the way it’s taken off and I am excited to see where it will yet take me.
And I know full well that I wouldn’t be able to be on this journey without my readers. In appreciation of the fact that anyone beyond my immediate family wants to read my blog, I am doing a series of giveaways this month. I have targeted some of my favourite products and asked the companies to join me in celebrating my blogiversary (and my own birthday, coming up in a week or so). I want you, my readers, to get a chance to try out some of my favourite low carb and gluten free products.
So, my first giveaway is for one of my favourite alternative “flours”. Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour has been immensely useful to me in my low carb journey and I have made many recipes with it, a few of which I have highlighted here. I’ve also found their website to be an amazing resource for gluten free recipes, many of which can easily be rendered low carb with a few tweaks. Be sure to check out their Free Coconut Recipes site to find an amazing array of recipes made with their products.
emily says
I'm following you on Twitter!
emily says
I'm following tropical traditions on twitter!
emily says
I'm following you on facebook!
Emily @ Life on Food says
I subscribe to their newsletter.
R.J. says
I subscribed to the newsletter.
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
happy Blog-anniversary and happy birthday to you Carolyn.
What a fun way to celebrate!
Already following @troptraditions on twitter
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
Following you on Twitter, of course
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
Like you on Facebook 🙂
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
pinned and stumbled this post
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
retweeted!
Ray says
Subscribed to the newsletter
renata says
Follow you on twitter via @serene_streams
renata says
Follow you on twitter via @serene_streams
renata says
Retweeted your giveaway too
amychien says
I retweeted this!
amychien says
I also followed Tropical!
Low Carbin It says
I subscribed to the newsletter and am following you on Facebook. I love your sight and look forward to your blog/post
Low Carbin It says
I subscribed to your newsletter and I also enjoy your blog and posts :O)
pattyg says
Hey Carolyn!
I subscribed to the TT newsletter!
pattyg says
I also followed you on Twitter.
pattyg says
I liked your FB page!
pattyg says
I am following TT on Twitter!
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
Happy blogoversary! I am following Tropical Traditions on Facebook.
shan says
I liked u on Facebook….plus I always tell my friends about this site and share the food I make from your ever helpful recipes….txns!
Kelly @ Foodie Fiasco says
I am following you on Twitter!
Alexandra says
I had actually never read your backstory. Really interesting. It's great that you started testing out recipes with all of these interesting products – I never would have known how to use any of them! 🙂 I started following Tropical Traditions on Twitter.
Cindy says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter – @normawatson
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cindy says
I follow All Day I Dream About Food on Twitter – @normawatson
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cindy says
I "like" All Day I Dream About Food on Facebook – Cindy A.
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Cindy says
Tweeted!
https://twitter.com/#!/normawatson/status/176004288735232001
clogzilla(at)yahoo(dot)com
Priscilla says
Congrats on 2 years, Carolyn! It is amazing when you look back 🙂
I already follow and Like you.
Priscilla @ShesCookin says
I'm following Tropical Traditions on Twitter.
I love coconut, but haven't experimented with coconut flour – I'm sure it would add a subtle coconut flavor to baked goods.
Priscilla says
I retweeted and stumbled 🙂
Anonymous says
I subbed Tropical Traditions newsleter.
I liked you on Facebook.
HollyIN
Anonymous says
Following Tropical Traditions on Twitter
tjw28(at)georgetown(dot)edu
Anonymous says
Retweeted the giveaway
tjw28(at)georgetown(dot)edu
Stephanie says
Happy Blogiversary! I have really wanted to try coconut flour!
I am following @troptraditions on twitter!
Stephanie says
Already follow you on twitter!
Stephanie says
And I already like you on Facebook!
taryn says
I subscribed to tropical traditions!
taryn says
I follow All Day I Dream about food on twitter!
taryn says
I like All Day I Dream About Food on facebook!
Maya says
I liked on facebook!
Jamie says
Happy Blog Birthday! I want a slice of that chocolate hazelnut cake! Looks absolutely delicious! And coconut flour? I am so intrigued!
Andrew's Mom says
I liked you on Facebook.
Magic of Spice says
Happy 2nd Blog Birthday! Congratulations and wishing you many, many more years 🙂
Wonderful giveaway 🙂
Mari says
I subscribed to TT newsletter.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
Torviewtoronto says
looks wonderful lovely giveaway
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Hi Carolyn! Congratulations on such a big milestone! 2 years! Wow very happy anniversary to you! 2 years seem like a very long journey and you have achieved many things during this time. I'm really happy for you! I look forward to your 3rd anniv or even more. 🙂
As for the flour, since I'm not much of a baker, please pass this very nice flour to someone who enjoys baking. Eventually I will, but not at this time. 😉
liam @ thelowcarbrecipes says
Happy 2 full years!!
Cake Duchess says
Happy Bloganniversary and Happy birthday to you, sweet Carolyn.
This showed up as a blogger type comment, fyi;)
chacha says
I'm glad I found your site through TT. Coconut flour is so wonderful to bake with and I love your lower carb versions of some of my favorites.
I'll like you on facebook now to keep up with your site.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Congrats on making it 2 years, and more to come! I followed Tropical Traditions on Twitter
Erin says
I like you on Facebook
Erin says
I follow you on Twitter
Sue D says
I subscribed to the Tropical Traditions sales newsletter.
slrdowney at hotmail dot com
Kristen says
I subscribe to their newsletter.
kristen_yeh at yahoo dot com
vtmom says
Happy anniversary, I subscribed yesterday and am now following you on Twitter. Glad I found you, looking forward to learning more.
Godsgalnj says
I follow Tropical Traditions on Twitter 🙂 (@Godsgalnj)
Godsgalnj says
I follow dreamaboutfood on Twitter (@Godsgalnj)
Godsgalnj says
I like you on FB (as Jocelyn Paul)
Genia Bohl says
I am subscribed to the newsletter.
Genia Bohl says
I liked All Day i Dream About Food on facebook.
Genia Bohl says
I pinned this post on pinterest.
Lori D. says
I follow tropical traditions on Twitter as bohohippiemom.
pancho772 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Lori D. says
Following ADIDAF (your page) on Facebook. Lori Davis.
pancho772 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Melinda (cookingalamel) says
I am subscribed to Tropical Tradition's newsletter!
Melinda (cookingalamel) says
I like you on Facebook!
Melinda (cookingalamel) says
I follow you on twitter!
Domestic Diva says
Lovely! THanks for the chance.
I subscribe to tt newsletter.
lovelydomesticdiva (at) gmail (dot) com
Terra says
Awww, I love the cake you chose to celebrate your special day! Two years is so fun, and I love how far you have come! I definitely think writing a food blog rocks, but the friends you make is beyond amazing! I follow TropTraditions on Twitter! Happy Blogiversary:-) Hugs, Terra
Terra says
I follow DreamAboutFood on Twitter!
Terra says
I follow All Day I Dream About Food on Facebook!
kathy brower says
I subscribe to the Tropical Tradions newsletter at [email protected].
kathy brower says
I follow ADIDAF on Twitter @ilovemygooby.
kathy brower says
I liked ADIDAF on facebook.
kathy brower says
I retweeted –
https://twitter.com/#!/ilovemygooby/status/176883449041391616
Lena says
I follow Tropical Traditions on twitter (@Erica_Leeann)
Ri Ri says
Hi. I already subscribe to the Tropical Traditions Newsletter. I also joined your blog.
Ri Ri says
I liked you on Facebook.
Tiffany says
Happy Blogiversary month! Hugs chica!
Rhett says
Subscribed to Tropical Traditions
Expressions By Elaine says
I love your blog & your wonderful recipes!
I have been a follower for a while!
I have been GF for 9yrs & LC for 5 months,
(lost 23lbs.) I am now starting to incorporate some desserts into my new healthy way of eating.
Thanks for the chance to win:)
Happy Blogoversary & Happy Birthday!
Expressions By Elaine says
Following you on Twitter
Expressions By Elaine says
Following Tropical Traditions on Twitter
Expressions By Elaine says
I retweeted
JennR says
We love eating gluten free and love coconut flour as a healthy option
celia says
I subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter.
Cara says
Congrats on your second blogiversary! I definitely enjoy your "blogging with a purpose", you are a huge inspiration to me.
I follow tropical traditions on twitter 🙂
Anonymous says
stumbled!
Cara says
stumbled!
Cara says
I follow you on twitter
Cara says
tweeting about this now!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes says
I do follow Tropical Traditions on twitter. LOVE coconut flour.
AB Smith says
i subscribe and follow TT @2kidsblogger
AB Smith says
"Liked" All Day I Dream About Food on Facebook – 2kidsblogger
AB Smith says
tweeted post
@2kidsblogger
Maija M says
I subscribe to the TT newsletter Maija pinkmaija (at) yahoodotcom
Maija M says
I like ADIDAF on FB Maija pinkmaija (at) yahoodotcom
Monika W says
I am following you on Pinterest 🙂