THM 2017 Highlights and 2018 Outlook

As the final days of 2017 draw to a close, it’s truly remarkable to reflect on a year that has been nothing short of extraordinary. It has unfolded with incredible speed, yet at times seemed to slow to a deliberate crawl. This past year brought moments of immense joy and profound learning, interspersed with challenges that pushed us to grow. Ultimately, it cemented itself as another memorable chapter in The Healthy Maven’s journey, filled with growth, connection, and a thriving community.

For those new to our community, each December marks a special tradition: a comprehensive recap of the year’s most beloved content, a blend of your top-clicked favorites and my personal highlights. It’s a fantastic way to revisit the conversations, recipes, and insights that defined our year together. If you’re curious about how our journey has evolved, you can explore past year-in-review posts here: 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016.

This year, to give each aspect of our diverse content the attention it deserves, I decided to categorize our recap into two distinct features: travel experiences and everything else! Our dedicated Best of THM Travel 2017 post went live last week, offering a deep dive into our adventures. Today, we’re focusing on a comprehensive review of all other exciting moments and looking ahead to what’s unfolding in 2018. If you’re intrigued by the entrepreneurial side of content creation, don’t miss my THM Business Recap, where I share transparent insights into blogging as a business.

Beyond the blog posts, I’ve also been compiling my Top Favorites of 2017 for my YouTube channel. Almost every month, I’ve shared my essential health, wellness, and green beauty discoveries. To cap off the year, I curated the absolute best of the best from these monthly roundups. It was a delightful experience revisiting these beloved items and sharing them with you!

With so much to cover, let’s dive directly into the heart of this post. Here is your definitive guide to The Best of THM 2017, celebrating the content that resonated most with you, our incredible community, and the personal highlights that shaped my year.

Your Top Favorites of 2017

It’s always fascinating to see which posts capture your attention the most. These are the articles, recipes, and personal stories that garnered the highest engagement and views from our loyal readers throughout 2017:

How To Make a London Fog – This comforting and aromatic tea latte unexpectedly claimed the top spot as your favorite post of 2017! It’s a recipe I genuinely adore, bringing a cozy feeling reminiscent of home, even if its Canadian origins remain a sweet mystery. Its simplicity and warmth clearly struck a chord, making it a perfect ritual for any time of day.
The Engagement – This post’s popularity comes as no surprise, though the moment itself was a wonderful shock! Sharing the news of C’s and my engagement was incredibly special. While the actual proposal was a private, cherished moment just for us, I was overjoyed to share the subsequent celebrations and excitement with all of you. Your outpouring of love and congratulations made this personal milestone even more memorable.
Easy Veggie Egg Bake – This recipe quickly became my absolute go-to for potlucks and gatherings, and it seems many of you agreed! It’s effortlessly simple to prepare, making it a stellar choice for large holiday breakfasts or brunches, like Christmas morning. Its versatility and crowd-pleasing appeal solidified its place as a community favorite.
The Best All-Natural Products for Acne-Prone Skin – 2017 was a significant year for diving deep into green beauty and holistic skincare. This post resonated powerfully with many of you navigating the challenges of acne-prone skin. I truly empathize with that struggle, and I’m thrilled to have provided helpful solutions. Expect even more valuable skincare discussions and natural beauty recommendations in 2018.
Vanilla Bean Chia Pudding – Simplicity in cooking was a recurring theme this year, and this easy vanilla bean chia pudding exemplifies that perfectly. It’s a testament to how uncomplicated ingredients can create a truly delicious, nutritious, and satisfying meal or snack. This recipe continues to be a staple for quick, healthy meal prep.
What I Wish You Knew About Sponsored Posts – Beyond the excitement of our engagement, this post holds a special place as one of my personal favorites from 2017. It sparked considerable discussion, but more importantly, it offered a much-needed layer of transparency within the evolving blogging and influencer landscape. I believe open dialogue about sponsored content fosters trust and authenticity with our audience.
8 Healthier Store-Bought Snack Bars – Confession: I “cheated” on my homemade energy balls in 2017! This year, I shared a practical guide to my favorite healthy store-bought snack bars. It’s a realistic acknowledgment that we don’t always have the time or inclination to prepare everything from scratch, and sometimes, a well-chosen store-bought option is truly the best solution for busy lives.
To The Woman Addicted to Working Out – While my past struggles with over-exercising and disordered eating often feel like distant memories, 2017 was a crucial year for further exploring the nuanced path to true recovery and thriving. This post delved into the complexities of finding a healthy balance with movement, resonating deeply with many who have experienced similar challenges on their wellness journey.

Top Podcast Episodes of 2017:

Our podcast continued to be a vibrant space for insightful conversations and expert interviews on health and wellness. Here are the episodes that captivated your ears the most:

Episode 22: How to Find Your Set Point and Stop Fighting Your Weight with Robyn Nohling from The Real Life RD. This episode offered profound insights into body acceptance and intuitive eating, empowering listeners to break free from diet culture.
Episode 18: How to Quit the Dieting Cycle and Manage our Blood Sugar with Kelly LeVeque from Be Well By Kelly. Kelly’s practical approach to nutrition and blood sugar management provided actionable strategies for sustainable healthy eating.
Episode 28: Self-Acceptance and Manifesting the Life of Your Dreams with Sophie Gray from Way of Gray. A truly inspiring conversation focusing on self-love, mental well-being, and aligning your life with your deepest desires.

My Personal Favorites of 2017

While your favorites are invaluable, there are always a few pieces of content that hold a special significance for me, whether for their creative process, personal vulnerability, or sheer deliciousness. Here are the posts that were particularly meaningful to me this past year:

The Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten-free!) – When it comes to cookies, 2017 was a fantastic year for experimenting, but these gluten-free chocolate chip cookies truly stole my heart. I initially hesitated to share them, fearing judgment for the butter and sugar content. However, I soon realized that some indulgences are simply healthy for the soul! They are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and undeniably delicious.
Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Farro Salad – C declared this his favorite recipe of the year, and I wholeheartedly agree! This delightful salad has been on repeat in our kitchen for months, becoming my trusted dish for all events and potlucks. Its combination of hearty grains, flavorful roasted vegetables, and a light dressing makes it an absolute crowd-pleaser and a staple for healthy eating.
Things I’m Afraid To Tell You – This post was incredibly challenging yet ultimately rewarding to share. I felt a tremendous weight from keeping certain aspects of my life private, and the vulnerability required to open up was immense. In the end, I’m so glad I allowed myself the time to process my feelings before sharing such significant news with you. Your unwavering support through this personal revelation meant the world to me.
Our Engagement Photos and Wedding Planning Update – I’m still in awe of the stunning engagement pictures Bettina captured of C and me in our home and neighborhood. Her incredible talent as a photographer, combined with her being a dear friend, made the entire experience so joyful and authentic. We are so fortunate to have her in our lives, and these photos truly reflect our happiness.
What is an Emotional Support Animal? – To be candid, I didn’t anticipate the strong reactions this post would receive, and perhaps I should have prepared more for the ensuing discussions. However, what emerged was ultimately a highly productive and helpful conversation about the role of emotional support animals. I was also deeply touched and blown away by the incredible wave of supportive messages from many of you, highlighting the compassion within our community.
Why I Won’t Be Losing Weight For My Wedding – While I’ve kept most of our wedding details private, sharing this particular stance felt incredibly important. This post articulates my unwavering belief that societal pressures to lose weight for major life events, like a wedding, are unnecessary and often detrimental. I stand firm in the conviction that true happiness and celebration come from self-acceptance and embracing your body as it is, a message I hope empowers many.
How To Greenify Your Makeup Bag – Few topics generate as many questions as green beauty, especially “where to start?” This post was specifically crafted as a beginner’s guide for anyone embarking on their natural beauty journey. I’m genuinely thrilled to see how helpful it has been for so many of you looking to transition to cleaner, more sustainable makeup and skincare routines.
My San Francisco Apartment Tour – It only took me nine months to finally share this! After countless hours of decorating and settling in, showcasing our completed San Francisco apartment was a joyful moment. Now that it’s done, I sometimes feel the itch to redecorate all over again, but for now, we’re simply savoring its comfortable completion. It was wonderful to finally invite you all in virtually and share this personal space.

My Favorite Podcast Episodes of 2017:

These podcast conversations resonated deeply with me, offering profound wisdom and inspiring new perspectives:

Episode 31: The Power of Intuition and Authentic Entrepreneurship with Sadie Lincoln from Barre3. A truly inspiring discussion on trusting your inner voice in both life and business.
Episode 29: Essential Oils and How to Use Aromatherapy to Improve Your Health with Jean-Pierre LeBlanc from Saje Wellness. This episode provided a fascinating deep dive into the therapeutic benefits of essential oils and practical aromatherapy tips.
Episode 32: What is Ayurveda and How to Apply These Practices in Your Everyday Life with Sahara Rose. An illuminating introduction to ancient Ayurvedic wisdom and how to integrate its principles for modern wellness.

My Favorite Videos of 2017:

Creating these videos was a joy, and they capture moments and topics that were particularly meaningful to me:

A Week In My Life: A genuine look at my daily routines and experiences, offering a glimpse behind the scenes.
What Bodhi Eats in a Day: A playful and heartwarming video showcasing my furry companion’s healthy diet.
Yosemite Travel Diary (My bestie is singing the background music and I’m obsessed!): A beautiful travelogue of Yosemite, made even more special by the incredible soundtrack provided by my talented best friend.

Exciting Horizons: What’s Coming Up in 2018

Phew! That was an extensive look back at a year packed with rich content and unforgettable moments. While 2017 was undoubtedly a great year, I’m bubbling with excitement to kick off 2018 and delve into both fresh subjects and deeper explorations of long-standing topics that are central to The Healthy Maven. You can still anticipate a consistent stream of delicious, healthy recipes, insightful green beauty and skincare reviews, and heartfelt self-reflection posts. Additionally, a few key themes I’m eager to explore in greater depth include mental health, achieving sustainable work-life balance, and practical stress-management techniques. These crucial topics will also feature prominently in our upcoming podcast episodes, fostering even more meaningful discussions.

For video content, my vision for 2018 includes more “vlog-style” content, offering a more intimate and dynamic glimpse into my life and experiences. Crucially, I’m also planning to create a larger volume of recipe videos. I have so many incredible recipes that I believe would benefit tremendously from visual guidance, making them even easier and more enjoyable for you to understand and recreate at home. Moreover, I’m committed to bringing you more DIY projects. I confess I might have leaned a little too heavily on convenient store-bought brands this year, sometimes neglecting my passion for homemade alternatives. Don’t get me wrong, I truly love and stand by all the products I share, but I recognize that they aren’t always universally accessible. My goal is to empower everyone, regardless of budget or location, with options for creating their own household and body care products, ensuring that healthy living is attainable at all levels of accessibility and price points.

Beyond content creation, 2018 will see a gradual slowdown in global travel, apart from one thrilling trip planned for January! Instead, I’ll be dedicating more time to exploring my immediate surroundings in San Francisco and truly savoring our home life. I find myself increasingly drawn to local adventures and seeking challenges closer to home, and I’m genuinely excited to embrace whatever new experiences and discoveries come my way within our vibrant city.

Be sure to stay tuned for updates on more events (and don’t forget to join our exclusive events list!) – both near and far. And, mark your calendars, because there’s one VERY exciting event slated for Spring that I simply cannot wait to share the full details of with all of you!

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Before we fully transition into the new year, I’ll be taking a much-needed vacation. This means there won’t be any new posts, videos, or podcasts published until 2018. While I know you all have your own wonderful holiday plans, I wanted to give you a heads-up and encourage you, too, to find ample time for rest and rejuvenation with your loved ones. The holiday season can often be incredibly busy and sometimes overwhelming, so please remember to carve out moments for self-care and genuine R&R for yourself.

I am profoundly grateful to be able to call The Healthy Maven my job. It has been an incredible five-year adventure, and I truly couldn’t ask for a more supportive and inspiring community to share this journey with. I know I say it often, but my gratitude for each and every one of you is immeasurable. In many ways, THM feels like a collaborative process, and I cherish that we can work together to cultivate a healthier and happier world, one post, one recipe, and one conversation at a time. Sending so much love to you all and wishing you the happiest of holidays and a truly remarkable start to 2018! -Davida