I am absolutely speechless. Seriously, I’m sitting here with my hands over the keyboard trying to figure out what to type! I can’t express to you just how much it means to me to receive these awards. I am so honored to be recognized by my fellow bloggers. All of you are so wonderful and talented, so, to be recognized like this is truly awesome. Thank you so much!!!
Before we continue with the awards, I wanted to find a way to say thank you to my nominators as well as each and every person who reads my blogs. You all know how much I like sharing videos. So as my way of saying thank you, I found a wonderfully touching song and video called “Grateful: a love song to the word.” By: Empty Hands Music, which is a non-profit organization. Empty Hands Music creates free music as a gift to the world. Here’s a bit about them:
Empty Hands Music’s mission: is to spread seeds of goodness in the world through selfless service, music, and love. All of Empty Hands Music’s offerings are gifts to the world. Empty Hands is a 501c3 US-based Non-Profit, 100% Gift offering with an intention to spread seeds of goodness through its music, events & sharings all across the world, as well as through its grassroots, arts-based service work from the Gandhi Ashram, for underprivileged children in the slums of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
They are an amazing organization. As you watch the video, you’ll see a link, where you can download their 10 song album for free. I hope you watch and enjoy the song before reading on. It is truly a lovely and touching song. You can almost feel the love and gratefulness emanating from the video. (video is 4:57). I’d love to hear your thoughts! ENJOY! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!
Ok, on with the show!! (This will be a bit long, I’ll try to keep it brief!-bare with me)
Mystery Blogger Award
RULES:
- Display Award Logo On Blog
- List The Rules
- Mention Creator Of Award & Provide A Link
- Thank The Blogger(s) Who Nominated You & Provide A Link
- Say 3 Things About Yourself
- Nominate From 10 To 20 Bloggers
- Notify Nominated Bloggers By Leaving A Comment On Their Blog
- Answer 5 Questions From Nominee
- Write 5 Questions For Your Nominees
- Share Your Best Post

Hey There! I’m Smiling Dreamer – a teen just like any other who comes from Egypt. It feels like that I’ve been forever thinking of the possibility of creating my own blog…and here I am! Just so you know, this isn’t a topic-wise blog. I’ll be writing about everything & anything – but I’ll promise it’d be interesting
And she has kept her promise. Every blog she writes is interesting and fun to read. She recently took a week off for exams and I can honestly say, I missed reading her blogs. No matter how bad my mood is, she always makes me smile. You absolutely need to check out her blog! So, Smiling Dreamer these GIF’s are in honor of you! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!
You may have guessed that I love donkeys and dinosaurs from my pictures. 🙂 I’m really not a fan of having photos taken of myself but I love photos and want to include some from my different MS adventures, so that’s why Dizzy has found himself apart of it. Dizziness is also the MS symptom that I struggle with the most and as my blog is about my life with MS it seemed appropriate to call him Dizzy.
- I love horses-but have never owned one
- My ultimate bucket list destination is Antarctica
- I have 2 sons-21 and 16
MY MYSTERY BLOGGER NOMINEES (Due to the number of awards, there will only be 6 nominees for each award)
- Three Gallons of Crazy
- Low FODMAP Works
- Minnesota Yogini
- Kool Kosher Kitchen
- OM Project Blog
- Health Hustle
SMILING DREAMER’S QUESTIONS
- What is 1 question you hate to answer? QUESTION #4–That’s hard!!!!
- Are you usually late, early or right on time? Early. I was taught if you’re on time, you’re late.
- What are the top 3 apps you use on your phone? WordPress, Instagram, Facebook
- If you could be any age in a week, what age would it be and why? probably 25 yrs old-Healthy, vibrant and just wise enough not to do too many dumb things. 🙂
- What’s the worst punishment you had as a child? I was once grounded for a month because of my school grades.
- Where is your favorite place?-home with my family
- What’s your dream job? I think blogging is it!
- What is your favorite color and why? Red-because it’s vibrant and symbolizes love
- If you could be any animal, what would it be and why? Probably a horse-graceful, beautiful and powerful
- What’s your favorite thing in life? my family
BEST POST-One I just posted “The Real Truth About Baby Carrots”. This post has received the most comments by far.
QUESTIONS FOR MY NOMINEES:
- If you could have one (just one!) super hero power what would it be and why?
- If you could only eat 1 food for the rest of your life, what would it be, and why?
- If you could meet 1 person, living or dead, who and why?
- What is your favorite quote and why?
- If you had a chance to be a colonist on Mars, would you go (Knowing you’d never come back)? Why or Why not?
Lovely Blogger Award

7 FACTS ABOUT MYSELF
- I used to work as a mortgage officer at a credit union
- I plan on doing my Masters Thesis on Brain Nutrition
- I went to a Catholic High School
- I dream of one day owning a cabin in the mountains
- I wish to start my own Non-Profit one day
- My goal is to travel to all 7 continents
- I used to work as a special education teacher on an Indian Reservation
MY NOMINEES FOR THE ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD
- Princess of Paperback
- Capture the Moment in the Woods
- Everyone Feels It
- Devise, Create, Concoct
- Mrs. Twinkle: My Little World
- Chasing Kites in Neverland
The Versatile Blogger Award

- I LOVE to read
- One of my all time favorite movies is THE OUTSIDERS
- I am taking cooking classes with my 16 year old son
- One of my favorite TV shows is THE GILMORE GIRLS
- I must have butter on my popcorn
- I have a severe allergy to gluten
- I used to be a waitress in a Chinese restaurant
MY VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD NOMINEES
- Yoga with Surjot Kaur
- Electric Blue Food
- In the Autumn of my Life
- L.E.E. Bakers
- Avolicious
- The Nomad Gem
Blogger Recognition Award
RULES!
- Thank the blogger who nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
- Write a post to show your award.
- Give a brief story of how your blog started.
- Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
- Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to.
- Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them & provide the link to the post you created.-In other words-let them know they’ve been nominated
This was another double nomination. The first blogger to nominate me is Lean Sixteen. Lean Sixteen is written by Emma, a 16 year old fitness and foodie fanatic. With her concern about nutrition and fitness, and being only 16, Emma has a somewhat unique viewpoint from most people her age. Here is a bit from her on why she blogs:
I have started this blog to share what I have learned when it comes to fitness, food and just about all else. This blog is dedicated to making healthier and happier easy! From workouts, recipes, sportswear advice and how too’s, I hope this blog has something that helps you…
If you are interested in anything related to fitness and health, you should check out Emma’s blog. She has a clear and descriptive writing style, that brings you right into her articles. These articles include topics from fitness fashion and ways to stay fit, to healthy meal plans and shopping carts. Absolutely check her out. Emma– THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE NOMINATION!!
The second person to nominate me was DINOSAURS, DONKEYS AND MS. I am so extremely grateful for your kindness. It means so much to me that you have nominated me for these awards.
Give a brief story of how your blog started.–I started this blog the summer of 2015, when I wrote my first blog. I started it just prior to beginning work on my MS in holistic nutrition. However, I was so scared to write any more, that I waited almost 1 1/2 to write my second blog. But, I’m so glad I did. I absolutely found my new passion. I just love writing and blogging.
Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers
- Network with other bloggers.-This is so important. You can’t just post a blog and sit back and wait for people to find you. A few may trickle in this way, but, not many. If you really want your blog to grow, you need to get out there. FOLLOW OTHERS-they’ll be more likely to follow you. LIKE and COMMENT ON OTHER ARTICLES- This helps support the other bloggers and will also get you noticed. REBLOG/REPOST-There is no better way to support others than to reblog/repost their content. Once again, it helps you AND them. It’s a win-win
- BE YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!- I seriously can’t stress this enough. You will automatically stand out if you are yourself. I’ve said it before, but it bares repeating: you are the only you in the entire universe. You don’t get any more unique than that. Part of why I love blogging so much is I get to be myself. It’s a BLAST! In so many other parts of my life, I don’t feel as if I can truly be myself. But, when I blog I can. Your blog will start to stand out for it’s uniqueness if you are TRULY and ABSOLUTELY YOURSELF.
MY NOMINEES FOR THE BLOGGER RECOGNITION AWARD:
I NOMINATE EVERYONE WHO HAS WON ONE OF THE OTHER THREE AWARDS IN THIS BLOG ! HERE YOU ALL ARE!!
I ASK ALL NOMINEES TO PLEASE LEAVE YOUR AWARD ARTICLE LINKS IN THE COMMENT SECTION! THAT WAY OTHER’S CAN SEE IT AND IT’LL BE EASIER FOR ME TO FIND THEM!!! THANK YOU!
- Three Gallons of Crazy
- Low FODMAP Works
- Minnesota Yogini
- Kool Kosher Kitchen
- OM Project Blog
- Health Hustle
- Princess of Paperback
- Capture the Moment in the Woods
- Everyone Feels It
- Devise, Create, Concoct
- Mrs. Twinkle: My Little World
- Chasing Kites in Neverland
- Yoga with Surjot Kaur
- Electric Blue Food
- In the Autumn of my Life
- L.E.E. Bakers
- Avolicious
- The Nomad Gem
WowZa! Congratulations on all these wonderful awards. You are most deserving of each of them. Keep wearing that smile all day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Those kind words mean a lot coming from you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
7 is a lucky number 😉 congratulations!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is fabulous, well done you!
Thank you for showing your appreciation of my blog by nominating me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! You deserve it. You have a phenomenal blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Have loved reading your answers! Can’t believe how quickly you put this together as well, I was fussing with my answers for days. Thank you so much for your lovely comments about my blog, I really appreciate them. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! THANK YOU for your nominations!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I really appreciate what you wrote!! So lovely and your advice was stellar 🙂 🙂
LikeLike
Great 👍 and congratulations on all your great awards too good, keep it up and do your best.
LikeLike
I just found a bunch of your comments in the spam!!! I never check…so sorry! Thank you so much for your kind words!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its completely k dear, keep up the good work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tamara, Congratulations! You and your blog are gifts to the world! Thank you for nominating my blog and all the other blogs that I have visited and appreciated because of your nominations. You are nurturing a comforting sense of community that makes my heart sing! Peace!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome! You deserve the nomination, with your fabulous blog. Thank you for such kind words about my blog. truly appreciated! God Bless! 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations on all these richly deserved awards, many blessings and best wishes for more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much. You’re so kind. 🙏🙂😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure – love your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on all the awards, you are doing amazing 🙂
Shay-lon
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Shay-lon! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats, you deserve it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats Tamara !!! I really enjoy reading your blog. You absolutely deserve it 🙂 Also, thank you very much for nominating my blog. My blog is only one-month-old so it was a nice surprise :). I really appreciate it. Best wishes to you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for your kind comments about my blog. Much appreciated! 😊🙏 and…you’re welcome! I loved reading through your blog. It’s wonderful! You truly deserve it! 👍
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for reading and nominating my blog for two awards, Tamara!! It is wonderful to have support of fellow bloggers like you, and it’s always nice to pay it forward. Cheers!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome! Truly my pleasure! Your blog is wonderful and you deserve it. 🙂
LikeLike
Congratulations!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for the nomination and congratulations on yours!!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re welcome! 😊 you deserve it! and thank you 🙏!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have nominated you for a Blog-aholic Award. Here is the link https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2017/02/20/leonardo-was-a-blog-aholic-sweet-potato-and-spinach-bisque/. You are not in any way obligated to accept, and I fully understand that not everyone has the time and inclination to participate in these self-and-others-promoting exercises. Therefore, I will truly appreciate if you accept the nomination, as I sincerely think you deserve it, but I won’t get offended if you don’t. Nominating each one of you is my way of giving credit to some exceptional bloggers and perhaps attracting attention to your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
7 nominations?? That’s incredible. Well done. 🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the inspiration! Congratulations on the awards!
Ligia
LikeLike