Food and Travel Plans for 2017

Oh hey 2017!

I had grand plans over my Christmas break to fill in new diaries, write new lists and of course create blog posts. Although I had a surprise NYE birthday party to organise for my husband, the rest of the time was ear-marked to write up all the wonderful content I have lined up. But by the afternoon of my first day at home I was full of cold! Disaster! I was in bed by 8pm on Christmas Day, not having actually tasted a morsel of food that had passed my lips. The only silver lining, if you really really look for it was that it meant I didn’t have to take any sick days from my new job.

So I spent most of my time feeling very sorry for myself, coughing and sneezing away. But I’ve had a lovely chilled weekend and I’m ready to roll!

So, what food and travel plans do I have for 2017?

That’s right, I don’t just have travel plans, I have food plans. Everyone always talks about their ambitions for the year, their fitness goals and their travel plans. I too have these (I’m taking part in the Swimathon in April and swimming 5km for Marie Curie, EEK!) but I also have food plans.

The big one is to cook more. It seems simple enough doesn’t it, but last year I failed at this. I want to make it part of my routine this year. I seem to feel so busy sometimes that I just end up eating the same thing for weeks at a time because it’s quick and easy to whip up. But I spend most of my day scrolling through Instagram and different blogs looking at beautiful and interesting looking food. And I know deep down that a lot of that food doesn’t take hours to make I just make excuses!

By picking up my cookbooks more I hope to increase my confidence in the kitchen and become more creative too. I love food. Food is powerful. It energises and nourishes you, it can comfort you, it can bring back memories, it can bring people together,  and ultimately it can make you feel happy.

And who doesn’t want to feel happy! We’ve all been there, walking through the door drained and tired from a long day at work and the last thing we want to do is cook. But how much better do you feel after a good meal! I am clearly all about balance on these pages – I love pizza, fried chicken and ribs but I received two new cookbooks over Christmas – A Modern Way to Eat and The Part-Time Vegetarian and I can’t wait to dig in and cook from them.

2017 is all about learning for me too – I want to learn new techniques in the kitchen. The first thing I want to nail is Pho at home. I love the stuff!

It’s another big year of travel.

My flights are booked to South America!! I will be ticking off a whole new continent and three new countries on this trip and I can’t wait! We are going to be heading to Peru, Chile and Argentina for just over two weeks.

I wish we could go for longer but there is the day job to consider so we’ve planned out an itinerary that allows us to see as much as possible but actually enjoy each place we’re in. There will be a 4 day trek around Machu Picchu, lagoons, dessert and tango dancing in Buenos Aires.

This is something I want my blog to become – sharing the best things to eat and drink, and the best places to see around the 9 to 5. Let’s face it, our free time is precious so lets make it count! This year I’m going to make it my mission to share the things that are worth your time.

I am also hoping to visit Vienna and Copenhagen this year as my brother moves further around Europe for his Masters. I loved visiting him in Brussels last year, and someone who lives in a city always makes the best tour guide! Although it’s amazing to travel to different continents to explore completely different lands, I absolutely loved long weekends spent in European cities. It’s a weekend hit of new architecture, museums, learning new history, lots of walking and of course all the food I can eat!

I want to explore the UK more this year too. We recently got a car and so it’s become much easier to do! I’m taking my husband to the Peak District for the weekend in March and we’re staying in a cosy little pod. I’ve never been and he loves it there. We’re going to plan some cycling and obviously lots of walking to take in the beautiful scenery.

I really want to spend some time in Bath too. I’ve been briefly before, for a hen party, but it just looks so beautiful I want to go back to explore some more. I’d love to squeeze in a long weekend there sometime in 2017.

2016 was a funny ol’ year for me personally but it really did end on a high. I am really looking forward to this year. I’m looking forward to working hard to achieve my goals at work, personally and through the blog. Here’s to 2017!

What are your travel plans for the year? Have you set yourself a goal of getting into the kitchen more?

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