We’re a few days away from 2024 and I’m ready to turn the page to a new year. 2023 was another doozy. The hard parts - both globally and personally - aren’t nearly over, but I choose to believe that things will get better. All we can do is move forward and stay hopeful. One of my favorite sayings from the cancer community is, “The only way out is through.” We keep going, because there’s no other option.
Despite its real challenges, 2023 had some great parts!
-I traveled a lot, which felt freeing and expansive, including to Italy. We visited Rome, Florence and Tuscany, ate pasta every day and made some pretty amazing memories.
-I started regularly exercising, in earnest, again. This is a huge accomplishment for me, since I haven’t been able to stick to a routine for more than a month or so for the last 5+ years. I have been loving Bar Method and hiking/long walks in nature. I’m focusing more on how exercise makes me feel (both physically and mentally), rather than the number on the scale, and that has helped to sustain my motivation.
-I was a featured guest at The Exam Room Live! Podcast event in New York City over the summer, and just recorded a podcast episode with Rip Esselstyn, one of my heroes in the plant based community. I’ll be sure to let you know when that one goes live (likely fairly soon, early 2024!), being on his show was a pinch me moment.
-I landed a new recipe development dream client, and continued working with long-term favorites.
-I allowed myself the space and time to focus on myself and my family, rather than pushing myself to achieve more and do more. As a perfectionist, this does not come naturally to me, but I’m so glad I gave myself permission to say “no” when I needed to, and give my energy and time to the things that matter most.
While I have no impressive, lofty plans for 2024, I have a few goals and resolutions I’m working toward:
-A continued emphasis on simplicity in my life and career, and continuing to find joy and satisfaction in what I already have, instead of defaulting to looking for more.
-To not let imposter syndrome get in the way of me growing, professionally. I have offerings I want to put out into the world, but often get in my own way with self-doubt and procrastination.
-To continue to work toward being my healthiest self. This means continuing exercising regularly, eating more intuitively and mindfully, prioritizing sleep and meditation, and carving out time for my hobbies and fun.
-Expand my meal repertoire at home. I cook plenty of new and exciting things for work, but I cook the same things over and over (and over) for my family. I want that to change in 2024. I’m committing to cooking and serving at least one meal a week outside of the “norm”, both to expand my kids’ palates and exercise my culinary muscles.
And if nothing changes, that’s OK too. I am grateful for my health, my life and my career. None of them are perfect, but I know by now not to expect them to be. It’s great to have goals and aspirations, but not if you’re going to feel terrible if you don’t achieve them all. I hope when you’re looking forward to 2024, you feel at peace with where you already are. Chances are, you’re doing a lot better than you give yourself credit for.
Before I sign off for the year, I want to extend my sincere gratitude for your readership and support. I know that there are many voices in the health, wellness and culinary spaces - I’m humbled and honored that you choose to read, trust and support my content. I’m committed to always keeping this space genuine, honest and promise to only share information that I wholeheartedly stand behind (and is nearly almost always evidence based). From the bottom of my heart, thank you, and have a very happy, healthy, hopeful New Year.
As a chef and recipe developer you write about the food that nourishes our bodies. But you also write beautifully about "other things" - the stuff that feeds and restores our spirit. Those important thoughts and values bear remembering as we strive to evolve towards a better self and a more peaceful life. Hoping that 2024 will bring more peace and love to us all.