I hope you all had a safe, happy, fun, tasty & peaceful New Years. Did you write down any resolutions? I did not, however I do have day to day benchmarks I strive for. Mindfulness, health, happiness, accessibility, openness, adventure seeking, love & honesty are a few key words that govern my life. Daily. Not just because it is a new year.
We had all of these family portraits taken quite a few months ago by a local photographer named Sadie Olive. I have been wanting to post these & so many opportunities have passed me by. The plan was for Christmas, but then I let my sister in law’s Red Velvet Cake & my kids in holly trimmed wagon sidetrack me. So here they are, just in time for new family portraits to be taken!
Cherry Earl Grey Applesauce
Skinny Citrus Fizz Soda
Maple Apple Pie Oat Bars
Skinny Chocolate Drop Cookies
If you have been visiting the pages of this blog for a while you would know that my focus is to inspire the home chef to create healthy, whole food meals from scratch. My mission is to inspire healthy living through eating REAL FOOD not FAST FOOD & never DEPRIVE. Life is joyful when we fill it with flavor, nutrition & the best ingredients we can comfortably afford to buy.
Mixed Berry Yogurt Parfaits
Gluten Free Coconut Pancakes with Blueberry Sauce
Skinny Frappuccino
Cocoa Dusted Hazelnuts
Here are a few of my families favorite slimming foods that taste great & maximize healthy weight goals. Throughout the year I will provide you with tasty recipes that will help you achieve a trimmer waistline. Don’t forget to add in exercise too. Even a 1/2 hour brisk walk each day will clear you head, make you feel brighter & burn a few calories. Light weight lifting will help maximize & hasten those results.
My 2011 is being kicked off with a great adventure – Food Blogger Camp in Cancun, Mexico. There is an amazing agenda lined up. Some of my best buddies will be there & I can’t wait to meet new folks too. I am rooming with one the greatest gals I know, Deliciously Organicwho I met early 2010 atHelen DuJardin’s (Tartelette) photography workshop in LA. More great buddies that will soaking in the sun with me areWhat’s Gaby CookingFood WoolfThe Urban BakerLadles & JellySpoons. I am so excited to bulid new memories together in this brand new year.
A quick thank you to my camp sponsor Bard Valley Medjool Dates. You will be hearing much more about caramely sweet dates in the upcoming weeks. I am so excited to work with these growers of one of my favorite, all natural sweet treats. A few of the recipes I have posted with dates include these & stay tuned for more!
Cheerios and Chocolate Tarts
Gluten Free Raw Chocolate Pecan Tarts
Such a wonderful year it has been. I have made amazing new friends from all over the globe. We reach out to each other 24/7. Let’s make a resolution to continue to work together, cheer each other on & support one another. You guys rock & I am so very grateful for your friendships, determination & drive.
Aw what sweet photos and delectable treats. Happy New Year!
You have such a beautiful family!!
Happy New Year Marla 🙂
Happy new year Marla!
I just love your family photo Marla! Have a great time in Cancun; wish I could be there. Have a Skinny Girl Margarita for me 🙂
great pics! and yummy treats!
Happy New Year – I wish I knew you and carrie were going as
I was so close to signing up! Wouldn’t thay be a blast – send me
lots of photos and updates via email. XOXOXOX
Marla, loved the pictures. Be careful but have fun in
Cancun. I will check in on the family while you are gone. Hurry
back.
Gorgeous pictures! I really like the one at the end. Happy
New Year! Cheers, Rosa
A yummy selection. Will be bookmarking this for those sweet
tooth attacks.
Such a gorgeous family… and such noble resolutions! Hope you have a blast at the food blogging thing… I cant imagine anything could go wrong with such a fantastic event in such a beautiful location!!!
Blessings!
Amanda
Such a beautiful family! Happy New Year! Love the treats:)
What a beautiful family you have, and such lovely pictures! Wishing you all a very happy new year.
*kisses* HH
p.s. I looooooove dates, especially mejool dates. Can’t wait to see what you make with them.
Happy New Year! Looks like a fantastic year for you for sure!
Love your benchmarks and family pics!
nicely written marla, have a wonderful time in
mexico…learn lots and come back and share! adios, louise
Sadie has always been one of my all time favorite
photographers on Flickr! So jealous you had your pics taken by her.
Gorgeous, by the way! Have fun in Mexico!!!
Happy New Year! Your family photos are beautiful. Sorry I
will miss you in Cancun, but the ankle isn’t cooperating. 🙁 Have
fun and I can’t wait to hear all about it!
What beautiful family photos!
I love the family shot! Especially the one in the tunnel!
I’m so excited to room with you this week. It’s going to be a
blast!
What a beautiful family and post. Looking forward to seeing
all your gorgeous healthy food in 2011!
Your family pictures are adorable, Marla! And you look really stunning — love your hair color! Wishing you and your family a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2011!
Faith: Thanks friend! Do you think we will have the chance to finally meet for real this year. It is about time!
Carrie: I cannot believe we begin this amazing Mexico experience together in just 2 days!
Gwen: I am so sorry to hear that your ankle is misbehaving. I was looking forward to getting to know you better on this trip. Perhaps BlogHer Food in Atlanta. I believe that is your stomping ground, yes??
Kristin: I cannot believe you know Sadie Olive. She is amazing & I hope to work with her again sometime in the near future.
Louise: Sounds like we have another fun event coming up at Blackmarket Bakery this month. It will be so fun!
What a gorgeous post! Have the best time in Mexico, can’t wait to hear all about it!! xoxo
ps: Your family photos are absolutely beautiful!
So fun to meet you this year. A real treat (not sweet treat, friend treat). I just finished up chopping, chopping, chopping – healthy salad stuff for the week. Tis the season … Love ya GF!
Sandy: It is all in the prepping. Having all of those healthy ingredients at the ready encourages us to make the right food choices. Loved meeting you at Dole & I look forward to fun times together this year.
Dara: I count the days ’till we meet again! You are an amazing woman & an exceptionally gifted food blogger/recipe developer.
Susan: Look out girl – I know there are lots of “unknowns” out there in our careers, but have patience my friend. I believe there are huge rewards at every turn. Can’t wait to spend 5 days with you in Cancun- learning, laughing & getting inspired!
Valerie: Your positive attitude & wisdom are always a driving force. xo
BTW, gorgeous family photos. 🙂
GORGEOUS pictures of you and your family! Your site is always packed with beautiful, healthy recipes and I will definitely be turning to you for some great “resolution” ideas.
what a great post, marla. your family is gorgey! you are always so thorough! i am so excited to be going away for 5 days with you. xx
Beautiful family photos!!! I wish you a happy and prosperous 2011!
Angie
Beautiful family photos, Marla. Stunning. Yes, each year just keeps getting better and better, doesn’t it?
🙂
Valerie
I love your family photos! So cute 🙂
What a gorgeous family, they are so lucky to have someone that can cook like this at such a young age, your a professional in every way, and your blog is exceptional …congrats on a wonderful post and happy new year looking forward to your successes in 2011!
Happy New Year Marla!!
Your family and photos are BEAUTIFUL!!
I hope 2011 is fabulous for you……and hopefully we can meet sometime this year!!
Cheryl: I too hope our paths cross this year. I have a feeling they will 🙂
Liz: Sure, hop in my suitcase – I always pack a much larger one then I should!
Pam: “Contagious??!!” I love that & you. When do you think we will connect for reals again?
Camp in Cancun?! Can I hope into your suitcase?!
Happy 2011!
Great post to start the new year! Your excitement is contagious.
Happy 2011 Marla! What a beautiful family. I adore the last
shot of you all, beautiful! Have a fabulous time in Cancun! Sounds
amazing!
Thanks for sharing these delicious recipes and fitness
tips, Marla. You have a beautiful family. I hope you had a very
merry Christmas and a happy new year with them, too! I can’t wait
to see what’s next from you in the year ahead!
Happy New Year!
Love your family photos they’re too cute. Also, do you need someone to carry your luggage for you? Cancun sure sounds nice about now!
Marly: I would love the extra hands! I am packing (overpacking) right now & am wondering how one small girl could pack so much for just a 5 day trip!
Georgia: You are always a total sweetheart! I hope to meet you sometime this year at an blogger event!
Claudia: Thanks for popping by – I think I have fooled you with my age?? Perhaps it’s all the broccoli I eat? xo
What a beautiful post, Marla, and what an amazing adventure to start the year off! Look forward to seeing you and hearing about all the fun times and hot tips you learn in Cancun at Blackmarket’s cake event. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! What a beautiful family. 🙂 I’m looking forward to another year of your delicious healthy recipes- thanks so much for sharing!
what a terrific photo shoot! yes…giggles are good. 🙂
Happy New Year! Your family is simply the cutest!
These are stunning family photos! So adorable! You have a lovely family! And all these treats look so tempting! Would love to try that mixed berry yogurt parfaits!
I always love coming here to see what you’ve cooked Marla and am never ever disappointed! I swear I bookmark everything you make. Here’s to another year of happiness and health!
Gorgeous photos Marla and I particularly love the last silhouette shot of you all together! Happy New Year! 😀
Oh, Marla. Those pictures are divine! You, your family. So breathtakingly adorable. Hugs and more hugs and hugs again!
Awww…Marla…all there’s missing in this perfection shining from these photos is…a small pet…maybe? My little ‘Sushi’ would have loved being on one of your kid’s lap ;o)
Your kitchen momemts look fun and scrumptious…yummy moments indeed. Anything leftover from those Maple apple pie oat bars?
The united family package you hold seems delightfully cherished by you and your loved ones…just a great example of a family working at making great memories ;o)
Happy newest year my dear.
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
Claudia: You are a doll! Always 🙂 You and my daughter would agree, she would love a pet & I am not so keen on taking care of another little someone. The kiddos keep me so very busy. I grew up with pets & I know how wonderful they are to have around. Perhaps one day, but probably not in 2011.The Maple Pie Oat Bars were wonderful & I need to make those again.
Brooke: Gotta see you again really super duper soon, K??
Lorraine: That last silhouette has been the most well received. That was a fun moment I will never forget.
Stunning photography of your food and family Looking forward to reading more from you!
Hi! The pictures are so extraordinary!!! So breathtakingly beautiful!! It makes me so happy to see that everybody looks so happy, connected and wonderful, but sad because it reminds me of how much I miss you all! Love and kisses to all, Andrea
I hope you have a wonderful and healthy trip to mex!
Nice to find your blog! Happy new year and lovely family
pictures…
Just found your blog from YUM magazine. I love it, esp all
the visuals and coloring, definitely keeps the reader interested.
I’ve already book marked tons of recipes!