Saturday, January 11, 2020

Eat the Rainbow - Happy 2020!

Happy New Year!  My first New Year's resolution is to get back to the things that I love. So, I am beginning with that here. 

Long time, no see...right? I'm not going to lie, it has been a tough couple of years for me for so many reasons which I won't get into. Not now at least. I never intended to stop blogging. But when things in my life got really stressful and hard, I stopped doing the things that I didn't absolutely have to do. One day became 2 days, which turned into 2 weeks, which then turned into 2 months and before you know it over a year had gone by. During this stressful/difficult time I fell off the low carb wagon and essentially stopped taking care of me. 

So, here I am today beginning with baby steps. I have always been a very private person...to a fault and my own detriment at times. I am an open book to those I'm closest to. My blog, besides being a platform to share my love of cooking and eating, this blog gave me a little spot in the world to share myself with so many people that I got to "know" over the years (I began blogging in 2012). I'm making my first baby step back today. Nothing fancy and I didn't plan or set out to do this today, but as I made my breakfast/brunch this morning and snapped a photo to share with my daughter, I thought...why not share it with others too. So, I posted it first to Instagram, then Facebook and Twitter. And while many of you probably use at least one of those social media platforms, I know there are some of you that don't. So I came back here to my blog...my home base...to share my simple breakfast with you. 

I'm not sure who, if anyone, will even see this post since I've been absent for so long, but even if there is only one of you that sees it...that's okay too. So here I am again...and I'd like to share my breakfast/brunch with you. Nothing fancy...a simple veggie omelet filled with sauteed onions red peppers and mushrooms with a bit of spicy cheese inside and a side of fresh strawberries and blueberries. They say you should eat the rainbow...so I did. Here's my rainbow breakfast. Happy 2020. Enjoy!

P.S. -- I've missed you!





43 comments:

Angie said...

Happy 2020! So glad to see your post today! Hope to see more of you! I still use many of your recipes and refer to your blog often!

Tara Edwards said...

Welcome back! I'm looking forward to your low-carb/keto recipes again! Sorry your life got complicated. Mine has, too. I'm getting back in my groove and starting out 2020 with a new vision (Pun intended) LOL.

Best of luck to you and keep it up!

Kath said...

I'm here! I've missed you. Glad to see you back. Your breakfast looks amazing. I always find your food photos inspirational. Welcome back and Happy New Year!

taste_of_italy said...

Your breakfast looks lovely. Congratulations, for coming back in baby steps. Happy 2020! May your year be blessed and full of yummy and delicious things!

Patricia said...

Welcome Back, take care and all the best in 2020! You were missed!

Kathy said...

Happy 2020 to you GG! You have been greatly missed and have been in my thoughts and prayers often ♥ Your breakfast looks yummy and makes me need to make an omelette for myself very soon! Baby steps is a very good way to get back into your blog. I do not participate in any social medias so this is my only connection to you and your recipes. God bless you as you go at your own pace here. It made my heart smile to see the email from you this evening ♥

Theresa said...

Happy 2020! So glad you're back! Checked your blog just the other day to see if you had posted anything. I though maybe I fell off the list lol! Look forward to seeing more of your posts in the coming days! I truly enjoyed all of your Costco finds and tips that you share! Much love!

Unknown said...

Welcome back! I just made your Cheesehead pizza the other night (it is my go-to), and appreciate that you have shared so many great recipes. I am sorry to hear that your life has been difficult...my wish for you is that this next year will be full of happiness. You mention "even if there is only one of you that sees it"...that would be me, and I am glad that I can look forward to your posts again.

Anonymous said...

Hi glad to see you back...ive also had a very bad couple years and I am also in a middle of a comeback...I am hoping your blog will help me start on the right road health wise

Stephanie T said...

OMG I've misssssssed you!! Was so excited to see "Gourmet Girl Cooks" in my inbox! I hope things are turning around for you and everything is well!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Be assured that you have not been forgotten.... I have many of your recipes in my regular rotation. In fact, just this week I made Pizza-Style Chicken for my husband, my daughter & son-in-law.... they loved it! I added some pasta for them. I look forward to more of your creations!

Joan

BettyAnne said...

You have been missed, sweet friend. Hope to hear more from you this year. Love and prayers.

Stephanie KL said...

I'll admit I was surprised to see an email from you but happy you were back. You, too, have been missed. Every time I make your cole slaw or any of your other recipes, I think of you and wonder where you are. It is good to have you back. Here's hoping that as 2020 unfolds, you will discover new opportunities and a smoother year.

Candy Sanelli said...

SO glad you're back! I've missed you and you're posts/blog very much.

CECILIA said...

Glad and happy that you are back to taking care of yourself. I've missed you too ... I think I re-learned in my senior years how to cook from your detailed recipes, your stunning photos, and your kind advice and common-sense tips. May you and loved ones be blessed with a healthy, peaceful, and rewarding 2020. Hugs and encouragement. PS: I have had a terribly upsetting last year as I lost my husband recently to a type of lymphoma cancer. I did cook many meals from your recipes for him and he enjoyed them much! Your recipe for pizza crust that included cauliflower and almond flour was his favorite.
Cecilia in Sequim, WA

Anonymous said...

I am so happy to see you posting today. I missed you and your beautiful and delicious recipes. Be safe.

unter der laterne said...

Nice to hear from you Ayla. What a surprise ! Always wondered what happened to you !
I also fell off the wagon , although I still am watching the carbs . Unfortunately I put on some pounds and hate , that I am unable to wear all my clothes . When I am sad , I loose my appetite, when I am stressed I eat . On top of it , I live with a man who never gains weight and is so disciplined !
Enough of me ! Love to hear more from you !
Barbara from California.

Anonymous said...

WOW!! What a nice surprise! We all fall off the wagon as the saying goes. We just have to brush off and get back on even if it is a different wagon. We have to do what is best for us.

Charlotte Moore

amyb said...

Welcome Back! I am one of those "weirdos" that doesn't use those other platforms;) So, I appreciate you posting here. I'm so sorry you have had such a difficult season. I've been there myself. I called it survival mode. Something happens and all you can do is manage to put one foot in front of the other and do what absolutely has to be done for a time. I'm glad that you have made it through and are getting back to the things you enjoy. Hoping that the new year brings you much joy and peace.

Dorothy said...

So very glad you are back. I love your recipes and missed you.

Unknown said...

Hi Ayla!

So glad to see you back. I still consult your blog all the time. You have been instrumental in my grain-free and sugar-free way of eating these past four years or so. Happy New Year to you--wishing you happiness and wellness after a difficult time.

Kristen

Bpanz said...

Woooohoooo!!! So glad your back!! You have been missed!! Praying that all is well with you and your family!!!!!
You have really been on my mind recently and just this week I was checking online to see if maybe you had posted something and I had missed it. So excited when your post appeared!!!!
I didn’t just fall off the low carb wagon.....I fell off and went over a cliff!!!!!!!!!
SO ready to get started with you again!!!!!!
WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grateful Follower said...

Dear Gourmet Girl, so happy to see you too. Bravo to you too, to come back to share what you love- cooking and photography. Cooking is not one of my strong points, your ideas and encouragement are what I need to improve my diet in this new year.. With thanks and gratitude,
Linda D.

Unknown said...

So glad you are back! I just restarted wheat free/low carb eating this past Monday and had checked your blog to see if you had new recipes since I did this last. I was disappointed that it seemed you weren't blogging anymore. Then I came back today looking for a pizza crust recipe and was thrilled to see your post! Looking forward to reading each new post!!

LeighZ said...

How wonderful that you are back! You have been missed!

Anonymous said...

So very happy to see you back!! You have been so missed and you are so appreciated for all that you do. Your recipes are seriously the very best. We all have challenging times in life, it's never easy but so glad that you're back on track now. Many blessings to you and yours! Happy new year!!

CyberSis said...

Hi GGC,

How nice it is to type that again! It’s lovely to see you. I’m so sorry for your difficult year. Life can gang up on us and sometimes we just need to take a “breather.” Good to know that things are looking brighter for you. And one thing about falling off the wagon is that it’s not a “done deal” – you can always hop back on again.

I’m glad you’ll be posting to your blog for those of us dinosaurs who aren’t on social media. Just remember, Ayla – Baby Steps. Your followers aren’t expecting daily posts from you or individual replies to every single comment.

Take care, go easy, be yourself, and have a blessed New Year.

- Kathy ♥

PS: Love your beautiful photo of that gorgeous omelet! Looks good enough to eat! ;-)

Anonymous said...

Welcome Back! So happy to see your post! I have used and loved your recipes very much over the years; great to see you back and doing what you love!
Sending Happy New Year wishes; may the year bring you health, peace, and much joy!
Many thanks for all you do!

AdeleB

L. E. Bruce said...

So happy to see you back. You always inspired me, and I definitely need it now.

MQ said...

Checked my email this morning and.......there you were! Welcome back. You've been missed. Take care of yourself. You're the only one of you there is.

Madhavi said...

Gourmet Girl, you helped me a lot when I was trying to find yummy food to make for my teen-aged son. Welcome back! I use your recipes so often. I've missed you. Take another step and keep posting.

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh it is so good to hear from you again GG! I have missed you and been wondering what had happened to you. I have so many recipes of yours that I use again and again. Please take care of yourself.

Hugs,

Peg

NanetteC said...

Welcome back. I've wondered if you were done blogging or just taking a break. Baby steps are at least a step..... good luck and Happy 2020.

Andrea at Opulent Cottage said...

Yay! We have missed you too! I still love and make your recipes all the time, although I have fallen a little off the wagon too. That's what New Years are for lol! Wishing you a joyful, peaceful and healthful 2020! Let's all get back on track together :)

Anonymous said...

Hello! Your blog was still in my reader all this time. So happy to read you :) My life plunged into chaos a couple years ago and is still heading south… It happens. On another note, I have stayed low carb/keto the whole time. Looking forward to reading more from you.

Darlene said...

Good to see your post in my email! I have to say it was concerning to have you suddenly disappear and wonder what happened to you. At first I checked your blog almost daily and eventually decided you must have stopped blogging...hope things are looking up for you and looking forward to hearing more from you!

Jes said...

When I saw you post, I was so thrilled! I've missed you, your recipes, and just reading your words. I'm glad to see you back to blogging, even if it's only a once in a while thing. Hoping that your 2020 is filled with happiness, and a lot less stress. Good luck turning your baby steps into something more as the year progresses. You've been an inspiration, just being you.

Anonymous said...

Oh, yayyyyyy! Welcome back. Thank you. Could not have done this low carb stuff without you. I have been baking and enjoying your shortbread cookies and wondering if you would ever be back with your great recipes. And I have missed your explanations and all. Thank you for being here again. So happy I decided to check your blog just in case you were back. Best wishes and good health for the New Year and beyond.
Sandy

unter der laterne said...

Ayla, can you feel the LOVE ? You were missed indeed ! Let's hope that we all have a good year!
Be safe !
Barbara from California.

Irene said...

Welcome back! You've been missed! May God bless you with peace, joy and health in 2020!

Anonymous said...

I'm happy you are back - I checked often - never gave up hope!

Marianne said...

I'm so glad to see you back! We have all really missed you.

Alex said...

Welcome back! Since I found you in 2012 I have enjoyed your positive energy and creativity about food and cooking. Get back to what you're so good at.