Well whaddya know, it’s already Wednesday.
This long weekend stuff isn’t half bad.
To be completely honest, I struggled quite a bit while trying to write up today’s WIAW post. I sat, I thought, I paced, I picked; the words just wouldn’t come, and I had no idea why. Frustrated and getting nowhere, I started thinking about this month’s theme of focusing on good habits, and that’s when things finally started to fall into place. See, the only good habit I could think of focusing on was doing my best to keep myself from falling back into bad ones.
Allow me to explain.
Blogging about food [and fitness] requires a certain amount of focus on food [and fitness]. You read about food, take pictures of food, write about food… you basically eat, live, and breathe food all day, every day.
(do you follow me on Instagram? @runwithspoons)
That’s all well and good; I get that food is a huge part of life and that it’s a passion for a lot of people. The thing is… it really isn’t one for me anymore, and I don’t want it to become one again. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to eat, and I get giddy when I see my favorite wraps on the shelf after they’ve been MIA for a couple of weeks…
… but it no longer feels like my days revolve around food. I don’t go to bed at night thinking about what I’m going to eat for breakfast in the morning. I don’t constantly watch the clock to see if it’s time to eat. It doesn’t matter if it’s 10:30 AM and I get hungry for lunch, or 11 PM and I want a snack – I’ll eat it. I don’t spend hours prepping meals or trying to come up with creative and exciting eats. In fact, I’d say what I eat is usually pretty basic and boring.
Take today, for example:
Breakfast was my typical yogurt mess made with plain 2% Greek yogurt, a nectarine, banana, and blueberries, Kashi Cinnamon Harvest, and almond butter… with an extra sprinkling of cinnamon for good measure.
Since I’m out all day, I have to pack easy-to-go snacks, and today’s included: baby carrots, a banana, string cheese, a SunRype Just Fruit & Grains bar, and an Enjoy Life Cocoa chewy bar.
For lunch, I packed a wrap made with some deli turkey, cream cheese, and baby spinach. I also took along a small MIA salad made with mixed baby greens, tomatoes, cukes, a drizzle of olive oil, and crumbled goat cheese.
After work, I grabbed a cappuccino from Starbucks, satisfied a random waffle craving with a Nature Path Maple Cinnamon waffle, aaaaaand as of right now I’m still waiting for the dinner craving to hit.
. – . – . – .
See? Nothing too exciting or life altering – I just can’t be bothered to put so much of a focus on food anymore. That’s not to say that I never try new things, or cook up more elaborate meals, but I tend to eat things that don’t require a lot of thought or effort on a more regular basis… and I like it that way.
So now you might be wondering: “Ooooookay. Why come back to food blogging then?” Well, I spent a lot of time asking myself that very same question before I dove back into it, and here’s my answer:
For the people. For the friendships. For the connections. To share. To learn. To inspire and be inspired.
This community is full of great people, and I love being a part of it. I’m not interested in documenting every piece of food I ate on a particular day any more than I’m interested in reading about every piece of food someone else ate on a particular day. To be honest, I usually skim over meal and workout details when I read blogs and just focus on what that person did/felt/thought during the day. I know that food and fitness pretty much make up the main content of healthy living blogs, but there’s a whoooooole other side of health that has nothing to do with eating or exercising, and I want to focus more on that stuff, with, you know, a few delicious meal pictures thrown in here and there 😀
. – . – . – .
Do you think that blogging about food can lead to an unhealthy obsession with food?
Outside of food and fitness, what else does a healthy lifestyle include for you?
I sometimes wonder if an obsession with food leads one to blog about food. It’s kind of a which came first: the chicken or the egg relationship. I’m not saying this is true of every blogger, but if someone is already thinking about food constantly, why not put that thinking into something productive and write about it?
I know that when I restrict, I think about food all.the.time. Did you find that when you started eating more/differently, that you thought about food less?
Definitely. It I didn’t eat enough, I couldn’t focus on anything except for wanting to eat more. I lost interest in all of my hobbies and passions because all I could think about, and all I looked forward to, was my next meal. Now I eat until I feel satisfied, move on, and I don’t start thinking about food until I get hungry again.
Hey Amanda!
I don’t know if you remember me at all–but I was one of your readers back before your dissappearance. I know I’m a little late to welcome you back–I guess that post was a few weeks ago–but WELCOME BACK! I was also worried what happened to you. And you disappeared when I was just starting to get into your blog. You have a unique writing voice/style that I really enjoy. Anyway–I’m glad your back–and also you look great. I’d love to hear what you’re up to now with school, work, etc..
I definitely think that some parts of blogging can be problematic for some people. With always being consumed with taking photos of food. And also trying to always “eat clean” and workout everyday. It can probably get competitive for some people. I think its so important to be aware why you blog, and what you project to people as well.
I think when I read blogs I was more unhealthy then when I started my own, particularly because I never shared my feelings or anything and kept to myself, but now I feel that I can actually write about important topics I always thought about and get feedback on those issues and I learn from commenters on things I could improve on! And I like that, although I know some people don’t appreciate those comments. Such a great post!
Your like, the Yoda of the food blogging world. I love it 🙂
It is easy to let the food become an obsession when you are a “food” blogger like we are, but as I’ve told you before, its really just all about the balance!! Im glad you have found a way to work past the obsession, because now you get to share all your knowledge and Yodaisms with us (yes I made that word up!) I really try to not let the food be too much of a focus on my posts, but more of what the food MEANS to me. Like todays post for example. The recipe I posted held a place in my heart, a memory. Those are what I want to share with my readers 🙂
I’ve been called a lot of things, but I can’t say that Yoda has been one of them 😉 And food is the best when it has memories attached to it… oatmeal chocolate chip cookies will always hold a place in my heart because my mom would always make them for me when I was little 🙂
Kudos for staying aware! It’s tough but it’s commendable to do.
I too find some blogs trigger ED comparisons and I have to say how refreshing it is to read your blog. I’ve been having a really rough time lately and your blog is so uplifting and positive but not in a pushy way if that makes sense? I just want to say I am delighted you’re back blogging and I’m hoping to do some more writing when I start to get back in the groove more 🙂 thanks again angel xxx
I think that where you are at is where we all strive to be in terms of looking at food as a balance of fuel and pleasure. This is a great post, I’m glad I randomly landed on it today!
Another perfect post, Amanda. Your honesty is so beautiful and inspiring.
I think we’ve all gone through phases where we focused WAY too much on food and trying to follow on “perfect” diet…it’s exhausting. Listening to our bodies and going with the flow makes life so much more enjoyable. I always try to remind myself that I want to eat to live, not live to eat…and that’s an amazing feeling. (:
I ran into food and exercise becoming a VERY unhealthy obsession when i first started reading blogs this summer. It is how I realized I didn’t want my blog to be about food. Yes I wanted to mention the mind blowing eats I do have sometimes and I want to mention the importance food has in life and how I use it to judge where I am at mentally. But I don’t want food, exercise, or eating disorder content to be my whole life anymore. I want to write posts in which I never mention food or exercise. In those posts I am still blogging about healthy living because life is about the actions and moments. Not the minutes until the next meal or next work out. Thank you for posting this!
I’m looking forward to writing posts that have nothing to do with food as well 🙂
Ooh yes, I definitely think food blogging can perpetuate an obsession with food. It’s funny how so many people who are recovering from an ED start a food blog… maybe it’s just a way for them to continue their obsession? But at the same time, I think food blogging can help to end EDs as well. When you see such healthy people eating properly (and enjoying treats!), it can be so inspiring to someone who is struggling. Food bloggers can be at any point on the spectrum from a healthy relationship with food to an unhealthy one – and it’s up to us as readers to use our own discretion when reading blogs!
There’s definitely a spectrum, and you’re right – blogs can really help someone overcome an ED if they’re looking to blogs where the author has a healthy relationship with food. I know that was certainly the case with me when I was trying to figure out how much I should be eating. It’s just too bad that in so many cases, unhealthy habits get disguised as healthy ones and really throw people off track.
I know what you mean about the community of blogging, it so great to read how other people are and get to know other people around the world. That said I often have trouble opening up on my blog and most of what I write about is food. It’s so great that you don’t fixate on food, I think that is something I would really like to learn how to do (and I am pretty sure many other healthy living bloggers would agree!)
This is exactly my stance toward food. I love it, I love to eat, but when it starts taking up all my energy and filling my thoughts, then I know it’s time to reel it in. When i’m eating real food, and eating consistently, i tend to eat, go on with my day and not think about food til i’m hungry again.
yeah so there is this weird correlation (for me, at least). the more i eat, the less i think about food.
mind.blown.
It was the same way for me. The mind obsesses over what it needs but lacks in an effort to get us to deliver it. Unpleasant.
Oh heck to the yes! I LOVE that you addressed this, Amanda– I found that my restriction of certain foods was at its WORST when I was trying hard to be involved with everything in the food blog world. Food is FOOD, and it should stay that way. Yes, it’s alright to be interested in baking, cooking, prepping, etc., but we all need to be careful not to cross the line between it being an interest and an obsession.
YES! I totally agree with you. While I enjoy reading about workouts on some blogs (like if people are training for a big event) I usually just like reading how the people themselves are doing. Sometimes it can be boring just seeing what people ate in a day and not hear anything else– like did anything cool happen during the day? Anything weird?? I like that kinda stuff too 🙂
AND that’s why I love your blog– you’re REAL and genuine and while you may sometimes talk about food, you don’t center everything around it! It’s refreshing, that’s for sure!
Hop eyou have a wonderful day, Amanda!!! <3
I indeed think food blogging can leas to an unhealthy obsession about food since you can easily get lost in comparison games,if you know what I mean. At first,it’s fun to share your food and all,but when you read about the “super healthy and delicious”,”lean and clean and protein-packed” “POWERMEALS!” (sorrysorrysorry… I don’t want to offend anyone,but it sort of annoys me somehow.) other people eat and wite about,you can quickly start to feel like shit. Real shit,indeed. And that’s no good at all.
In the meanwhile,I’ve realized life is not about food and not eating as “clean” as other people do doesn’t kill me; I’ve understood I am allowed to eat sweets and treats when I crave them and that I don’t need to have “super voluminous oats that fill you up for hours so you don’t need a snack EVER yay!” a “protein-packed salad with extra veggies” for lunch each day to be healthy,but I have to confess that it took me a while. A while TOO LONG,definitely.
Therefore,I think apart from food and fitness,it’s important to stick to yourself,your body,your needs because in the end,we are all unique and everyone’s different. No comparison needed,not at all.
The comparison trap is definitely a hard one to avoid, but you have to remember that bloggers never show the entire picture, it would be impossible! Often they eat differently than they project, struggle with their own insecurities, and maybe aren’t really as happy as they let on. The only person you know everything about is yourself, so you should do your best to honor what you need 🙂
I definitely think its a very fine line. I know that for me, last year it was not healthy for me, but now that I’ve gained a greater perspective and am able to be more true to myself its better. I actually enjoy seeing the random things that people eat and your food doesn’t look boring to me at all! I guess it always comes down to finding a balance that works for each of us. Oh and hell yes to the community, I love my blogger friends!
I think THIS is what healthy is!! Im obsessed with seeing what other bloggers eat during the day, men I dont think its (only) a good thing! The good thing is that I see other girls eat more than I think I should (still struggeling with that..), so it makes me less affraid to eat more too. But I donth think it is a good thing to think soo much about food and meals as I (and I guess a lot of us) do!
So, food-blogging can be both helpfull and harmfull I guess!
There is a whole lot to healthy living appart from food and fitness – I think it at least as much important how satisfying your social life is, how much time you take for yourself, to don’t stress out, to take breaks, to be happy with whatever career/workpath you chose for yourself, to have a supportive family around. I guess if you are good with all the points I mentioned above, food and fitness are just some things that fall into place and are really not that important – on the other hand, if you are having bodyissues and healthissues due to crappy foodhabits, this can also reflect on a lot of those aspects. Guess it’s all about the balance again.
I love all of those things you mentioned about what constitutes a healthy lifestyle, and I definitely agree that when you focus more on those things, food and body image really just take a back set and fall into place naturally. It’s just so unfortunate that society tends to place so much emphasis on food and body, that we end up watching our lives pass us by as we count the calories in our sandwich.
Another great post, Amanda! Although HL blogs can be infinitely motivating and inspiring, I definitely do think they can foster negative habits & mindsets to an extent. In the past, seeing what others eat have made me question my own eating habits- heck I remember eliminating wheat from my diet because I saw another blogger (who looked great) do it- yeah fortunately sense made it’s way back into my head and that was short-lived! As for the food fixation, that’s primarily why I don’t document my meals on the blog (at least not all of them). Kudos to those bloggers who are happy to take pics of their meals regularly but it’s not for me- I tend to gravitate towards the same foods so if anything, my readers would be bored! I won’t lie that for a while, my day’s did rotate around my food: what I am eating, when I am eating, what I would be eating, ETC ETC! I am glad to say that, like you, I still love food but it’s not my life anymore…just a part of my life!
Capp + waffle sounds fabulous right now:)
Hmm…I think that just like anything, obsessing over food blogs can lead to unhealthiness! Moderation is key. Always. Other than food and fitness, a healthy, clear mind is super important, and if one is constantly checking food blogs to see what others are eating, it can go downhill fast.
I really like your approach to food and fitness blogging. As much as I have a passion for both of those things, I know that focusing on them too much makes me obsess over them and feel bad if I don’t eat X or workout as hard as a certain blogger. I do like reading other healthy living blogs because I love seeing their lives behind the scenes and I also get some meal ideas, but I think too much blog reading can be a bad thing. When we just live our lives, that’s when we’re the healthiest!
I think for many healthy living bloggers, it’s difficult to quell (or overcome) an obsession related to food thoughts/planning/prepping/eating, unless a a blogging break is taken. I LOVE this community. I blog for all of the reasons you listed–the people; the friendships; the connections. However, I’ve noticed that unless you enter HLB community strong–having already overcome personal obstacles–it’s tough to find your OWN voice; your own preferences; your own likes. The very nature of reading differing points of view in regards to nutrition and exercise, is apt to “confuse” anyone, but those who are struggling to figure out what they’re comfortable with–I think—find this process even more difficult. This was certainly the case for me. I had to step away for awhile to figure out who I was and what I believed (mainly in regards to healthy living topics), before I could trust myself enough to not be swayed by everybody else’s opinion. I’d be lying if I said I’m not swayed today, because I can be. However, any changes I choose to implement into my lifestyle aren’t rash decisions like they once were. I’ll read something, think it over for a long time, and usually decide that no, I’m happy with the way I do things. 🙂
I definitely experienced the same problem…. My struggles with food really made me forget what it was just like to eat normally, and I remember going to food bloggers to get ideas. Blogs can be a great source of information and inspiration if the author has a healthy relationship with food, but the problem is that many of them don’t 🙁 And then, like you said, it creates even more problems for people who are looking up to them.
That wrap looks yummy! How do you assemble it??
Also, are you planning on updating your pinterest soon 🙂 I would love to follow you but right now it’s empty ..
I just lay out the tortilla, spread some cream cheese over the whole thing, put the turkey and spinach a little off to one side, and then wrap it up! Quick and painless 🙂 And ahhhh Pinterest! I keep meaning to get more into it but I just haven’t had time! Hopefully soon!
i totally agree with you! sometimes we get too caught up in the foods we’re ‘going’ to eat and/or ‘need’ to eat. But in reality, we shouldn’t be thinking so hard. i’m totally on the simple route these days. The less time it takes for me to make the better 🙂 I think a healthy lifestyle is just doing what we want, eating what or when we want, exercising when we feel like it (or not), and just living life. Easier said than done, but it’s what life should be like!
Yes! Totally love your view on what a healthy lifestyle includes. We need to just stop thinking so much about how we should be living life, and just live it!
I loveeee adding pb to my cereal!! All your eats look great!;)
it’s always about the people, the food is a bonus.
p.s.
i eat lunch at 10:30am sometimes or 2pm. just depends on my mood. Love food, not the focus.
ah! Love how you put it Lindsay! haha. So true~it’s just endearing to see what blogger friends are up to and what they think about…And although food/healthy living blogs can be harmful, they can also be inspiring and helpful! I think it all depends on the reader’s mindset and where they’re at. But of course, we should be responsible bloggers and not try to deceive anyone purposefully with our lifestyle and eating, etc. you know? 🙂
well said Ellie! love your mindset.
Just found your blog and I love it! Such a cute name:) Your wrap looks fantastic!
Thanks for stopping by to say hi, Sunnie!
I totally agree with the comments above in that I too love your blog for your uniqueness, honesty and thoughtful inspiring posts! I stopped blogging about a year ago when when diet underwent a big change – I was worried what others would think of my new outlook on food. I also missed the friendships I had made. I was so happy to see you back because I really believe that your blog is truly a HEALTHY living blog – a healthy life is more than just food – what about friendships, family, traveling, school, jobs, other interests like reading or gardening! I could go on for ever!
I continue to look forward to more of your inspiring posts! 🙂
Amen. I wrote a post a little while back about how I roll on my blog. You just described how I feel about blog reading and blog writing in general. I love your blog for that reason.
For me, the BIGGEST appeal of your blog is the amazing & insightful writing, then the beautiful pictures. Don’t get me wrong though, your food & recipes are fabulous , you created many addictions- I’m still obsessed with cookie dough balls maaany moons later:).
I love how much more relaxed your attitude to food & fitness is these days! Many , including myself, will aspire to be more like this, although I do think a passion for these thing CAN be healthy. Just not if they are the ONLY things in your life.
Friendships/relationships are probably one of the biggest factors in happiness. This is an area ill always have to consciously work at I imagine. I like my own company best & I’m pretty introverted.
Xxx
I can very much relate to your feelings of introversion. I tend to be pretty introverted myself, and although I’ll never be a huge social butterfly, I can’t deny that the relationships and friendships I do have definitely go a long way in improving my quality of life. You don’t have to feel like you have to force yourself to be the life of the party, but it’s always good to have a few close friends 🙂
I definitely think food blogs can be a double edged sword. I had to cut out a lot of food blogs in the midst of my ED because they were triggering and gave me a inaccurate idea of how much and what I should be eating. In fact, I still can’t read many of the old blogs I used to read, because I can still sense that they’re struggling, and it brings up too many bad feelings for me. I see too many of the odd concoctions I used to make that were meant to imitate something I really wanted (ie, rice cakes instead of toast). Like you, however, I reached a certain point when I stopped thinking about food obsessively and watching the clock. Now I just have my pure passions for cooking and nutrition (I’m a dietetics student), neither of which are shadowed by calorie counting and guilt! I’m glad you feel free from that sort of thinking as well 😀
That’s great to hear that you’ve freed yourself from calories and guilt! I, too, see some people eating certain things and have to wonder whether they actually enjoy what they eat, or whether they’re just too afraid to eat what they enjoy. It makes me sad because freedom from that sort of thing really is beautiful.