I’ve been feeling nostalgic lately. Over the past eight years this site has collected not just recipes, but memories and milestones. I never imagined I’d be able to look back and read about the moment I got my first food processor for Christmas or remember how many hours a week I worked back in 2013 to launch this business. I always thought of myself more as a creative than a writer, and yet these past eight years have quietly turned me into both.
With the year winding down, I wanted to capture a recap of 2018 so I can revisit it in a decade and remember how much changed. It wasn’t a year without challenges, but overall it was full of big, life-changing moments—two of which happened within months of each other and made 2018 especially memorable.
We Bought a House!
After Mark moved here in 2017, it took about a year before we found our own place. In April 2018 we began house hunting and after three months we fell in love with a cozy bungalow that felt like home the moment we stepped inside. The search and the decision felt right, and I genuinely enjoyed the process—I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Moving into homeownership has meant juggling renovations and delayed projects, which has been frustrating at times, but also part of the adventure. The one lesson I’ve heard repeatedly is true: remodeling rarely goes exactly on schedule.
We just had Velux skylights installed in the kitchen, and we’re finally lining up window replacements and a downstairs renovation that should begin after the New Year.
Curious about how we saved and planned for a house? I’ve shared our tips and the full buying journey on the blog.
We Got Engaged!
Reconnecting with someone from my past and finding that we fit now has been one of the year’s sweetest surprises. Mark and I became engaged during a trip to Washington in August. I haven’t written a full post about the engagement yet, but I did share photos and the moment on Instagram.
Quick wedding update: we’ve set a date. We’ll be married in Minneapolis on March 23, 2019. We chose a shorter engagement on purpose—long timelines didn’t feel like the right fit for us—and now I’m starting to plan, which I’ll share more about soon.
Places I Traveled
Travel filled 2018 with variety and fresh perspective. From canoeing in northern Minnesota to exploring Costa Rica’s rainforests and volcanoes, I experienced different landscapes and adventures. Mark and I also have a honeymoon ahead, so travel plans aren’t slowing down in 2019—recommendations welcome!
- Boundary Waters, Minnesota: Our annual BWCA canoe trip remains a highlight. This year we launched from Seagull Outfitters for a four-day trip and enjoyed near-solitude and surprisingly calm evenings after a wildly windy first day.
- Red Rock Canyon, Nevada: The Fit Foodie team retreat took us out of Vegas to Red Rock Canyon, where we tackled an 11-mile hike in intense heat and tried climbing outside for the first time.
- Costa Rica: A long-overdue sister trip with my sister Michelle and brother-in-law Ben led us through rainforest trails, Arenal’s hot springs and a mountain-side Airbnb on a coffee farm—an unforgettable stay.
- Park City, Utah: Family ski trips are my favorite and Park City was a new, thrilling spot for us. It’s so accessible from the airport that I’m already planning a return trip.
- Washington State: This trip was unforgettable for more than one reason—it’s where Mark proposed. We also celebrated friends’ wedding festivities and spent quality time outdoors.
- Boise and McCall, Idaho: Extending our Pacific Northwest visit, we explored Boise and then McCall—both are outdoor paradises and perfect for a laid-back Airbnb escape.
- San Francisco, California: I attended one of my close friends’ weddings and loved the chance to reconnect and celebrate in the city.
Team Fit Foodie Expansion
This year we expanded the team and brought Emily on full-time. Growing a small business is always risky, especially when you commit to another full-time salary, but hiring Emily has already proven to be one of the best decisions we’ve made. With three of us working together—Linley, Emily and me—our workload is more balanced, our ideas are stronger, and our goals feel achievable. Entering 2019 with this team gives me real excitement about what’s next.
Health & Fitness Update
Fitness shifted a lot for me in 2018 because lingering injuries forced me to step back from high-impact and heavy strength workouts I once relied on. To mix things up and protect my neck and shoulders, the team and I tried ClassPass for several months, which introduced us to new studios and routines. The change helped both my physical recovery and my motivation.
Current favorite gyms in Minneapolis
- Alchemy 365
- Minneapolis Bouldering Project
- Switch
- Fly Feet
- Barre 3 Edina
Favorite Content of 2018
Before wrapping up, I want to highlight some favorite posts from 2018. This year we leaned into Instant Pot recipes, homemade nut butter cups, and a lot of hearty soups and chilis. Below are some standout recipes and lifestyle posts that I’m proud of and that readers loved.
Recipes
- Taco Soup
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Instant Pot Hamburger Soup
- Vegan Queso
- Triple Berry Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli
- Healthy Hamburger Casserole
- Instant Pot Korean Beef
- Golden Roasted Cauliflower and Quinoa Salad
- Cottage Cheese Protein Pancakes
- Thai Chili Corn Salad
Lifestyle
- How to Build the Perfect Plant Wall
- Why My Healthy Isn’t Your Healthy
- Mid Century Modern Home Office Reveal
- Loose Waves Hair Tutorial
- Best Sports Bras for Big Boobs
- Overcoming Food Anxiety in Restaurants
2018 brought new beginnings, fresh adventures, and steady growth—personally and professionally. I’m grateful for the year’s highs and lessons, and I’m eager to see what 2019 holds.