Highlights of 2011

It’s that time of year again!

For the past few years I’ve done a “Highlights of” post and I’m not so sure that I don’t simply do it for myself. I find it enjoyable to skim over the past year and remember all that’s happened. One of my favorite things about having a blog.

That being said, I figure it’s also a chance for new readers to catch up and get to know the history of The Purple Carrot a little bit better. So here we go!

Highlights of 2011

• Pretty much exactly a year ago, we officially moved to Kansas City (we were about 40 minutes north before), and have loved it ever since!
  
• After dabbling in vegetarianism for awhile, we started eating a vegan diet. It’s been fun changing up recipes and learning how to make delicious baked goods and entrees, all dairy & meat free.

• A materialistic highlight, I know, but we got iPhones and ever since, Instagram’ing has been a big part of my blogging life, ha!
  
• Erik and I celebrated our 4th year wedding anniversary (my, how time flies!)

• After finding my real blogging niche, I changed the name of my then more fitness related blog, Lesley Lifting Life, to what it is today, The Purple Carrot.

• Farm Aid 2011 was hosted in Kanas City this year and we got invited to go as media and blog about it. We had an awesome time, a definite highlight of the year!

• Erik discovered his perfect pizza crust recipe and we’ve been eating well ever since, ha! (And we’ve progressed to an actual pizza oven, housed in our garage)

• The Purple Carrot got voted 2nd best food blog in The Pitch’s 2011 Best of KC Readers Choice Awards!

There’s already some neat things in the works for 2012, and I’m excited and hopeful to see what this new year will bring.

It was a great year, and I just want to say THANK YOU for reading, and supporting The Purple Carrot and helping make it what it is today!!

What’s the highlight of 2011 for you and what are you looking forward to in 2012??

Highlights of 2009, blogiversary

Happy New Year!

Not only are we at the close of 2009 and at the beginning of a new year, but Lesley Lifting Life (which used to be Lesley Living Life) is just a little over one year old today : )

I had no idea I would still be blogging a year later. I was simply googling/surfing the web for healthy recipes/nutrition articles and I came across the wonderful Itzy’s Kitchen. I’d never been a blog reader but I saw Erica sharing her delicious healthy recipes, talking about Body Attack, etc and I thought, “Fun!” Haha. Shortly after, I started my own blog and discovered there was endless amounts of blogs out there!!

I started my blog late December of ‘08, so …. HAPPY 1 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY to Lesley Lifting Life! ;)

I thought it’d be fun to share some highlights of this past year so here goes …

• Erik and I made numerous trips to the Big City (KC) and discovered we love it there. We’re very thankful it’s just 45 minutes away!

• I became much more confident in myself and my abilities.
• Fruit and Freedom

 

• We had our 2nd wedding anniversary
• Blog update/recap/2nd anniversary

• Tried out a bunch of new (to us) restaurants.
• Eden Alley Cafe
• Jerusalem Cafe
• Blue Bird Bistro

• Local Burger
• KC Juice

• Started working out at home and built up a home gym. (We’re currently redoing our basement workout room … pictures to follow soon!)
• A very happy husband

 

• I discovered my love for lifting and realized I’m much more tough than I thought.
• My health story

• I began writing for Examiner.com as the Kansas City Healthy Living Examiner. (And I need to get with it and write more!!)

• We got new furniture and have been doing house renos (ha, they are never ending!)
• Welcome to my house and my Sunday

• I had a chance to interview Tosca Reno for Lesley Lifting Life
• Interview with Tosca Reno

• Got a new “old” dog and we can’t help but love him! (Bubba is my father-in-law’s dog but we’ve had him since August)

• Got a blog makeover by Mommy Doodles (she comes highly recommended by me!! :)

 

• We decided to start a new business venture, Originally Organic Vending. Our machines should be launched the beginning of 2010!
• Getting Down to Business

All in all, it has been a great year and  I’m looking forward to seeing what 2010 will bring!! : ) Thank you, each and every one of you, for reading!! : )

Have a great time celebrating the new year and be safe!