I was invited to take part in a blog link-up today, and when I learned what the topic was going to be, I got even more excited--what was the best thing you bought in 2016? My answer actually comes with an announcement, so stick with me here for a minute.

The answer was easy: my spiralizer, 100%.

I've had a little hand-held one for a while, but last year I finally committed to a full-size, counter-top spiralizer with clamps to hold it down and a handle that makes it easy to turn almost any vegetable into noodles. I love making zoodles but lately I've been branching out from my usual zucchini routine and coming up with carrot, cucumber, sweet potato, and even turnip noodle recipes. Substituting vegetables for noodles is my favorite way to satisfy pasta cravings while sticking to a Paleo diet. If you make veggie noodles regularly, I want to know! 

I put together a collection of spiral veggie slicers in a range of prices and models in case you're in the mood to shop around for one! Feel free to click through the photos to get to the page, or you can find a complete list underneath the widget.

Mastrad Spiral Vegetable Slicer • Mastrad • $14.98
Helen's Asian Kitchen® Tri-Blade Spiral Vegetable Slicer with Suction Base • $29.99
GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer • $18.55
Starfrit Spiral Slicer • $28.49
Excalibur Spiral Vegetable Slicer • Excalibur • $34.99
Paderno World Cuisine Tri-Blade Vegetable Spiral Slicer • $29.99

And now for the announcement!

If you read this post in December, you might remember that I mentioned that I'm working on my second cookbook. It's been so fun and I'm truly thrilled to be sharing more information about it now! It's kind of a sequel to The Big 15 Paleo Cookbook in the way it's set up: there will be 10 chapters this time, each focusing on a different main ingredient, and every recipe is a veggie noodle recipe! There are soups, salads, snacks and appetizers, main courses; everything is Paleo and I incorporated lots of vegetarian, vegan, and raw options as well.

So if you don't have a spiralizer yet, go ahead and get one because come springtime, you're going to need it! Thank you all so much for your excitement and support so far--blogging and cookbook writing is truly a gift and I couldn't do any of it without you wonderful readers. Stay tuned--I'll be sure to let you know when the book is available for preorder.

And finally, don't forget to stop by the other blogs in the link-up to learn what these ladies' best purchase of 2016 was! I'm so looking forward to meeting everyone at Alt Summit next week.

• Running in Heels
• Glam Karen
• Oh My Nosh
• Tracing the Edge
• Frankly Entertaining
• Twenty Something Plus
• Spitfiregirl Design
• A Touch of Teal
• Cake & Lilies
• Alyssa J Freitas
• White Cabana
• Luv in the Bubble
• Finite1
• Our Illustrated Life
• Laugh.Liv.Love

This post contains affiliate links.

Photo (a sneak peek my new book!) by Shannon Douglas.

I was running errands a couple weeks ago and stopped by the nail salon down the street from my house for a quick manicure. It was rainy and I was tired, but I needed a sparkly nail color for my trip to Las Vegas. Getting my nails done before a trip or event has been a tradition for longer than I can remember. I know it's a thing for a lot of people, but as I left the salon I realized that I had almost mindlessly rolled into the parking lot, signed in, and later checked "manicure" off my to-do list.

It reminded me of the weird little nail salon next to a Kroger that my mom and I used to go to--before vacations, before I graduated from high school, before any event that had us excited enough to want to prep in some way. As I sat in the salon by myself that day, waiting for gold gel polish dry under the UV light, I realized how far removed our life in California is from the days we used to live all over Virginia, extra-close to our families.

I grew up in Roanoke and met Rob in Farmville even though he had also been in Roanoke for high school, and then we moved to Charlottesville together before he lived in DC and I would drive there on the weekends, getting to know I-81 N like the back of my hand. We traveled 81 and 64 more times than I can count, and through all four seasons, but the one that sticks the most is spring, in the rain--when the air is damp but not muggy yet, and everything is fresh and greener than you remembered it ever could be.

There's a stretch of 280 N that reminds me of those days back east. When we were first moving to California everyone told us how amazing the weather was, and from our own visits we knew, too. It's sunny and mild every day and there are palm trees and cacti in my neighborhood. But this winter has been rainy and grey and occasionally, on a damp highway lined with evergreen-studded mountains, it almost feels like we're back.

So maybe you're driving yourself from the South Bay to a dermatologist appointment in San Francisco on a dreary January afternoon, listening to podcasts and sipping hot water with lemon after a blog meeting and a barre workout. But it could also be the road between Charlottesville and Roanoke on a rainy April morning; the sun coming up over the mountains as you make your way to the coffee shop where you work every day before returning to your small apartment on The Corner to write more of your master's thesis.

I didn't know that winter in California could look and feel like spring in Virginia.

But sometimes, it does.

If I'm having a snack that comes in a package I have to put it on a plate or in a bowl, but if I get takeout I always eat it right out of whatever container it came in. Rob is the opposite. (But really, isn't like half the point of getting takeout so you don't have to do dishes? I think so.)

One of my favorite things to do is look at how far cities are from each other on Google Maps and then plan hypothetical day trips.

I used to wash my hair only once a week but now it's more like every 10-12 days. I finally had a chance to try this stuff (affiliate link) in Las Vegas and it's ridiculous and amazing and will change everything. Dramatic much? It's true, though. I realized last week though that I don't actually hate washing my hair, I hate drying it (it takes forever).

I like my face a lot but wouldn't mind fuller lips. (As long as I don't have to do anything to get them--natural Angelina Jolie lips you just magically wake up with are a thing, right?)

I'm really interested in reducing waste and simplifying, especially when it comes to my kitchen (and closet)--I just bought a few of these reusable bags and I'm really excited about them. (If anyone has any tips or recommendations for simplifying their kitchens, closets, or cabinets I'd love to hear them!)

I've been in bed by 9:30 almost every night this year. It's awesome.

What are some things people may not know about you?