Sticking up for strangers: Healthy living blogs are not dangerous. Did you ever think they were?

Although Eats, Love and Happiness went online last spring, I really didn't get going until October.  I was posting every few days and not expecting anyone to read.  A few weeks later I caved and got a Twitter account to help promote my blog.  Slowly, I established an incredible group of bloggers that I continue to follow.  I had no clue what was going on during the month of October among the healthy living blog community and just came across posts involving an article posted in Marie Claire.  Apparently, there was something going on, and something that was taken very seriously and also very seriously out of context.

I know this is a little late to be writing about, but I kept thinking about this article and the responses from the bloggers who were targeted.  I couldn't help but relate to it and finally found a way to shed light on where my passion for food and healthy living came about.

I read a lot of blogs and am particularly fond of the blogs that were targeted in this article.  I read their blogs for a number of reasons.  Most of these ladies are avid runners and write about their amazing fitness and food-related accomplishments.  (Photographing every meal is an accomplishment and is a lot harder than it looks.)  Here is why I read each of their blogs:

Healthy Tipping Point  is one of the most down-to-earth blogs on my reader.  It's so easy to read and even easier to relate to.  Caitlin is so open about her life and has no limits.  I've read posts about her Twilight obsession (you're not alone girl) to her choices about birth control.  It takes a lot of guts to put all of that information out there.

Hangry Pants is equally awesome and open.  I especially admire her posts about her upcoming wedding.  However my favorite, and the post I related to the most, was about her long term relationship and how to deal with people asking you all the time "when are you going to get married?"  I was in that position until a few weeks ago and don't think I could have put it into better words than Heather did.   

Carrots 'n' Cake  is like my little online blog mentor.  Tina posts what she eats every day (again, not an easy thing to do) among other fun things that go on in her life, like her cute dog!  Lately, I've been reading her posts about how she started her blog and how she became so successful.  Her tips have been incredibly helpful.  

Kath Eats Real Food  is an expert.  Kath is a Registered Dietitian and is constantly revealing different ways to use certain ingredients.  I could click through her recipes for hours.  There is such a wide range of dishes and I find her page and pallet so colorful.  

Meals and Miles has been a huge inspiration just in the past few days.  If you read my post a few day ago about upcoming life changes.  It's amazing to know that I'm not alone out there in making crazy changes in my life.  Eventually, I will be taking some big steps like Meghann.  And, I'm slightly jealous and living vicariously through her because she lives down in Florida and sometimes I really miss it!

Eat, Live, Run is a blog that I am just starting to read more regularly.  Jenna is another go-to site for me for recipes that I and my meat-loving, sorta-picky eater of a fiancée will both like.  Her meals are full of substance and nutrition and are extremely fun to make, but also extremely friendly for "traditional" eaters.  I could browse through her cookies and bars all day long.    

Now you can read the article in Marie Claire here.  

Were any of the reasons I read their blogs fitness or weight-loss related?  No.  Although their blogs are about healthy living, you can see how other important parts of their lives also come into focus.  

So why on earth and I going on about six complete strangers?  

The article was centered around the idea that healthy living blogs, like theirs, could be dangerous to people with eating disorders.  I have never had an eating disorder, so I cannot 100% account to the fact that I think this is completely false, but I honestly believe it's a load of crap.  I do however have experience with people who have had eating disorders and I do know that their lifestyle habits are nothing like the habits of the ladies I am talking about.  I don't think it's really hard to figure that out, though.  People with eating disorders do not focus on their nutritional well-being.  Their main focus is to loss weight, and they will do (or not do) anything to be skinny.  

I will not go into detail about my experience with eating disorders, but I will say that it is the foundation for my venture to eat right and be healthy.  When you are faced with something as brutal as an eating disorder, as a victim, friend or family member, it completely engulfs your life.  You want to do everything you can to make things better without stepping on any toes.  It's an extremely sensitive issue and you never know what you can or can't do around those that are suffering.  In my experience I learned to help when asked, exhibit healthy habits and simply just be there.  I honestly wish that these blogs were around during those days.  I believe these women share extremely healthy lifestyles that we all should pay more attention to.  Those few years really brought my passion for healthy eating and well-being to life.  I would never wish a disease on anyone, but those years really opened my eyes to a lot of things and changed my life completely.

On another note, I know that these blogs have thousands of readers, have won awards, are on TV and still making an incredible name for themselves despite setbacks like this article.  But I will add another huge shout-out and congratulations to them, even though they have no idea who I am.  Lately, I feel like all I see in the media is highlighting the bad habits that people are forming (i.e. Biggest Loser, Hoarders, 16 and Pregnant, etc.)  I'm not saying that this attention isn't good because it forces these individuals to reflect and change their lives, but what about the people who are consistent in living a healthy life?   So, rock on ladies! 

And that, my friends, is a good venting session.  I feel as though that was just one huge banter, but I'm glad I opened up, once again, for all of you.  Years ago I never thought I could be writing a blog and finding a legit way to share my opinions on healthy living and food.  But this blog this is perfect.  That's all I can say and I can't wait to see where I go with my blog.  And I hope that people like Tina, Caitlin, Kath, Meghann, Jenna and Heather keep doing what their doing and never apologize for anything.  Because there are in fact awful blogs and message boards out there that do support things like eating disorders and they are never brought to light by popular magazines.  

Thank you ladies for letting me talk about you.  And thank all of you for reading my blog (for whatever reasons bring you here).

Phew, now let's all go have a cupcake.