I am honored to accept the Liebster Award from Christy Cushing at nickelfoodallergy.com! The Liebster Award is given by other bloggers to blogs that are small but growing in their following. In order to accept the award, I must answer 11 questions and nominate 11 other awesome fellow bloggers to do the same. As a journalism major, I am always an enthusiast when it comes to interviewing people. How fun to turn the tables and try interviewing myself for a change!
1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
When I was in sixth grade, I had to choose an aspect my life to write about. Many of my friends chose to write about sports they played or other activities they did after school, but I chose to write about my food allergies. I remember sitting down with my teacher for a writing conference and having her tell me that she wanted the title of my story to be “My Life As…” and that I needed to decide how to word it. While my friends had titles like “My Life as a Soccer Player,” I had chosen “My Life as an Allergic Reactor,” and therein lies my name.
2. What is one word that sums up the heart of your blog and why?
The word “invigorate” means to give strength or energy. I aspire to do this for all parents and Allergic Reactors out there when they read my blog. I want them to know that they can do anything with the right knowledge and tools. It can be a lonely road and my hope is that by reading my posts, the road will feel a little less lonely and a lot more hopeful!
3. What’s your favorite pastime other than blogging?
There are many! Travel is my number one favorite pastime, but unfortunately that is not currently a daily activity of mine. I do however spend lots of time planning lessons for my fourth graders! I am an exercise enthusiast. In particular, I love running and have completed seven half marathons. I have yet to take the plunge and go for a full! I am also a rower and was on a Division 1 crew team throughout college. I enjoy anything outside, especially if sunshine and the ocean are involved! I love to read and write for both myself and this blog. Spending time with family and friends is essential to me.
4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
I like the energy, elation, and accomplishment that I feel when completing a post that I think is well-written, interesting, and helpful to my audience. I also enjoy making connections with people. I love receiving e-mails, messages, or comments from parents of Allergic Reactors who have read my posts and have shared with me how they have taken away inspiration and hope from what they read.
5. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
I grew up at a time where food allergies were not especially prevalent. A time where I didn’t meet anyone with similar anaphylactic allergies until I was 16. I felt like I was conquering the world on my own (along with the incredible help of my family). The world of allergies has changed in numerous ways, but it still can be a lonely one. My family always incorporated a sense of worldliness and a yearning for travel into my life. I learned from a young age that I could still find ways to thrive in settings that were certainly not typical for someone with allergies, and often not even necessarily typical among my friends. I traveled on vacations without my parents, with my best friends and their families. I went to summer camp for summers, and I never turned down any opportunities to try a new experience. I want to inspire and motivate Allergic Reactors like myself to open their eyes to the world. Living a sheltered, bubble life was never for me, even with so many anaphylactic allergies. Every Allergic Reactor should know that they too can experience what the world has to offer, allergies or not! I want to support the dreams of other Allergic Reactors and help guide them to feel confident and capable that they can participate or accomplish whatever it is they dream of doing. Allergies shouldn’t feel like a road block!
6. Which of my blog posts would you most like to try yourself or which blog did you most enjoy reading?
I liked many of your posts! The one I enjoyed reading most was The Day I Ordered Off The Dog Menu. There have been moments where I am pretty much ready to order anything because I am so hungry, yet more often than not I am limited in what I can order or told I can’t order anything safely. I have never been anywhere with a dog menu. If I was though, I could imagine with few options that it would be a definite possibility! :)
7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit and why?
Even with my many travels, I could go on and on about all of the places I still want to go! The world is phenomenal! If I had to choose one country in particular though, it would be Argentina which has been on my list for years! We have family there and I still have never been. The South American cultures I find I gravitate towards. Whenever I meet people from there or teach students from South America, I am always intrigued. I do also love a nice steak and a glass of Malbec!
8. How has blogging positively influenced who you are now?
Blogging has given me a sincere appreciation for the way I was raised with my allergies. It has given me an opportunity to reflect on my experiences and to grow and learn from them. When I hear from parents that I have made a positive influence on them and their child, I feel grateful that I have a forum for sharing my experiences to help others.
9. A long lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?
Gosh, I wish! First, I would pay off my loans. Second, I would send my parents on a trip to somewhere incredible. I would then take the rest and travel the world. I would visit countries that I had never been to and share how even with my allergies, I can still find kind, trustworthy people who want to help me eat safely and enjoy learning about them and their culture.
10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you’ve written so far? (Include the link)
It is difficult to decide on one. Many of my earlier blog posts discuss big issues that parents and kids wonder about. I think those posts are important to revisit. The blog post The Star of The Show is another relevant topic because it is about not allowing your allergies to take center stage in your life. That is essential for all Allergic Reactors to remember!
11. What is your favorite food?
I LOVE food! I will try anything that I am not allergic to, and enjoy all allergy-friendly food! My favorite healthy food is probably a fresh salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, basil, mozzarella and avocado with some olive oil and balsamic. For my sweet tooth, I love, love, love ice cream! :)
11 Blogs I’m awarding the Liebster Award:
Sharing Community of Food Allergies
To accept your Liebster Award:
1. Answer the 11 questions below.
2. Comment on this blog post with your blog post link with your answers
3. Nominate 11 other blogs that have under 1,000 following (If using FB, I was asked to keep it to about 200 likes). I chose Twitter as my social media platform.
4. Give me a shout-out on your blog!
Here are your 11 questions:
1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
2. What is one word or phrase that sums up the heart of your blog and why?
3. What are your favorite pastimes other than blogging?
4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
5. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
6. Which of my blog posts did you most enjoy reading?
7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit and why?
8. How has blogging positively influenced who you are now?
9. A long lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What would you do with it?
10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you’ve written so far? (Include the link)
11. What is your favorite food?
Great post