2016 has been a pretty big year for me. I had the most difficult teaching year in my career, started a blog, got married, and had to confront the reality that Massachusetts’ political views are not those of the entire nation. I went on so many great hikes, spent time with my family, bought and stocked a chest freezer full of summer produce, and ate plenty of great food. Overall it’s been a great year.
I still haven’t figured out how to put my laundry away before it’s time to wash the next basket-full, but hey, there’s always next year, right? 
Lets take a walk down memory lane and check out some of our faves from 2016.
YOUR top 3 favorite posts:
1. Roasted Green Bean & Potato Salad. This one surprised me, for sure. This post has the most views and shares for the entire year. Yes, even compared to all the chocolate and peanut butter recipes. I kid you not, people. It’s your favorite, after all. It looks like you guys are vibing on my minimalist approach to cooking. Yay for simple veggie dishes! 
2. Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Banana Bread. This one’s a keeper: whole wheat flour, olive oil maple syrup, and plenty of cocoa powder turn good old banana bread into something special. 
3. Apple Pie Oatmeal. I knew there was a reason I loved you all so much. This oatmeal is everything: if it weren’t already a reader favorite, I’d pick it as my own favorite. Seriously, I want this for breakfast every day, September-April. 
MY favorite posts. Just to be clear, this was so, so difficult for me. They’re all my faves, and selecting just three was torturous. So, I didn’t; I picked 10. Surprise!
- Hummus Mezze Platter. This is by far one of my favorite easy meals to make. I love snacking on all the different flavors and textures, and homemade hummus can’t be beat.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls. You knew balls would have to make the list. These are seriously the bomb.com and I’m not remotely embarrassed to have described something as such. My sister Sarah claims mine always taste better than hers, but I think that’s just her way of getting me to make them for her. Either way, these balls are the perfect snack.
- Whole Wheat Fig Bars are like fig newtons but way, way better. The thick layer of dried fig in the middle of buttery cinnamon cookie dough is what my geriatric dreams are made of.
- Chocolate Chip Cookies. This recipe is so special. I cry every time I read this post- I know I wrote it, but it tugs at my heart like nothing else. These cookies are so utterly perfect, and so full of love.
- Christmas Morning Breakfast Pizza has a special place in my heart, since I make it for my family every year on Christmas. This would make a great New Year’s Day brunch dish, too!
- Crispy Smashed Potatoes are addictively good. Crispy edges, creamy centers, and just 4 ingredients.
- Fall Kale Salad with Crispy Roasted Delicata Squash Seeds. I could eat this salad every day and not get sick of it. The maple-tahini dressing is SO GOOD.
- No-Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars are so crunchy, chewy, and the perfect snack. I love them.
- Whole Wheat English Muffins. These babies are soft, fluffy, and full of nooks and crannies. Plus they’re no-knead and come out perfect every time and will ruin all store-bought English muffins forever.
- Mediterranean Broccoli Salad. When you’re in the middle of a long, cold winter, and fresh veggies are nowhere in sight, this salad will bring you back to life. It’s bright, fresh, crunchy, and oh-so-tangy. I might need to make a batch on Monday.
Other highlights from this year:
I went on an awesome family vacation
Partnering with Quonquont Farm to write recipes for their site.
It’s been a blissful year; thanks for sharing it with me!!
Peace out 2016,
Chelsea
