October’s feature blogger is Kaila of the Healthy Helper Blog!  She’s a healthy living and travel blogger who posts a ton of healthy recipes and gorgeous photos on her Instagram account.  Give her a follow and read below to learn more about her!

I have been blogging for over 9 years…coming up on 10 in April of 2020!!

What made you want to start blogging?

I wanted to start blogging to share my love of healthy living, nutrition, and fitness with a wider audience. Since I started in high school there weren’t a lot of people with similar “wellness-focused” interests as me, so my blog allowed me to connect with like minded people from all over the country…and world!

What’s your favorite thing about being a blogger?

Using my personal experiences (including struggles!) to help others and make them feel less alone…no matter what they are dealing with or going through.

How did you decide on your blog name?

My passions in life are health, pursuing happiness, and helping others. So Healthy Helper seemed fitting!

What do you love most about living in Buffalo?

I LOVE living in Buffalo because it is the perfect homebase. As someone who loves to travel, I appreciate how affordable it is to live in Buffalo. Living here allows me to spend less money on rent/housing and allows me to live car-free (due to the walkability/bike-friendliness of the area I live in), which means I can save money and spend that to travel. I also having been born and raised in Buffalo, I am SO impressed with all the positive growth and change it has gone through over the past decade or so. Buffalo is the HOT PLACE to be now. We have more young people moving here than ever before…and rightfully so since the people are amazing, the food is delicious, and the atmosphere is like no where else. That’s coming from someone who has been to 100s of places and still looks forward to coming home to Buffalo.

Huge fan of:

Sun Cuisines – black rice sushi!!

Kuni’s – I’ve know Kuni since I was TWO years old.

Spot – for coffee, for food, and because I pretty much live there during the week for work.

Fresh Catch – newer but SO good for POKE.

Expo Market downtown – I always go there before going to the movies at the Market Arcade and I love the variety!

Remedy House – everyone goes for coffee but their food is SUPER underrated!

Acropolis – breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks…everything is good!!

Patina 250 – for fancier occasions!

What are your favorite seasonal activities?

Since I sold my car two years ago, one of my favorite things to do when the weather is good is to just cruise around the city on my bike (yeah…I’m the weird girl riding around on an Elliptigo…stand up bike ). I also LOVE hiking, taking long walks with my dog (soon to be DOGS), and heading down to Canalside to stand-up paddle board.

In the winter I stay active by continuing to run outside, trying out local fitness classes, and changing up my work location by checking out new local coffee shops.

What is your favorite neighborhood in the city?

Elmwood Village, BABY! Where I grew up and where I live currently. No other area compares. Anywhere.

Buffalo focused:

@StepoutBuffalo

@BuffaloGrlProbs

@OverheardBuff

@DogsofBuffalo

@onlyinbuffalo

Other:

@Mike.Karas – travel photography…also a great person!

@shitheadsteve – for the LOLZ

@UberFacts

@lexielimitless – youngest person to travel to every country

@foodandfearless – REAL nutrition tips and delish food!

@nicolelaeno – I could watch dance videos for hours!!

@mytherapistsays – more laughs

@onecrazedfoodie – running and food inspo!

What advice would you give to people who would like to start a blog?

Be like Nike and JUST DO IT.

Your website will never be perfect and there is no IDEAL time to start. Just put your words down on a (web)page and start sharing. If you have something valuable to offer to others, your following will begin to grow organically.

For tips more on the technical/backend side of things, hit me up! I can help.