It’s that time of year again when we reminisce about the year. Instagram started this a few years back, and they collate your #BestNine2024 pictures based on the number of “most liked pictures/reels.” My master’s took priority, and posting static posts was non-existent. However, I’ll get back to posting and have some new content now that my creative juices can flow! Here it is, a 2024 ‘year in review’ – from my top recipes to work, & personal. What a year 2024 has been!
I always love looking back at the most/least popular recipes over the last twelve months. My blog now has ads, and my SEO (search engine optimization) took off through Google! While it’s hard to predict if the search will be successful, it’s been fun naming recipes this year! I’m starting to plan for next year, but first, let’s look at the ‘most’ popular recipes from the website for 2024. Yes, a sugary drink made it to the top of the list, but do not fear; I always include a little nutrition in the kitchen in every discussion! Cheers!
#BestNine2024 – Website
Hugo Spritz
This is seriously my favorite drink. I muddle the mint with the elderflower liquor and top it off with prosecco. It’s simple yet smooth and delicious! I’m off to buy a mint plant (that will survive the winter months here in Florida!)
DIY Flavored Ice Cubes
These DIY Flavored Ice Cubes are a fun, festive, and flavorful way to take any cocktail or mocktail to the next level without watering it down. I created these to help use up the leftover juice I’d bought so it wouldn’t go to waste. It’s genius that it also helps drinks so they’re not watered down. Less waste in this house always and forever!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
I always have this taco seasoning mix in my pantry, ready-to-make tacos. This taco seasoning mix allows you to manage how much sodium is being added. For many people, this is something they need to monitor for different chronic health conditions. Yes, store-bought versions have some now with less added sodium, but this is too simple to make at home and be overcharged. Groceries are expensive these days! Save money and make your own! This seasoning mix works great on tacos and veggies, seafood, beans, salads, and more!
Egg Potato Salad
This recipe surprised me by making the top five! Everyone needs a good potato salad in their repertoire. Whether you want to debate adding hard-boiled eggs or not, this recipe proved many people love the addition. Add this to your list come barbecue season!
Easy Peppermint Bark
My guess for this recipe’s popularity is that it saves money!! For something so simple to make at home, buying store-bought is exorbitant, so why not make some at home? Not to mention that it made me a believer that chocolate and mint really do go together!
#BestNine2024 – Work
In August, after seven years of working at a local healthcare organization, I took a chance on a contract position. I’m working with people with diabetes, placing continuous glucose monitors. While it was a chance (since it is a contract), we just found out there will be a phase two and are looking to finalize a phase three. The best part is I have no commute! Miami traffic has gotten ridiculous over the past few years! No commute allows more time to work on the blog. Additionally, I’m working with people with diabetes, and this has always been near and dear to my heart. Did I mention that in 2025, I will have been a dietitian for 25 years? And this is the first time I’m finally being paid for my experience, knowledge, and expertise? Below are a few action shots!
#BestNine2024 – Personal
On December 15, 2024, I finished my master’s! I’m calling it official, but it won’t be official until 12/31/24. Blood, sweat, and tears over these past two years, but I am officially Amy Kimberlain, MS, RDN, CDCES. It feels good and is quite an accomplishment that I have a hard time believing has come to fruition. The content I was studying was not new; however, I have taken away from this that I could teach these classes. I’m unsure if that is why I was meant to follow this path or where this master’s will lead. However, I am a great teacher and often think about how I might have taught each class differently. I celebrated by going to New York City for a quick weekend getaway!
And that’s the thing about travel: once you start, you want to keep traveling! This year, I was fortunate to go on a girls’ trip to Arizona, an Academy trip to Chicago, a visit to California to see my nephews, and then to Minneapolis for a nutrition conference. Come to think of it, this is the most I’ve traveled in some time, although it didn’t feel like a lot! I hope to do more in the coming year!
The other ‘personal’ inclusion here that might also be included within the work summary is my blog. In May, I was finally able to incorporate ads. While many people perusing the blog might find it annoying to meander through, for me, as a small business owner, the blog is now finally generating income. This is a MAJOR win, and my hobby is now paying off (literally!) I am not quite sure where this next year will lead; however, I do know that I want to add a section on diabetes education and create resources for people to have access to. Here to say I’m excited to continue pursuing things that bring me joy: education, photography, and recipe content creation!
#BestNine2024 – Instagram
If you’ve made it through my year in review and only came for the photo collage, here you go! With fewer static posts and reels this year, hello masters, it clearly shows you all like to see me in my photos! The sesame-ginger sauce, passion fruit martini, summer fruit salad, and tuna pasta salad were some of my favorites, too! The heart health event hosted by my previous employer was a great event calling attention to the importance of prevention. It was a year to remember, with so much transition from work to the blog. I’m excited to see where the next year leads me, and I hope to post more on socials. But first, I want to see how I’ll do so moving forward. Anything you want to see, let me know!
As always, thank YOU for following me on my website. I’ll keep posting when I have a new recipe or a nutrition article. Affogato and Nutrition Trends for 2025 coming right up!
As 2024 ends and 2025 begins, it’s a great time to reflect. I look back on the past so that my view going forward can be clearer,. Be present. Breathe it all in. Enjoy the ride, and keep growing. Take care and be safe my friends.
1 thought on “#BestNine2024”
Cheers to 2024! And CONGRATS on obtaining your master’s!!