Thanks for all of your questions via email, comments, and social media! Connecting with you is one of my favorite things about being a blogger. The following are some of the most frequently asked questions relating to 4-Hour BODY Girl.
WHERE DO YOU GET THE INSPIRATION FOR YOUR POSTS?
- discussions with friends and family
- magazine articles
- books
- farmers markets
- other peoples blogs
- pinterest recipes
My typical process for posts is sometimes like this:
- See an idea that gets me excited – TV, discussion with friends, or something I learned at a seminar I went to.
- Research the techniques if necessary.
- Test it out, see if it works, make my own notes and share it with the world.
CAN YOU USE OTHER PEOPLES’ ARTICLES ON YOUR BLOG?
There is so much incredible information out there, that it would be ridiculous if I was only writing my own stuff all the time. That’s what blogging is all about – sharing good content! So yes, I will occasionally elaborate on others’ articles and feature them on my blog, if it’s something that I really like and think it would help others get results. If I do use an article or a photo that comes from someone else, I will credit them and link back to them and the actual article. This happens more often when I’m short for time, because, ya know? But when I’ve got the time, I create my own original content and recipes. I love writing, I love health, and I love healthy cooking with the freedom that comes from not following a recipe or a specific set of rules.
If you’re a health blogger and you’re wondering if it’s okay to use other peoples’ articles on your blog, here are some insights from the US copyright office.
CAN I USE YOUR PHOTOS OR RECIPES ON MY WEBSITE OR BLOG?
Thank you for asking!
- Recipes – no. At this time, I do not allow republication of my post or recipe text without prior consent. If people copy and paste my recipes and republish them onto their websites, it will negatively affect how 4-Hour BODY Girl gets displayed in search results, which isn’t cool. Plus, there are some copyright issues there. If you have a specific inquiry about a recipe, please feel free to email me.
- Photos without recipes – why not? Thank you for sharing. Please credit the photos with two links, one back to the actual article/post and one back to 4-Hour BODY Girl website.
WHAT’S YOUR BACKGROUND IN HEALTH?
I have no formal health training and no special expertise. I’ve been passionate about healthy living an eating since my early 20’s, self-taught Canadian girl who likes to life a healthy lifestyle, cook, eat, and share healthy, yet delicious food. My background is in business, and marketing.
DO YOU FOLLOW A PARTICULAR DIET?
I eat almost anything, but it has to be all natural, no preservatives, or additives. When I feel like I need to lose fat fast, I stick to slow carb way of eating, but when I’m maintaining, I eat whole foods. My favorite foods to cook are typically plant-based dishes with lots of flavor. I stay active through dance, capoeira, hiking and yoga mainly.
When I first started this blog, I was very disciplined at following the 4-Hour BODY by Tim Ferriss and created this blog to hold be accountable, but once I lost the weight, I maintained what I’ve lost for over 4 years now, by eating healthy, whole foods.
WHY DIDN’T YOUR RECIPE WORK FOR ME?
I don’t know, but I’d love to help you figure it out. A great place to discuss this would be in the comments section of a post so other readers could also benefit from what didn’t work or what works. Sometimes recipes may have a typo or we may need to clarify something, so if you are confused about something, please comment or email me so we can figure it out and make it work for you.
WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL YOUR FOOD?
My ex called me a squirrel. I freeze stuff and eat leftovers quite a bit. My family, friends and neighbors like me a lot too, because they don’t have to cook as much! 
HOW DO I START A HEALTH BLOG?
Wonderful question! I have several resources set up to help new bloggers figure out all the things necessary of starting a health blog. Health Blogger Champ (will be a membership website for new health bloggers) it’s in the works and will be coming soon. It will be full of comprehensive video tutorials that will walk you through step-by-step of starting a blog from the very beginning, and there will also be a forum for asking questions and hearing from other bloggers.
How to Start a Health Blog – a page with basic information
“10 Mistakes that Health Bloggers Make and How to Fix Them” – my eBook
Heakth Blogger Champ – Membership Site – Coming Soon
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR BLOGGING?
Focus on the quality of content, and photos. Strong content is really the most crucial to focus on. Patience and time are essential as well. Before seeing any noticeable increases in traffic, I was blogging for about two years. Now it’s been about five years and I’m seeing results. That’s like 600-some articles. Building a blog is gradual and takes TIME – it’s not an overnight, get rich quick thing. It won’t feel like work if you enjoy it though, and you’ll be able to stick with it – which has to lead to results eventually.
Try not to stress about stuff either. Discipline and focus are virtuous, do your best not to be perfect. Stay focused and disciplined on learning, planning and execution, and you will prevail. When first starting out, and I made a few bucks, it felt like winning the loto, because I could see my efforts working. Enjoy the journey and be grateful for the small triumphs.
WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT DO YOU USE?
HERE is a list of some of the things I’m using.
I WANT TO HELP SUPPORT THE ORPHANAGE YOU WORKED AT IN AFRICA. WHAT THINGS DO THEY NEED?
You are truly, seriously the best. Thanks for asking! ♥
On the orphanage’s website, you’ll see a section called HOW TO HELP that shows how you can do to make the children’s days a little easier.
DO YOU WORK WITH BRANDS FOR SPONSORED POSTS AND CAMPAIGNS?
Yes! I’m glad to promote brands and products that I like and think my readers would find useful on 4-Hour BODY Girl. I’m already working with a few brands and if you’re a brand looking for a joint venture, please email me at hlblaise@gimal.com
ARE YOU ON PINTEREST?
I love Pinterest! Here’s a link to my profile!
When I first got introduced, I wasn’t really that interested in it, and didn’t really see the point, but that was when it first came out. Now, according to a study released in July 2013, revealed the website had 70 million users worldwide. I became a bit addicted to for a while, but now use it mostly for business, food inspiration and parenting.
You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, or my favorite social media,Instagram.
CAN I EMAIL YOU?
Yep! You can email me HERE.
COMMENT POLICY
Thanks for sharing your incredible comments! I REALLY appreciate them. Because I want 4-Hour BODY Girl to be social and positive, I’ll remove spammy, or rude comments.
Here’s to your health, wealth, and happiness,
Heather
