Founder Story

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It Starts With...

My search for a healthier sweetener began in my late teens. I was a young dancer at that time enduring long days of rehearsals and classes, and late night performances. This highly physical schedule required nutritious food to sustain high energy. I’d always had a sweet tooth as a child, but the sugar crashes from giving into my sweet cravings could not sustain me well or give me optimal endurance. However, I found nothing on the horizon at that point to replace traditional white sugar.

At age 27 I transitioned from a professional performer to a Mom, eventually having five children. My focus turned to caring for my family while teaching dance on the side, and later yoga. I continued to look for ways to provide high levels of nutrition for my family to sustain them in their various activities, including school, hockey, soccer, dance, and gymnastics. When my nine-year-old daughter was diagnosed with pre-diabetes, it gave me more urgency to find foods she would enjoy that wouldn’t harm her.

I began experimenting with using seemingly healthier sweeteners, but noted drawbacks to natural sugar with a high glycemic index. In 2007 I stumbled upon an article about a global pioneer of coconut nectar, Big Tree Farms, that was based in Indonesia and harvesting nectar from coconut flowers to use as a sweetener. I was intrigued to learn about the health properties the nectar contained- rich in potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron; comprised of 16 amino acids; and with a low glycemic index (GI) of 35.

I needed to see for myself how this product was manufactured, so in 2010 I journeyed halfway around the world to Bali to tour the coconut plantations to learn more about the nectar’s health benefits, the sustainability, and organic practices of the farmers. After a fascinating and educational week in Bali, I realized that the benefits of the nectar and the purity of the organic production was what I had been searching for. Upon returning back home, I began to look for products that incorporated coconut nectar, but found few with the same desirable benefits that it provides. To fill this void, I decided to establish Blissfully Better, and for my first product I adapted my mother’s famous recipe to create the world’s first Toffee Thins—made with organic coconut nectar and heart healthy almonds.

In 2017, we added Organic Crunchy Quinoa Toffee Thins, Organic Sea Salt Caramel Thins, and our first vegan addition—Organic Toasted Coconut Thins. In 2018, we added our second vegan offering, Organic Mint Thins, to Blissfully Better’s family of confections.

We added a new line of confections to the Blissfully Better family in 2021, our snack-able, pop-able BonBons. They are Plant-based, Paleo-friendly and right in line with our better-for-your-health values; organic, low glycemic, high nutrient, only 4-6 ingredients, enrobed with 72% dark chocolate, and exceedingly delicious.

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Blissfully Better Thins Stack