Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

I know I said this yesterday, but I love this time between Christmas and New Years’. Everything and everyone just slows down. And even though I’m still working (because I literally just can’t stop), I’ve slowed a bit and taken some time to chill with my family, think back on this incredible year we’ve had, and start thinking ahead for 2020. It’s been such a nice Christmas break and I’m excited to still have a few lazy days left.

Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations were low key and perfect. I followed the dinner menus I shared with you all to T. Our dinners were simple but delicious and we all greatly enjoyed our time together at the table.

My favorite gift was hands down the canvas painting that Asher made me (she’s very into painting right now). It’s hanging in my house already and I love it. No major plans for New Year’s Eve, other than making some traditional Filipino foods and most likely falling asleep before midnight. What are you all up to?

In much more exciting news, my cousin Maggie and her long-time boyfriend Tom (who also happens to be my brother’s best friend) finally got engaged! It was so fun to be able to celebrate with the two of them while they were here in Colorado. We all couldn’t be more excited for those two! Maggie recently started working with us here at HBH. She’s been doing a lot of work behind the scenes helping out with social media. She’s quickly becoming a big part of HBH so I’m sure you’ll be getting to know her better.

Coming up this week… Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the most popular recipes of 2019. Then on Tuesday, we’ll have a round-up of my favorite healthy…ish recipes for the New year. I’ll be taking New Year’s Day off, then kicking off 202O with a creamy, but extra healthy, curry. And as we always do, we’ll be finishing up the week with something sweet…but balanced. So many delicious recipes this week…and much more to come in 2020, can’t wait!

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

1. Healthy January + 2020 content request?

Healthy January 2020 officially starts on January 2nd. And even though I’ve already started developing and photographing recipes for the new year, I would LOVE to hear what you guys are looking for most when it comes to healthy eating. I know many of you struggle with meal planning, easily get bored with salads, and that eating healthy on the go can be difficult. Is there anything I am missing?

Let me know what recipes you would love to see! Also, would more detailed meal plans be helpful? Or are the ones I give within this post perfect?

2020 Content Request

What would you like to see more of?

Is there anything you’d like to see less of?

Do you want more lifestyle and DIY posts? Or would you prefer we keep posts all recipe-focused?

Anything you are wanting to see on Instagram stories?

Let me know. It’s always so helpful having your feedback so that I can provide you guys with content you really want to see!

2. Best New Years’ Eve Cocktails.

blood orange champagne mule

sparkling christmas party punch

the spicy sweet grinch cocktail

the santa clause smash

cranberry bourbon sour

pomegranate ginger paloma

holly jolly christmas citrus cocktail

holiday cheermeister bourbon punch

spicy pomegranate Moscow mule

spiced cranberry rosé spritzers

cranberry thyme spritz

poinsettia spritz punch

3. Just a few coziest winter finds…

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Are you ready for 2020.
a: Never been so excited for a new year!! 2019 was incredible, one of the best. I reached so many milestones and I’m sooo excited to carry that into the new year. Fun new things in the works!

q: Did you ever think of going to culinary school?
a: Nope! I actually think not going to culinary school has allowed me to think outside of the box and create recipes that are very unique to me. I don’t cook with any kind of guidelines or rules, I just cook what I love. And I choose a process that I find easiest/simplest…even if it’s not technically the “right” way to do it.

q: How did you get so many followers? No doubt you are talented, but still it is so hard.
a: This didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been working on HBH for almost 7 1/2 years. And I’ve worked pretty hard and consistently for all that time. I get this question a lot and the bottom line is that it takes so much work and a lot of dedication. You have to put in the hours. It’s not going to happen overnight. I’m grateful that my growth has been gradual. It’s allowed me to build an amazing community around HBH. You guys are all the best and always so kind!

q: How do you clean your cast iron?
a: I get this question so much. I literally just rinse it with warm water, then put it on the stove over low heat to dry (takes 2 minutes, but you can also wipe dry too). If I need to scrub anything off, I use soapy water with a gentle scrub pad like Scotch Brite. And that’s all I do, I don’t really stress about it, it’s pretty easy!

5. newest videos.

One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni…craving Italian, but also need something simple? Make this.

Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates…Sweet. Spicy. Cheesy. Salty. Highly addictive.

6. Photos from Christmas.

(snowy Christmas scenes)

(when Blake Lively made my Santa cookies…still cute and so fun!)

(dad)

(Asher)

(hand written recipe for Filipino Kare Kare from Hailey)

(Asher in her new Stuart Weitzman boots)

(Oslo)

(Asher)

(Asher + Hailey)

(the family)

(after Maggie and Tom got engaged)

(my favorite face cream that has changed my skin)

(candy cane bagels)

7. a few links i am loving…

18 instant pot tips, tricks, and hacks…if you got an instant pot for Christmas, read this!

the 10 most anticipated books to read this winter…to cozy up with on a cold day.

9 Trader Joe’s products to add to your cart…all about that cheese.

5 Beauty Resolutions for 2020…love these, especially #3.

the best-designed hotels of 2020…i’d very happily (and excitedly) stay at all of these hotels.

best shimmer makeup for NYE…a little bit of glitter and fun to celebrate.

the 10 most expensive celebrity real estate transactions of 2019…if you’re into where the celebs are living.

3 meaningful ways to spend New Year’s Day…if you are looking to reset.

the absolute best sports bras for every workout…to help get you excited about working out this year.

the 5 biggest food trends of 2020…what’s exciting you this year in food?

25 New Year’s Eve appetizers for stressed-out hosts…these sound so good and easy.

10 ways to reduce food waste daily…love these easy tips/tricks.

63 last-minute New Year’s Eve appetizers…because you can never have too many appetizers.

8. Favorites from the after Christmas Sales…

9. this week’s dinners…

Monday: best super easy penne…with a lot of garlic

Tuesday: Happy New Year’s Eve!

appetizer: spinach and artichoke stuffed soft pretzels

dinner: brown butter lobster ravioli with tomato cream sauce

salad: winter pomegranate salad with maple candied walnuts

Wednesday: super green sun-dried tomato herb salad with crispy chickpeas

Thursday: saucy 30 minute thai basil salmon curry

Friday: Indian coconut butter cauliflower

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.