2015: looking back, looking forward

Hi Folks!

It was a quiet December around here mostly due to a really, really bonkers month at work which meant working every weekend, many nights past midnight, and during the final push an actual all nighter at the office. As I'm sure you can imagine, that took quite a toll on my very pregnant body, and so for the past week or so that I've been off work I've basically been sleeping, eating leftovers, and watching Netflix. I hope you've all had restful, nourishing, and indulgent holidays!

Looking back on 2015, it's been an interesting year. There were high highs and low lows and lots of fun stuff in between.

 Among the best parts, I launched my nutrition consulting and meal planning business, which had a good first year. I've really enjoyed working with clients from all around the world with a wide range of different needs. I've learned from each and every one of them, and I'm proud of the things they've accomplished. Looking forward to more of this good work in 2016!

I traveled to New York, Paris, Sicily, Vancouver, Amsterdam, Crete, and Helsinki. I got better at recognizing my limits, and prioritized self-care at a time it was really necessary.

I also shared a lot of food with you good people. Here are some of your favourites from the last year:

These Curried Cauliflower Chickpea Wraps are not only the top recipe of 2015, but the all-time top recipe on The Muffin Myth! If you haven't tried them yet, put them on your agenda for 2016. They're packed full of flavour and good nutrition, and they're freezer friendly to boot!

In the number two position we have these Black Bean and Quinoa Freezer Burritos. They're actually from 2014, but are holding strong as a reader favourite - and they're still a favourite in my home as well.

This Winter Citrus Breakfast Salad was a big hit. I love finding new ways to get greens into my morning routine, and apparently so do you!

This Chocolate Black Bean Brownie Smoothie is another favourite from 2014 that's stayed strong over the last year. Isn't it great to know you can make a nutritious and protein-packed smoothie without using protein powder?

And you guys love these Make And Freeze Breakfast Bars - this is a good reminder to get a batch or three of these into my freezer in the coming months!

Many of my personal favourite recipes from the last year didn't make it up that high in the stats, so I thought I'd give them some love here.

This Five-Minute Single-Serve Pumpkin Mac And Cheese is a game changer and you should totally get into it. I'm sure it's going to be a life-saving go-to recipe for me in the coming months.

I know y'all love wraps and burritos, especially if they're freezer friendly, so let's show these practically one-pan Roasted Butternut Squash and Black Bean Freezer Burritos some love!

I love eggs for quick and easy dinners, and this Spicy Cauliflower Frittata is one of my all time favourites. It comes together in one pan, is packed with flavour, and is mega delicious.

These Temped Reuben Bowls are a bit of work, but I think you'll find they're well worth your time. I've got some sauerkraut in the fridge leftover from Christmas, and some tempeh in the freezer, so I know this is going to be one of the first things I make in 2016!

And lastly, these Kvarg and Quinoa Protein Pots have been making regular appearances in my life. They're jammed with protein, are simple to bulk prep, and they're delicious!

2016 is clearly going to be a year with a lot of changes. Baby Muffin Myth is scheduled to arrive towards the end of February, a date that is looming ever closer. I have no idea what this will mean for The Muffin Myth, except that I know that it will require a shift in priorities and putting myself and my family first in a way that I haven't done before. So likely there will be some extended periods of quiet while we figure out our new normal, and I thank you all in advance for your patience.

Thank you all for spending another year with me here. It's been a journey, and I am constantly humbled by your daily presence here. Thank you for your sweet comments and emails - they mean more to me than you can ever know.

And, to round things out, a bump shot for y'all. Ignore the crazy eyes, I'm terrible at selfies.

Happy New Year!