Fresh Start - Hello 2012

I hope that everyone had a wonderful time ringing in 2012!  I know that we did, but I have to say I am sad the weekend went by so fast.  I have to apologize I was to lazy to upload the pictures we took on NYE, but don't worry I will share them with you soon!

The start of a New Year always makes me think about things I could improve upon in my life.  Call them New Years resolutions or goals or whatever you like! 

But here are my 5 big resolutions, or things I want to work on in 2012:

1- I want to run a 5 and 10k.   Little fact about me, even though I love running I have never actually ran a race(the one 5k I was supposed to run got rained out), so in 2012 I want to change that!  I just need to find the races and settle on the dates! I am looking into this one, 

and this one.

2- I want to not sweat the small stuff in 2012.  

It is so easy for me to sit and worry about every little thing.  This in turn causes me to stress out way to much over things that might never happen.  I want to enjoy everything life has to offer in 2012 and not constantly worry about the little things that may go wrong from time to time!

3- I want to continue the path to healthy living.  A healthy lifestyle takes work.  In 2012 I want to make better food choices, explore more healthy recipes and learn more about nutrition (maybe I will even start school)!

4- I want to work more on loving myself, and the person that I am.  I will admit that I beat myself up a lot!  This year I want to focus less on the negative and more on the positive.  I want to tell myself I can do whatever I put my mind to!

5- Going along with loving myself I also want to love others, and give thanks for the love and support I have in my life.  I want to grow deeper in relationships.  Relationships with my family, friends and God.  I have not talked about religion much on the blog, but religion is something that I have very strong feelings about (also an area of my life I know I need to grow in).  

There are a few other smaller goals I have for the year like relaxing more (so bad at that) staying organized, and reading more but those 5 are the big ones!  

So what about all of you,

Do you make New Years Resolutions or goals for your year?  What do you want to accomplish in 2012?

And how was everyone else's New Years?

Happy New Years Eve

It is time to ring in 2012!

Happy New Years Eve everyone!  See you all in... 

I hope your night is filled with bubbly, sparkles, good friends, family, love and laughter!  Lets start of 2012 right!

Looking Back

As the last few days of 2011 are winding down I find myself looking back on the major happenings, lessons, and memories of the year.  2011 was a year filled with ups and downs, lots of celebrating, good friends, and family.  While I like to think that I have grown up a lot this year, I still feel like there is a lot to learn.  This being said though I am excited for the new adventures that 2012 has in store for me!  A lot can happen in a year, just take a look!

Here are some of the biggest and most memorable moments from 2011!

We rang in 2011 in style!

Mark and I celebrated a wonderful year of dating!

I started this little blog!

I can safely say that I have enjoyed watching my blog grow, And I can not thank each one of you enough for the support you give me and my blog.  I am so thankful for each one of you that read and comment on my blog daily!  You all really do make my day with your sweet comments and words of encouragement!  So thank you!

I traveled to the beautiful country of Jamaica to participate in my 5th Mission Trip with the Butler Intercollegiate YMCA!  So thankful for this opportunity!

I fell in love with running!  And have been running and running and running ever since! 

I got to celebrate with many friends as they graduated from Pharmacy school!

I packed up my life in Indianapolis and moved back home to Minnesota. Not one of the easiest decisions I made, nor one of the easiest moves. However I learned a lot from this experiences, and believe it was the right decision.

I stood along side my best friend and watched her marry the man of her dreams!  It was such an honor to stand up there with the both of them!

Lets see what else did 2011 bring about... well 

I toured the foundation house,

and went to the lake not once but twice!

 

Celebrated birthdays, and anniversaries

and attended more weddings!

Reconnected with Good Friends

and last but not least just simply enjoyed life!

Hard to believe another year is gone!  So as I sit and ponder my New Years resolutions I am going to give thanks as well.  For the lessons, memories and experiences I was given in 2011!

A New Year Around the Corner-Top 5 Recipes from 2011

Wow, it is Thursday already, and the new year is right around the corner!  Where did 2011 go?  When I look back at 2011 there are several big moments that stick out to me.  But you will have to wait and read about those BIG moments tomorrow, because today I am sharing my top 5 all time favorite recipes (cooking moments) from 2011!  After all Happily Ever Healthy did start out as a cooking blog!

Enjoy!

I have to say I kinda enjoyed looking through some of the older cooking posts.  I am happy with where my blog has gone, lets just say the blog has improved a bit with time!  But as promised here are my top 5 recipes (in nor particular order) from 2011!

Lets start with breakfast.  A meal I use to detest but now wouldn't dream of missing!
1. Oatmeal Pancakes!
Delicious any time of the day, and even better when you add banana!

If you like a pumpkin version check out Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes
2. Pumpkin Coffee Cake
A little experiment that turned out fabulous!

Perfect for any festive brunch, or when you want something sweet!

3. BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls (Remade)

One of Marks All time Favorites... along with
Stir Fry!

4. What is a year without a little chocolate!
My Mom's Chocolate Sheet Cake!

5. And last but not least... my Tzaziki CousCous Salad!
The remake, with so much more flavor.  This was the first recipe to be featured on a website!

Well there you have it... my top 5 recipes from 2011!
Have you ever gone back and looked at where your blog started?

A Festive Red Velvet

Are you ever stumped on what to make for dessert?  Especially dessert for say an important dinner or a holiday?  If you answered yes to both questions then you are like me!  Christmas eve my mom looked at me and goes "So what are we going to have for dessert tonight... anything?" I just looked back at her with a blank (probably half asleep) expression.  I hadn't given any thought as to what we would have for dessert, to be honest I thought we would eat cookies!  Christmas Eve dinner in the Wolfe household is kind of a no brainer.  We always have that wonderful Chicken Wild Rice soup I shared with your here.  But dessert, there is no set dessert for Christmas eve.  So the question of what are we having for dessert sent me straight to the cupboard of cookbooks!  I am not sure how many cookbooks I looked through.  I looked through everything from William Sonoma, to the Mayo Clinic and even The Barefoot Contessa, but nothing stuck out to me.  To me I like things simple on Christmas Eve, however simple doesn't mean lack of flavor!

Just as I was feeling a bit desperate to find a recipe I remembered my latest issue of Cooking Light!

  The December issue was stocked full of delicious desserts, desserts that looked both simple, elegant and adorable (think cupcakes and mini bundt cakes)!  Flipping through the magazine again made my mouth water (cooking light has amazing pictures)! I finally decided on a very festive looking Red Velvet Cupcake (yes red velvet is my favorite, but hey red is festive for Christmas)! 

You can find the recipe I used here (there is also a chocolate and vanilla cupcake recipe from the issue).  I followed it to a T.  I was very happy with the way these little gems turned out.  They are probably the best red velvet cupcakes I have made.  And the cream cheese frosting isn't to shabby!  I swirled in a bit of red food coloring like the recipe called for, and I ended up with a swirly almost candy cane like effect!

  I will warn you these cupcakes can seem a bit involved, but I thought the end result was worth it.  I ended up having extra cream cheese frosting so I am looking for an excuse to use it!  Suggestions are welcome!      Now go put those aprons on and get to baking! 

What do you all make for a holiday dessert?

4 Day Work Week

I have to say it was a bit hard to get up for work this morning!  My mind is reminding my body however that today is Tuesday, even though it feels like a Monday!  Hello 4 day work week.  I  am hoping these 4 days of work go quickly, because I am already looking forward to the upcoming 3 day weekend!  Nothing like a long relaxing weekend, especially when you have a special guest coming!!  

Now while I  try to convince my brain to do some work  run and get a very large coffee from Starbucks (shot of Espresso maybe?), you sit back and enjoy this movie trailer from the cutest (who doesn't love zoo animals) movie I have seen!

Enjoy!

PS!  I got this cookbook for Christmas!

I squealed with delight when I opened it (cannot wait to try a million recipes form it)!  If you have not checked out the cooking blog Peas and Thank You then I highly suggests you go do it now! 

And the recipe for these little gems will be coming soon!

Happy Monday I mean Tuesday everyone!

With the hustle and the bustle of Christmas behind us, I can safely say that my family had a very wonderful Christmas.  Not just because of all the gifts that were received (though they were an added bonus), but mainly I think Christmas this year was so wonderful because we took the time to relax and enjoy the holiday as a family.  We took the time to slow down, enjoy conversations and take in little moments that can sometimes be overlooked with the craziness of the holidays.  

Here area few little moments from our holiday weekend!

 A favorite Wolfe family Christmas cookie, Peanut Butter Blossoms! 

 Festive Red Velvet Cupcakes-Recipe to come!

 Beautiful Tree in the Foyer!

Peaceful drive to the country!

I am hoping you all had a very Merry Christmas, and enjoyed a time filled with family and wonderful friends!

Happy Holidays!