I have to say, 2013 was a year for the books... a year that I'll look back on in many years with a full heart and smiling eyes. I got engaged to marry my favorite person ever, I traveled to places I've never been, I saw relatives I hadn't seen in too many years, I defended my thesis and got a master's degree, I passed qualifying exams and became a doctoral candidate, I started a new clinical placement where I've learned so much, and, last but not least, I turned my passion for cooking and health into a hobby by starting this little blog. This year hasn't been without its challenges and stressors, but all in all, it's been one of the most eventful, exciting years of my life. I've become healthier and stronger, I've grown professionally and I've grown personally. I've taken strides toward figuring out the type of life I want to live and the type of person I want to be. What more could I ask for, really?
I started this blog at the beginning of 2013 -- nearly one year ago! -- and it's grown into more than I imagined it would. I'm overwhelmed by the number of people who view the blog daily, the pinterest traffic for my site, the sweet comments and messages I get... basically, the fact that people actually stop by my little corner of the internet, read my posts, and make my recipes! And LIKE my recipes! How cool?! Taylor made remains a *little blog* in the scheme of things -- it's not meant to be a big famous food blog (unfortunately, among many other reasons, I don't have time for that!), I can't post every day (or even close), my circle of "blogger friends" isn't as big as I'd like (while I follow WAY more blogs than they me, I do have some, and I can't thank each of you enough!), I don't do many giveaways or sponsored posts or anything like that -- it's just a small space where I can share my ideas, recipes, thoughts, workouts, and anything else that I think *just might* help someone else become a healthier, stronger, happier person. Will it always be this way? Hard to say, but right now I'm pretty content with my direction and purpose. I get so much joy out of blogging!
Now, to celebrate the end of the 2013, here are my TOP viewed blog posts of the year (and thus, ever!):
(*Secondary award: Most pinned recipe!)
(one of my earliest recipes -- and still a favorite!)
(not even a recipe and unlike any of my other posts -- who would'a thought it? and how should I interpret that? :)
Thank you so much for reading my blog during its first year. I couldn't have done it without you!