As we come to the year’s end, I can’t help but reflect on the highs and lows of 2012, and try to imagine what 2013 will bring. Today is a gift we should grasp with both hands, and remember that our faith, family, health, our home sweet homes, and the food on our table are all we really need; everything else in life is a bonus!
But looking back, there were lots of Skinnytaste highlights this year, the top of the list was a book deal with Clarkson Potter – woohoo!!! I’ve been really busy testing new recipes for the cookbook, then comes the photography, book design, cover designs, lots of fun stuff ahead! I promise to keep you posted as I go through the process.
I can’t express how grateful and thankful
I am for all of your support. Your comments, emails, the photos you share with me on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook mean so much to me. Nothing would be possible without you.
Some other great Skinnytaste highlights from 2012:
Fitness Magazine Best Healthy Eating Blog Winner
Babble’s Top 100 Mom Food Blogs
Huffington Post Living 35 Diet and Nutrition Experts to Follow
The Daily Meal Top 25 Food Blogs 2012
On a more personal note, I also started running more this year and I’m getting better at it everyday. Perhaps my goal for 2013 should be to run a 5K, we shall see!
And now, for the Top 25 Most Popular Skinny Recipes posted in 2012:
- Skinny Baked Mozzarella Sticks
- Cajun Chicken Pasta on the Lighter Side
- Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole
- Skinny Green Monster Smoothie
- Skinny Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Scones
- Skinny Texas Cheese Fries
- Bangin’ Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Baked Stuffed Chicken
- Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas
- Avocado Egg Salad
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- Zucchini Tots
- Skinny Overnight Oats in a Jar
- Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Kalyn’s Stuffed Cabbage Casserole
- Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
- Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini Boats
- Asian Edamame Fried Rice
- Insanely Good Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Skinny No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore
- Oven “Fried” Pickles with Skinny Herb Buttermilk Ranch Dip
- Skinny Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Gravy
- Spicy Black Beans Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise
And if you would like to see what recipes were popular from the previous 2 years, here are the recipes that made the Top 20:
Top 20 Skinnytaste Recipes 2011
Top 20 Skinnytaste Recipes 2010
Have a happy, safe, healthy new year!
Great recipe! Love it 🙂
Amazing recipe! Thanks a lot!
Thanks for sharing
Hi! I just found your blog yesterday and I have already made 2 of your recipes. I must say that your blog is so well designed and here are the things I love:
1. being a foodie on a diet is hard…thanks for giving us light recipes with all the foodie pictures and descriptions!
2. points plus value included on every recipe
3. all of your recipes are categorized so well and it makes finding a recipe quickly so easy. I knew I had 1lb of shrimp and you had endless amounts of recipes to choose from.
4. The recipe box is fantastic!
5. I am a big review person and having so many followers makes it nice to be able to get others thoughts and feedback before cooking something.
Again so glad I found your blog…THANK YOU!
-Sarah
thanks for sharing! can't wait to try some of your recipes! 🙂
thanks for sharing! can't wait to try some of your recipes! 🙂
Looks delicious .Thanks
I just happen to find this web sight thank you very much.
Congrats on the cookbook! That is awesome. Can't wait to get it 🙂
– JenniferCG
Staying skinny and not sacrificing taste is a balance many have difficulty finding
Yes Yes Yes a cookbook with lots and lots of pictures. Pictures sell a cookbook
This is great! Thanks for sharing!
Great to hear about the book deal! Way to go! Please keep us all posted. All the recipes I have tried have come out just awesome. Many thanks!
Querida Gina,
Inspiring, creative, fun and undeniably fulfilling is your influence on my family's life. Eating well, feeling good and enjoying our time in the kitchen and at the table have been enhanced in no small measure by your blog.
Congratulations on the book! Can't wait for it to come out! A great reward for an inventive, hard working woman!!
I have been following your for quite a while and love your recipes. This year my favorite was Turkey Meatball with Escarole Soup. So light, simple, and just delicious. I double the meatball recipe and freeze half so I can whip up the soup a second time. Keep them coming!!!
My dauhgter loves that recipe!
Your recipes look absolutely great! Will definitely be trying these soon.
Like many people one of our New Year's Resolutions is to eat more healthy food and excercise more. I think people need to remember that healthy food isn't boring and is far more enjoyable (when done correctly) than stuffing sweets or chips into your face. Thanks for the great list – I'll be back to check for more!
Your recipes are amazing!! My hubby and I take turns making one of your dishes. Simply wonderful for a healthier life!
Hi, will the book be available in Canada? Thanks
Yes!
congratulations on all your great notice! I am not at all surprised. I started WW in march and have been amazed each and every week at the progress. Your blog has made good eating and WW go hand in hand and I am so grateful!
Thank you 🙂 Good luck to you.
I need to make the mozzarella sticks!! They look divine. My favorite recipes were the Crock Pot Pulled Pork and Chicken Cacciatore.
Congrats on all the accolades!! Looking at the list, I'm seeing a lot of recipes we've made at my house 🙂
So far, every single thing I've made from your site has been a hit at my house! We are especially big fans of the slow cooker pork carnitas and the stuffed pepper soup!!! I'll be back for more this new year 🙂
Congrats on your 2012 highlights. You are very inspirational. Staying skinny and not sacrificing taste is a balance many have difficulty finding… Thanks for all your help!
Thanks Rachel, balance is truly the key word!
My husband and I are going to start Weight Watchers again after a long hiatus and we plan to eat only your recipes since they are the best! Can you tell me what the difference is with this new Weight Watchers 360?
Hi Katie! Did you ever get a response for this question? I've been trying to look around to see how the points best match the new WW 360 points.
Gina, what are your favorite recipes of the year?
Well I do love them all, but regulars are the overnight oats, blueberry muffins and the green smoothie, for lunch I love: Egg Tomato and Scallion Sandwich, for meals I love: Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Spaghetti with Creamy Butternut Leek Parmesan Sauce, California Grilled Chicken Salad with Mango and Avocado, Arugula Salmon Salad with Capers and Shaved Parmesan (to name a few)
My kids will eat that edamame fried rice every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I let them. It is their absolute favorite!!!!! And the cajun chicken pasta is to die for!!!! 🙂
I love the edamame fried rice!
Congrats on the book deal..can't wait till it comes out
Thank you!
I am a fairly new follower, the last 6 months or so, and I LOVE your recipes! Even my husband does and he has no clue it is healthier for him. Keep up the awesome work and I look forward to your cookbook!! I will buy it for sure! Happy New Year to you, your family and your followers 🙂
same here with my boyfriend!!
Awesome! Thanks, to you as well!
Gina, a sincere THANK YOU! Your pictures, recipes, and attitude are the absolute best! You have transformed my cooking. Your ingredients are normal, the prep easy and understandable, and choice of dishes outstanding. Thank you so much. Can't wait for the cookbook.
Linda
Thanks Linda!
Great round up!! Happy New Years!! I can't wait to see what you make in 2013!!
Thanks Jennifer!
Thanks so much for sharing this. I only found you in near the end of the end of the year but I've enjoy some of your recipes. Love the salsbury steak. Can't wait to try more of your recipes and I'm looking forward to your cookbook. Thanks for helping me loose weight and get healthier. Happy New Year to you.
I can't wait to buy this book!
Congratulations on the book and I can't wait to read all about the progress in 2013!
A wonderful 2013 for you with lots of success.
http://saborescomtempo.blogspot.pt/?view=magazine
I'm a new follower like in the past month or so, so thank you for posting this TOP LIST! One of my new year's resolutions is to be more healthy and this list is a perfect push in the right direction!! thanks for the future yumminess!! =)
Happy New Year!! =)
Ergo – Blog
Yes Yes Yes a cookbook with lots and lots of pictures. Pictures sell a cookbook , well at least for me it does. I made the chicken stuffed peppers with beans and mini turkey meatloaves this weekend.The house smells amazing 🙂
Yup, lots of pictures for sure!!
Just recently discovered you, can't wait to try some of these recipes. They look fantastic. As for your running, you go for it! I thought I'd take a try at running a 5K last December. Since then, I've run five more 5Ks, two 10Ks, and two half marathons! Once you work up to it, you'll love it. Happy New Year and keep up the good work.
Thanks for the inspiration, I hope I can do it!!
Congratulations on the book deal! Some of my favorites made the list. I have so many more to try including the mozzarella sticks and the cajun pasta. Thanks for the great recipes!
Funny that the mozzarella sticks were #1, I guess we all love cheese!
Love love LOVE many of these.. but the Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken is by far the favorite of my family and co-workers.
Gina, you're a lifesaver! I've been on WW for 9 months now and have lost 56 pounds. Skinnytaste has become my sole cookbook and I don't know what I'd do without you. Thank you for all that you do.
Thanks Elizabeth 🙂
One of my favorite things about 2012 was discovering your recipes on Pinterest! Every one I've made have been a hit and several are now weekly staples. Tonight I'll be trying the Asian Chicken Lettuce wraps along with a few other of your appetizer recipes! I know each one will be a hit and the best part–I won't have to feel guilty tomorrow. Thank you and have a wonderful New Year!
You too Patrice!
Thank you so much for your work throughout the year. You have really helped me learn to cook healthy meals that my family love. Happy New Year!
Weird, there are TONS of your recipes that I absolutely love.. but I've only tried 9 of your top 25 and out of those 9 would probably only make one of them again (the peanut butter pie is amazing). The rest I probably would never make. Maybe I just like different foods than the majority of people?! haha, either way, your recipes are amazing and I can't wait for the cookbook!
Yeah, my favorites never make the top 20, go figure!
I would love to see YOUR favorites list!!
I love so many of your recipes! The chocolate chip scones and no-bake peanut butter pie are definitely favorites at our house. I can't wait to try the jalapeno popper stuffed chicken and the texas cheese fries.
Looking forward to seeing more recipes and trying them! My husband and I have a goal to eat healthier and lose some weight……
Happy New Year!!!
I am such a fan of yours! Love every recipe you put out there. Are you going to have a pre-order list for your cookbook? Put me on!
Happy New Year from Nashville, TN!
It's still early in the game, but I surely will let everyone know.
Gina you are such an inspiration! I have been following your blog for a couple of years now and I have to say you are a celebrity in our household with all of your wonderful recipes! Congratulations on such wonderful success in 2012 and looking forward to a fabulous 2013! We are going on a vacation in a few months and we are doing a Skinny Gina Challenge from now until the end of Feb. We are going to eat your recipes every day for the next two months in hopes to loose a few extra lbs! (Even though we do eat most of what you post at least 3 or 4 times a week)
The Skinny Gina Challenge, love that!
Both my top two favorites made the list!! I've eaten 11 of the 25 and they were all fantastic!!
I love your end of year round ups! I always find a oouple of recipes that I missed and just have to try!