Wow. This has been an incredible year or so. In just 15 months time I threw two Bar Mitzvahs (one for each of my darling boys), built a new house, and wrote another book Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry. I do not recommend grouping these projects together into just over one year’s time to anyone. It was amazing fun, and also incredibly exhausting.
First, the Bar Mitzvahs. Of course (as any Jewish mother would attest!) the boys were amazing at each of their Bar Mitzvahs, chanting Hebrew for more than 3 hours in front of over 100 people. What a feat. What mazel! For each of their Bar Mitzvahs we held multiple gluten-free events and get togethers over a fun-filled weekend for friends and family (no I did not cook for the 100+ people that came to each one) and had an amazing time with our tribe of loved ones. I’m glad that those huge gatherings are behind us, as they were wonderful, yet at the same time somewhat stressful.
This amazing year, 2013 was also consumed by the building of a new home. We stripped a historic house, built in 1912, down to the studs, basically building a new green home inside an old one. Installing non-toxic recycled blue denim (sound-proof insulation) as well as geothermal energy, and many, many more green features, I was up to my ears in every detail of the project. I seemed to hold it all together until we moved in and I had a complete melt down (now I’m fine). Perhaps that was because my younger son’s Bar Mitzvah, the move to the new house, and the release of my latest book were all within 6 weeks of one another. Not by my planning of course –construction schedules can be very “flexible,” and we had intended to spread things out more, but in the end it was not to be, and I was up to my ears in stress.
It was good stress of course. But I view stress the way I view food. Too much of anything is generally not a good thing. Even if one is eating healthy food, it’s important to stop when one reaches one’s limit. But the wheels were already in motion and there was no stopping the train that was 2013.
Next on my plate was the release of my latest book, Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry. Sometimes I wonder, why did I do this book in the middle of two Bar Mitzvahs and a house renovation? Well, being a housewife is a mixed thing for me. I’m so happy that I get to be there everyday when the boys get home from school –this is very important to me. At the same time, if I’m not doing my own projects I can end up feeling like a kept woman or a Stepford wife, neither of which makes me happy. I need to work! I’ve been doing so since I started my first business at age eight, but that’s a story for another time. I just had to fit a little bit of me into this crazy year.
So you must be wondering if I’m ok. Yes, after some deep exhaustion, I’m fine. I’ve taken extra rest this fall and am bouncing back quite nicely. Along those lines, I’m planning on a quiet, health-focused 2014, with lots of reading, research and rest –three of my favorite things.
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In this new year I’ll be sharing a bunch of healthy dinner recipes, healthy lifestyle ideas and healthy exercise tips with you, my dearest online family. Happy New Year to you my lovely readers. I hope you had a wonderful 2013 and wish you the best in 2014! Here’s to an abundance of rest and relaxation.
What was your 2013 like? Please leave a comment and let me know, I’m all ears!
Amy says
So great to see a picture of Ezra! You look beautiful and the stress doesn’t touch you (on the outside at least!). Here’s to a peaceful and healthy 2014 for us all.
Much love to you and your family,
Amy
deanna meyer says
Congrats to you and your family for a crazy (but wonderful) filled year! After being told I had Hashimoto’s Disease and had to go Paleo, I (of course) freaked out, but immediately found your website and slowly adapted to the changes that had to be made. I lost 33 lbs in 8 months and hope to lose another 50 lbs within the next 18 months. Mid 2013 turned out to be a slap in the face for us (my husband lost his job) but we’re hoping 2014 will open a new door and he will find something even better. I’ll continue to focus on my Paleo eating (thanks to the help of 2 of your cookbooks…and your website) and staying healthy. Thank you so much for all you do and I wish you great things in 2014!!
Kylene says
Dear Elana,
This past year was a crazy one for me! Your website has been such an incredible help to me. As my family has made changes in our lifestyle, I am confident I can go to your website and grab some
Delicious recipes that everyone will love without having to worry about the ingredients. And you do all this while staying so busy yourself!!! Thank you for your wonderful recipes and all the effort you put into your website!!!!
Heather says
Mazel tov Elana! We had my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah this year too. Such a happy time!
We di not have any major wheat issues, but after reading Wheat Belly we decided to go totally wheat free in the house, and 99% of the time outside the house. I found your site on Facebook several months ago and I have made several of your recipes. I still have to make your challah bread and I was wondering if you have a good recipe for chocolate rugelach as well???!! My goal for this year is to make more of my own breads since it is so expensive to buy them in the supermarket! I am so thankful though for all the gluten free options available in the stores now. It’s also great to see so many restaurants here in North Jersey offering gluten free options! Thank you for all you do and best wishes for a fabulous 2014!
Rhonda says
Happy New Year to you and yours! We enjoyed some of your yummy treats last night as part of our celebratory dinner! Thanks for all your recipes and information!
Lori says
Mazel Tov!!!
Nancy Tallman says
Elana
I have been a fan of your website for a couple of years and make your paleo bread recipe on a regular basis. You are my go to resource for anything baked. I’m excited about your plans for 2014 and look forward to seeing you branch out into new areas to help your devoted followers. Thank you for all you do.
Janet Bublitz says
Hi Elana,
I must reiterate what I have read in other comments, thank you! Discovering your website is perhaps the single most wonderful thing that has happened to me in 2013. I should tell you how I found it too. It was listed as a resource in the back of Dr. William Davis’ Wheat Belly Cookbook, which I purchased in late July 2013.
Two of your cookbooks were under my Christmas tree as I bragged about your amazing recipes for months, apparently not on deaf ears.
In 4 months my Hashimoto’s antibodies improved by 50 points. My naturopath had confirmed my gluten intolerance 11 months earlier, but I found myself cheating or buying commercially made gluten free products, due to a lack of simple GF recipes. I find the time to bake your healthy recipes because they are simple, delicious and good for me.
So rest, and enjoy your family, but keep up the wonderful work you do. There is a large community of people who appreciate you more than you know.
Wishing you a prosperous and Happy New Year,
Janet
Janis S says
Mazel Tov on all simchas in 2013 and a happy 2014!
Randi says
Wow, what an intense year. I hope 2014 is a much more relaxed one for you. And Mazel Tov! I remember my bat mitzvah from way back. No healthy food there, I can assure you. :-)
Thank you for your blog and cookbook, I really enjoy and have made loads of your recipe, and have recommended both your blog and cookbooks to many others. I am not gluten intolerant, just feel better eating no wheat, white flour, or refined sugar, and am very health conscious, and like to find healthy recipes, and so glad to have discovered yours. Thank you, thank you, Elana!
Randi
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