Each week we profile a different Canadian Food Blogger who is part of the FBC community. This week we meet Jessica, the Montreal food blogger behind Choosing Chia where she focuses on healthy recipes, wellness guides and even dishes up a few food blogging tips.
Name: Jessica Hoffman
Blog Name: Choosing Chia
Where were you born? Montreal, Canada
Where are you living now? Montreal, Canada
Why did you start your blog?
I wanted to create a platform to share my healthy recipes for my friends and family. It started out as a hobby and I never imaged it would turn into a full-time career!
How did you decide on your blog name?
I wanted to blog name to reflect my choice to live a healthy lifestyle. I loved adding chia seeds to recipes so Choosing Chia seemed like the perfect fit!
What do you blog about?
I blog about healthy recipes, wellness guides and even some food blogging tips
Is your blog your business, your hobby or something in between?
My business! I’ve been blogging full-time for 2 years now.
What post on your blog most encapsulates you and why?
I’d say my banana cream pie chia pudding. It’s the perfect recipe to show that healthy eating can still be decadent and delicious, and is the way I choose to eat most days.
Which post do you wish received more love and why?
I’d have to say my food photography tips for beginners. Though food blogging I developed a passion for food photography and I love to share about it and help others with reaching their food photography goals!
Which post’s success surprised you and why?
My northern-style Thai vegan coconut soup! It’s the most popular recipe on my blog. Thai food is my favourite but I never expected people to love this soup as much as I do since Thai food can be a little more exotic than many other types of recipes!
What’s your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Time management! Between creating recipes, shooting recipes, and blogging finding time to manage everything can be tricky. I have my own system in place but it’s something I’m always working to improve on!
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a blogger?
Never stop trying. There was many times along my blogging career that I felt like giving up or felt like nothing was growing. The most important thing I’ve learned was to keep pushing through no matter what, and you will always see success if you do.
What has been your biggest success as a blogger so far?
Probably being featured in the New York post!
Share a couple of your favourite food blogs to read. Why do you like them?
The First Mess, Love and Lemons and Dolly & Oatmeal. I love their creative takes on healthy vegetarian recipes as well and their beautiful photography!
Favourite food - care to share a recipe or a restaurant destination?
I love a good traditional Italian pizza! My favourite in Montreal is from Pizzeria Gema which has better pizza than many I’ve had in Italy! From the blog my favourite recipe is my healthy breakfast cookies. I make them almost every week!
What are you working on next for your blog?
Right now I’m working on sharing some more food blogging tips & resources for aspiring bloggers. And of course plenty of recipes!
What else should we know about you that may or not be in your “About Me” page?
I love house plants and have a growing collection. Nothing like some greenery to liven up your home space!
What makes your blog unique?
I like to think my perspective on healthy eating and twist on easy to make recipes makes my blog unique. I want the recipes on Choosing Chia to be accessible to everyone, but also to offer a little some special!
How do you cultivate a sense of community around your blog?
I love to engage with my community over on Instagram. (especially Instagram stories) It’s a great place to chat directly with my readers and to see and share what recipes people are making from the blog!
What part of the FBC site do you find most useful?
Definitely the blogging resources section. There are so many useful tips there!
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