One Year In.
A year ago today my life completely changed.
Which is really funny to say, because nothing in my life is different today besides the fact that I write this blog. I still work a full-time job and I still hate vegetables.
But a year ago something made me start this blog and it has been nothing short of a blessing. To say I’m a passionate person is quite the understatement. When I love something, I really, really, really love it. And I’m not sure where or when my love for writing dwindled, but it happened somewhere in between my awkward adolescence and my bratty teenage years. Two paisley vests, one silk shirt and a B.U.M equipment hoody later… my priorities were elsewhere.
How Sweet It Is brought back that passion for me – times ten million. I am absolutely positive that every step I’ve taken in the last 15 months led me to begin this blog, to find myself again, to feel that passion, and to open up in ways I had forgotten were possible.
You helped me – with your constant encouragement and thoughtful comments and lovely words. With your helpful suggestions for cooking vegetables (which, I’m sorry – have all failed) and the way that you still visit after I post about bacon 3 days in a row.
At some point this week, I may do a post on what I’ve learned this last year, but for now, this is enough mush. Don’t you think?
I just want to say…
THANK YOU!
I tried to pick out my top 10 recipes, but I’m a head case. I change my mind more than I change my socks. I know that’s gross, but it’s true.
So as of today, here are my top 10 favorites.
My Top 10 Favorite Recipes
Whole Wheat Double Chocolate Chip Waffles
Healthy Crispy BBQ Chicken Fingers
Do you have a favorite How Sweet recipe?
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!
Nothing much is going to change ’round these parts, but there is one thing changing. For the last 9 months I have also been blogging under my Fit Bites page – mostly about fitness and a little about life. See, the thing is, I talked about fitness for the last 6 years of my life every single day. Actually, I’ve probably talked about it every day since 2001, when I started teaching in college. I love to work out, but I don’t want it to be the only thing I talk about there. So from now on, I’ll be gettin’ a bit more personal, writing about life, rambling about whatever I see fit, still talking about our meals, and showing you that (believe it or not) there is more to me than just food.
How Sweet It Is was never meant to solely be a food blog. I started it with intentions of talking about my life, my family, and my deep passion for writing, but somewhere along the way I fell into this trap of blogging about stylized food every single day. And let’s be honest – it can get a bit boring, can’t it?
I’m still going to be blogging about my newest recipe creation/attempt, but I also want to share so much more of myself with you.
And of course, I’ll still be blogging about fitness because it is a part of my life, but it’s not the only thing in my life.
You won’t know if I update that section unless you subscribe to my feed or subscribe by email. And if you don’t want to do either one of those things, just check out Fit Bites daily to see what I’m up to.
Do some good!
Head on over to Tina’s blog today to bid on a batch of my muffins!
Thanks to each and everyone one of you for reading my rambles! I can’t even tell you how much it means to me.
Now tell me – what would you like to see more of on How Sweet It Is?
141 Comments on “One Year In.”
wow – has it been a year already!? Congrats on your successful blog – it’s great! :)
Happy one year! I love coming here everyday and drooling over your foods or reading your fit bites. Can’t wait to learn even more about you! :)
Happy 1 year! Can’t wait to check out your other blog!
Happy 1 Year!
Im so glad I found this blog…Your buffalo chicken burgers are on my menu this week!
Happy anniversary, Jessica! I’m looking forward to the changes in your blog, as well as the awesome recipes I know you’ll continue to post. I’m still working my way through your recipes, but I really loved the banana chocolate chip cookies. I need to make more!
Happy Blog Anniversary. Congrats! Keep it up. Im glad to see the “Better than Crack Browines” made the top 10. I havent stopped thinking about them. They were like heaven in my mouth.. I need MORE!!
Happy Anniversary, Jessica! I love your blog, and will love it even more as your share more of your passion for life with us! :-)
Yay! Congrats on one year! I found you through a comment you made on Joy the Baker’s blog in December. You were new then, but I bookmarked you, and have been reading your blog ever since :)
I been reading your blog right from the beginning and I continue to love it!
Your humor and wit, and of course delicious recipes, always bring me back.
I though you would appreciate this link. I stumbled upon it randomly and thought of you and your love for bacon…there are some pretty creative bacon recipes.
http://www.chewonthatblog.com/2010/09/13/the-chicago-bacon-takedown-2/
Congratulations!! Your recipes are awesome! Thank you for sharing!!!
Congratulations on your blogaversary! I love reading all of your blog- you motivate me to work out, you inspire me to cook, and you always make me laugh! <3
Congratulations! That is awesome. I love how you talk a little about you and your hubs and your food. We all learn from each others’ experiences and I think it helps us find out more about ourselves. I love how people find there voices on their blogs too. I love what you share and look forward to more. Oh and our favorites were definitely those smore brownies! YUM! Have a great day Jessica!
Happy 1 year to how sweet eats!
Congratulations on one year of such an amazing, successful blog! I look forward to reading your posts every single morning :) I would love to see more dinner options because all of the ones you have shared so far have been fantastic!
Happy Anniversary! :D
I am like you, I cannot pick just one recipe of yours as a favorite… I have many times, right here in comments, offered and begged to come live with you and eat every meal with you and Mr How Sweet.
I think you said yes once, I should hold you to it! :D
Thank you for your blog… I really do look forward to the amazing recipes, beautiful photos and fun humor each day!
You can come anytime!
Hi Baby,
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary. Your website makes me smile everyday….even when I discover something yummy you made and ate before I even get to see it or when you make fun of the turkey or my Dale Jr die cast cars (that are now stored out of sight in the garage).
You should be extremely proud of what you have created!
Happy 1 year anniversary! I really enjoy your blog because it is SO well rounded. I also appreciate that your entries are just long enough to tell a brief story but not too long where it drags on! Just the right amount! You are such a fun person and always offer great recipes!
ps. I can’t wait to try those brownies! holy heaven!
This is so kind – thank you! :)
Happy 1 year!! I love your blog as is, and love trying your recipes…but would also love to hear more about your life at home, and fun travel, shopping, etc!
Happy 1 year my friend! I have to admit, I love your musings just as much if not more than your beautiful pictures of food that make me want things like chocolate, frosting, and bacon for breakfast every day.
Happy Birthday How Sweet Blog! :)
Love.
Happy One Year Anniversary!!! I’m so so so happy I know you and consider you a friend :)
Lots of love! – estela :)
HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY!! I still need to try those crack brownies (sans nuts)…holy goodness. :-)
Congrats on your blogiversary!
Happy Anniversary!!! I truly enjoy reading your so called rambles, and look forward to continue reading them! :-)
hoooooray for one year! congrats, jessica! i’ve been following from the beginning and have loved every post. your recipes & pictures are wonderful, but it’s your talent for writing that keeps me coming back. LOVE your blog and am excited to see it grow more and more!
Happy Blogerversary! I love your blog and I look forward to your new recipes and pretty pictures all the time. I really appreciate your new recipes and get inspired by your recipes. Keep it up!! Thanks Jess
i’m just so excited that you’ve invited us all on this journey with you. watching you grow over the past several months has been such a blessing to me. love ya girl!
Happy Anniversary! Keep up the great work with your blog and recipies….I wake up in the mornings looking forward to see what goodness is featured on here. We are just as thankful to you for writing this blog!
Congratulations!!!
One of my favorite recipes of yours is the Smores Brownies. When I made them (3 times in one week. ahem.) They made me remember how much I love to bake and essentially started this whole baking and cooking frenzy that I am in now.
Thank You for all of the fantastic recipes and inspiration!
Yay! Congrats to you!!! I am so, so, so proud of you and all your accomplishments… you have made the world of food blogging a better place!
Be blessed!
Amanda
Happy 1 year!!!!
Happy Blogiversary, Jessica!! You’ve made my mouth water day after day for the past YEAR :) I’m excited to check our Fit Bites. Hooray for blogging and all that it brings crazy people like us!
Hey!
I read your blog occasionally but have never commented. I read this post and felt compelled to write you a comment. I just want to say that I LOVE your writing. You are hilarious! I feel like you really have got this writing thing down, you are naturally good. Keep up the good work!
Congratulations.
My primary blog will be a year old in a few weeks. It does seem that once bloggers come up on that 1st blogiversary, changes seem to happen, for me it was breaking the bulk of my food postings into a new blog, along with a few other tweaks.
That fruit bruschetta looks fantastic BTW.
Hi there! Frequent reader here. I am so curious… what is your full time job??? Thought you were a blogger by day, and recipe maven during the rest of the time. Congrats on your 1 yr.
Hi Rachael! I will reply to this via email if you leave me a valid email?
Thanks! :)
happy anniversary!!!
I’m curious what your full- time job is as well…
I’m so happy that I found your blog :)
Congratulations!! I’ve always loved this blog and I thought this would be the perfect oportunity for my first comment! I love the way you write and the recipes you make! Always a Winner, I hope you have a wonderful next year with this beautiful blog. Success! (:
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
Congratulations on your 1st anniversary! You have created a blog that I enjoy reading. I’m always glad to see a new post in my google reader!
Happy anniversary to you!!! I am sorat new around here but have been thoroughly enjoying your “rambles” (btw so not that). Stay true to yourself and I look forward to the next year of your amazing blog posts :)
HAPPY ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! I think your blog is just so magical, I love it. :) Can’t wait to read more under Fit Bites!
Congrats girl! I love everything about you & your blog, and DEFINITELY think getting more personal is a good addition- you have a fantastic writing voice and a really special ability to combine sarcasm, wit and insights on life. Keep up the FAB work :)
Happy birthday to your blog! I’ve been reading and drooling over your posts for a while, and your blog is so fun to read every day. I love when you tell stories about your family/life and I look forward to more of that.
“So from now on, I’ll be gettin’ a bit more personal, writing about life, rambling about whatever I see fit, still talking about our meals, and showing you that (believe it or not) there is more to me than just food.”—
GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on your 1 year. Wow. You are such a force, a powerful player, such a wonderful human being. I am privileged and touched to call you one of my closest friends. The thing is that I see you from a completely different lens that many people probably do b/c of how close we’ve become and gotten to know each other and I know the masses of your readers will cherish the Jessica behind the food blog as much as I have. I want to keep all your goodness and fun and common sense meets hysterically funny stuff all to myself…haha :) but you are too good of a person, too amazing of a friend, not to have everyone see more of this side of you.
Congrats on making it to 1 year, and not only making it, but being amazingly talented and doing it with such class and purpose and just being so wonderful!
Lots of love to you honey and continued blessings, success, and good fortune I KNOW will be yours :)
xoxoo
congrats on one year!
i’m a pretty silent reader on here but i love it and i think you do an amazing job! can’t wait for the changes, i’m sure they’ll be great :)
Thanks for the comment! :)
Congrats on your 1st Anniversary! I enjoy reading your blog and have made many of your wonderful treats!
Congrats on hitting the one year mark! I stumbled upon your lovely blog a few weeks back and am now a daily visitor! Keep on the great work and I can’t wait to read more about your wonderful life (and goodies)!! :)
Congrats! It’s been an amazing year, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store in the future :)
Happy one year anniversary!!
Congratulations! You still get the prize for “first comment” on about half the sites I visit regularly, it makes me smile each time … and to send up a little prayer that some time soon you’ll find work that you love. Maybe, maybe it will have something to do with …
Happy 1 year! I love your blog and can’t wait to see more :)
xo
Kris
You have become very successful in a year, lady!! I always think your food looks absolutely scrumptious even though I have gluten and lactose intolerances. Thanks for making me suffer even more not being able to make a lot of your creations, myself! haha
It was absolutely wonderful meeting you at fitbloggin. You always seem to have a smile on your face, and a wonderful sarcastic sense of humor. ;) You are one of the most down to earth bloggers out there, and I’m proud to have met you!