Hello, hello!
First thing’s first: Using a random number generator… Jordan Lynn at Life Between Lattes is the winner of my giveaway for Chef Del’s Better Than Vegan cookbook! I’ll be emailing you for your address shortly. 🙂
In other fun news, Foodie Loves Fitness turned two today!
It’s amazing to think about all that has happened in my life since this blog started. When I began the blog, my hubby had just deployed and I thought it was a good time to start a cool project. I loved food, cooking, and staying active, and had been reading health blogs for awhile. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing (which is very evident if you read my posts at the beginning!), but I am so happy that I went for it and delved into this big yet somehow small world of healthy living bloggers.
Starting Foodie Loves Fitness ignited a passion inside of me. I had grown up always being active and exercising, had become a vegetarian at the age of 10, and was always into health, but I hadn’t realized just how much I loved it all until I began blogging. With the creation of my little space here on the Internet, it became very evident to me that creating recipes and workouts, talking about health, and writing were giant callings in my life.
Okay, that’s not entirely true. I always knew that I loved writing. I’ve been writing my whole life – for fun, for school, for work. But starting the blog made me realize that I wanted creative writing to become an even bigger part of my life, and so I began freelance writing.
Blogging has also allowed me to make so many great connections with awesome, like-
minded people and companies – whether through the brands that I’m an ambassador for, the random comments and emails I get from readers, the products I’ve gotten to review,
events I’ve been fortunate enough to attend, or the people I may or may not have actually “met” who I feel like I know from reading their blogs all the time. It’s a never-ending cycle of having fun creating recipes and workouts, documenting my life, learning from other bloggers’ opinions and healthy living ideas, and just growing in my knowledge and experience as a healthy living enthusiast.
Starting Foodie Loves Fitness also made me realize that I want to make a difference in this
world by helping others to lead healthier, happier lives, whether through my recipes, workout ideas, random healthy living talk, or in a more direct one-on-one way — which is why I just began school at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to be a certified health coach. I am so excited to learn as much as I can about living healthily and helping others to do so, especially at a time when America is in such a health crisis that’s only worsening.
Lastly, there are the life lessons I’ve learned from having my blog and all that comes with it. My blog is a constant reminder to be fearless and do things your own way. If you want to do something, GO FOR IT! You never know where it might lead you. I only have this one life to live (Side note: Hey, I mean, I think reincarnation is a possibility…. in which case, I’m hoping I’ll come back as a lion next!), and I want to be my happiest, healthiest, most fulfilled version of myself. I thank you all for stopping by to read my little piece of the Web and for being on this journey with me. I’m so excited to see how Foodie Loves Fitness evolves and grows in the next year!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
Happy Blogiversary! Two years just flies by, huh? You have done such a great job with your blog and I love that you can always feel your real voice coming through. Keep up the good work girly! 🙂
foodielovesfitness says
Thanks so much Sarah! I really appreciate the compliment.
Ali says
Happyyyyy happy birthday Foodie loves Fitness! I love your blog Nicole! 🙂
foodielovesfitness says
Thank you, Ali!
Amy says
Happy Birthday FLF! I love your blog!
foodielovesfitness says
Thanks for reading, Amy!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
“Be fearless and do it your own way” <–Amen to this sista! Now that we've gotten my stalkerish ways out of the way I think I can safely wish you a HAPPY BIRTHDAY/BLOGIVERSARY with no judgment 🙂 Love coming here and getting to know you better and being inspired by your delicious recipes. I WILL come to the Bay Area this year and hang out with you and Sarah 🙂
foodielovesfitness says
Haha…thank ya friend! Oh my gosh, YES that would be awesome if us ladies all got together!
Tara says
Happy blog birthday to you too! Wow, there are a lot of anniversaries today, I love reading your blog and here’s to many more!
foodielovesfitness says
Funny that we almost share a blogiversary. Back at you!
Jennifer says
Congratulations! I read your blog all the time and find you to have the same sort of quirkiness that I do. Hope you take that as a compliment, because I think it’s great!
foodielovesfitness says
Oh yeah, I’m quirky all right. I mean I just referenced being reincarnated as a lion ha! 😉
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance says
Happy Blogiversary!!! Yay for two whole years! I love that blogging has made you fearless! So glad we have been able to connect via the blogging world! 🙂
foodielovesfitness says
Me too, Britt! We MUST meet up in person one of these days. I would like to get to one of these healthy living summits this year!
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate says
Happy Blogiversary! I am so happy we connected through the blogosphere, and I definitely agree about how great the connections have been since starting blogging. 🙂
foodielovesfitness says
So am I, Gina! Thanks girl.
Paige@FitNotFad says
Happy blog birthday! So glad I’ve had the chance to discover your blog…I always look forward to reading your posts.
foodielovesfitness says
Thanks so much Paige!
Paula says
Happy happy!! Have a nice weekend.
foodielovesfitness says
You too, Paula!!