Looking Back on 2016!

2016 has been…

Crazy, wild, exciting, stressful, overwhelming, joyful, and FUN.

You guys, it’s been quite the year. It’s been a year of challenges, growth, working for myself, finding balance (or lack there of), life changes, business decisions, and so much more. I am grateful every single day to do what I love and to help all of you find success in your own kitchen, whether that’s starting on your clean eating journey, or simply making delicious and nutritious meals for you and your family. Truly, I love what I do with a burning passion and I am beyond thankful for each and every one of you. 2017, we are ready for you! 

Highlights:

I wrote my first cookbook.

We got married!!

We traveled a little, but actually not all that much (I promise this recap is coming really soon).

My book launched to the world, and when it hit shelves it became a top cookbook at Barnes and Noble and was #1 in new releases in Gluten-Free Cooking!

I embarked ( and am still currently on) the start of my book tour (come meet me)!

I decided to hire Sabrina full-time, which will be as of January 2017! You’ll get to know her more, too! 

I met and connected tons of fabulous bloggers and authors who have become great friends and inspire me daily. I am grateful for this community, their support, and their friendships.

…And that’s just a handful of things! 

Balance 

This year was different than my past few years blogging, because I was in the midst of writing my cookbook. To be honest, it was the biggest, and most demanding project I have ever worked on. It was exciting, stressful at times, and a TON of work. I am beyond happy with how the cookbook turned out and even more happy that all of you are loving it so much. And of course, I am grateful for such an amazing opportunity. With that said, this year was challenging to find balance between life, blogging, and writing the book. 

With all of the fabulous things that went on in 2016, I ended up doing what I told myself I wouldn’t do.

I told myself  at the end of last year that in 2016 I would develop more of a morning routine where I would get up and meditate, work out, and get ready for the day (put on real clothes and get ready) — all before logging onto my computer and starting to work.

The days (and work, and weeks, and blogging, and book writing) got ahead of me and I found myself waking up and working right away. I found myself staying in my pajamas or yoga pants all day or for the majority of the day, and not mediating or doing any sort of morning routine. I think this is a really, really hard part of working from home and being your own boss. It’s just really hard to find that balance of having you time and working all the time. It’s a balance that has taken me a lot longer to figure out than I would have expected from this type A lady.

I am telling you this because in one way or another, whether you work from home or not, there is often something important that gets neglected in our live that we wish didn’t. Maybe it’s time with your family, maybe it’s eating healthier, maybe it’s drinking more water. Whatever it is for you, I hear you. It happens, and instead of beating ourselves up over it, let’s reflect and move forward.

One of my biggest 2017 personal goals will be developing and sticking to my morning routine and working on that work/life balance more!

2016 Content

This year, aside from all of the other content I shared, I did a Summer CSA Series with my girls Cassy from Fed and Fit and Juli from PaleOMG, and also did a Slow Cooker Sunday Series this Fall that so many of you loved! 

I love looking back on a years worth of content and seeing your most loved recipes. With millions of you here throughout the year with me, let’s take a look at some of your favorite dishes from 2016!

Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggie Dinner

Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice One-Pan Skillet

Caribbean Pulled Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Spaghetti Squash Alfredo with Chicken and Caramelized Onions

Breakfast Cookies

Slow Cooker Thai Curry Chicken

It’s safe to say that this year you loved slow cooker meals, easy one-pan or sheet pan meals, on-the-go snacks, and that overall, you are looking for SIMPLE and practical meals that you can really make for your families! 

What You’ll See in 2017

In 2017, you’ll see TONS OF NEW RECIPES (of course), along with new series, meal plans, revamping older recipes, cooking videos (!!!!), how-to videos, more travel and lifestyle posts, safer skincare + better beauty posts, and more me getting real with you about life, balance, and all of that good stuff! 

I am truly grateful to embark on another amazing year with all of you! I feel blessed everyday to do what I love, and help you live healthier and delicious lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for cooking with me and trusting me when cooking for you and your loved ones!

I would love to hear what you’re looking to see on LCK in 2017! Are you looking for lunches? Easy dinners? Snacks? Breakfasts? Do you like the cooking videos? Do you want to know about non-toxic products we use in our home? Are you looking for blogging resources? Talk to me, I’m all ears! 

Happy New Year! I’ll see you next week in 2017! 

-Lexi

P.S. Check back in on Sunday, for week 1 of the FREE January Meal Plans (plus shopping lists)!