One year ago today, I took a picture of my dinner, wrote a few sentences, and pressed publish for the world to see. Yes, today is the whole plate‘s very first birthday.
When I began blogging, I wasn’t exactly sure where it would lead me. I knew I wanted to write. I knew I cooked too often not to share the creations with someone other than my sister slash roommate. I knew I had emotions and experiences surrounding health that might do some good if expressed.
So I set up a little WordPress account, pulled out my neglected camera, and started what initially was a twice daily blog: morning musings followed by dinnertime plates.
These days, I don’t post as often, but that doesn’t mean the blog isn’t often in my thoughts. It has come to be a wonderful part of my life: a place where I can be confident in my beliefs, in who I am, and in the fact that I will never have life completely figured out. The best part? It has helped that confidence transfer into my real life. It has helped me grow up.
the aforementioned “first supper.” photo taken with my old camera, in my old apartment, which lacked nearly any natural light. the quality of this photo pains me.
I have to express my true thanks to everyone who reads. Whether you’ve been here since last June or just clicked over this morning, I am grateful to you. Your comments, emails, and tweets never fail to make me smile. The many of you who are silent readers: I am grateful to be able to share with you my thoughts and words.
Some highlights from this first year:
- I drank a lot of wine.
- I celebrated my sister’s birthday with one of the best restaurant experiences of my life. Then my dad turned 60, and that restaurant gave it a run for its money.
- I ate a lot of raw food.
- I ate plenty of real ice cream.
- One of my best friends got married.
- I turned 24.
- I met lots of bloggers and even hosted a potluck for a few. I made some truly wonderful friends.
- I found some fun new ways to eat hummus: hummus soup + hummamole.
- I contributed a dish to the Thanksgiving table for the first time.
- My knees got worse. Then they got better.
- I cooked one of the most delicious recipes of my life. Plus a couple more.
- I took lots of pictures.
- I moved into a new apartment.
- I changed career goals.
- I gave a peek into my refrigerator.
- I got a new job.
- I embraced my love of dining out over and over and over again.
- I survived Passover without compromising my cultural or health beliefs.
- I took a month of Bikram yoga and realized: one, I’m a vinyasa girl, and two, I adore being in yoga studios. My bank account has never been the same.
- I made many strides in accepting myself.
- I became a lot happier.
the original banner from my wordpress site.
Clearly, a lot has changed in the past year. Through it all, as I’ve loosened up, as I’ve adjusted, as I’ve grown, one thing has remained constant: real food. I will always believe in eating plants as the foundation and the core of my lifestyle. And as far as the other elements go, I will always believe in the real: heavy cream ice cream, freshly baked bread, organic eggs that include the yolk, artisan cheese, grass-fed meat should I choose to eat it.
When it comes down to it, that’s what this blog is all about. I might philosophize one day, cook another, recap a restaurant visit the next, and write about clothes after that. But no matter what, there will always be food in its most whole state: food that comes on plates and not in packages, food that is full of nutrition and not covered in nutrition facts.
So. Allow me to introduce myself once again for year number two: I’m Leslie. I eat a lot of vegetables. I drink a lot of wine. I’m a theater nerd and a style seeker. I can’t function outside cities. I like to write. This is my blog, and I hope you’ll stick around for next year.
I’ve spent a year talking about myself. For those of you reading, I would love to know: What’s your name? Where are you from? When did you stumble upon the whole plate? What has changed in the past year of your life?
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how great is it to write a list after a year and to go through ur accomplishments. i think i’ll do something like this after my one year of blogging.. its quite inspiring!
To answer ur questions… I’m Kelsey from Snackingsquirrel.blogspot.com (Victoria, B.C. Canada)… i think i stumbled upon ur blog and thats how i found you :) GLAD I DID!!!
in the past year ive matured a great deal and started focusing on making my life dreams a reality rather than feeling more like a victim of my life waiting for change :)
xoxo <3
Leslie!! My long lost friend– I have been meaning to reconnect with you and when I saw it was your bloggiversary I knew I had to say something. I miss you!
let’s get together soon?!? Congrats on your anniversary :) you are a wonderful writer and a beautiful person!
Happy blog anniversary! I’m Lisa from lisasfoods.wordpress.com – from western MA, and don’t quite remember how I stumbled upon your blog, but I really enjoy reading it.
Happy one year, Whole Plate! And here’s to many more. Love the retrospective (and you know I love the format!).
You already know all this, but my name is Anna and I’m from Massachusetts. I started reading your blog after the Healthy Living Summit last August.
Lots of things have changed in the last year of my life. My hair color, my friends, my living situations, and the location of the place that I call home.
My name is Danielle, I’m from Valhalla, and I don’t remember how I found this blog in the first place. But, over the past year I have figured out a lot of things about myself and a few other things too. For instance, I love you, and I adore this whole plate, and I cannot wait to share in many more years of foodie/wino friendship memories together.
dear leslie, thank you for writing one of my favorite blogs. your insightful words and fabulous foods keep me coming back again and again. :) and thank you for being the dude and asking me out on my very first blogging date – i am glad you did, ’cause i got a wonderful friend out of it! here’s to another year of boozy brunches, retarded story hour, and overall indulgence. yay!
as for my part: my name is sofia, I’m from manhattan, i’m not quite sure how i found the whole plate, and i’ve become stronger and more comfortable with being ME in the last year than i’ve ever been. cheers to that!
Happy Birthday Blog! I love your posts even though I don’t get to read too often.
But let’s see–My name is Rebecca. I’m from Albany, NY. And on one fabulous day over the winter, you and I feasted on PB sandwiches from PB&Co. :-) Hope to see you again soon!
What a great anniversary post. :) I’m not sure if I have commented before, but I have often read your blog.
My name is Mitri. I’m from several of the southern states. I stumbled on your blog a few months ago and really appreciated the calm, peaceful approach you have to eating and living healthfully. In the past year, I’ve moved too many times; finally stayed at one college for two consecutive semesters; and slowly finding a balance between work & play. I look forward to more of your insightful posts!
HAPPY BLOGGIVERSARY!!!! i’ve only come across your blog in the past few months but it has been a JOY to read and view and i look forward to continuing reading it and getting inspiration for another year to come:-) i bet a year has gone so fast for you..it certainly seems like you have acheived an absolute massive amount!
Well my name is Laura:) and i’m from scotland and i’m 16:) i’ll be 17 in a few weeks..very scary and daunting!!!!! i came across your blog on a blog roll..i can’t remember whos it was or WHEN it was but i remember being really interseted and inspired by your posts :) in the past year a lot has changed, i can’t put my finger on what, but alot has happened and i’m slowly but surely beginning to accept myself for who i am..which can only be a positive :) xx
I’m a tad late, but Happy Blogiversary! I’ll always tell you how I found your blog–via my mother’s suggestion! I can’t believe I now know you “in real life” and I couldn’t be happier about that–you are amazing! Can’t wait to see you again soon.
PS, Love your reintroduction, especially “i cant function outside of cities”. <3
Belated congrats on your year, Leslie! As you know, your blog is very special to me. You’re a terrific writer, and I’ve so enjoyed watching you evolve, and embrace that evolution. I suspect you’ll always do great things, and I will be a lucky woman to watch you do them!
Hi! I’m mostly a lurker but have commented once or twice. I found your blog sometime around the end of last summer — don’t remember exactly how I found it but I’m sure it involved some clicks of the mouse. I live in Cambridge, Mass., and that is something that has changed in the last year of my life… for the better! :) I live in a wonderful, vibrant neighborhood that allows me to accomplish almost all errands on foot.