Kath from Kath Eats on Maintaining her Healthy Lifestyle
Kath started a journey toward healthy living as she was losing weight after college. Soon enough, Kath had taken this to the next level by becoming a registered dietician.
Tell us more about yourself, your site, and your family. What inspired you to start blogging about food?
I started blogging in 2007 after losing 30 pounds after graduating from college. I wanted to show people that healthy living could be fun and delicious. A few months into blogging, I decided I wanted to help others get healthier and set out on a 2.5 year journey to become a Registered Dietitian. In the meantime, my blog became a part-time job. Towards the end of my dietetic training, my husband, Matt, decided to open a Great Harvest Bread Co. and we embarked on that path together. I finished my dietetic internship in 2010 and pass the exam the month after – just after we moved to Charlottesville, VA to open our bakery. By then, my blog was a full-time career.
Your blog has received incredible success and has an enormous amount of followers. How do you think you’ve been so successful? What suggestions would you give to someone who wants to start a blog?
I never would have thought my food diary blog would turn into a full-fledged business. I started it just as a fun hobby and I still can’t believe what it has grown into. I think people come back not just for the food, but because they get to know me from their computer screens. Healthy food draws them in but the stories behind the food keeps them coming back for more. I’ve been blogging everyday, 3 times a day, for nearly 5 years. I think the persistence and consistency is what has led to a steady linear growth over the years. I’d tell new bloggers to pick a focus you’re passionate about and stick within that niche.
What motivates you to eat healthy? How do you continually live a healthy lifestyle?
When I started losing weight, I did what everyone else did: I turned to sugar-free and weight-loss industry products like high fiber bars and cereals because I thought that’s what healthy meant. But the more I read about nutrition, the more I realized healthy living was much more than cutting calories. It was about nutrients, feeling satisfied after a meal and putting real food in your mouth. Health is more about what you DO eat than what you don’t. Hence, Kath Eats Real Food was born : ) I still strive to eat as many whole foods as possible and balance delicious with nutritious.
Your site has an amazing section called, “Tribute to Oatmeal”. How do you make such delicious creations of oatmeal? What encouraged you to start this section?
I learned early on in my weight loss that oatmeal filled me up. An egg and a piece of toast just isn’t enough volume to quell my growling stomach in the mornings! The more bowls of oatmeal I made, the more creative I got with mixins. My palate is always changing with new favorites season by season. And there’s always a little nut butter involved! Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, by far.
You always post a great variety of food dishes. How do you come up with these dishes? What are a few of your favorites?
I specialize in 20 minute meals 
While I love to eat and love to try new combinations of flavors, I don’t love to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, so my meals come together in a flash. My style is sweet-savory and well garnished J I put greek yogurt and smoked paprika on everything! My current favorite breakfast is overnight oats – no cooking or cleaning involved oatmeal! For lunch I have been enjoying greens from our garden topped with egg, avocado, veggies and goat cheese. And my favorite dinners are my husband’s homemade pizzas. We make them with whole wheat flour from our bakery and it’s the best tasting whole wheat crust around!
Tell us your favorite food products that all moms should keep in the kitchen.
Yogurt is truly one of my favorite foods because it’s so versatile and packed with nutrition. I use plain Greek yogurt for breakfasts, as a protein component of lunch or as a garnish at dinner. I’m a big fan of salted, roasted almonds for a quick snack. Everyone should buy 2 kinds of leafy greens for their fridge each week. Greens are generally quick to cook and are packed with nutrition. Kale chips are one of my favorites that kids like too, and as long as you don’t tell them why it’s green, I bet most kids will like a green smoothie made with baby spinach, milk, oats and banana.
What are a few easy and healthy snacks that moms should give to their children?
Sliced fresh fruit or veggies and nut butters, yogurt dips – sweet or savory – with dippers, little smoothies, hard-boiled eggs, slices of cheese with apple. Since I don’t have kids yet, I would hope most kids would like these!
What are you most looking forward to during the summer?
The birth of my son – does that count!? He’s due August 31. We also built a beautiful screened in porch on the back of our house, and I love to just sit out there and read a book on a lazy summer afternoon.
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Site: www.katheats.com
Twitter: @katheats
Pinterest: Katheats
Email: Katheats@gmail.com
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