I sat down to write a post about a quick and healthy recipe from the archives (with improved pictures this time!) and then it hit me. This is my last post of 2011!! The recipe will have to wait. I can’t help but reflect over the past 12 months.

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 was working on a more elaborate post all morning but I can’t sit in front of the keyboard any longer… which means I’m postponing that post till later and will just tell you what I’m excited about this very morning. I’m excited for Adam to get off early from work today. I’m excited to start Thanksgiving preparations. I hope you are too!

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!