Gluten-Free Spirited 2017 in Review

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Another year is getting ready to close. Like many of you, I’ve been reflecting on what I accomplished in 2017 before setting intentions and goals for the next 365 days. My biggest goal for this year was also my biggest accomplishment: launching Gluten-Free Spirited. In the latter part of 2016, I began doing research on blogs. I studied other blogs and their social media pages. I took notes (literal and mental) and started brainstorming for my own blog. There are many travel and food blogs; I didn’t want to get lost in the shuffle. A friend of mine, the talented illustrator Tim Williams, designed my blog/social media header. Only a handful of people even knew I was considering starting a blog. Finally, I let everyone in on March 31.

If you are new to GFS or a regular visitor that hasn’t gotten around to reading my bio (don’t you think it’s time?), you can read my first post now. It’s a basic GFS 101 on what this blog is and why I started it in the first place.

Since this is a year in review, I thought I’d share the most popular blogs since GFS launched. Countdowns are popular this time of year, so why not be like the other cool kids?

[bctt tweet=”Take a look back at the most popular posts on #GlutenFreeSpirited in 2017.” username=”gfspirit”]

5- Cracker Barrel: A Southern Tradition (and also a favorite of the Bullet Club, the biggest & most popular faction in pro wrestling in the world)

4-Golden Corral: Best Buffet in the USA

3-What to Order at Hickory Tavern If You Have Dietary-Restrictions

2-How to Make Dietary-Restriction Friendly Pancakes (this recipe could also work for waffles for Eleven)

1-What to Eat at Texas Roadhouse That’s Dietary-Restriction Friendly (I wrote this several months ago & it’s gotten really popular in the last couple of months. I ain’t mad at it.)

ICYMI: Just a few weeks ago, GFS surpassed 3,000 views! I’d like to once again thank you for all of your support over the last few months. I truly appreciate it because without you, I’d just be talking to myself, though Nikki & I would still be trying restaurants and recipes (as we call it “blog research”; that’s how we got this guide to the best dietary-restriction friendly pizzas).

As for 2018 goals for GFS, here are a few:

-Reach 5,000 views by/on March 31 (y’know, the one year anniversary of the GFS launch)

-Grow followers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Hell, you can even follow GFS on Bloglovin’.

-Grow email subscriber list. I don’t send spam. In fact, as of right now, you only get alerts for when new blogs are posted. You should sign up so you don’t experience FOMO AND when you read my blog, you help me get closer to 5K views. Of course, it’s not all about GFS. When you sign up, you get a FREE Beginner’s Guide to Dietary-Restriction Friendly Essentials. So, whatya waitin’ for?

-New website additions/improvements. I still don’t really know what I’m doing with WordPress, but it’s served it’s basic function. I want to look into more ways to improve it. I have added a menu to the top of my website that breaks my posts into four main categories: restaurants, recipes, guides, and travel. I almost put them in alphabetical order, but for now it’s by most popular. I also added a mobile plugin to make my website look sexier on your phone.

-Travel more. It’s been limited due to my full time job and funds. I’m making more of an effort to travel, even if it’s short trips.

If you’ve made it this far, congrats and thank you. I shall now reward you with #FoodPorn. For those of you with dietary restrictions, there may be foods that you can’t eat and it may make you sad. Please forgive me and continue scrolling.

 

Texas Roadhouse Sirloin
I won’t judge you for licking the screen.

 

BBQ sandwich, mac & cheese, and a pickle.
So much deliciousness. Pulled pork BBQ, mac & cheese, & a dill pickle.

 

Chocolate peanut butter cup pie slice.
Behold the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie.

 

A bacon cheeeseburger with pickles at Kickstand Burger Bar.
Kickstand’s burgers are a mouthful!

 

A slice of pepperoni & bacon pizza from Brixx Pizza
#PizzaPorn

 

A picture of dietary restriction friendly pancakes with chocolate chips
So. Good.

I hope you have a happy and prosperous 2018!

[bctt tweet=”Thanks for all of your support this year! Read 2017’s most popular posts & goals for 2018.” username=”gfspirit”]

 

39 thoughts on “Gluten-Free Spirited 2017 in Review”

  2. Aw a massive happy new year to you as well and I am so pleased to hear that 2017 was a prosperous year for you! I have every confidence that you will be able to surpass 5,000 views very soon! Good luck! x

  3. I’ve loved reading your blog posts recently this year and I’ll admit, you’ve totally made me super hungry whenever I read your posts, lol! I hope you have a wonderful 2018 and accomplish all of your goals! 🙂

  4. Congrats on all of your accomplishments in 2017, and best of luck crushing your goals this year. This is such an excellent niche and I have sent links to a few friends I have who live with dietary restrictions.

  5. Awww Samantha, you have found such a wonderful niche and you’ve done so well for yourself in such a short space of time too. As you know I fortunately don’t suffer from any dietary restrictions, but since reading all of your blog posts I’ve become super aware and try really hard to make an effort to cater to those people who do. So thank you for that. Here’s wishing and Nikki a very happy New Year. May you both stumble on loads of dietary conscious restaurants

    • Thank you so much, Michelle! You always leave the kindest comments and they mean so much! 🙂 Making the effort for others with dietary restrictions means a lot. I think at times, they can feel like a burden because it seems difficult to help them find foods that they can eat. When someone tries to understand them, it really helps. 😀 I hope you & your family have a wonderful New Year! <3

  7. This is a great list! Your pancakes look amazing! I get migraines at times and I was told that a gluten-free diet is best to calms them down. I will definitely be back to your blog to learn more about this.

    • Thank you! I always get hungry writing about food and usually end up craving what I write about. LOL I’ve added more goals (personally & professionally) since reading some other blogs. There’s always time to decide on goals. Happy New Year!

  10. I always love coming to your blog and glad to have found it, you’ve done great in 2017 and I wish you all the best for 2018. That peanut butter pie.. omg, my mouth wants it!!

    • Thank you, Ithfifi! 🙂 I love coming to your blog as well to see your creative, pretty nail art. I hope the same for you this year! 🙂 I HAD to indulge when I saw it on the menu & I’m glad I did!

  11. It was great following you in 2017. I am glad you have amazing numbers on the pageviews last year. Wishing you a great new year to accomplish the goals you have set. Looking forward to more amazing content from you 🙂

  14. Hope you had a lovely year!! Wishing you all the very best for this new year .. may you scale great heights with your lovely work…
    I really all the dishes you made they just look so lovely

  15. Those are all some great goals for your 2018. Can you believe you have already almost been blogging for a whole year? I am still at the 6 month mark. I definitely enjoy your blog, so keep up the great work for 2018! Happy new year!

    • Thank you so much, Ariel! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year either. Congrats to you making it to the 6th month mark! Happy New Year!

  18. Happy New Year!!! Your blog has helped me out a lot as I was transiting to a gluten free lifestyle!

  20. Pingback: Gluten-Free Spirited 2018 in Review ⋆ Gluten-Free Spirited

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