FFF: Confessions of a Chocoholic

Happy Christmas Eve, everyone! I hope you are having a fun and festive day if you celebrate, and if not, I hope you get some time off work. I am in NJ with my family, running a speed workout at my high school track, visiting my nana, and spending dinner at my uncle’s house as I have for countless Christmas Eves in the past.

Today’s Friday Foodie Feature is Bianca from Confessions of a Chocoholic. Bianca’s blog is delicious and delightful, full of chocolate-y treats, indulgent meals out, Boston events, with a little bit of health and fitness thrown in for the perfect balance. I met Bianca over dinner at Mistral this fall, and all I can say is that she is fun, genuine, and fabulous, just like she comes across in her blog. Once you are done reading Bianca’s Friday Foodie Feature, be sure to check out her favorite posts, especially the Caramel Pecan Shortbread Cups!

How long have you been blogging?

I started Confessions of a Chocoholic in 2008 but only a few close friends knew about it. I started getting more serious with it – writing more often, publicizing my blog, and becoming more active in the blogging community – earlier this year.

What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I love to write and I love food, and with blogging I can combine my two passions. I am able to share my favorite recipes, food items, restaurant reviews and other activities through my blog. I think food, love, and memories are always intertwined, and with blogging, I can document and chronicle a lot of great moments. I also adore the sense of community and the extremely supportive, inspiring, and fun group of fellow bloggers and readers I encounter every day.

Least favorite?

The bad lighting in my apartment makes it challenging for me to take great pictures for my blog. But I make do with it!

What has been your most fun blog post to write?

This is a hard question; it’s like asking a parent to choose a favorite kid! Haha. I have a few favorites (blog posts, not kids): I really enjoyed recapping my Italy trip (Part 1: Milan, Part 2: Venice, Part 3: Tuscany) – it was my first time to visit Europe and I had a wonderful time with my parents. I also had a terrific time writing Nose To Tail Eating: A Long Hard Look at The Food Trend Sweeping the U.S. – that was originally an article for one of my classes at Harvard and I put in A LOT of work researching the topic. Most recently, I’ve been going back to my post for Caramel Pecan Shortbread Cups – I’ve made them a couple more times again and I really think they are the perfect holiday treat!

Where do you see your blog this time next year?

I predict better food pictures in my future… I also would love to have more regular readers and commenters, and for my blog to be featured in other publications as well.

Is there anything else about your blogging experience you would like to share?

It’s important to write about things you are passionate about, and to let your personality shine. Confessions of a Chocoholic is primarily a food blog, but at the end of the day, it is also a personal blog so I write about my other interests too, like running and Bikram yoga (in fact, my Tips on How to Survive and Love Hot Yoga is the most shared post on my blog). Readers not only appreciate the variety, but it gives everyone a glimpse into your life as well. Also, I think blogging has benefitted my immensely – I get to write regularly, meet new friends, appreciate food even more, and share my culinary experiences!

Thanks for a fun feature, Bianca!  

One of my goals for 2011, in the spirit of the Friday Foodie Feature, is to open up even more space for guest contributors. I love being able to introduce new bloggers (or readers!) to the blog-o-sphere, and I love having perspectives and experiences other than my own. I have tweeted about it before, but if you are seriously interested in contributing a post or several posts on food, wine, travel, or a Friday Foodie Feature post, please just shoot me an email! All appropriate posts will be welcome

Happy Christmas Eve! Don’t forget to catch It’s a Wonderful Life if you are home tonight.