Monday, 9 January 2017
Friday, 6 January 2017
Wednesday, 4 January 2017
75 Ways to Be Healthier This Year
Two years ago, I published a massive list of 75 Ways to Be Healthier in 2015. January is the perfect time to reflect on your health and look at how you can improve it in the coming year, so I revisited the list. I wanted to spark some ideas on what I need to remember when it comes to my health. If we aren’t proactive, it’s easy to let things slide. It’s easy to settle and become complacent, thinking we are “healthy enough.”
I don’t want to be “healthy enough.” I don’t want to settle for feeling okay or pretty good. I want to be my healthiest. Yes, it is hard to maintain healthy habits over a long period of time. It’s much easier to be unhealthy. That’s why I’m here, in this online space, talking about health. I hope to keep myself on track while motivating others to be their healthiest, too.
So let’s revisit this list together and see what we can do to improve our health in the next year. Some things on the list are rather predictable (see #1-3), some are simple (see #21), and others are more complex (see #14). All of them, if adopted, will make you healthier to some extent. You can be an over-achiever and work on all 75 this year. Or simply pick a few to be your focus. Small changes can yield great results. Some of these have been my habits for years, others I’m still working on. Go through the list and see what you can work on to be healthier. Let’s do this together!
75 Ways to Be Healthier This Year
1. Drink more water.
Water is essential for life. It carries oxygen to your cells, can help flush out toxins, and keep you from getting fatigued. Aim for at least 64 ounces a day.
2. Get the sleep your body needs.
Most adults need 7-9 hours a night. Sleep is when your body restores itself and heals itself. If you aren’t sleeping enough, your body isn’t getting the chance to perform these vital tasks.
3. Make exercise a part of your life.
If you don’t already, get in an exercise routine. If you already do, try to bring it to a new level.
4. Sit less.
Sitting has been called the smoking of our generation. Don’t let it get the best of you.
5. Work on your posture.
Whether you are sitting or standing, straighten that back. You will feel better about yourself, look better, and your breathing will be better.
6. Chew your food more.
As I tell my kids, “Chew! Chew! Chew!” Chewing food makes for easier digestion and makes the nutrients in your food easier to absorb.
7. Get sunshine exposure.
If that’s not possible where you live, take a vitamin D supplement.
8. Eat less processed foods.
Whenever someone asks me what’s the one thing I can do to eat healthier. This is it. If you eat less (or totally eliminate) processed foods, you will automatically be eating healthier. Do it!
9. Smile more.
Do it now. Don’t you feel better already?
10. Eat at least one anti-inflammatory food every day.
Here’s a list to help you know what you should be eating more of and what inflammatory foods to avoid.
11. Be more organized.
Being more organized will mean you will likely be more productive and be late less. That will lead to less stress. Stress can destroy your health, so anything that minimizes it is a good thing.
12. Adopt a meditation practice.
13. Lift weights.
Strength training has been shown to extend our life. It is certainly one of the most effective ways to build muscle, which ultimately leads to fat loss as muscle burns more calories than fat.
14. Foster your relationships.
According to the (amazing and inspiring) book Healthy at 100
15. Eat more fiber.
Eating enough fiber keeps our blood sugar in check and helps control fat absorption. Read more about the importance of fiber here.
16. Eat more greens.
Every day, people! I’m talking to myself here, too.
17. Eat a rainbow of fruits and vegetables.
Eating a variety of colors will ensure you are getting a good balance of all the nutrients you need. Make sure each day and each week you are getting fruits and vegetables from all the different colors of the rainbow.
18. Eat less sugar.
Sugar is addicting. As addicting as many drugs. I know this is probably the most difficult one on the list for the majority of people. It can also have the greatest health benefits. Almost every major disease can be linked to excess sugar consumption.
19. Spend less time inside and more time outside.
20. Open the windows of your house once per day, even in the winter.
I struggle with this one in the winter when it’s freezing and the summer when it’s super hot. Even 10 minutes a day helps!
21. Put lemon juice in your water.
22. Don’t drink sweetened beverages like soda, juice, or coffee creamer.
Just stop. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel! I know from experience here.
23. Reduce your plastic exposure.
24. Stretch everyday.
25. Make getting to your healthy weight your focus. Don’t lose that focus.
Staying at your healthy weight is such an important part of your health. Whether you are overweight or underweight, talk to your doctor to determine your healthy weight. Come up with a plan to get to your healthy weight.
26. Be active with your family. Make family events active family events.
27. Plan your meals.
You will be so much more likely to eat healthy if you are planning for it. Click Here to Get my FREE Meal Planning Toolkit .
28. Eat organic when possible.
Follow the Dirty Dozen List to avoid the most pesticide laden produce.
29. Drink green tea.
30. Eat at restaurants less frequently.
99% of the time the food is going to be less healthy than what you’d eat at home. Restaurant food often seems to taste better than what we cook at home. Why do you think that is? They use much more fats like butter than you would at home. Fats taste good. I’m not against fats, but your body doesn’t need as much as restaurants use. If you are in the habit of eating out a lot, try cutting back this year.
31. Use healthier oils.
My favorites are extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil. Avoid vegetable oils and any hydrogenated oils.
32. Make your own salad dressings.
I need to get back into this habit. When I don’t have time, I know I can simply top my salad with sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, and some balsamic vinegar. It’s delicious!
33. Eat more whole, in tact grains, and less processed grains.
34. Add a probiotic to your diet.
Your gut health may just hold the key to your overall health. Hippocrates said, “All disease begins in the gut.”
35. Eat more omega-3 fatty acids.
Here’s a helpful Omega-3 Shopping List.
36. Don’t overeat.
Listen to your body and stop eating when you’re full.
37. When you can’t workout, fit in some functional fitness exercises.
38. Exercise during TV commercials.
I know we live in a world of DVR where commercials practically don’t exist. Don’t fast forward. Get a few minutes of movement in.
39. Vary your exercise routine.
Doing different forms of exercise often is great for your body. Doing the same thing over and over can contribute to you hitting a plateau or can even result in overuse injuries.
40. For better sleep, avoid electronics 30 minutes before bed. Use anti-blue light glasses if this is impossible.
41. Reduce clutter in your life.
Last year I made a New Year’s resolution to spend 10 minutes each night getting rid of clutter. It’s helped my life tremendously. Less clutter in my house leads to a less cluttered mind.
42. Drink alcohol in moderation.
Overindulging in alcohol is hard on your body. When you drink, do so in moderation.
43. Use less pharmaceuticals and more natural remedies to fix your ailments.
44. Avoid genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as much as you can.
Here’s a handy Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
45. Switch to natural personal care and home care products.
Here’s the list of my favorite natural care products and this is my favorite natural skincare line.
46. Read more books.
A healthy brain is as important as a healthy body.
47. Brush your teeth and floss everyday.
This simple habit is linked to a longer life!
48. Try oil pulling.
This one is on my list to try! (Still. Maybe this will be the year I get into this habit.)
49. Drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar everyday.
It has many health benefits.
50. Practice gratitude.
Start a gratitude journal and write down 5 things you are grateful for everyday. I have done this off and on for years and it’s great to be able to look back and see what I was grateful for at different times in my life.
51. Have more sex.
Yeah, I said it.
52. Don’t surround yourself with negative people.
53. Choose to be positive everyday.
Release negative thoughts as soon as they enter your mind and transform them into positive thoughts.
54. Learn something new often.
Force yourself to never stop growing.
55. Don’t hold grudges. Practice forgiveness.
56. When difficulty hits your life, look for opportunities for growth rather than dwelling on the negative.
57. Pray more.
58. Make time for yourself.
Even if it’s once a week, make time to do something you love, have time to relax, or just be by yourself.
59. Do what you are passionate about.
60. Don’t compare yourself to other people.
Comparison is a waste of time and energy and will only leave you feeling bad. Focus on improving yourself from where you are, not where someone else is.
61. Don’t dwell on the past.
Focus on the present and making it the best it can be.
62. Eat seasonally.
63. Set goals for yourself. Work to achieve them.
64. Say “I love you” to the people you love often.
65. Laugh everyday.
If it doesn’t happen naturally, seek out things that will make you laugh. If you’ve had a non-laughing day, turn on your favorite comedy and let yourself forget about the outside world and just laugh.
66. Practice random acts of kindness.
67. Park in the farthest parking spot rather than the closest.
68. Push yourself more in your workouts.
It shouldn’t be easy. It shouldn’t be comfortable.
69. Use black out shades for better sleep.
70. Hug someone everyday.
71. Adopt a schedule or routine for your day.
You will likely be more productive and less stressed.
72. Keep a well-stocked healthy pantry and you will be more likely to eat well.
73. Find opportunities to walk more.
Whether you can walk to the coffee shop to get that cup of coffee or walk the dog around the neighborhood or just walk up the stairs to get the laundry. Find more opportunities.
74. Use essential oils.
75. Choose to be happy.
Happy people live longer. Find a way to make happiness happen.
Links to products are affiliate links. This means that, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from my links, I will get a small percentage of the sale. Thank you so much for supporting my mission and helping make this blog possible!
When this list was originally published, I teamed up with over 40 fabulous bloggers to bring you even more ways to make this year your best year yet! Please check out their posts below.
1. How to Set and Keep Goals to Make This the Best Year Ever | Jen @ Girl in Garage
2. 15 Ways to Stay Organised at Work During 2015 | Elizabeth Harrin @ A Girl’s Guide to Project Management
3. How Personal Style Will Help You Achieve Goals Faster in 2015 | Cherene Francis @ Aura Image Consulting
4. Completing Those Unfinished Projects in the NEW YEAR | Angela Lerew @ Unexpected Elegance
5. 42 Ways to Practice Perfectly & Become an Expert at Almost Anything | Amy Garro @ 13 Spools
6. Easy Exercises to do on a Cruise Ship | Amanda Woods @ Adventures All Around
7. 10 Simple Ways to Eat Healthier This Year | Dawn @ Reveal Natural Health
8. 31 Days to a More Fabulous You | Julie Bonner @ Mom Fabulous
9. How to Make This the Best Gardening Year Ever | Kendra Spencer @ a Sonoma Garden
10. 5 Ways to Make this Your Best Monarch Season…Ever! | Tony Gomez @ Monarch Butterfly Garden
11. 12 Scriptures for Goals and Guidance | Julie @ Loving Christ Ministries
12. How to Build a Starter Emergency Fund in 30 Days or Less | Jackie Beck @ The Debt Myth
13. Family Verse of the Week Challenge for 2015 | Jamie Yonash @ Life is Sweeter By Design
14. Hot Work at Home Jobs for 2015 | Holly Hanna @ The Work at Home Woman
15. A Year of Intention | Hilary Bernstein @ Accidentally Green
16. 2015: Our Best Year Yet | Ashley @ Leaving the Rut
17. Create a Better Life Story | Bronwen Warner @ Tummy Time and Beyond
18. Get Ready to Get MDfit | Tom and Anne @ Eat & Be Fit
19. 5 Free Ways to Learn Something New This Year | Sarah Fuller @ Earning and Saving with Sarah Fuller
20. Healthy Leek Soup | Mirlandra @ Mirlandra’s Kitchen
21. Health Resolutions: Baby Steps to a New You | Ellen Christian @ Confessions of an Overworked Mom
22. 5 Ways Busy Moms Can Get Motivated to Work Out | Diane Nassy @ philZENdia
23. Be Prepared for the New Year | Jennifer Dunham Starr @ The Memory Journalists
24. 3 Steps to a Healthier Life in 2015 | Joe Goodwill @Average Joe Cyclist
25. New Year’s Resolution: Cook More Often! | Kim Pawell @ Something New for Dinner
26. I Should What? 28 Ways to be Happier | Karen Young @ Hey Sigmund
27. 9 Ways to Get Healthier In The New Year | Amy Maus @ Home and Farm Sense
28. In 2015 Resolve to Take Control of Your Money | Kristia @ Family Balance Sheet
29. Eucharisteo: A Year of Thanksgiving | Lani Padilla @ Simply Fresh Vintage
30. No More Tears at IEP Meetings: Make This Your Best Year Ever! | Lisa Lightner @ A Day In Our Shoes
31. Learn to Save Money on Groceries | Melissa Buckles @ Everyday Savvy
32. How to Achieve Your New Year’s Resolution – For Real This Time! | Michelle @ Dishes and Dust Bunnies
33. 52 Weeks to a Better You: Week 1 – Go to Bed Early | Mindi Cherry @ Moms Need to Know
34. Food Street: How a Community Has Joined Forces to Start a Street Farm | Sam Walker @ Bubble ‘N Squeak
35. Organizing Coupons with the Binder Method | Sara Steigerwald @ Sisters Shopping on a Shoe String
36. How to Make This Year the Happiest Yet | Shambray @ Shambray.com
37. A New Year, A New You | Sharon Rowe @ How to Get Organized at Home
38. 5 Ways to Get Paid for Losing Weight This Year | Anna @ Real Ways to Earn Money at Home
39. Tips for Successful Whole30 | Deanna Michaels @ From This Kitchen Table
40. 75 Ways to Be Healthier in 2015 | Maryea Flaherty @ Happy Healthy Mama
41. How to Make 2015 the Best Year Ever! | Jennifer @ My Boys & Their Toys
Bonus links:
Fashion Resolutions: How to Add Style to Any Outfit | Ellen Christian @ The Socialite’s Closet
The post 75 Ways to Be Healthier This Year appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.
source http://happyhealthymama.com/75-ways-to-be-healthier-in-2015.html
Monday, 2 January 2017
Saturday, 31 December 2016
Bloggers’ Reveal their Most Popular Healthy Recipes from 2016
A few days ago I shared what was most popular on Happy Healthy Mama in the last year. Now it’s time to look beyond this space and see what healthy recipes were popular all over the Interwebs in 2016. I reached out to some of the best healthy recipe bloggers and they were each kind enough to share the #1 recipe from their own blogs from 2016. Are you ready to dive in and find some new healthy recipes?! You’ll find everything from savory soups to healthy desserts to easy dinners. Let’s do it!
Guacamole Burrito with Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes and Black Beans
Hello, baaaaby! I can’t wait to try this healthy burrito from Savory Tooth.
Green Chia Pudding
This recipe from Veggies Save the Day is made without sugar and features the powerful chia seed!
One Pan Cranberry Balsamic Roasted Chicken
This recipe from Cotter Crunch is gluten-free dinner perfection!
Flourless Peanut Butter Zucchini Brownies
Just LOOK at how ooey and gooey these healthy brownies are from Hummusapien!
Easy Egg Wraps
These easy egg wraps from The Lean Green Bean are genius!
Vegan Gingerbread Banana Bread
Blueberry Broccoli Spinach Salad
It’s all about the salad to ring in the new year! Who’s gonna try this one from Peas and Crayons?
Quick and Easy Pad Thai
I love easy and healthy dinner like this one from Swiss Eats!
Tofu Steaks with Miso Pecan Sauce
If you struggle to find vegan main course ideas, try these Tofu Steaks from Contemplating Sweets.
Vegan Cheese Sauce
Sophia from Veggies Don’t Bite spent two years perfecting this creamy Vegan Cheese Sauce!
Pumpkin Spice Walnut Cake
Can you believe this cake from Healthy Helper is made with whole grains and is refined sugar free?
White Bean Veggie Burger
I am loving the looks of this hearty veggie burg from spabettie!
Cassava Flour Tortillas
These tortillas from Downshiftology are grain-free, gluten-free, vegan, and Paleo friendly.
Sweet Tangy Thai Salad Dressing or Dipping Sauce
You can make this healthy sauce from Posh Journal in your blender!
Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Kids begging for macaroni and cheese? Healthify it with some butternut squash with this recipe from So Very Blessed.
Smothered Creamy Chicken Skillet
Cook your entire dinner in one skillet with this delicious recipe from The Fit Blog.
Fall Lentil Salad with a Lemon Shallot Dressing
There is so much goodness in this bowl from My Kitchen Love!
Avocado Bomb Sauce
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Smoothie
Chocolate+Peanut Butter=No Brainer. This smoothie from What the Fork is a must-make.
Healthy Barley Soup
The soup is always on at my house. I’ve got to try this healthy soup from Watch What U Eat.
Vegetarian Zucchini and Eggplant Lasagna
I can’t think of a tastier way to eat your veggies! Put this recipe from Living Lou on your meal plan immediately.
Sweet Potato Toast
Ditch the bread and get your toast fix from sweet potatoes! Get some unique ideas on what to top it with from Family Food on the Table.
Vegetarian Pasta Fagioli
Not only does this recipe from Cilantro and Citronella look UH-mazing, it’s ready in 25 minutes!
Caprese Salad Avocado Toast
It’s recipes like this from All Things Mamma that make me wish it was summer all year long!
Veggie Hummus Flatbread
This Veggie Hummus Flatbread from Toaster Love Oven would be the hit of any party!
Baked Buffalo Chickpea and Artichoke Vegan Taquitos
Ummmm….I have died on gone to vegan heaven with this recipe from Veggie Inspired.
Cauliflower Tikka Masala
Cauliflower’s moment lives on with this recipe from Vegetarian Gastronomy.
Beef Tacos with Spicy Avocado Sauce
Robyn from simply fresh dinners created a meal that everyone will agree on with this one!
Veggie Pot Pies with Crispy Potatoes
If I could eat these veggie pot pies from Natural Girl Modern World everyday, I’d be a happy girl!
Garlic Shrimp Spaghetti Squash
You don’t want to miss this low-carb option from It’s Cheat Day Day Everyday.
One Pan Sesame Ginger Salmon and Broccoli
The post Bloggers’ Reveal their Most Popular Healthy Recipes from 2016 appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.
source http://happyhealthymama.com/most-popular-healthy-recipes-from-2016.html
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
Happy Healthy Mama 2016 Reflections and 2017 Goals
I see so many people being cynical about this time of reflection and setting goals or resolutions for the New Year. I don’t really get it. Yes, many New Year’s resolutions are forgotten about by February. But sometimes, they can be just the catalyst we need to make postive changes in our lives. How can that be a bad thing?
I’d like to share my reflections and goals for Happy Healthy Mama. (I did this last year, too. You can read those here if you are interested.)Although I’ve been blogging since 2010, it wasn’t until the fall of 2014 that I decided I would shift my focus from hobby blog to making it a viable business. Although I don’t do it often, I love letting you in on the business side of things and sharing some of the goals and aspirations I have for Happy Healthy Mama.
2016 Reflections
Last year I published my goals for Happy Healthy Mama in 2016. Let’s take a look at each goal and see how I did.
2016 Goal #1: Refine my brand.
I spent a lot of time thinking about how niche-specific I wanted Happy Healthy Mama to be. In the end, I decided that my overall umbrella theme is healthy living, and I am happy to share ideas and inspirations beyond just recipes. It feels right to describe Happy Healthy Mama as a healthy living lifestyle blog. Yes, recipes is probably my main focus, but I like having the creative flexibility to allow my content to go beyond that boundary. Having a definite answer to what I wanted my brand to be was my goal, and I feel like I met that.
2016 Goal #2: Diversify traffic sources and revenue streams.
In 2015, Pinterest was 48% of my traffic. In 2016, it was 50% of my traffic. Ouch. If you look at just that, I didn’t diversify enough.
There were some bright areas, though. Direct traffic (people who type my blog address into their address bar and go directly to my site) remained my #2 source, but google traffic was a much closer third than in 2015. I focused on increasing my search engine traffic and as a result, my google search traffic increased 70% in 2016. That’s significant! I need it to grow even more so that if something happens to Pinterest, I have a sustainable amount of traffic from search. Other traffic sources grew in 2016 also, such as Yummly and a some big websites who sent referral traffic my way. While I improved slightly, I’d like to see this area get even better. If Pinterest goes away, I will lose half of my traffic and that’s scary.
In 2015, my revenue was 95% from display ads on my site. I focused on adding different streams of income and it worked. In 2016, display ads counted for 65% of my income, sponsored posts were 25%, and affiate sales were around 10%. Affiliate income increased 250% simply because I branched out and found more products I thought you would love. I also did a lot more sponsored posts. I tried to make sponsored posts a win-win situation for myself and my readers. I focused on working with solid brands that I felt great about promoting while creating useful and relevant content for you. At this point, I haven’t had to pitch brands; they come to me. I say no to as many opportunities that I say yes to. Overall, my income more than doubled from 2015 to 2016 so I am happy with the effort I put in this area and the results.
2016 Goal #3: Create a product.
Well, I did create a product in 2016. I just didn’t launch a product in 2016. I’m very close to launching my first product and am beyond excited to share it with you! It should be ready by the end of February (maaaybe earlier if I really hustle!) Yes, I wish I would have completed the whole project and launched it this year, but I’m okay with the progress I made in this area.
2016 Goal #4: Continue to grow.
2015 was such a big growth year for Happy Healthy Mama. In 2015, my pageviews increased 500% from the previous year. That’s a very tough act to follow and quite frankly not a normal rate of growth for most blogs. Even so, I naively expected and hoped for the same big growth in 2016.
Happy Healthy Mama did experience growth in 2016. In fact, my pageviews increased 30% from 2015. That’s a good thing. Yet, it felt like a let down at times. I set a goal to reach the milestone of 1,000,000 pageviews a month in 2016. Although I came close a few times, I didn’t reach that goal. There’s really nothing worse than the feeling of not hitting a goal, even though in my heart I know how hard and extremely rare it is to get to a million pageviews in one month.
I also experienced growth across all social media channels. Here’s a look at my numbers since 2014. 
Breaking through to the next level is a whole different ball game. I’m learning.
One struggle for me in 2016 was time management and over committing to other things. I taught part time two days a week. When I committed to it, it didn’t seem like it would be too much. It ultimately took away from time I needed to keep working towards my goals here, though.
I also struggled in the summer. Having the kids home with me all day made it really difficult for me to get my blog work done. I struggled to find a work-life balance. It’s tough trying to be a stay-at-home mom who has a full-time blogging job “on the side.” When I was working I felt guilty for not engaging with the kids. When I was doing things with the kids, I was thinking about what work I needed to get done. It was not a winning situation.
These may sound like excuses, but they aren’t. I’m just reflecting on things that may have contributed to me falling short of some of my goals. I set goals that required time. When other commitments got in the way, I didn’t stop working on my goals, but the rate of growth was bound to be affected.
Goals for 2017
During 2016 I really shifted my mindset from that of a blogger to a business owner. If I want to serve you and do great things with Happy Healthy Mama, I have to treat it like a business. It’s with that mindset that I set my 2017 goals. Ultimately, I want to create the most useful blog I can for YOU. If I entertain you along the way, that’s great, but first and foremost I want to serve you by giving you content that can be supremely helpful. Whether it’s a recipe that gets your kids to eat a new healthy food, nutritional information, or a tip about natural living, I want everything I write to be useful and helpful for my readers. I want to connect with you and figure out what makes you tick. The question I ask myself everyday when I’m planning content is: What do my readers NEED from me? (Pssstt…it’s really helpful when you tell me! I’m working on the whole mind-reading thing, but, you know, the most direct way is a simple email or comment on a post. ;-)) With these things in mind, I created my goals for 2017.
Okay, goal time!
2017 Goal #1: Successfully launch my product
What is successful? I guess that’s relative. I want this product to reach as many people as it can, but it’s about so much more than the revenue. If you haven’t read about it, my product is a system that will help you conquer dinner time. It’ll help you get healthy dinners on the table fast, even the busiest of families. I know that product can be a blessing for so many families, so my goal is to get it into as many hands as possible. That means this Elementary Education major has to put on her marketing hat and do this right. It will be my first launch so I’m not even putting numbers out there into the universe because I’m not sure what to expect.
2017 Goal #2: Conquer Time Management
I spent a lot of time working on the wrong things in 2016. In 2017, my goal is to have laser-focus, use my time more efficiently, and focus on what’s most important for my business. The rest of it? Outsource. Anyone looking to be a virtual assistant? I’m hiring.
2017 Goal #3 Focus on 1-2 Core Affiliates
I would like to find 1-2 core affiliates that are a perfect fit for my readers. I increased my affiliate income a lot in 2016, but I feel like I barely got through the tip of the iceberg. I want to show you other people’s products that you need and love and, circling back to my ultimate goal, are super helpful!
Goal #4 Break Through to the Next Level (income and/or traffic)
The last half of the year I felt like Happy Healthy Mama plateaued. I need to figure out how to break through the plateau in order to continue to grow. I could totally stay where I’m at and that wouldn’t be terrible. Many blogs don’t ever reach the level I’m at and I’m grateful to be here. My personality, however, is one that requires me to continually improve. I want to challenge myself to break through to the next level.
Notice I put a and/or in between the income and traffic. I’ve recently learned that up to a certain point more traffic=more income. But it’s also important to optimize the traffic you’re already getting. If I can keep my traffic the same, but increase my income, that would be great. I’ve read plenty of blogging income reports where bloggers have similar traffic to me but are making much more.
It’s not all about chasing traffic. Even so, last year I set a goal of reaching one million pageviews in a month. That goal will remain until I hit it! I can’t just drop a goal because I didn’t get it.
There you have it! My long-winded look at the last year and what I’m focused on for 2017. I hope you enjoy this small peek into the other side of Happy Healthy Mama. I’m still loving this blogging thing and will be here as long as you keep on reading. I don’t tell you this enough, but THANK YOU. Without you, I couldn’t possibly keep this thing going.
Cheers to a happy and healthy 2017!
The post Happy Healthy Mama 2016 Reflections and 2017 Goals appeared first on Happy Healthy Mama.
source http://happyhealthymama.com/happy-healthy-mama-2016-reflections-2017-goals.html
Monday, 26 December 2016
Most Popular in 2016
I’ve been producing content for Happy Healthy Mama for six years now. It’s hard to believe I’ve stuck with it that long! Did you know that average lifespan of a blog is under 4 months? You need a lot of sticktoitiveness to hang in there through the lonely days when you feel like nobody is reading (and they probably aren’t). This blog baby has grown into something that gives me an awesome outlet to be creative and share my passion for healthy living. Without you, readers, I would not still be here. You complete me. (I know! So cheesy!)
It’s true. I do this for you. Seeing the numbers and that people are, indeed, reading what I’m putting out there, fuels my motivation to continue. So thank you. Thank you for being here and reading/looking at/engaging with what I’m creating. Here’s what you loved the most this year.
Most Popular in 2016
These are the posts that were most visited in 2016, no matter what year they were published. Often older posts top the list because they’ve had more time to gain traction on Pinterest, get linked to from other websites and gain credibility with Google, and get shared more on all social media. Scroll down if you want to see what posts published in 2016 was most popular. Here’s a look at what was popular from all posts on Happy Healthy Mama in 2016!
#10 Pumpkin Muffin Oatmeal Cups (2015)
Down from #9 in 2015.
This is a recipe that I published in 2015 and took off again this fall. That often happens with seasonal recipes. This one definitely deserves to be in the top 10 as it’s fantastic. It doesn’t have to be fall to make these; please break out a can of pumpkin and try this one if you haven’t!
#9 5 Simple Steps to Transition to a Paperless Kitchen (2015)
Down from #3 in 2015.
This is the only non-recipe post to make it into the top 10, but I can see why. It’s an interesting post that is very useful for anyone interested in ditching paper towels and paper products in the kitchen. These tips really work as we’ve been paperless in our kitchen for almost two years now.
#8 Golden Milk Turmeric Tea (2015)
Did not make the list in 2015.
This was a late 2015 recipe and it did very well in 2016. It makes me really happy when one of my favorites does well, and this recipe is soooo delicious and healthful, I’m glad so many people like it, too.
#7 Baked Banana Oatmeal (2011)
Did not make the list in 2015.
This is a great recipe that saw zero traffic until I redid the photographs this year. Once I redid the photos, it became an instant success. It made me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because more people were seeing a great recipe. Sad because I know I have so many terrific recipes that don’t get seen because of their photos. The lesson for bloggers is this: photography matters. If you have fantastic recipes, it doesn’t matter unless you have excellent photos. Work on your photography if you want to grow your blog.
#6 30 Healthy Dinners You Can Make in 30 Minutes (2015)
Down from #4 in 2015.
Useful posts do well, and this post is massively useful for busy families who want to be healthy. Do you like round-up posts?
#5 High Protein Energy Balls (2011)
Up from #10 in 2015.
I will say it: the photographs for this post are terrible. Two years ago, however, I used them to create this Pinterest image and it’s driven a lot of traffic ever since. The recipe is solid and one that my regular readers tell me is a staple in their home just like it is in our home. I know this recipe by heart and it’s one the kids make with me all the time.
#4 Avocado Tuna Salad (2016)
Created in 2016, so not on the list in 2015.
I remember being unhappy with how these photographs turned out, so I was pleasantly surprised when this recipe took off. This is definitely a staple recipe for me that I make often for lunch. The message here is that people love a good staple recipe using simple, healthy ingredients.
#3 Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Cups (2012)
Was also #3 in 2015.
I’ve made many variations on these oatmeal cups, but these continue to be the most popular. Pinterest is a big part of that, as this recipe has been repinned over 230,000 times! These are the original photos and it just keeps going strong. I can see why these are popular because it’s such a quick and easy recipe, made in one bowl, and there’s no added sugar. These are perfect for toddlers, kids, and adults.
#2 2-ingredient Sweet Potato Pancakes (2013)
Was also #2 in 2015.
These little 2-ingredient pancakes I originally created when Luke was a baby continue to be wildly popular. They have over 203K repins on Pinterest and consistently bring in almost 25,000 pageviews each month. They are simple and unique and I’m sure that’s why they are so loved.
#1 The Anti-Bloat Smoothie (2015)
Up from #6 in 2015.
When I created this smoothie, I never thought it would be as popular as it is. It was popular when I created it in 2015, and it went viral in 2016. With over 203K pins, Pinterest loved this smoothie. I make it often and love it, so I’m glad it’s resonated with so many people.
Reflections
I think the list of what was popular in 2016 is a great representation of what Happy Healthy Mama is all about. My focus is on easy recipes with accessible ingredients that can help busy families be their healthiest. I found it interesting that my #1 post from 2014 and 2015 dropped to #11 this year. My 5-ingredient blender muffins are still popular and get a lot of traffic, but other posts gained enough to bump them out of the top 10. This is my list from 2015 if you’d like to see it.
I would also like to share what posts from 2016 exclusively were the most popular in 2016. These are the posts published in 2016 that were popular in 2016:
#10
Healthy Fruit Dip–4 Ways
#9
DIY Body Spray with Essential Oils
#8
Banana Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Cups
#7
How to Sweeten Your Coffee without Sugar
#6
Buffalo Chickpea Salad Sandwich
#5
Coconut Apricot Energy Balls
#4
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip
#3
Sweet Potato Black Bean Burger
#2
Husband Protein Smoothie
#1
Avocado Tuna Salad
Reader Feedback
I would love to hear if your favorite recipe made the list. How many of these recipes have you tried?
More than anything, I would love to hear what you want to see more of (or less of!) on Happy Healthy Mama in 2017. If you have a moment, please leave a comment and let me know!
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