Blogging

Hello everyone!

There has been a lot of discussion about why bloggers sit down everyday and share there thoughts and recipes (of course!). So now, instead of working on my Earthquake/Landslide paper, I thought I would share why I have chosen to join the health blogger community.

Last summer, I had several hours every week at work during which I would have computer work. However, the work I was doing allowed me plenty of time to browse the internet. At that point, I was looking to lose a little weight, as I had been overweight all of my life, and I was ready to change. I began looking at healthy living blogs for inspiration ? healthy recipes, weight loss tips, and how to reduce calories in meals without feeling unsatisfied.

I left for school, and continued to read weight loss and healthy living blogs. Sure enough, I descended into the realm of disordered eating. Although I was not officially diagnosed as anorexic until April of 2009, it had been going on for a while. In March, I discovered the blogs of Shelby and Jenny which led me to find other recovery blogs. Before I began to reach out for help, I made a semi-conscious decision to stop the destructive cycle of eating in a disordered way.

I began my blog shortly before getting into the Emily Program. Over the past 6 ½ (ish) months, I have opened up to the healthy blogging world in ways that I have never done with even some of my closest friends. I have been held accountable for my actions, and been inspired to stay strong by an amazing group of people. At the times I have been tempted to give up and relapse into my disordered ways, I think of the strength that I have gained through blogging, and I don?t give up.

There are times that blogging does become a hassle. I am now obsessed with making my meals presentable, and coming up with new creations on a regular basis. However, I am rather uncomfortable taking pictures of my food around people who don?t know about my blog. Reading blogs occasionally becomes overwhelming, as there are over a hundred to which I subscribe. Occasionally, I do feel a little triggered, but I have never let me dissuade me from my recovery.

All in all, starting a blog has been one of the most positive things I have ever done for myself. I am deeply grateful for the wonderful friends I have mad, and the inspiration that I am treated with every day.

In the past couple of months, I have told people who previously had no idea what was going on last year about my blog. I am considering telling more, but I don’t want the pity that sometimes comes with that. If you have told people about your blog, what types of responses have you received?

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude and love to so many people:

Shelby and Jenny ? the ones who started it all, and to whom I am deeply grateful

Meg ? full of sunshine, spice, and beauty. And my texting buddy.

Katie ? a chocolate-covered sweetheart

Devan ? my shroom lovin? beautiful babe

Liz – a gorgeous Veggie Girl

Neela ? one of the sweetest gals I know

Leiba ? a ?Blue Eyed Heart? for sure

Tina – a healthy inspiration

Sophia ? a burpin? and slurpin? beauty

Bailey ? the nicest princess I know

Mitri – an oatmeal goddess

Emily ? a co-curly top in a straight haired world

Guilding Calm ? a super fun ?skater? chick

Heather ? full of ?Health, Happiness, and Hope? ? which she definitely shares

Lora ? sweet like honey, but a little nutty

Deb ? a Nutella lovin? gal ? gotta love her

Bec ? my Canadian, PB lovin? gal pal

Jen ? a Minnesota buddy and lovely person in and out

Kailey ? a VegNewsHead and stunner

Maya and Eliza – twins with strength and beauty

Emily ? a co-music lover and friend

Leslie ? the ?Whole? package ? brains, beauty, and kindness

Anne – another music lover and complete sweetheart

On Wednesday, I had some berries I need to use up, and what better way to use them than in oatmeal?

Berry Berry Oatmeal

For more great ideas, check my Oatmeal Recipe Page.

Yesterday morning, I woke up and went out to the kitchen to get my morning tea and make some oatmeal, only to find that someone was asleep on our couch! I quickly made my tea, but oatmeal was out of the question. Instead, I had to make do with what is normally colder weather fare.

Cereal, Yogurt, Soy Milk, and Banana

I was on campus from 9 am to about 4 pm, and I snacked my way through the day.

Dark Chocolate Orange Protein Yummy.

Awesome.

Normally, I don’t go for this type of bars because they usually taste like protein poo. However this one ROCKED. It tasted like dark chocolate orange wonderfulness. And with the added benifits, it kept me pretty happy.

X2 - I bought these for some of my daily fruit servings.

I had to do some stealth photography to get pictures of my dinner. It was difficult, but I do it for you!

Spinach with a soy-sauce vinagrette.

My first Sweet Potato Fries

Blurry, but whatever. Its good good stuff - pasta with tons of veggies and sauce.

I have a presentation this morning about the Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami of 2004. Exciting, I know. Tomorrow – a field trip to the Cork Habour for one of my geology classes. I get to wear my sexy hard hat. Pictures, I promise.

What plans do you have for the weekend?

As a final note, I just finished the newest episode of Criminal Minds. I don’t want to ruin it for you, but I have to say I loved it. Vampires? Awesome. And as a plus, Dr. Reed says something adorable. In the context of people becoming obsessed with musical artists and doing terrible things for them: “That’s why I stick to Beethoven. That way, there is not guilt by association”.

I love him.

Alright – shower, walk to campus, presentation, freedom!

Love you all {I can no longer say girls because I know I have at least one male reader. Hello M. }!