About Me: Blog Award Nominations and 13 Fun Facts

Today, we're doing something a little different: we're talking about me, blog award edition! I was recently nominated for The Real Neat Blogger Award by the Anxious Canadian and The Blue Sky Tag Blogging Challenge by The Savvy Dreamer. Both challenges involve answering a few given questions and nominating your own set of bloggers to answer a few questions of your own.

Being, well, me, I smudged the rules a bit and combined the nominations (and their questions) into one post. I'll also nominate eight bloggers (because it's my lucky number!) to jump on Blogging Award train.

So what inspired this celiac to blog in the first place? What's my favorite book? And what's the most important piece of advice I've ever received? Find out that and more in this about me, blog award edition...

1. Why did you start blogging?

As I've shared in other posts, my celiac diagnosis was my biggest motivation to start blogging. I was diagnosed with celiac disease only a few months before starting college. So, of course, I immediately began Googling how gluten free celiacs were surviving college...but I only found one blog and a few other resources. 

My solution? I'd blog about it myself...even though I had no idea where to even begin! I've always loved writing (and I ended up majoring in it during college...and am now going to grad school for an MFA in Creative Nonfiction). So, I picked a random blogging platform that seemed easy to set up (hello Blogger!) and started publishing my thoughts online. Fun fact: my blog was originally called Casey the Celiac Sealion because of my college's mascot...but I (thankfully) changed that early on.

2. What is your passion in life?

Honestly? I'm not totally sure. I love writing (hence my impending grad school adventure). I love connecting with others (hello blogging).  I also love fitness, reading, editing and cooking. I'm not sure where these interests will take me, but I hope I'll be able to help people with what I do.

3. What's the most important piece of advice you've ever received?

The first piece of advice that popped into my mind are the words of my sixth-grade school counselor. (Who was also my "foster dad" when my dad was deployed). When I moved away, he gave me a glass dolphin with a card that said, "Keep searching for your porpoise."

His words remind me that there is more to life than being productive or making money. I also want to make sure I'm setting myself up for a job that I can enjoy and (hopefully) use to make a difference in the world. At the same time, though, the pun reminds me to laugh and not take life too seriously. I'm a weird combination of Type-A perfectionist and goofball, but following my heart (while rockin' a sense of humor) has worked pretty well so far!

4. If you could travel anywhere in the word where would it be?

If someone gave me a ticket to anywhere outside the U.S. (that was safe and had some gluten free options), I'd take it and go. I've only left the U.S. when I lived in Cuba as a toddler. And thanks to a combination of celiac disease and financial aid clauses, I wasn't able to study abroad in college. So, I'm really game to travel anywhere! Some top contenders, though, include Australia, London, Scotland, Ireland, Italy and Spain (all of which, I've heard, are awesome for celiacs by the way!). 

5. What's the most used app on your phone/tablet?

I spend way too much time on Instagram, but I also regularly use VSCO to edit my photos and Canva to make blog graphics. And I'm typing this blog post up using my phone's Blogger app (while riding the stationary bike, wink wink). Non-blogging related, I use Find Me Gluten Free all the time! 

6. What do you like to do when not blogging?

I love working out, whether it's on my own, in a hot yoga class with my dad or on a family hike. This past eight months, I've also been really into long afternoon walks. When I'm not working out, working on the blog or just plain working, I'm usually baking or reading. I've also been known to love thrift shopping!

7. Summer or Winter?

Fall. The weather is just right! 

8. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done or you would like to do?

The craziest thing? Probably going to grad school in a state that I've never even visited! I'm a little terrified about Minnesota's mosquitos and reportedly "bipolar" weather, but I'm also super excited for a fresh start. I'm moving out to Minnesota for teaching training (the other craziest thing is definitely teaching my first college class at 21 years old!) at the end of July. I'm just grateful that spending the winter in Colorado Springs has conditioned me somewhat for Minnesota's winters...

Needless to say, you'll be hearing a lot about Mankato, Minnesota for the next three years! 

9. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things you would bring with you?

A water purifier. (A dehydrated Casey is a dangerous thing). A Kindle for reading (as long as I can get a signal...otherwise, some realllllly long book like Ana Karenina!). And, of course, a raft for me to ride back to the mainland once my granola cravings became overwhelming!

10. If you could meet anyone in the world who would it be?

I would love to meet Dorothy Parker. (For those who don't know, she's a super sassy feminist writer from the 1920s). I have a feeling that she'd scare me (she is the queen of sarcasm and burns!). However, I really admire Parker's wit and her ability to make it in the writing world at a time when women's occupational options were limited. 

11. What’s your favorite dessert?

Homemade granola + So Delicious Unsweetened Vanilla Coconut Yogurt + berries + sunbutter. I have some version of this every night for a snack. 

12. What’s the best book you’ve read?

One of my favorite books is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. For those who don't know, I minored in Women's Studies and am very intrigued by beauty standards (hence blog posts like this one). The Bluest Eye explores beauty standards and racial stereotypes, and Morrison's writing style is exquisite. I recommend most books from Toni Morrison. 

When I'm reading "lighter," though, I prefer psychological thrillers. One of my favorites recently is The Girl on the Train. I haven't seen the movie, but I bet the book is better! I also love The Woman in Cabin 10. (Watch out for a full list of my favorite summer reads in the near future). 

13. If you had all the money in the world what would be your biggest indulgence?

If you read this blog, you probably know the answer already: alllll the gluten free goodies! I'm a self-professed foodie, and I would definitely spend some major bank at Whole Foods if I had unlimited funds. And, of course, I'd load up on my favorite treats like Health Warrior chia bars (who I'm now an ambassador for), Snackin' Freely paleo bagels, Enjoy Life cookies and lots of Sunbutter!

Like this post? Show me by tweeting! Just click here: "Learn more about this #glutenfree gal + meet the #bloggers I nominated for a #blogging award! via @collegeceliackc http://bit.ly/2sRamFr"

The Nominees

Now, the fun part! I get to spread the blogging love to another eight bloggers. The only rules (of both the Real Neat Bloggers Award and the Blue Sky Tag Blogging Challenge)? 

• Tag the person who nominates you in the post (if you choose to accept the challenge!)
• Answer the eight (or however many) questions they've given you 
• Nominate another eight (or however many) bloggers to do the same! 

So who are some of my favorite bloggers lately? 

• My Uncommon Everyday: if you love reading about chronically awesome college students like me, you'll love Ellen! 
• My Little Tablespoon: she may live in Canada, but I feel like this girl and I are foodie twins. She posts tons of tasty food, plus posts about everyday life and mental health. 
• Rice and Repeat: I just discovered this girl a few weeks ago, but I'm already in love. Gorgeous photos and lots of healthy living advice! 
• Claire Bear Blogs: lots of fabulous food, travel and lifestyle posts! 
• Fit as a Mama Bear: healthy food, fun workouts and family stories.
• Katalyst Health: if you haven't already been reading this gluten free blogger, DO IT! Her recipes are INSANE...and everything else she writes is pretty rad too! ;) 
• Donuts and Down Dog: how awesome is this blog name? And although I just found Lizzie's blog, I love her approach to wellness and healthy living.
• The Urben Life: Jenna is another new blogger crush of mine. She also specializes in allergy-friendly recipes! 

My questions:

1. What inspired you to start blogging - and keep blogging? 

2. If you could only have sweet or savory snacks for the rest of your life, what would you choose? 

3. Early bird, night owl or perpetually tired penguin? 

4. Sum up your blog in three words. 

5. If you have to recommend one Netflix show to everyone you meet, what would it be? 

6. If you could travel anywhere in the world for free, where would you go? 

7. What's one recipe or meal that never lets you down? 

8. Name one book you think everyone should read at least once. 

And that's a wrap!

Did you learn anything new in this about me, blog edition? And how would you answer some of these questions? Tell me in the comments!