What are your truths today?

I set goals for the year. I achieved some of them. And then I did something bigger – I QUIT MY DAY JOB! I still can’t believe that I did it. That I took this leap into the unknown. That I quit a well-paying job without a plan, without a dream to pursue. I knew that there was more out there for me. I knew that it was going to be scary and exciting, rewarding, and confusing. And now that my vision is clear, I am certain that I made the right move. My little future business will likely not make me rich. But it will make me happy. And happiness is my only goal. It should be yours too!  

So the whole quitting my job thing was definitely the most defining event this year. But I’m proud of a few more things. Let’s see what the top 11 posts were on Healthy and Sane! [11 for 2011… yes, I’m a dork!]

#1. Ultimate healthified buffalo chicken dip

#2. New and old favorite recipes (this post includes amazing zucchini bread, pork chops, a wheatberry salad and chocolate chip cookies)

#3. My restaurant reviews page is still one of my top viewed pages. May I also direct you to my brand new favorite recipes page? I’m pretty in love with it!

#4. In February of this year, I swore off dieting for good. You were amazingly supportive (I think this is the post with the highest number of comments of all time, except for giveaway posts… and what a post to come out of the woodwork for. I really appreciate it!!). I am still 100% behind this decision, despite the ups and downs! [A lot of the diet free living posts have been very popular… I’m lumping them all together here in 1 since that’s where it started.]

#5. I reviewed Rocco Dispirito’s Now Eat This! cookbook and you found it helpful. I’m trying the baked mozzarella sticks recipe again tomorrow and the general gao’s chicken is on the menu again next week. It was a good one!

#6. The apple cider rumtini made you thirsty. Me too!

#7. I did a vegan cheese vs. dairy cheese tasting. How do you feel about vegan cheese?

#8. Pizza monkey bread. Need I say more? [It was requested for tomorrow’s New Year’s eve gathering… again!]

#9. I forgot about these cute banana blueberry spinach muffins. Thanks for the reminder!  

#10. In early 2011, I tried making weight loss into a game. We have a different variation on this going right now (I’m tracking my exercise, Adam his weight… for some prize $$). What can I say, we are financially motivated

#11. A pretty recent post with pictures of me over the past 10 years, through ups and downs of yo-yo dieting. I honestly wrote it just for myself (and printed all those photos – I look at them for inspiration on a daily basis!) but apparently a lot of you could relate too. I hope we can all move on from dieting and start living healthy and happy lives!

This is my only goal for 2012 – continue to live a happy and healthy life (and launch a successful business. Oh yeah, that too! ) Have you made any new year resolutions?

Thank you all for the amazing year here on Healthy and Sane. I know there is a lot of content on the internet and I am truly thankful for you taking some time out of your day to come here and share a little piece of your story with me or just say hi and give me with support. Thank you!

And Happy New Year!!!

I have many details to iron out so I don’t want to share the exact plan with you just yet. But I will say that while I’m working on my business plan, a website, my client list, etc. I will also be turning my kitchen into a culinary school to train myself.

The Professional Pastry Chef arrived at my doorstep yesterday and I lost 3 hours of my life just browsing through it and dreaming of all the things I’ll be learning to make.

This bookwill be my instructor on the savory side. I hope I can keep up with all the dishes

So excited to share this good news with you! Thank you all for your amazing support. See you soon and Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!!

Having a blog gives you the fun ability to look back at previous years…

Thanksgiving 2008 was my very first Thanksgiving as Mrs. Holbrook! I made white chocolate cranberry blondies which were delicious. I think I’m going to make them again this winter. They seem very Christmassy, don’t you think? [They are also on the healthier side… comparatively.]

Thanksgiving 2009 was the very first time my mom joined Adam’s family for Thankgiving dinner… and the very first Thanksgiving for my baby nephew Colby. It was also the very first time I tried making pie… and it was the ugliest pie I’ve ever seen (still tasty, though!).

I think I look really happy here. Don’t you? It was also the first Thanksgiving I ate intuitively and did not stuff myself silly. It felt good!

Leftover turkey was turned into fantastic (and healthy!) Chinese dumplings the next day! I should have stocked up on wonton wrappers… it’s definitely a great way to give leftovers a second life!

2010 apparently went undocumented but I know it was a good time. It was the first time my dad also joined the whole family for Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone in one spot – chilling, eating, drinking. LOVE.

Hope this year will be the best one yet! I’m going to make a prettier pie (that’s a promise!) and roasted brussels sprouts with pom seeds and vanilla butter. My sister-in-law as always is going to cook up a storm.

What are you making?

Happy Thanksgiving!! Eat mindfully and enjoy this time with your families and/or friends!

See you soon!

Lots of food related DIY projects to come!

A healthy recipe post coming up next…

How is your week going so far?

[Having one of these babies for breakfast this morning is the extent of my celebration. Recipe coming up in the next post! ]

It was really amazing to take this much needed break from my mile-long to-do list. But I’m back. It feels great, really great, to be back!!

During the break I made sure to focus only on things that brought me joy. I spent hours reading books at night (and weekends). Hours watching tv (you knew that was coming, right?). And many more spending time with Adam, attending blog-related events (only the fun ones… like the Boston Brunchers anniversary brunch, dinner at Aragosta… pictures of those coming up soon on my Facebook page; and a rum tasting at a new local distillery… more on that soon too) and having drinks and dinners with family and friends.

Surprisingly, I also spent time cleaning (Adam will tell you not enough…but it was more than nothing) and organizing. I took the whole “dump the to-do list” mission seriously, so spending any time cleaning was pretty impressive. When I did, I actually had the urge to do it. Yup, miracles do happen.

I also rediscovered my love for (easy) running. Nothing crazy, just 3 milers on the treadmill. And lifting. It was fun to sleep-in on weekends and then on my own time (instead of the gym class schedule) do the workout that got me excited for the day. Good stuff.

Oh yeah… I also QUIT MY DAY JOB!!! [It may not be news to you if you’ve been following me on Facebook or Twitter…]

Yup.

While I’ve been unhappy at my job for a few years now, I was not planning on doing it this soon. This is a very big decision as you can imagine. Adam and I have been budgeting for this day for a while but it seemed like without a concrete plan there was never a really good time to do this. And at the end of the day, no matter how prepared you are – fears can always make you question yourself. It’s easier to take the “safe route.” I had a very stable job that paid well. If I ever doubted my abilities at my profession, the response to my resignation reaffirmed just how valuable I was viewed to the team.

But. At the end of the day it is important to follow your heart. I know very deeply in my heart that Adam and I will be ok. More than ok actually. We’ll be good. And that my happiness will make our marriage and family stronger. Not the money (we won’t starve and we’ll have a roof over our heads with a big kitchen and a garage <—our 2 requirements in our next home).

I also very quickly learned that nothing is irreversible. I know that if nothing else, this will be a learning experience for me. I hope that by taking a break from office work, I will be able to finally discover myself… and maybe figure out what I want to do when I grow up. It may be finance (and I have dozens of people willing to give me glowing recommendations and a standing offer to have my old job back, any time). It may be something else.

This was scary, I don’t want to undermine how gigantic this decision is (and how much planning and saving we’ve been doing for over a year). Don’t go telling your boss to f-off without being really ready for the consequences, k? But this break opened my eyes to what was really important to me. I was important to me. I’ve been feeling for a long time like I’ve been putting my life on hold, paralyzed by fear. I still don’t have a concrete plan for my future but we’ve budgeted for that.

I know we’ll have to overcome a lot of new challenges but I can tell you right now that I am incredibly happy. Like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I know our lifestyle will change completely but I’m ready for it. All of it.

So there you have it. I have one more week at my job and then I’m a free agent. I’ll definitely be spending more time on all things “Healthy and Sane” related and we’ll see what else (I’ve already accepted a volunteer position at Cooking Matters). The world is my oyster (whatever that means). BRING IT ON!!!!

PS – I have the best husband in the world. Just thought that’s worth mentioning

What did I miss over the past 2 weeks??

#63 -

Congrats, Nelly!! Please email your address to

elina@healthyandsane.com and I’ll have the package sent to you asap.

Those guys cooked the most amazing dinner for us and I have a whole new post inspired by it brewing in my mind (actually several posts!), but what also happened was me being bitten by a million mosquitos as we were enjoying our dinner al fresco.

<—Me at dinner!

… and it’s gotten worse over the past few days. I have very little flesh left in the tops of my legs and knees down I look like a leopard. It’s not pretty for sure.

I haven’t slept much last night and now my whole lower half is burning. I’m restless and vulnerable. And I’m reminded of how things can get ugly (literally) at a moment’s notice. Last week I worried about my big thighs. Right now I‘d kill for the smooth, blotch-free skin on those big thighs. And things could be even worse! Gives me some perspective for sure.

I’m also learning that I get to choose how to handle these unexpected events. I am not a happy camper, I’m not going to lie (it’s the craziest problem!). But I’m also not turning to food. Food will not make me less itchy or less blotchy. Food can only feed me or create a new problem (like stomachache, guilt and/or weight gain). I choose to say no to abuse with food. I deserve to take care of myself during this time, not create further pain!

Have you ever had crazy mosquito bites? Do you turn to food when things unexpectedly turn sour?

Today it’s my dad’s birthday and my 3-year wedding anniversary… and I feel like the luckiest girl!

Over the last year my parents have shown me that while they may not agree with all of my decisions (and they’re not afraid to say it!), they will always want whatever makes me happiest and support me no matter what.

And Adam has been by my side during all the happy moments and a lot of difficult times. I didn’t know of all the challenges we were going to face 3 years ago but I knew I picked the most amazing partner… and he’s proven this true time and again over the past few years. We were kids back then… and maybe we still are… but I know that I couldn’t be happier growing old with anyone else!

Happy anniversary, honey!

Hahaha, I’m a goofball.

PS- We’re celebrating at Sportello tonight which is on the list. I’ll try to take pictures!

PPS – Have you seen my new header? I’m so incredibly happy with it. Thanks, Innz!!

 Image source

It’s been a really busy trip. I’ve been doing 18 hour days, with very little breathing room between meetings and conference calls. Oh yeah, and there was this dinner at Jamie Oliver’s Barbecoa. You may have heard of him. It was awesome. Love Jamie!

So I’ve been pretty much indoors the entire time, seeing the city mostly via taxi rides… and yet I’m totally in love with it. There is so much energy; so many different neighborhoods. I love the quaint coffee shops and  boutiques (had coffee + flapjack from a sustainable fair-trade place this morning), the super modern office spaces (seriously, I thought I was in the future when I visited our bank’s building yesterday!!) and the old charming houses. I kind of want to move here!!! (By “kind of” I mean “really really badly” but I’ll stop dreaming once I land home again).

It’s raining now (booo) so my plans for a walk around town may never materialize. Maybe I’ll duck into another little coffee shop later in the afternoon and start making my 30 by 30 list. You know I turned 29, right? The clock is ticking!!

What would/have you put on your list?