You know how I mentioned the unlikelihood of me making a green smoothie on vacation? Well, I lied. I lasted until yesterday and then I wanted to whip out the blender. I wanted to taste the power of green for myself and convince my family that spinach can blend into a satisfying, refreshing, and taste-bud thrilling concoction.

At first, they seemed a little uncertain on what a spinach smoothie would taste like. Then, they said cheers and drank up!

Verdict: I have converted two more to the green smoothie ways. Muahahaha! The world shall sport green mustaches from here on out. Or, at the very least – my family will. 😉

I love showing others not to judge healthy options until they try them. I know the blog world has opened my eyes to trying a wide range of foods and has converted me into a lover of many things. Although Kombucha won’t be one of them. I draw the line at fungi floating in my drinks.

Alright, now I must dive into something a little more serious. That’s where the “my butt” part of the title comes in. Yes, that qualifies as serious conversation because I more specifically mean body image, the beach, and my butt.

On any given day, I feel great about my body. I think I look fit, strong, and healthy – which is all I hope for my body to look. I have confidence in what I have accomplished. I take pride in the way I care for myself and the dedication I take to my goals. I appreciate all my body can do, like rocking a 10K race and delivering my children. I can feel super self-confident, especially when put together in a cute outfit highlighting my favorite body parts, such as my legs and arms.

Then you put me in a bikini with my butt, about which I always feel most self-conscious, out in the open and I become a little more self-aware.

It will bring some of those old inadequate feelings back to the forefront. Having my body exposed in a bikini all day long will leave me critiquing myself and getting negative in my mind. Something about the beach, a location where I have many times in the past participated in some of the worst fat-talk, will have me longing for appearances and physiques of my past and feeling unsatisfied with my present. I’m not perfect. I still struggle with body image from time to time. I still sometimes wonder, “what if I had been tighter with my eating?” or “if only I looked more like I did X years ago”.

The key is to recognize those moments. To recognize them as the evil they consume and the lack of truth they possess. Instead of allowing those thoughts to consume me, I paid attention to them and thought about what triggered that reaction.

Then, I replaced the negatives with positives. And told myself to suck it up and rock that bikini. My body can do pretty fabulous things. And it doesn’t look half bad in the process either…because healthy looks hot on anybody.

• What moments/places trigger body image struggles for you?
• PS: Stay tuned for a giveaway sometime tomorrow!

Wow, you guys! Thanks for the accolades on my Body After Baby progress I shared yesterday morning. You all rock! In fact, I want today’s post to focus on YOU and just how much you rock!

Last week, I shared a post where I wanted to put aside the stigma that declaring our strengths means cocky or self-absorbed. I wanted to declare my strengths out loud for the world my fabulous readers and show the freeing sensation of believing in ourselves. We should all have the option to shout our worth to the world! And so, I opened FFF as a platform for you to do just that. To share a photo and tell the world exactly why YOU are so awesome. I wanted to hear your strengths out loud! Let’s see them now…

Katy @ Katy Widrick

I am strong inside -- I believe that dreams do come true (with hard work!) and that good things happen to those who strive for greatness. I am strong outside -- I nurture my body and soul with daily workouts, sweat sessions and challenges, and I'm repaid by knowing that I can achieve anything. I am strong for others -- I love being a resource and a role model for people who are looking to find healthy sparks in their own lives. I am strong for myself -- for the woman I am, the mother I want to be someday and a citizen of the world.

Heather @ Heather’s Dish

I am beautiful just as I am, I am strong in body and spirit, I love and allow myself to be loved, I am truthful and honest, and I have been saved and loved by an almighty God.  I am Heather, nice to meet you!

Brooke @ B and the Boy!

I am a great baker. I have set myself to becoming a more healthy person for my son and myself, and discovered that I can stick to my goals and I LOVE IT! I am a good friend with a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and a heart overflowing with love.

Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers

I am a good dog owner! It sounds silly, but when my husband and I decided to get a dog, I fully committed to exercising her regularly and giving her the love and attention she deserves. It's so easy to slack off on being a good pet owner because they'll never complain, but I take my responsibility as a dog owner very seriously and think that if Sadie could talk, she'd tell me I was the jam. 🙂

Brooke @ Smart, Strong, Sexy

I am adventurous. I am active. I am fun. I am silly. I am killer when it comes to organization. I love my family well.

Annette @ With A Side of Brownies

I have gone from couch potato to exercise enthusiast. I have introduced my family to a healthier lifestyle.  I started on the road to fitness by working out on the Wii using EA Sports Active game. I lost 15 pounds, gained muscle and am in the best shape of my life. I've since added going to the gym and am slowly working on becoming a runner.

Keren @ The Music Barr

I am a great teacher. I care about people. I always look on the positive side of things.
I am a loving wife. I am always learning new things.

Gina @ Running To The Kitchen

I am determined. In work, in my friendships, and in finding happiness for myself!

Dawn @ Blonde On A Mission

I am a great writer. I am incredibly flexible and have been able to do poses that none of my yoga instructors could. I love unconditionally and don’t have a hard time forgiving if I know the person is sincere. I have the ability to laugh at myself and to not take myself too seriously.

Jenn @ A Knack For Nutrition

I continually challenge myself to achieve fitness goals I once deemed impossible. This picture is of me right after I finished my first half-marathon in October 2010. I expect to have a similar photo the moment I cross the finish line of the Disney World Marathon in January 2012!

It turns out, I had a bit more interest than anticipated in this project. Each person should get the attention he/she deserves, so instead of overloading one post with a bunch of entries, I decided to share ten awesome #strengthsoutloud entries now and will continue with more in a future post. In fact, if the interest continues this could become a fun series on FFF – so keep those entries coming! Simply email a photo of yourself, a link to your blog if you have one, and a short description of your strengths and what makes you awesome. If you have already emailed me and were not in this post, I have you ready and raring to go for the next one.

Now go out and live your life with the belief that you have a LOT to offer this world. Say it loud. Say it proud. Share those strengths out loud!

If you would like to share this idea of declaring our strengths, use the hashtag #strengthsoutloud for Twitter, like on Facebook, create your own post on your blog, or send in your own entry! 🙂