Let me start off by saying I love my husband!!! I accidentally deleted this post and he saved the day by finding a way to recuperate it. Has that ever happened to you? Tell me I’m not alone! Now to my saved post. 😀

Last night while getting ready for bed, I realized that I have quite a few healthy habits that pose no problems. Then, on the flip side, I have my fair share I seem to struggle with. I’ve mentioned before that I’m not perfect. This just goes to show so even more. My problems and my not-problems. We all have them! 😉

Not Problem: Teeth Maintenance. I loathe the feel of dirty teeth and going to bed without a minty storm in my mouth. Flossing, brushing, and mouthwash rinsing almost calm me before bed. Even when I face the strong desire of collapsing into bed headfirst with clothes still on I will make a point to polish my pearly whites. Note – not my teeth below. [Source]

Problem: Makeup Removal. I don’t wear makeup often, but when I do, quite the struggle ensues on whether or not its worth cleaning my face before bed, especially the mascara. The devil on my left shoulder usually wins out. I hate doing it! The mascara stains on my pillow case will attest to that.

Not Problem: Working Out. It is my “me-time”. My solace. A pure pleasure to my day. If there’s a way to get a workout in that day, you better believe it will happen for me nine times out of ten. The endorphins I leave with always make the time worth it and set up a positive tone for my day. This morning’s Power class did just that. The new release is tough!!!

Problem: Sleeping. I know adequate rest is vital to good health. And I do my best. Normally I get around 7-8 hours per night, but not lately. I have pregnancy insomnia in a sense. I rarely can fall asleep before 11 and my body wakes me around 4 am every morning for a bathroom run. Then, I register that my hips and back ache from the uncomfortable sleeping positions and I have difficulty getting back to a quality sleep. I doze in and out for 1.5 hours, but its not the same. I miss my sleep!

Not Problem: Releasing pressure. And *ahem* that would be in the form of gas. I have always been one flatulent chick. I vividly remember torturing my younger brother and sister by sitting on their faces and letting one rip when I was younger. Don’t judge me. I don’t need too many beans to be musical. The bunny makes it cuter, no? 😉

Problem: Actually going. I think this is the part of pregnancy I loathe the most. My stomach aches a lot and much of it is purely from a lack of quality bathroom time. I drink water. I eat fiber. I move my body. Having a #2 schedule like a 90 year old grandmother should not happen to me! And don’t worry…there will be no pictures for this one. Ewwwww.

Not Problem: Eating healthfully. I  feel so much better when I eat a balanced and healthful diet. That alone motivates me enough to give my body the good stuff. With treats here and there too of course. 😉

Problem: Lack of variety. I get in food grooves where I will eat the same thing (or very similar) day in and day out. Variety is the spice of life and should be part of healthy eating to help get in a variety of nutrients. I’m not opposed to eating different things. I like a lot of different things. But having a routine and not needing to buy a TON of ingredients at the store always seems to win out. Plus, I like my food. Even if that means 5 of the 7 weekly breakfasts are some form of oats, nubutter, and fruit.

• What healthy habits do you have no problem with and which require more focus from you?
• Do you get in food ruts or have food kicks? Or do you need a lot of variety?
• Be sure to check out the 30 Days of Self-Love challenge coming to my site in September! And don’t forget to let me know if you added my button or shared the challenge on your blog.

I’ve had quite a few things come to my attention that could easily define me as a healthy living blogger. It never ceases to amaze me how blogging has become such a key component of my life in the past 7 months. I love the community and the fulfillment it brings me. Who cares if it leads to a few quirks along the way?

Five Quirks that tell me I’m a Healthy Living Blogger

1 - My birthday wish list. I will be celebrating another year of life gone by a week from tomorrow (Aug 23). The other day Peter asked what I would like for my birthday. I told him nothing since not too long ago I received the mother of all material presents – my dSLR camera. Nevertheless, images of sugarplums fitness/blogging gear began running through my head.

A macro lens for the camera, Insanity DVDs, TurboFire DVDs, or a Garmin. You can call me crazy because 75% of my wish list revolves around items I can’t even use for around another 6 months.  I know I’m insane. After all, I know my birthday wish list item for next year even. A trip to the Healthy Living Summit 2011. If they have another one? I can be hopeful.

2 – Having a green monster…followed by birthday cake. I live my life by the belief everything works in moderation. Which is why I don’t have to feel guilty for eating a decent slice of birthday cake at a friend’s child’s 1st birthday party yesterday.

The Green Monster I had post Power class balances it out perfectly you know. Nutritious + indulgent. There’s always room for both in a healthy life. 

3 – I no longer feel odd taking pictures of my food. I’m not shy to bust out the big camera out in public restaurants. Who cares if the waiter gives me a confused look when he comes up to the table and I am playing America’s Next Top Model with my food. I need to get quality shots of my dinner. This girl has priorities!

4 - “I should blog about that” is a recurring thought in my head. I don’t think a day goes by where something catches my interest and my immediate thought process doesn’t include the blog. Open your eyes and you can find blogging material anywhere. It helps me to see things in a new light as well. I don’t really plan much out. God just gives it to me somehow. He knows I wouldn’t be creative enough on my own. 😉 We’ll call the below my “thinking face”. No, I don’t know what I was actually doing here.

5 – I don’t mind getting up early to check comments and visit blogs. I have grown so close to so many in the community that waking up 1.5 – 2 hours before M to get writing, email catch up, and blog reading done doesn’t phase me. I want time with my darling one during the day, but know I couldn’t give up my precious blogging time either. I think she appreciates it. Blogging did lead me to Green Monsters and she is very appreciative of those.

She’s also appreciative of the review I get to do. Like the most recent one for Sesame Street e-books.

Over the past month, we have had complimentary access to the Sesame Street E-Books page. The site provides interactive learning to children, revolving around the Sesame Street characters. You can pick books on various topics – colors, foods (!!!), shapes, life moments, and more. Some of the books even have a recorded voice for kids to follow along to or coloring pages available for printing. I found Makenzie really enjoyed the site because, as much as I try to limit it, she does like watching TV. She showed interest in the e-books from seeing things on a screen, but I felt comfortable because they provided valuable learning. I really believe it helped her with her colors too! Overall, I would highly recommend this site to mothers. For a free trial e-book click the widget on my sidebar. Thanks, Swetha for giving us this opportunity!

• What makes you a healthy living blogger?
• What would be on your birthday wish list?
• Be sure to check out the 30 Days of Self-Love challenge coming to my site in September! And don’t forget to let me know if you added my button or shared the challenge on your blog. 🙂