This past spring, two ladies asked if I’d speak to a group of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at two different middle schools in my hometown, sharing how I became a full-time food blogger and created my own business called Amy’s Healthy Baking. Completely flattered by their requests, I put together a 45-minute presentation full of photos and information, rehearsing it many times in the week leading up to each big day.
The students gathered in the middle school’s multi-purpose room an hour before classes officially started on those two Wednesdays for a special “breakfast seminar.” As they nibbled on slices of fresh fruit and bagels coated in cream cheese, I described my path from high school to college to today, explained the basics of my food blog and what goes into a recipe post {about 15 hours worth of work for each one!}, and highlighted the various ways through which I earn my income, including my Healthier Chocolate Treats cookbook.
Throughout both presentations, the students asked really intelligent and insightful questions, and when the first bell of the day rang and they dashed across campus to their classes, I watched them go with an overflowing heart.
As I stared at their retreating backpacks, and in countless moments every single day since then, I felt—and still feel—utterly and truly blessed to call Amy’s Healthy Baking my full-time job, and you have made this dream of mine a reality. Yes, you!
By visiting my blog and scrolling through my recipes… By making them in your kitchen and sharing the treats with your family and friends… By giving them the links to those recipes so they could try making them as well… By saving my recipes on Pinterest and writing me emails and leaving me sweet comments on Facebook and Instagram…
Your support and interest in my recipes is what enabled me to turn Amy’s Healthy Baking into my full-time job, and I’m so incredibly grateful. ♥
So to say thank you, I’m putting the spotlight back on you today! Here are some of the recipes that you’ve baked and pictures that you’ve shared on Instagram. I feel truly blessed each and every time you do that; it really means the world to me. ♥
I can’t wait to see what you try next! ♥
Would you like to see your picture in my next Sunday Spotlight? Then share it with me on Instagram using #amyshealthybaking and tag @amyshealthybaking IN the photo itself. (That guarantees that I’ll see the notification from you! ?) I can’t wait to see what recipes you make!
What a heartwarming story about the middle schoolers! That’s so awesome that you got to speak to them. I think more bloggers should speak to young students and remind them that they DON’T have to have a 9-5 corporate job to succeed! You’re living proof! 🙂
You’re so sweet to say that Marina, thank you! ♥ You would be the perfect woman to speak to those groups of students. You’re so positive and upbeat and inspiring — they’d love you to pieces! (Just like me! 🙂 )
Great that you were there to speak to those kids. Positive influences are so needed from everywhere for kids this age. We’ll see if the next successful blogger comes out of the group. Food in hand & a big smile on a child’s face is always the best reward for any cook. Way to go Amy!!
Love the recipes- keep them coming.
Thank you so much for your sweet words Deborah! That means so much to me. I really hope I’m able to inspire them to think outside the 9-to-5 box and follow their dreams — that would be so rewarding for me, but even more so for them! 🙂 I can’t wait to hear what recipe you try next!