Follow Your Health Bliss
Is it the age of innocence or the age of bitchiness? Ahaha, I kid, I kid. I’ve noticed a little blog trend going on right now. Some are feeling a bit defensive about their eating habits. Ok “defensive” really isn’t the right word, so let me rephrase that. Some bloggers are expressing their passion for, and reasons behind, their eating habits — especially in response to those who feel strongly that there is one and only one right way to proper health and nutrition. All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS we don’t all eat the same things and the same way. Life would be really boring and that sort of cookie-cutter, my way or the high way, sentiment is too reductive for a progressive society. We all know health isn’t just what you put in your mouth, and we all know that one’s personal path to health is entirely unique. That’s my two cents – but let me make it more clear. My boyfriend’s favorite quote is perfectly apt here: “Follow your bliss” – Joseph Campbell.
So to CCK who so passionately and eloquently expressed her love for tofu despite a lot of the soy negativism going on out there, I say RIGHT ON. I totally agree that living a happy life is all about balance, MODERATION, and about knowing what works for you. I am a strong believer in “to each her own” backed with smart, holistic thinking.
When I first began this blogging business, I felt inferior to others for my eating choices. I don’t drink Green Monsters every morning, or find it fun to mix vegetables in with my breakfast foods. I don’t find eating an all raw diet appealing. I do get why processed foods should be limited; but in my own practice, I do not shun them completely. This is what works for ME. I love that so many of you out there listen to your bodies and eat in a way that is healthy, fun and balanced for YOU. Do you ever feel inferior to others in terms of you eating habits? Judged? Embarrassed? Proud? I want to know!
Somewhat related to this, in terms of outside influence on eating habits, Diet Blog featured an article on a study published in Social Science and Medicine that demonstrated that parents’ eating habits had little influence on that of their children. See article here: Parents’ Healthy Eating Has Little Influence on Children. Of course, this is to be taken with the proverbial grain of salt. In your experience, how much influence has, or did, your parents’ eating habits have on your own eating habits? I’ve written my own musings on this topic before here.
In terms of week 2, day 2, of the challenge, I did well! I just get so much motivation from Jen and you guys. It’s hard to fall off the wagon when I feel so truly grateful to have your support!
I would like to give a shout out to Lauren at Team Giles for her participation in the Pay It Forward giveaway.
I am now paying it forward myself! The first three readers to comment on this post will win a little surprise from me — the only rule is that you have to pay it forward on your blog. OH! And this works perfectly being that THIS IS MY 100th POST! So, for the first three who comment, you get a little somethin’ for good karma (payin’ it forward) and for putting up with me for 100 posts! 
Have a blissful Wednesday!
- The Cranky One
Tags: eating habits, health, lifestyle, nutrition
9 People have left comments on this post
I’m first! But only because I’m still awake at this hour… (130am here)
You’re rocking the challenge.
I agree that knowing what works for you is good. I know what I love, and I stick with it, even if other people think it’s weird. Yay for green oat bran!
hey! Happy 100th post!!
I ALWAYS feel totally inferior that I’m not scarfing down green monsters every morning!! (they look GROSS!) but I completely appreciate that they work for people. Similarly with peanut butter – in my my mind does not compute with healthy eating BUT again it work for people! I eat the ww way which is not uber healthy but it’s working for me. I LOVE the divrsity in blogland – that’s where I get ideas from!!!!!
Well said !!! Thansk for bringin it up!
love lizzie x
WAHOO for your 100th post! You’ve done a lot of out loud thinking – THANKS FOR SHARING!
And, for the record – I totally agree regarding food. Every where we turn, there are dangers, health risks, warnings & things to look out for. We each need to figure out what our own willingness is and what we are comfortable with. I say, be proud of everything you do (including the food you eat) because if you can’t be proud of it, then you probably should consider why your doing it!
Wahoo for 100! Congrats!!!!
I AGREE! We all have to find the food program that is right for us! I found a way to keep lots of bread in my program when others say no & my treats too! I eat the things that I found right for me & over time have found work best for my body!
Nope, don’t worry what others think of my food. They are so used to me bringing my own to a get together or even a restaurant!!!
Keep up the cool work!
I will check out this pay it forward after some much needed sleep!
Aww, thanks so much for the shout-out
Congrats on the 100th post! Fantastic!!
I am absolutely in the boat with you on the ‘feeling inferior for my eating habits’ thing. I definitely appreciate all of the organic/raw/natural foodies out there, and i think ideally i’d love to do that….but in reality, processed foods are going to be in my pantry. I’m just not to the point where i can completely cut off all convenience foods, make my own salsa/peanut butter/cereal/pita chips/etc.
The parents’ eating habits definitely had an influence on me. Basically, whatever was on the way to work/practice/lessons is what we ate, without much regard for nutrition, portion size etc. That’s why i feel so greatful to be learning and growing in this process before i have any little ones to be responsible for
Ok, I am a personal trainer and author of a weight loss program and perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this but Green Monsters are GROSS! Sure processed food and other junk food needs to be limited obviously but we are all human and sometimes we just want a doughnut! Everything in moderation.
wow! Your 100th post thats awesome, but I don’t think that I read all 100 maybe 25. I didn’t start reading them till you started posting them on facebook.
I don’t feel inferior at all. I did when I first started to be healthy back when I first met Lisa but life is too short. Like the quote says, “Follow your bliss,” by Joseph Cambell. You got to live a little, you can’t always be too hard on yourself. I have fun with what I eat now and always try to eat healthy but sometimes I don’t and I try not to feel bad either.
I love you Bella.
thanks so much for this post girl! I have defnitely noticed some bloggers putting down certain foods and sometimes it will make me feel bad about what i’m eating! so silly! i’ll be honest – when the whole “anti-splenda” movement came around i jumped right on the bandwagon and opted for the more expensive stevia .. now although i continue to use it because i do like its taste better.. its not right to allow other peoples opinions effect us so much! Thank you for sharing this – i thought i was the only one who felt this way!