Today marks another trip around the sun, and I find myself reflecting on the beautiful journey that has led me to this moment. It’s my birthday, and while birthdays are often a time to celebrate with friends, family, and loved ones, this year I wanted to take a moment to appreciate a different kind of support system—one that I hold very dear: my loyal blog and social media followers.
When I first started this blog and ventured into the world of social media, I never imagined the incredible community I would build. Each comment, like, share, and message from you all has meant the world to me. It’s not just about the numbers or the reach; it’s about the connections and the relationships we’ve forged along the way. You have all made this space more than just a platform—it’s become a place of belonging, where ideas are shared, passions are nurtured, and growth is encouraged.
What it Means to Have Such Loyal Support
Having followers who care about what I share is truly humbling. It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of “performing” for an audience, but what I’ve come to realize is that you are not just passive observers. You are an active part of this journey. You engage with my posts, provide thoughtful feedback, and share your own experiences. That exchange is what keeps me motivated to continue creating, writing, and sharing more of my life, thoughts, and passions with you.
It’s not just about the milestones—though hitting 100, 1,000, or even 10,000 followers is incredible—it’s about the connections I’ve made with people all over the world. I’ve heard from you about how something I wrote or posted resonated with you or helped you in some way. Those moments are priceless, and they remind me why I started in the first place: to connect, to share, and to contribute something meaningful.
Every comment, message, or reaction from you serves as a reminder that what I’m doing has a purpose beyond just personal expression—it’s about building a community that supports and uplifts one another. You all have made me feel heard, seen, and appreciated in ways I never expected, and for that, I’m incredibly grateful.
A Year of Reflection and Gratitude
As I reflect on the past year, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. With your support, I’ve been able to grow both personally and professionally. I’ve taken risks, tried new things, and learned along the way—all of which has been made possible because of the encouragement and trust you’ve shown in me.
This birthday isn’t just about me; it’s about celebrating the community we’ve built together. You’ve been with me through the highs and lows, and I can’t thank you enough for your loyalty. Every time you engage with my content, you make this journey even more special. The messages I receive, the likes, the shares—each one reminds me that I’m not doing this alone.
Looking Ahead
As I move into the next year, I’m excited about what’s to come. I have big plans to keep growing, to share more of myself, and to continue building this amazing community. I hope to bring you even more content that inspires, educates, and entertains.
But more than anything, I want to continue to connect with each of you on a deeper level. You’re not just followers to me; you’re part of my extended family, and I value every single one of you. Let’s keep this journey going together.
Thank you for making my birthday—and every day—so special. I’m incredibly lucky to have each of you with me on this adventure.
With all my love and gratitude,
Your “Living With Dana” host, Dana!
P.S. I am very grateful for the gifts that I have already received from my family which include a Coach bag!
[a d] 5×7 Washable Boho Area Rug, Grey Vintage Non-Slip Rug, Low Pile Floral Indoor Rugs, Soft Wool Rug Distressed Print Pattern Carpet.
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Here’s the carpet in my room:
[a d] Famous Art Paintings Funny Cat Coffee Mug for Artist, Art Lover, Art Teacher, Cat Lovers.
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Here’s the coffee mug next to my cake and gifts this morning!
I also got some Mediterranean diet cookbooks! They will come in so handy for the healthy lifestyle I’m trying to follow. The struggle is real, but Mediterranean-style meals are so delicious and yummy that it’s not a hardship to eat this way!
My mother made my a healthy carrot cake with cream cheese frosting that is delicious and moist and if I hadn’t told you it’s healthy, you can’t tell by eating it!
To transport or store a 9×13 cake, you need this storage container!
[a d] VGOODALL Cake Carrier with Lid, Green Cake Holder Cupcake Container for 12 Cupcakes 2 in 1 Portable Dessert Container for Cake Pie Muffin Cobbler. Amazon creator ad link https://amzn.to/3DwAXBo
Tonight to celebrate my birthday I am going out with friends and family to a local restaurant and having a good time and good food. Wishing you all a great day!
Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Equipment
- 9x13 cooking pan
- 9x13 cake storage container
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole wheat flour for a healthier option
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce to replace some of the fat
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil or you can use a lighter oil like canola
- 1/2 cup honey or maple syrup to replace sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots about 3 medium carrots
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple drained well to reduce excess liquid
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut optional
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 8 oz low-fat or fat-free cream cheese
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 cup powdered erythritol or your preferred sweetener adjust to taste
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract powder or a pinch of lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease two 8-inch round cake pans or one 9x13 cake pan (or line them with parchment paper).
- In a large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together the applesauce, vegetable oil, honey/maple syrup, and eggs until smooth and combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Fold in the grated carrots, crushed pineapple, coconut (if using), and nuts (if using).
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pan(s).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the cakes in the pan(s) for 10 minutes, then remove them from the pan(s) and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
Cream Cheese Frosting Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese (and applesauce, if using) in a bowl until
- smooth and creamy.
- Add the sweetener and vanilla extract/flavoring, and continue to beat until
- combined and fluffy.
- Frost the cooled cakes with the cream cheese frosting.
