The worst year on record is almost over.
Things can only get better from here on out, don't you think?
I believe so with all my heart.
Turning a page on a calendar or hanging up a new one might not appear, to the logical mind, a move that can effect change in any real way, especially given the terrible things that happened in the world this past year.
But what can make a difference on a personal level for most of us is how we respond to the problems we find ourselves mired in.
That's why, my resolution for this new year is to have a more positive outlook, starting with being more grateful, truly grateful, for all the blessings in my life.
I like to think I am a grateful person. But if I were to be really honest I would have to admit that my actions rarely reflect that. Caught up in the daily stresses of life, I take things and even people for granted more often than not, including those closest to me. When I am angry or annoyed or frustrated, I let the negativity linger on for much longer than it ever needs to.
So in the New Year, I am going to work towards making a better me. Not a slimmer me, or a more prosperous me, but a kinder, more grateful me. Someone who listens before they speak. Someone who considers, more keenly, the needs and feelings of others. And someone who is eager to give back more than I can get.
On the blog, you can continue to expect healthy, tasty recipes that are designed for EVERYONE. Like me, so many people now find themselves balancing the needs of families made up of omnivores, vegetarians and vegans. And so many more are just looking to eat healthy sometimes. Gone are the days when eating vegan was a thing a few of us wierdo outliers did. Today, more and more people are choosing meatless foods because they are compassionate, healthy--and tasty.
The availability of vegan foods itself has come a long way since the days I first became a vegan, in 2007. We have access to so many more delicious ingredients, including meatless meats that look and taste like the real thing. When my dyed-in-the-wool omnivore friends tell me they are adding alternative meat products to their diets, increasingly so in recent months, it makes me happier than I can say.
In Veganuary, especially, I plan to focus on cozy, hearty, healthy, plant-based foods made (mostly) without processed ingredients or added sugars but that are full-blown delicious. I have lots of recipes planned, and I can't wait to share them with you. I hope you will visit, and as always, let me know when you like something or--constructively--when you don't.
If you are a new vegan, I have tons of resources for you to make your transition easier. Browse through my recipe collections for recipes for breakfast/brunch, stews, recipes you can put together with pantry ingredients, Indian vegan restaurant recipes, and even vegan detox recipes for the new year. If you have kids like I do, I have tons of recipes for kids on the blog as well as tips on parenting vegan kids in my collection of 66 kid-friendly vegan recipes.
If you've visited Holy Cow! before, you know I love baking vegan bread and I love to get you to do it too. 😉 There is truly nothing so amazing or joyous as filling the house with the fragrance of fresh baked bread, and winter is the perfect time to bake, when the weather outside makes turning the oven on a pleasure. I have dozens of bread recipes on the blog, including recipes for making a sourdough starter (and a gluten-free sourdough starter) and sourdough breads.
Here's to a very Happy new year! Let's make 2021 a good one.
And if you have a resolution for the new year, I'd love to hear it.
I'll leave you with pictures of some of the greatest blessings in my life--my kids.
Laura
Thank you for your posting and I believe in you.
Take care...
Nupur
Happy 2021, Vaishali and family! Your lad is all grown up 🙂 Time flies and all that.
In 2020 and even before, I was making slow changes in my life- cutting back on snacking and overeating, trying more plant-based recipes, learning to love exercise- and hope to continue the trend in 2021 because I am healthier and happier for it. So that's my non-resolution resolution.
Vaishali
Sounds like a great path to be on! Rooting for you, Nupur, and a very happy new year to you too! 🙂
Marika
Hi Vaishali, I wish you a happy new year full of peace! I really want to thank you for your efforts in sharing these great recipes, and as well your stories. Holy Cow has been my precious, unique and only guide in the kitchen for the last two years now and it changed totally everything in my taste, besides teaching me so much!!! and I love to share what I have taught with others, and they appreciate it. my resolution is to keep sharing, and sharing more!!! Finally, thanks for sharing pics of your kids, gorgeous!!!
Vaishali
Hi Marika, thanks for your kind words--such a lovely message to see first thing on New Year's Day. I am so happy you've found the recipes useful. A very happy new year to you!! ❤️
Virginie
Happy new you Vaishali !
Always be the best version of yourself is the best way to progress and happiness! ✨?⭐️
I want to eat more veggies so I’m looking for inspiration here.
And 2020 was not totally bad as I learned to make sourdough bread ✨ it seems mysterious and difficult but it’s not and what a flavour!!
All the pictures of your beautiful results inspired me to give it a try so thank you !
Greetings from Belgium ??
Vaishali
Thanks, Virginie! ❤️I am so excited you were inspired by my sourdough recipes. One thing I definitely plan to do is bake more bread this year. And yes, there will be lots of veggies! 🙂
A very happy new year to you!!
Jaya
Happy 2021 to you, Vaishali. I've been a silent admirer of your blog since long, silent largely because I'm a tech-dino. Keep posting so we can keep getting new favourites! Wishing you and your family all the best this year and always.
Vaishali
Hi Jaya. A very happy 2021 to you! 🙂 I am so happy you broke your silence, and thanks so much for your kind words. Much appreciated. ❤️
Rob Williams
Blessings, best wishes for the new year and thanks for helping to make the world a kinder place. Rob x
Vaishali
Thank you, Rob, and a very happy new year to you too! ❤️
Gail Anderson Edwards
Hi Vaishali, I'm a "newby" having just found your site, but was immediately impressed with the variety of plant based recipes you share. In the process of going entirely plant based, no sugar, no flour, no oil, so I need all the help I can get. Looking forward to cooking with you in 2021. Happy New Year! Gail
Vaishali
Hi Gail, welcome to Holy Cow! ❤️All the recipes here are vegan, and there are tons with no sugar, flour and oil. The easiest way to browse the recipes is by keywords in the search box, or by category--you can find a drop-down menu in the recipe index for gluten-free and oil-free recipes. And I'll also be posting more in coming days so stay tuned! A very happy new year to you!
Stephanie
Thank you for your wise words. Like you i am glad to see the back of 2020. I saw a summary of the uear.programme and it was a shock to realise just how much had happened, politically, suffering through conflicts and covid wise. I think we need to be patient and not expect too much, no fairy is going to wave a wand at midnight. And like you say, be patient and kind to others, we are all stressed. I love the pictures of your pets and son, i see he doesnt like looking at camera. I look forward to your healthy recipes, and thank you for all your posts, diverse and delicious, i love the food of India, very popular here in the UK. Take care of yourself x
Vaishali
Hi Stephanie, it has been a hard year, and so much more so for some who went through the worst hardships imaginable. I do agree we need to be patient and to make sure that we are doing all we can to help those less fortunate. Thanks for your kind words. Actually Jay loves being photographed, so not sure why he was looking away. He is quite a ham! 😀
A very happy new year to you! ❤️
Paula
I am a recent convert to a plant-based diet (4 months only) and want to thank you for such delicious and inspiring recipes. I just love them as does my husband(the carnivore) but 90% of the time he is eating what I eat. Have a very happy and healthy 2021.
Vaishali
Hi Paula, that's so great you are making the transition--kudos to you! So inspiring.❤️ And your situation with your husband sounds very similar to mine. 🙂 Have a very happy 2021 too!
Michelle Young
Hi Vaishali!
Another year has passed, and thankfully you and I are still here. Hopefully, everyone else on your list is too! I'm looking forward to a new year of good health among us with rising hopes for a prosperous and joyful new beginning for all of us.
If you can direct me to the perfect New Year's recipe using Split Urad, I'd be grateful. It's time to give that a try.
Wishing all of you--your family and those here on Holy Cow--sweetness and joy! I hope Jay hasn't groaned too much at remote learning this year. Thanks for sharing photos of him and your beautiful furballs with us!
Vaishali
Hi Michelle! How nice to hear from you. ❤️Jay has actually been doing quite well although he misses being at school. I'm happier to have him, and the teachers, safe for now, and kids are so amazingly resilient. In a way this whole year has been a marvelous educational experience for their growing minds, I think, in a different way.
Here's my favorite urad dal recipe--it's quite easy and we love it! I hope you will try. Love, and best wishes for the new year! https://holycowvegan.net/spicy-urad-dal/
Dorothy
Love your outlook and “vibe” ( not a word I love but it’s a spiritual thing I guess). I try to be a guilt-free vegan. Never judge those odd passions for samosa rolls or onion rings. I look forward to these mails, especially now in these darker times. Furry family looks great and holy crow how big Jay is. Blessings to you ( and them!) for this new year:)
Vaishali
Thanks, Dorothy! ❤️ Totally on board with samosas and onion rings. And yes, Jay is almost as tall as I am now and growing by the day--it's amazing how fast the years have flown by! A very happy new year to you and your family too. 🙂
Anonymous
Vaishali, I just love your blog - your recipes truly inspire me! Keep up the good work, and all the best for 2021. (Love that you posted pictures of your 4-legged family members too!)
Vaishali
Thanks so much! And a happy new year to you. 🙂 ❤️
Wendy
Thank you so much for being here Vaishali, I have tried and loved many of your recipes. I hear you about the new year, I too am trying to be a kinder more understanding of others kind of person. Wishing you and your lovely family joy, peace and much happiness in 2021.
Vaishali
Wendy, here's looking forward to better versions of ourselves. 🙂 ❤️ Thanks for sharing your resolution, and wishing you and your family a very happy new year.
Jennifer
What a sweet post!
Thank you for all the wonderful work you do keeping us provided with delicious recipes and even glimpses into your own life. ❤️
With gratitude and heartfelt wishes for a safe, happy, and healthy 2021!
Vaishali
Thanks for the kind words, Jennifer. ❤️ Wishing you a lovely new year too!
Cheryl Sorrentino
I love your recipes! How about a recipe for vegan dog biscuits?
Vaishali
Thanks, Cheryl. 🙂 I do want to try and make more dog biscuit recipes, but here's one that's already on the blog. https://holycowvegan.net/peanut-butter-dog-biscuits/
Judy Lewin
I have enjoyed making many of your recipes for several years. Thank you
Try to be patient forgiving and good to yourself too. It is very important.
Wishing you a healthy year.
Vaishali
Thanks for that great piece of advice, Judy, and for your kind words. ❤️ Wishing you a very happy and healthy new year too!
Christine Chevalier
Thank you for gifting us with so many tasty treats! I love your recipes (though I do cut back on the spice a bit!) and have never had a bad result! I wish you and your family an abundance of Joy, Peace, and Love in '21!!!
Vaishali
😀 I hear you on the spice--actually I am much tamer than most members of my family and some of my Indian friends. So happy you've enjoyed the recipes and thanks for the kind words. A very happy 2021 to you, Christine. ❤️