Health Bloggers Dish: Erica from Itzy's Kitchen

Happy Health Bloggers Dish Monday!   Today's serving of blogger love was cooked up for us by Erica from Itzy's Kitchen!

Erica's sweet persona was not only evident in our email conversations, but shines through her writing as well.  Itzy's Kitchen showcases Erica's favorite recipes as well as her life as a fitness instructor and a runner!  Erica's been at this blogging business for quite some time and with many loyal Itzy's Kitchen readers – I was looking forward to a having a chance to chat with Erica and get her take on blogging in the healthy living niche today.

Thanks Erica for taking some time to talk with us today!  How long have you been blogging at Itzy's Kitchen?

I have been blogging for a year and a half now.

How much time do you spend on the blog each week?

Oh gosh! I probably spend about 45 minutes a day writing up my posts and another 1 1/2 hours a day responding to comments and reading other bloggers posts. So….in total I probably spend about 15-16 hours a week blogging….maybe more.

Who or what inspired you to start Itzy's Kitchen?

The first two blogs I was drawn to were Kath Eats and Carrots N Cake. I found both while searching for recipes online. I quickly became addicted to reading about their daily eats/adventures. I wanted a place of my own where I could store and share the recipes I was making. I also really liked the idea of my family and friends being able to check in and find out what was going on with me and my husband.

Hey wait! Your name is Erica! Where did the name Itzy's Kitchen come from?

haha… It was a part of my AIM screen name that I had growing up. A few of my high school friends called me Itzy …cause I'm short!

How many blogs do you follow regularly?

Oh boy… probably around 40!

What do you think is the best way to gain readers when you're first starting out?

Comment, comment, comment! Also, post about things that are important to YOU. A blogger's sincerity comes across very clearly in posts. You have to post about things you love.

Do you enjoy being active in the blogging community?

I love commenting on others blogs! I have started to think of a lot of the bloggers as "friends" and like to "talk" (comment) to them daily just like I do with my non-blog friends.

Knowing what you know now, if you could go back in time to when you first started Itzy's Kitchen and give yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?

Again, post only about things that are meaningful to you and get your own domain….something I still need to do. If anyone wants to help me out… I would be forever grateful.

Have you made any mistakes along the way?

Trying to compare my blog to others.

It seems like a lot of bloggers struggle with comparing their blog to others.  How did you overcome this?

I think for me, I had to take time to re-examine why I was writing the blog. If I felt like I was really hitting my goals, I would take some time to celebrate my accomplishments (maybe through a fun giveaway, or by buying myself a new kitchen/or health product). By celebrating my own achievements, I would usually realize my blog envy was silly. If I felt I wasn't hitting my blogging goals, then I would make adjustments. Again, then my "blog envy" would usually disappear. We all have to keep in mind that we offer something different and special to our readers and we are all fabulous!

Do you look at blogging like a hobby or more as a job?

How about a hobby I wish could be my job

Has it been worth it?

Absolutely! I've learned so much from other bloggers and learned a lot about myself from writing my own blog. I have met so many talented, intelligent and just overall incredible people. I wouldn't change a thing.

And last but not least, what fruit or vegetable would you say describes you best?

This is a tough question… Especially for someone who loves fruits and veggies as much as I do. After a lot of thinking… I have decided to go with coffee (or the coffee bean- which comes from a fruit!). I choose this because they're tiny (I'm 5'1"), not very tolerant of sub-freezing temperatures (I hate the cold), and will leave you feel charged up and ready to go (as a group fitness instructor….I hope to make people feel like this daily ).

I am totally embarrassed to admit that I did not know the coffee bean came from a fruit!  I love that!

A HUGE thank you Erica for taking some time to answer my blogging questions and for sharing your fun and thoughtful responses with us.

Do you have questions you'd like to have answered by guest bloggers in the future? Feel free to send any ideas or questions our way!  We'd love to hear what you think.