2015 Review + Top Recipes

Well, welcome 2016! I am not really into resolutions, but I like to make plans. My first step in planning a new year, is looking back at what worked well previously (and what didn't).

So before we start 2016 with exciting, delicious new recipes, indulge me while I do a quick recap of this last year. 2015 has been SUPER exciting for Leelalicious and for us as a family.

For the first half of the year I was still on maternity leave with Olivia. Despite being super busy with an overly mobile baby who started EARLY with everything from scooting, crawling and then walking, I dedicated most of my free time to developing and posting new recipes for this blog.

My goal was to build a solid foundation that would allow me to earn an income while working from home. I didn't want to go back to work and send Olivia to daycare as soon as she turned 1.

Right around the time of her first birthday, I managed to land a few freelance gigs through this site. We took it as a sign to pack up our little apartment in Calgary and give our dream of location independent living a go.

Konrad and I had done it before, early in our marriage, but daring this step as a family with a little girl dependent on us was a whole different ballgame. We chose Thailand as our first base. Life here is a lot cheaper and easier than in Canada

On top of my freelance work, I also kept building Leelalicious with new delicious recipes. Being a food blogger abroad took some adjusting. Not all ingredients I am used to are readily available or only at inflated prices.

It was a struggle, but totally worth it. Within a short while of working on Leelalicious full-time, I managed to surpass the income I earned at any job I had held previously. I consider this a HUGE BLESSING!

I get to do work that I LOVE while spending more time with my family in a place of our choosing. And for that I want to thank YOU! All this wouldn't be possible without the loyal friend and reader you are - I am sincerely grateful for you!

Now, let's look at the recipes that kept you coming back to Leelalicious in 2015. Honestly, there were sooo many popular recipes from year's before, but for this review I only looked at recipes that were posted in the last year.

You can find previous year-end reviews here and here. Or see what will be popular in 2020.

#10 Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken Noodle Soup is a timeless classic and would be so perfect during this cooler time of year.

#9 Double Chocolate Chip Spelt Cookies

I just made these clean-eating Spelt Flour Double Chocolate Chip Cookies again for Christmas. They seriously are sooo good, all while using whole food ingredients. No wonder you loved this recipe!

#8 Spanakorizo - Greek Spinach and Rice

What's not to love about this Greek food classic? Spanakorizo is lemon-y rice with spinach and makes a delicious healthy side dish.

#7 Green Apple Pie Smoothie

This delicious green smoothie that tastes like apple pie is perfect to start the year in a healthy way!

#6 Baked Tortellini and Broccoli

This yummy tortellini & broccoli casserole is made with my creamy cauliflower sauce, which is now even more popular than it was last year.

#5 Slow Cooker Shredded Sriracha Chicken

This easy 5-ingredient recipe for Sriracha chicken has become one of our personal family favorites and staples. You just can't beat a simple chicken recipe with few ingredients that is made in the slow cooker. Perfect for weeknight dinner!

#4 Creamy Vegetable Leek Soup

This creamy, dairy-free soup is absolutely delicious, but honestly, I am a little surprised at how popular it has become - especially on Pinterest! Apparently you all love healthy soups as much as I do. Yay!

#3 Coconut Flour Pumpkin Spice Mug Cake

No surprise here. What's not to love about a healthy, grain-free dessert that you can make in mere minutes!

#2 PB Banana Overnight Oats

I did NOT expect this recipe to become as popular as it did. It was the first recipe I made and photographed after arriving in Thailand. We had just moved into our apartment and only started to set up the kitchen. And I was struggling with the lighting in a new place. But simple, delicious breakfast recipes always WIN!

#1 Almond Joy Cereal Bars

The delicious flavors of coconut, almonds and chocolate in one easy no-bake Almond Joy Bar. Me, you, we all LOVE it! Yum!

To a new year with new exciting opportunities and lots and LOTS of delicious, nutritious recipes!

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