Sugar-Free Mom 3 Year Blog Anniversary & Lily’s Chocolate Give Away
It’s my 3 year blog anniversary so I’m celebrating with chocolate , sugar-free chocolate of course!!
I can’t tell you it’s been easy or a piece of cake (pun intended) to write a blog and have it become successful enough to make a living, but it can happen because hard work truly does pay off.
Three years ago I was with some friends for a mom’s weekend away and sharing with them my idea to start SugarFreeMom.com. I had no idea how it would work, if it would work or how I could possibly make it work. Being a mother of 3, homeschooling, tutoring part time I was all ready so busy, but I knew my passion was cooking and I was willing to work my butt off to get to the place where I could quit tutoring part time.
It certainly didn’t happen over night but consistently for a good year, I posted 6 days a week! Crazy right? Yes I know but I had a goal; to get my recipes out there sharing with people that a sugar-free way of life is attainable, enjoyable and delicious! I’ve found so many people just never realized how good it could be or how easy it could be to live sugar-free. I’ve been doing it for over 10 years and that’s why I share what I do, and what I love. I am thrilled when someone is shocked no sugar is in an amazing dessert they just tasted.
As the first year was a difficult time of working as a tutor to special needs kids, raising my 3 kids and teaching them at home and living life with busy activities for them, it was stressful, but again when you can do something you love, it’s not a chore. Cooking for my family is never the difficult part, but all the other responsibilities of course get in the way LOL, wish I could just cook, bake and take photographs all day, ha!
As the second year began I was able to quit tutoring which freed up my afternoons and evenings 4 times a week and I was able to reduce the posting to 4 times a week. That first year and even the second, I did nothing else but share my recipes and pray you all liked them. I never went to any food blogging conference, never networked with others, and didn’t even get paid to work with brands at that point.
I remember my hubby telling me, just focus on the content, be reliable and steady and the rest will come. He was right on with that!
By the start of the 3rd year brands were finally reaching out to me and I didn’t work for free. I was able to attend my first conference in the spring of this year as well as this summer. I actually went on my first paid business trip to Maine to explore the Wild Blueberry barrens as well. And the biggest news was that I was approached to write a cookbook! The Sugar-Free Mom Cookbook will be out December 9th!! If you’ve ever written one you know it’s truly a labor of love and when it’s finally complete you feel like you’ve given birth, no lie!
But again, nothing would have happened if you all didn’t try my recipes, enjoy them and share them.
I’m so very grateful for the faithful followers of my blog and appreciate every single comment I receive!
To show my appreciation in a tangible way I’m happy to share some chocolate that I love with you!
Lily’s is celebrating with me by providing 3 Sugar-Free Mom readers a chance to win their chocolate goodies!
- Creamy Milk Chocolate bar made with 40% Chocolate – Rich and smooth, this melt-in-your-mouth bar is a favorite for those who enjoy the sweet, simple pleasure of milk chocolate. With 20% fewer calories than traditional milk chocolate and no added sugar, this tasty chocolate bar is perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth, guilt-free!
- Salted Almond and Milk bar made with 40% Chocolate – Salted almonds roasted to perfection unite with velvety, smooth chocolate in this delightfully sweet-and-salty bar. Perfect for dessert, with 20% less calories than traditional milk chocolates and no added sugar.
- Bag of Premium Dark Chocolate Baking Chips – For flavorful baking, these great tasting stevia-sweetened vegan chips contain no added sugar and are so good they make a delicious snack right out of the bag!
Disclaimer: I’ve not been compensated to write this post, I just truly love this brand of sugar-free chocolate. A big thank you to Lily’s for generously providing all the winners their gifts.
CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED
Contest ends on Saturday October 25, 2014 at midnight Est. US residents only please. 18 years of age to enter. Winners will be notified via email and have 24 hours to respond before new winners will be chosen. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About Brenda
Brenda Bennett is a certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, certified Sugar Detox Coach, certified Keto Coach and certified Life Coach. She has been Sugar Free & Refined carb free for 17 years and has written 2 cookbooks, Sugar-Free Mom, and Naturally Keto and her 3rd book The 30-Day Sugar Elimination Diet, is a four part program to help you detox from sugar, eliminate cravings, balance blood sugar and lose weight all while eating a delicious, nutrient dense whole foods. Meal plan offers two tracks to follow, low carb or keto. She is the founder of the Sugar Free Fresh Start course and Sugar Free Tribe weight loss membership. Learn more.
I have never heard of this chocolate, would love to try it!!!
I love Lily’s chocolate! And I love your blog, it has truly enhanced how I look at being sugar free. I am glad there are others out there that have the same desire to be sugar free!
I have not tried them yet, thank you for the chance to win some and thank you for your blog (and the updates on Facebook).
I tried some this week! Wonderful.
Awesome job on three years of blogging! I have never tried Lilly’s but am interested in how the stevia makes it taste. Thanks for the giveaway!
I have never even heard of Lily’s, but would love to try it. And congrats on the blog!
I’m so excited about this chocolate. I had no idea there was Stevia sweetened chocolate. Looking for it as soon as I’m done here. Stevia is the one of only sweetener my sister can have, the others make her sick.
I have lost some weight and have now cut out the white stuff, sugar and flour that is and now LOVE Lilys chocolate.
I have not tried it yet
I have not tried Lilly’s yet, but I will!! I have been sugar free for 18 months and am learning new things daily. I love finding recipes without sugar. So thank you so much for starting your blog 3 years ago.
I’m really glad you started this blog! I am a recent convert to a low carb, sugar free diet and I have really enjoyed working with your recipes. In fact last night I made a batch of the pumpkin mousse and topped it off with some Lily’s dark chocolate chips. YUM!! Thank you for the chance to win, I am too a big fan of Lily’s! 🙂
No, I have not tried this chocolate. I have never seen ot in the stores here.
Can’t believe it has been another year since your last anniversary.
Hi Charlotte!
The only place I have seen Lily’s chocolate on the shelves is at Whole Foods (they carry both the chips and the chocolate bars). I also believe that I have seen just the chocolate bars at Harris Teeter. (Not sure if you are located near any of these stores).
I know Charlotte, time flies!! Yes I’ve only found them at Whole Foods.
I have not tried Lilly’s but I will now. I have been sugar free for 18 months. I love finding recipes without the sugar. Thank you so much for starting this 3 years ago. I know I have a long way to go, but I work at it daily.
Thanks again!!
Love, Love, Love Chocolate and have never tried these!
I have tried these chocolate bars before and absolutely loved them!
I have been wanting to try Lily’s for some time, but haven’t had the chance yet. Would love to win this prize bundle!
Would love to try this chocolate!!
Congrats!! Three years of wonderful recipes!
Mmmm… That chocolate looks so lovely 🙂 I’ve never tried it before, but my family just started the sugar-free journey so this sounds amazing as I have never had sugar free chocolate. 🙂
I have tried Lilly’s, and it is delicious. I hope I can win. Thanks.
I love to hear stories of moms who wanted something more and went for it! I love your passion for something so important that can benefit so many people! All your hard work certainly paid off!
Need to try these! My BF is trying a low carb diet and I think this may be good for him to try too!
Love Lily’s but they are pricey! I’ve only tried their chips so I’m going hunting for the bars!
Love Lily’s baking chips, wish I could get them locally!
Seriously too funny b/c my dog’s name is Lily and just last month she at a whole chocolate bar. It was horrible but the name kinda made me laugh. PS. She’s fine now 🙂
I love this chocolate!