2016 Favorites and Wishes for the New Year

I’m a few days late posting a recap of the year, but it’s always better late than never, right? Last year I posted my “Favorite Things 2015” as a year-end overview. I have the same recap for this year plus my wishes for 2017. Read below for my 2016 favorites and wishes for the New Year.

As I shared last year, I think the end of the year is a wonderful time to practice gratitude and think about goals for the months to come. Here are a few favorite highlights from 2016:

Favorite Life Change: Becoming a Family of Three

Baby C was born a few weeks early, before Thanksgiving. We are soaking up every minute of the newborn stage, mostly while hibernating indoors. I will be on maternity leave until mid-spring and I’m looking forward to experiencing new things everyday with this sweet boy.

Favorite Trip: Sedona, Arizona and the Grand Canyon

Last February, I took a weekend trip to Arizona with friends to visit Sedona. We also took a day trip to the Grand Canyon on Leap Day. The weather was clear and beautiful. It was an amazing way to spend the “extra” day in 2016.

Favorite Recipe: Caprese White Bean & Pasta Salad

This wasn’t my most popular recipe post visited in 2016 {that goes to my Taco Zoodle Bowls, posted in 2015} but it was my favorite: Caprese White Bean & Pasta Salad. This is a simple vegetarian recipe that we enjoyed often last summer. I like to use quinoa pasta or whole grain pasta for extra nutritional value.

Favorite Workout: Biking in Florida

Last January we went on a short weekend trip to Florida to visit my in-laws who stayed on Marco Island for two months. We spent one day biking on Sanibel Island and Captiva Island, and it was gorgeous. I highly recommend it if you are visiting southwestern Florida at any point.

Favorite Blog Post: Interview with Elite Runner Alexi Pappas

Early last spring I had the opportunity to chat with the sweet Nike Pro runner Alexi Pappas for an interview by phone, prior to her running the Shamrock Shuffle 8k race in Chicago. Alexi went on to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics on behalf of Greece! Follow her on Twitter for details on her running life.

Favorite Race: Shamrock Shuffle 8k

I ran the Shamrock Shuffle 8k race last April just 5 days after finding out I was pregnant. I didn’t run another race the rest of the year, and stopped running altogether at the end of June. I’m so excited to get out there again this year and to give baby C a ride in the jogging stroller this summer once he’s big enough.

Favorite Midwest Trip: Door County

K and I spend the 4th of July holiday in Door County {Wisconsin} every year with family. We love visiting our favorite spots and spending time outdoors. I posted a recap of our Door County weekend in July. For more about Door County, check out these posts:

• 24 Hours in Door County, Wisconsin
• Run Wild Race Recap: Quarter Marathon {Door County, Wisconsin}
• Door County Cherry Cobbler
• Door County Hairpin 5k Race Recap
• Door County Trail Run {Newport State Park}
• 4 Running Tips for Vacation
• Scandinavian White Fish Packets
• Peak Color

Wishes for the New Year

Instead of making “resolutions” for the new year that won’t necessarily stick around past a month or two, I like the idea of coming up with “wishes.” I am looking forward to spending time with my sweet baby and making the best out of 2017.

Here are my wishes for the new year:

1. Be intentional about spending more time with family and friends.
2. Get back into shape post-baby + try new fitness classes every month.
3. Run 4 races {distance to be determined}.
4. Continue reducing sugar in my diet {here’s a great article from the New York Times on the subject – What Not to Eat: The Case Against Sugar.}
5. Reduce screen time + read as many books as I can – both to baby C and myself.

Happy 2017!