Healthy Living Blogs

Friday Feature: The Bex Factor

Friday Features — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

In our weekly Friday Feature, we share a 5-question interview with one of the fantastic members of HealthyLivingBlogs.com. Take the time to get to know your co-members, pick up tips and tricks, blogging know-how, and recommendations from your fellow bloggers. If you’re an HLB member and haven’t gotten your interview email yet, don’t worry, you will in time! We’re working our way through a list of 2,000+ members’ blogs at random.

1. What’s your name, blog name, and how did you create your blog title?

My name is Becky, but a lot of people call me Bex, and I blog at The Bex Factor. When I started my blog it was actually registered under a different domain. About five minutes after paying for that domain, The Bex Factor randomly popped into my head. I ended up buying it anyways :p

2. What can a new visitor expect to find from your blog?

I chat about everything from my Crossfit work outs, my adventures in obstacle racing, related healthy living topics and more recently, baby stuff since I now have a six month old boy!

3. What is one lesson you’ve learned about blogging since you first started your website?

I’ve learned that people only read my blog for baby updates! Kidding. The one thing I’ve learned is that even though a post you’re super excited about doesn’t get many comments, it doesn’t mean no one is reading or no one cares. I have a surprisingly larger readership than I think and I sometimes forget that!

4. What is your favorite way to get moving, burn calories and energy, and get your exercise-on?

Crossfit hands down is my favorite way to workout. I love tracking progress as I lift heavier and finish WODs faster. Every day is something completely different and I’m never bored.

5. Tell us about your favorite SOMETHING.

KOMBUCHA! I’ve just discovered how amazing this drink is within the last couple months. Not only is it delicious, but it has a ton of health benefits as well. It’s a healthy alternative to pop or juice. My boyfriend and I love buying the GT’s brand but it’s also easy to brew yourself so we usually have a batch brewing in the pantry.

Recipe Wednesday: Protein Packed Snacks

Recipe Wednesdays — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Recipe Wednesday; another avenue to promote your very best content, this time in the form of your most favorite recipes on your blog. Each Wednesday when you visit HLB you’ll find the theme for the newest recipe round up.

Some weeks our themes read like cookbook chapters, spotlight ingredients or flavors, or simply request the best recipe for a certain situation. Find an appropriate recipe from your blog archives to fit the theme and add to the link up. Or be inspired to create a new theme-friendly dish worth posting about before next Wednesday.

Each week we feature at least one of our favorite recipes from the previous week, giving even more exposure to some of the best you’ve shared from your own kitchen.Let’s get to it, shall we?

All-star recipes from last week’s Favorite Way to Use Leftover Veggies round up:

I Don’t Have a Dinner Plan Pasta from VeggieGirl

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: The Benefits of Quitting

Healthy Living Tuesdays — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

We’re back with another submission for this month’s Healthy Living Tuesdays series: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body!

The best part of our HLT series is the open-invitation to participate. Here’s how you can play along: Sometime in the next few weeks, write a post on your own blog under the “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body” theme. When the last Tuesday of the month shows up, we’ll host a link up. Participating is a great challenge: How will you make your post stand out in a community of bloggers writing under the same theme? Plus, the link up at the end of the month is an awesome way to promote your greatest content!

Between now & then, we’ll be showing off some of our members own posts on the subject manner – so, be sure to come back and visit each week to get a taste of how others are tackling the topic themselves. It’s a great way to find new bloggers to read and get to know your fellow HLB Members. [If you’re interested in writing for future Healthy Living Tuesday featured posts, drop us an email at healthylivingblogs@gmail.com.]

The Benefits of Quitting
by Jessie of The Happiness in Health

A year and a half ago, I climbed into my station wagon after a research group meeting, completely spent. I’d only been a Master’s degree student for a few months, but it had felt like years. In the quiet gloom of the hospital parking lot, I finally acknowledged the truth that had nibbled at my consciousness for months.

I hated doing research.

I wept.

Before you get the wrong idea, I will point out that I’m not given to melancholy. I save the waterworks for stubbing my toe or a sudden shortage of cheese. You know, the important things. These tears were unusual. And that’s how I know something was wrong.

You know that little voice in your head, the one that whispers to you in the wee hours of the morning when you’re sleepy and defenseless? Mine was chattering non-stop those days.

This is not you. You’re playing a part. You’ve done this before, and it wasn’t worth it.

But, then:

You’ve never quit anything in your life. What will people think?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve pushed myself to do what I thought other people expected. Only I didn’t call it that. I described my actions as doing what was best for me. This identity confusion carried me through trigonometry in middle school, AP chemistry at age fourteen, and an undergraduate degree in physics.

When I went back to school to become a registered dietitian, I thought I was done with that stage of my life. No more doing something just because it was “expected”. I was finally doing what I wanted to do.

And then, after becoming an RD, I talked myself into starting a research-heavy Master’s degree in nutrition. I’ll bet you could see that coming from a mile off.

I have great admiration for the field of research. Men and women work tirelessly to uncover Great Truths that help us understand the world and our place in it. I have friends who have devoted their lives to research and love nearly every moment of it. Yet, however much I tried to convince myself I belonged in this world, it was not for me.

Luckily, my husband had seen it all before. After I described my sob-fest in the parking lot, he asked, “Do you want to quit?”

Holy cow, yes. Yes, I did. The moment I acknowledged this desire, I felt my shoulders lift. I’d never admitted wanting to quit before, not even to myself. It just wasn’t done in my world, especially with anything related to academia. Until then.

There are many variations of the quote: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather acting in spite of it.” I offer a variation of my own:

Despite my fear of what my professors, co-workers, and family would think, I quit my Master’s degree. It was hard. And it was wonderful.

Instead of forcing myself into an environment in which I didn’t belong (and paying for the privilege to boot), I worked as a registered dietitian, gained experience, and saved money. I wrote fiction in my spare time and unearthed my dusty colored pencils. I tuned my violin. And it was wonderful.

There’s an article I came across recently that talks about going with the flow, of making choices because they’re easy and/or prestigious. Of course I would choose to go to grad school. It’s the next logical step, especially for a self-identified academic like me.

Somehow, along the way, I confused identity with accomplishment.

Identity is not just what we earn or how many accolades we get. Of course, we’re still defined by what we do, by the choices we make. And it should be that way. But when what we do lines up with who we are, rather than who we think we should be — now that’s happiness.

What all this chatter have to do with this month’s “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body” theme? The name of my blog, The Happiness in Health, was an arbitrary choice made late at night (sleepy and defenseless, remember?). Yet over time, The Happiness in Health came to embody one of my strongest beliefs about ourselves: that health and emotion are tied together in a package called “well-being”, and that each will affect the other, even if we don’t consciously realize it. In this case, I faced the pain of quitting to find my own happiness in health.

Thanks to the Healthy Living Blogs community, and to you, dear reader, for sharing this story with me. I’d love to hear yours! Have you ever quit anything? How do you find your happiness?

Monday Announcements: 5.20.13

Monday Announcements — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

To submit your own announcement for next week’s Monday Announcements post, email healthylivingblogs@gmail.com with EXACTLY how you’d like the blurb to appear, complete with links, photos and the like, [between 30 and 120 words, please] before 12:00 Noon eastern, this coming Sunday.

Over on the Healthy Living Summit site this week, we’ve announced a whole bunch of answers to the FAQ we’ve been fielding over the past several months. When are tickets going on sale? How much will they cost? Which blogger friends are presenting sessions at #hls13? Find answers to these questions and more here: Answers to the FAQs

Want to get the word out about your blog? Are you a blogger looking to try out advertising? As a treat this month, Lisa Fine is offering 20 free Small Ad spaces on her blog, City Sprouts. Just head to her Sponsors page, click on “$5 – Buy Now”, add your information and image, and enter the Promo Code SPRING13 to get a Small Ad for 30 days for free! This offer is open to the first 20 people who sign up. Lisa reserves the right to reject ads for non-blog websites.

In anticipation for release of Chronic Resilience: 10 Sanity-Saving Strategies for Women Coping with the Stress of Illness (Cornari Press, August 2013) Author Danea Horn is pleased to announce a Summer 2013 Essay Contest. The topic is “Who inspires your chronic resilience?” She is inviting the nearly 45% of American’s coping with chronic illness to honor the special people in their lives who motivate them every day.

Essays must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. PST on Friday, July 26^thfor a chance to win the top prize of $250!Two additional essays will be honored with a spa gift basket full of self-pampering goodies. All winners will be recognized and have their essay posted on Danea Horn’s websites, www.chronicresilience.com and www.creativeaffirmations.com.

Participants wishing to enter the contest should write an essay of no more than 1,000 words describing who they are chronically resilient for. For details and official rules, visit www.chronicresilience.com/essay-contest.

Lou over at Letters from Lou is sponsoring her first giveaway. She is giving away an entire box of Probar’s new CORE bars, which are packed with protein and flavor. They come in a variety of flavors including Brownie Crisps and Cookie Dough. In addition, all other readers will find a code to receive 40% off one order from @theprobar. Hurry on over! There are several chances to win and the giveaway closes Sunday, May 26th at 12:00 a.m.

Have you ever tried Quest Bars?

If so, you probably already know they are delicious. If not, you should probably try them.

It’s your lucky day because Danielle @ It’s A Harleyyy Life is giving some away!

Go over to her blog now to get some goodies that are packed with protein and have no sugar!

Have you ever heard of Organic Root Beer? Stephanie at Food and Fitness 4 Real is giving away four six-packs of the new Honest Fizz zero calorie soda on her blog this week! The flavors include Professor Fizz, Orange Pop, Lemon Limey and (Organic) Root Beer. Try all four flavors and decide which one is your favorite! Enter at Food and Fitness 4 Real.

Want a chance to win a Bestowed Box delivered right to your doorstep? Of course you do!

The Cookie ChRUNicles is hosting a giveaway that runs through this Thursday May 23rd.

To learn more about how to enter, check out The Cookie Chrunicles post, I Love Getting Presents!

Good luck!

Words of Wisdom:

"I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days before you've actually left them"#TheOffice

May 16, 2013 10:18 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@KirkCousins8

Kirk Cousins

Keep your dreams BIG and your doubts small.

May 15, 2013 2:11 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@crossfitobsess

Anna Lee

"Happiness is not having what you want, it's wanting what you have." #LifeQuote

May 15, 2013 12:32 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@LetsStartup_DMV

Let’s StartUp DMV!

"You are most powerful and most effective when you are completely yourself." #morningmantra

May 14, 2013 7:11 am via The Huffington Post ReplyRetweetFavorite

@GPSforSoul

GPS for the Soul

"Life is messy and it kicks you in the ass, but the messy parts are the best parts." - @NewGirlonFOX #newgirl

May 12, 2013 1:45 pm via Facebook ReplyRetweetFavorite

@lifeofvicki

Vicki

If you think it's expensive to hire a professional, just wait until you hire an amateur. #quote #wisdom #amen

May 14, 2013 2:03 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@xokammie

Kamila Gornia

Friday Feature: Run with Kate

Friday Features — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

1. What’s your name, blog name, and how did you create your blog title?

My name is Kate, and my blog is Run with Kate. Guess what my favourite sport is? I’m super original.

2. What’s one goal you’re working towards right now (career, personal, health)?

Right now, I am working on running my first business. My passion for running super long distances has briefly taken a back seat while I grow my tutoring centre. The kids there have stolen my heart in a way I never expected!

3. Spread some blog love – which Healthy Living Blog do you read every single post from?

I desperately want to put two here – my HLB blogger buds Debbie from Live from La Quinta, and Abby from Back at Square Zero write posts that make me laugh and fall in love with their stories.

4. How would you describe your blogging style?

I am a fairly conversational, casual blogger. If it comes to mind, it’s in. There’s method to the madness, but as a general rule, I try to keep it light-hearted. I also swear. Sometimes. When it’s necessary. Always.

5. What is your healthy eating philosophy?

Enjoy what you eat. That greasy chicken might taste good for a few minutes, but your body isn’t loving it. Listen in, and thoroughly enjoy the food you eat AND the effect it has on your body. And sometimes, just eat the damn chocolate. It won’t tell anyone. I swear.

Blog Tip Thursday: The Benefits of Twitter Chats

Blog Tip Thursdays — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Every week, we share one of our favorite ‘how-to’ posts about blogging, social media, and the community we LOVE to love. Our desire is you consider HLB a resource in your efforts to blog BETTER – we want to be stronger bloggers ourselves, and we see the desire for stronger posts and cleaner designs. We understand wanting to know the BEST plug-ins, aps, programs, and resources to keep your site in tip top shape. And nothing makes us nerd-out more than getting super meta about all things blog-world. We’re not experts, we’re simply bloggers ourselves – sharing our own experiences, tips and tricks of the trade each Thursday with a BTT post. We welcome your questions, your suggestions for future topics, and your ‘how-to’ post recommendations at healthylivingblogs@gmail.com!

Hey everyone! My name is Alex, and I blog at Alex Tries it Out. I’m a graphic designer, runner, and blogger living in central Iowa and (constantly attempting to) live a healthy lifestyle.

Whether you’re first starting a blog, or if you’re a veteran, there’s a lot to do. And even though people might tell you that Twitter is important, it can be hard to make the time to investigate all aspects of it.

In March, I talked to you about the best ways to participate in Twitter chats. Now that you know how to participate in Twitter chats, I think it’s time that I told you why you should.

I wouldn’t say that Twitter chats are a high-radar item on every blogger’s list. There are many bloggers I know that don’t take the time to do them, and many who just don’t have the time to spare. It can be a tough thing to make time for, but I believe that there are some great benefits from participating in Twitter chats.

1. Making friends
This is probably the best part about Twitter chats. It’s such a great way to ‘meet’ people!
Twitter chats are focused around a topic. So, if you join one, you’re guaranteed that the people you’re talking to are there to talk about the same thing you are. This makes it easier to strike up a conversation with someone you’ve never spoken to, or become involved in a group conversation.
After a few tweets, you’ve probably just made a friend, or at least, began to. Maybe they’re a blogger, or maybe they’re someone who reads blogs. But you’ve connected with that person – and from there, friendships can easily grow.

2. Increase your followers
This is more of the business side of Twitter chats, but it’s an important one. With all the conversations you take part in, and people you meet, an obvious reaction is a growth in your Twitter followers.

How do you tweet now? Just taking a few minutes out of your day to chat with other bloggers, or connect with companies? Twitter chats are great for that. But instead of taking those few minutes, you’ll dedicate an hour. And instead of gaining one new follower for a day’s work, you might garner 10-15. Or, even more, depending on how much you engage in that chat, and how large that chat is.

3. Learn new things
I know I said that making friends was the best part, but this is such a good one as well! Twitter chats are a great way to learn something new about any topic.

For instance, I take part in Runchat most Sundays. As a new runner this past year, this was a great way to get advice in many aspects of running from people who’ve been doing it for years. It was a quick way for me to talk to people who’d been through what I had, get support, and get my questions answered.

Pick a topic you’re interested, and Google “Twitter chats about (your topic)”. I can almost guarantee you’ll find one!

Twitter chats have a lot of advantages! Will you join me for one? I’m @alextriesitout, and I’d love to hear from you!

Recipe Wednesdays: Favorite Way to Use Leftover Vegetables

Recipe Wednesdays — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Each week we feature at least one of our favorite recipes from the previous week, giving even more exposure to some of the best you’ve shared from your own kitchen.Let’s get to it, shall we?

All-star recipes from last week’s Caramelized Onion Recipe Round Up:

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza from Bean a Foodie
& Caramelized Onion Hummus from Sarah Learns

Healthy Mind, Healthy Body: One Little Word: Pause

Healthy Living Tuesdays — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

We’re back with another submission for this month’s Healthy Living Tuesdays series: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body!

One Little Word: Pause
from Lisa Fine

I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions – I usually forget what I set out to do, or come up with far too many things to remember. Instead, for 2013 I chose one little word – pause – and have been using it as a kind of mantra throughout the year.

As I was thinking about choosing one little word for 2013, something I’d never done before, a few words came to mind – delve, risk, push. But they didn’t seem quite right.

People are often amazed by how productive I am, how I’m so busy and active and don’t stop moving.

And it’s true – I like to get things done.

I tend to be the type to jump right into projects. I’ve been told I’m a voracious reader, and I get really excited about blog and work possibilities. When I go running, I just go out and run, maybe cool down with a walk for a few minutes, and get right onto the next thing. No stretching, no foam rolling, even though I’d prefer it.

I generally think of myself as a Type B person, but I have Type A tendencies. I like to make plans and write lists, and I like to be busy and productive. (But at the same time, I’m not a race-to-the-top kind of person, and I crave my down time hanging out at home.)

Instead of choosing a word like delve or risk, I’ve been going for the opposite – to pause. Instead of jumping right into everything, I’m trying to wait, and reflect and think, then decide.

I think part of the appeal of yoga to me is that it forces me to pause, which I think is really healthy. It slows me down. It forces me to sit still. Sometimes I struggle with the meditation part of yoga, but that’s how I know I need it to balance. I’m trying to do more yoga in 2013 too.

So this year, 2013, is my year to pause :

I want to pause before I go running or walking or hiking, to really take in my surroundings.

I want to pause after running to stretch out my body.

I want to pause before I hit “publish” on a blog post or “reply” on an email, to double check my work.

I want to pause when I wake up each morning, just for a moment, before rushing to read blogs.

I want to pause at some points throughout each day, to sit still and appreciate my life, instead of rushing through it.

This year’s been a great one so far. I got engaged, my fiancé and I are starting a new adventure by moving from Vermont to New York City, and we’re getting a puppy!

I just want to pause to really enjoy everything and reflect.

Do you have one little word for 2013?

Monday Announcements: 5.13.13

Monday Announcements — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Now is the time to sign up to become a Blogger Sponsor for next month. It’s a great way to support HLB and show of your pretty little blog while you’re at it!

Currently all Blogger Sponsor ad spots are available for only $10 per month, or $15 for two months, paid in advance. Additionally, you can purchase 6 months for $40 in advance, or a year for $75 in advance. For more information on the program and how you can become involved read Promote Your Blog.

Tribesports have just released a new Challenge for you to try out, the Sun Salutations Yoga. To complete the Challenge you need to perform the popular sun salutations yoga sequence every morning for a whole week.

This sequence is awesome for stretching out your back and improving your posture, especially if you spend a lot of your time at a desk. Head over to Tribesports.com to take the Challenge and log when you have completed it! Good luck!

Do you love getting mail? Are you trying to make healthier food choices? Head over to Brownies and Zucchini and check out Kelly’s review and GIVEAWAY of a Bestowed Box! Everything in the box is hand picked by a Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist! Giveaway runs through Friday May 17! Enter here: http://www.browniesandzucchini.com/2013/05/10/i/

“Who doesn’t love cake? But the calories… the time… the money. What if I told you, you could make a healthy and gluten free chocolate cake in just a few seconds? It’s true! Check out this amazing Double Chocolate Microwave Mug Cake (check out the hilarious video recipe) from Sensual Appeal AND enter in her giveaway for a package of NuNaturals Stevia – a no-calorie all natural sweetener. Giveaway ends on Wednesday so hurry and enter now!”

#truelife tweets”:

Hour 1 of waiting for the groceries to put themselves away: They still have not.

May 11, 2013 4:30 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@WannabeChefEvan

Evan Thomas

The beautiful satisfaction that comes from hitting "unsubscribe."

May 8, 2013 12:02 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@ctownfitforlife

Aundra Weissert

evidently Adventure Time is a good cure for the blues, at least temporarily.

May 5, 2013 4:56 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@kayeholl

Kayla Hollis

If I worked at @Starbucks I would totally doll up everyone's cup. Fancily written name, little doodle - Hopefully it will make their day. :)

May 8, 2013 9:34 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@KaitlynMKE

Kaitlyn Herzog

A1 I usually love appetizers since a lot of times as a vegetarian the main course can be lame #hlbbookclub

May 6, 2013 7:11 pm via TweetChat ReplyRetweetFavorite

@saltedplates

Casey

Helpful tips, tricks, and need-to-knows:

BLOGGERS! type in MNNICE to get *free* ad space on my new blog! http://t.co/5Wr6Mhy4dx [@passionfruitads]

May 7, 2013 1:21 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@dianapantzmpls

diana neidecker

10 best house plants to de-stress your home via @huffposthome http://t.co/Mzw3sKWf6a

May 8, 2013 5:14 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@FoodFash

Kristin

Just bought some sweet ass blue @ProCompression socks - use code AA50 for 50% off!

May 8, 2013 10:13 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@runningbun

Ashley Byron

@bloghealthy an interesting article on happiness from @greatist. This really resonated with me :) http://t.co/GyjoZoExRP

May 6, 2013 9:38 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@Gold427

Nicole kahn

Get creative w school gardens -grow herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil). Harvest & throw in freezer for use year round -Simmons #CIAHeatlhyKids

May 8, 2013 12:47 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@KimKirchherr

Kim Kirchherr

Words of Wisdom:

“If you can dream it, you can do it.” Walt Disney

May 7, 2013 3:41 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@healthyashley

Ashley Stephens

"It's less about body image and more about attainable goals--pushing the limits of what you think you can do. - Annie Sakamoto #livewithfire

May 9, 2013 12:29 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@DareYouToBlog

Meredith

Don't count on tomorrows. Make it happen today.

May 6, 2013 9:46 am via Tweetbot for iOS ReplyRetweetFavorite

@whitneyhess

Whitney Hess

We can't go back & make the details pretty. All we can do is move forward & make the whole beautiful.

May 5, 2013 6:00 am via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@POTSC

POTSC

"If it doesn't challenge you it doesn't change you."

May 4, 2013 7:30 pm via HootSuite ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Shape_Magazine

SHAPE magazine

We’re so vain, we love that these tweets talk about us:

Likewise, @kellynigl @ThenHeatherSaid!! We're going to have SO MUCH FUN at #hls13, my friends. Can't freaking wait!! #hlbbookclub

May 6, 2013 7:21 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@grmindyjean

Mindy Nienhouse

Hotel, motel, Minneapolis Hilton.... say whaaaaaat?! The @HLSummit hotel has been announced: http://t.co/ewzZa2tgkK #hls13

May 7, 2013 8:29 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@ElizabethEv

Elizabeth

I'm so excited to be apart of the Healthy Living Blogs community! @bloghealthy #healthylivingbloggers

May 6, 2013 3:51 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@gracefulrdn

Laura Henson RDN

@grmindyjean such an awesome area ; right in the middle of downtown. great places to eat, theaters, trails and BIKE RENTALS! #hls13

May 8, 2013 9:25 am via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@dianapantzmpls

diana neidecker

I did not read it. Just wanted to hang out and chat with my HLB friends :) #hlbbookclub

May 6, 2013 7:10 pm via TweetChat ReplyRetweetFavorite

@kellynigl

Kelly Nigl

@frecklednettles No prob! I found your blog through @bloghealthy today-loved your post about being a new blogger and the sense of community!

May 6, 2013 4:14 pm via Twitter for iPhone ReplyRetweetFavorite

@RacingBananas

Kim

I think I shoudl have eaten dinner before this chat! #hlbbookclub #hungry

May 6, 2013 7:22 pm via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Got2Run4Me

Coco

Friday Feature: Journey of a Dreamer

Friday Features — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

1. What’s your name, blog name, and how did you create your blog title?

My name is Courtney and my blog name is Journey of a Dreamer. I have always been a big dreamer. When looking for a name I also wanted something to emphasize that finding health has been a journey, and will continue to be so.

2. What is one lesson you’ve learned about blogging since you first started your website?

Don’t try to be someone you’re not. There will always be someone faster, stronger, or better than you. Don’t let that get you down, just be good at being you. Stop comparing yourself to others

3. Do you ever experience days when you don’t want to make healthy choices? How do you motivate yourself when you really need it?

YES! Truth be told – I sometimes give myself a day (or week) off. It can be mentally exhausting to make healthy choices all the time. Sometimes I just need to give myself a break. I usually still make moderately healthy choices while on my “break” but just the freedom is refreshing.

4. What is your favorite way to get moving, burn calories and energy, and get your exercise-on?

CROSSFIT! and running. But mostly CrossFit. I love that it is functional fitness and that it incorporate weight training and metabolic conditioning.

5. Tell us about your favorite SOMETHING.

Disney. I absolutely love Disney. I think that EVERYONE should go to Disney World at least once in their lives. They do everything excellently and really bring out the kid in you. It is just SO fun. Go there for vacation. Run a race. Go by yourself or with your family… it doesn’t matter… just go!