On this weekend a year ago, I was in Chicago for a food blogging conference. After arriving a day early to squeeze in some sightseeing, I spent much of the next two days with my gluten-free food blogging friend, Jane. (She actually lives in my tiny California hometown—what a small world!)
On the last day of the conference, Jane’s Midwestern cousin drove to Chicago to spend time with her, and they invited me along on their excursions. We wandered around Eataly, Chef Mario Batali’s Italian marketplace full of imported groceries and freshly prepared foods (and if you ever get the chance… PLEASE GO!! It literally feels like you’re visiting Italy, without ever pulling out your passport, and there are locations in Chicago, NYC, and Boston!); dined at Chef Rick Bayless’s Frontera Grill, an upscale Mexican restaurant with the best dark chocolate pecan pie I’ve ever tasted; and walked to the iconic “jelly bean,” aka Chicago’s metallic and reflective Cloud Gate sculpture. (I shared lots of my pictures from those Chicago adventures here!)
After those 24 hours with Jane and her cousin, I felt as if I had known both of them for my entire life… Or like they had adopted me into their family! Our souls connected on a deep level of beautiful friendship, all because of traveling to Chicago for that conference.
And that’s exactly what I love about baking, cooking, and food blogging: it brings people together and creates friendships that span across generations, races, and even around the world. Like Jane and me… Like Jane’s cousin and me… Like you and me!
I feel so blessed to have “e-met” you, whether this is your first time visiting my blog or your one thousandth, and I occasionally pinch myself to check if this is real life… Even after 3+ years of having Amy’s Healthy Baking as my full-time job, it still seems like a dream, and I couldn’t have achieved that without your interest and support for my recipes and cookbook!
So to say thank you, I’m putting the spotlight back on you today! Here are some of the recipes that you’ve tried and pictures that you’ve shared on Instagram. I truly appreciate each and every time you do that; it really means the world to me! ♡
If you’re interested in starting a blog too, I have a super easy step-by-step guide on how you can start your own blog here. It takes less than 30 minutes!
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 I’ll see your picture! ?) I can’t wait to see what recipes you make!
Hi Amy,
So cool to see my pretty apple cake on your Sunday Spotlight!
I shared a couple pieces of that cake with my Mom and she just raved about it the next day, we all loved it!
Hope you had a nice time in the city, I can’t believe you were so close to me, We live about 2 1/2 to 3 hours from down town Chicago. I love to visit there when ever we can. Lot’s of great places to see and some amazing places to eat! Makes a great girls get away anytime of the year (=
Always looking forward to your new recipes, everything I’ve made of your so far has been awesome!!
Lisa N.
You’re so sweet to share the cake with your mom! I’m so glad everyone loved it. That means a lot to me! 🙂 I really enjoyed my time in Chicago! It was my second time there (my dad and I visited on one of our baseball trips years ago), and I’d love to go back someday. Probably when it’s slightly warmer! 😉 I can’t wait to hear what you try next!
Amy, I just love Sunday mornings! Thank you for the spotlight and I love seeing what everyone else is baking! You are so awesome. I loved reading about your adventures too, it takes me away from the winter up here in Canada!! Happy Baking Everyone!!!
You’re welcome Lynn, and thank YOU! I absolutely love featuring you — you’re such a sweetheart to try so many of my recipes! ♡
Please unsubscribe me from your blog dYou give measurements in metric I don’t have the time or the want to figure out what I need. A total useless site for an American
Because I’m based in the US, I give my recipes in both American and metric measurements. The traditional American measurements are the first number listed in the Ingredients list, and the metric measurements (when applicable) are in the parentheses. I understand the American measurements can be easy to miss Mary! 🙂
Ahhh, it seriously tickles me pink every week to see all the creative ways people photograph your recipes! So fun! That greek yogurt chocolate chip pound cake is especially gorgeous!
Thanks Andrea! Beverley is such a talented baker — she actually has a blog of her own! (And you should see the cakes and cupcakes she posts… They remind me of your cake decorating days!)
Dear Amy , isn’t funny how you get to know someone so quickly in such a short period of time and feel like life long friends. Sometimes things just click her on line and in real time. Thank you for featuring my photo of your recipe this week, it is an honour to make your recipes. Thank you again and I really enjoy reading your blogs even if I don’t get time to leave a comment. xoxo
You are such a sweetheart Beverley — thank you!! It’s my pleasure, and it means so much to me that you read my blog posts. I can completely relate to not having enough time… I could always use an extra day every week! 😉 I always love seeing your photos (those cupcakes from earlier this week were so gorgeous!), and I can’t wait to see what you make next!