Looking back over the last 12 months!
As we near the end of the year 2023, it is a great time to look back and see everything you have achieved. I am sure many of you will think of all the things you wish you had done, looking at your bucket list and rewriting it for next year! However, let’s just focus on the positive things for now!
Grab a Pen…
Many of you will choose to skip this step! However, this is an important stage on the process of reflection. Sure you can sit and ‘think’ about the year, or you can ‘write’ on your phone, but if you actually put pen (or pencil, or crayon) to paper, this will a) help you to recall more and b) show you that you really have achieved something!
We’re making a list!
Yes indeed! There are a few ways you can complete this. Firstly if you made a bucket list, wish list, to do list or anything similar, then start there. Have a look through it and write anything you achieved, or partly achieved on your list. Next, think of anything obvious you accomplished – studying, exams, tests, a marriage, a birth, a weekend away, a holiday etc. Hopefully by now, you have a few things written down. Now think about your hobbies, did you do something you love every week, maybe a sport or a craft? Write them down. Perhaps you excelled at work, or a volunteer role? Did you manage to stay within budget with your personal finances? Maybe you continued with something you’ve always done like knitting, or colouring, or singing, or gardening, or reading? Did you visit a museum, an art gallery, a park, meet friends for coffee, lunch, a catch up? All of these can be added to your positive list! What about photos? This can jog your memory not only for events you’ve forgotten like partaking in an animal sighting survey or bird count, but also for the photos themselves – a gorgeous sunset, a flower in bloom, or a super clear night sky? If you are really struggling to get anything on your list, look at today! What have you achieved today? Did you get out of bed? Make breakfast? Cook lunch? How many meals have you made this year? You can even add visiting Life Diet Health blog to your list – especially if you made or adapted one of my recipes!
A Selection of Recipes from 2023
Well, of course we need to talk recipes! I have created, tweaked and written over 40 recipes this year (of course that’s going on my list)! Here are a few of the most popular!
First: Egg-Free Yorkshire Puddings! This was the most popular recipe of the year!
Second: Kulicha for Eid: A tried and tested traditional Eid recipe, great at any time of the year!
Third: Welsh Cakes. Great for afternoon tea or breakfast!
Fourth: Carrot & Cumin Soup: One of many soup recipes, very well received.
Fifth: Barbecue Relish: Fantastic for using up all those summer tomatoes.
Sixth: A retro recipe – vol-au-vents! An old recipe – but still popular!
How many of these have you tried making?
What do I need?
Check out the individual recipes to see if there’s anything specific you need for them but as we’re talking lists…
For list writing we need a nice notebook or two! Here are a few of my favourites! Of course, we also need nice pens in different colours! I may receive a small commission if you click and purchase through these links (this is at no additional cost to you)!
Updating
It is much easier, although often forgotten, to update your list as you go through the year. Some people choose to journal daily and reflect on each day as it passes. Maybe you would prefer to complete this weekly, even monthly? When you have a moment spare, you can then check back, reminisce and give yourself a healthy boost of positivity!
Sharing
As always, I am here to answer your questions, comments, thoughts or recipe suggestions! I always love seeing your photos of my recipes you try, and love it when you share and tag me @LifeDietHealth or using #LifeDietHealth on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook or X.
Do leave me a comment below… I love to chat!
I hope to speak with you soon, Happy New Year!
Laurena x
