Reflections and Top 10 Mediterranean Recipes of 2014!

Hi! Happy New Year! 2014 was a big year for me; I am sharing some of it with you in this post. And be sure to stick around and see my top 10 Mediterranean recipes below.

As I sat in my favorite little part of the house–a brown chair tucked in my office corner next to a pile of books–my daughter came in cheerfully announcing,”Mom! This is the VERY last day of 2014!” I knew that, of course. But Dara’s announcement somehow allowed this reality to suddenly sink in–2014 comes to an end this evening! And for some, in other parts of the world, it ends sooner.

One of the biggest, and scariest, highlights of 2014 for me was the launch of this blog The Mediterranean Dish. I guess I hadn’t shared much about how The Mediterranean Dish came to be, so here it goes.

My family moved to Iowa almost four years ago, and it had been a big transition for me.  I had already changed countries, so changing states came easier. What “transition” am I talking about then? I had unwillingly traded my professional, high-heeled life for the honor of staying home with my children. For the first few months in our new home, I pretty much crawled in the fetal position filled with regret for having left my life of “success.” Although, at the time, I had a little baby who had barely turned one, and another nine-year-old daughter, I felt less than useful to the family. Confused, aimless and purposeless– three words that pretty much sum up how I felt. Eventually, I found a high-profile position that presented itself as one where I could truly use my skills and experience. I thought, YES! I can be a contributing member of the family again.

I soon realized how different the day-to-day of the actual job was from how it was presented to me during the recruiting and interview process.  Through a series of events, I made the hard decision to return to my stay-at-home post. The following summer, I took the kids to visit my brother and other family in Toronto. I needed the change of scenery, and more than anything, I needed to be with my family. During my long stay there, my husband Saba found the venture that now allows me a chance to make a life difference both at home and outside. Knowing my passion for people and food,  Saba created The Mediterranean Dish with a few of my recipes and some mobile phone pictures (we’ve come a long way since) 🙂 When I returned to Iowa, he presented me with my new project: The Mediterranean Dish.

Here we are, five months later, and The Mediterranean Dish exists with thousands of viewers from around the globe. It truly boggles my mind! And I am ever so grateful that you are a part of this adventure.

It is my sincere hope that The Mediterranean Dish will help many enjoy everyday healthy, and indulgent, Mediterranean meals. More importantly, I hope that The Mediterranean Dish will stand as proof that one’s path can change at any moment–from high-heels to tennis shoes 🙂 And that seasons of life may present new purpose, one we may have never considered before.

In my last post, I wrote “I am also one to look forward. A new year means a new beginning–a clean slate to explore, learn, and create anew! I don’t think so hard about resolutions, I just think about beginnings.” A friend read these words and thought that I am perhaps pregnant. Sorry to disappoint, but that is not the case. 🙂

I do look forward, however, to the beginning of 2015. One of the campaigns I was a part of in my past career used the metaphor “ripples in the pond.” When you throw one small stone in a quiet pond, you can see the ripples it makes. Every new year, we each have a chance to make some ripples–to make a change and to make a difference.

Resolutions and big promises are fine, but I have never been one to truly embrace them. I do believe in change, however. And I have found that, at least for me, change came slowly–in subtle small ripples. Will I make a big splash in the future? Will my ripples of change become strong and beyond me that I am able to reach out and make a difference? I truly hope so.

I look forward to a 2015 filled with more opportunities to create and share with you my life and recipes through The Mediterranean Dish. All in hopes to help you reach and make the life difference–small or large–that you are meant to make. I wish you a happy and healthy 2015!

With that, here are my top 10 Mediterranean recipes of 2014:

Roasted Greek Potatoes

Grilled Shrimp with Roasted Garlic-Cilantro Sauce

How to Make Baklava

Egg Casserole, Mediterranean Style

French Baked Brie with Figs, Walnuts and Pistachios

Eggplant Parmigiana

Mediterranean Hashweh Rice with Beef, Nuts and Raisins

French Pear Tart

Homemade Pita Bread

Pomegranate Chicken 

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Happy New Year!