I hope your holidays were delicious and chubby tree-ed.

It's now that time of year where my social media algorithms switch abruptly from gifts I should be buying and sweet recipes I should be making to ways to lose weight or exercise more. So, yeah, that time of year.

I'm usually down with it, to be honest. I love new years, Mondays, fresh starts of all varieties. I like writing down my new goals in new journals. I really do, and I do my best to keep those goals.

This year, however, I've had a bit of a slower start. As in, my Christmas letter for family and friends didn't get written, so then it was going to be a New Year's letter and now, well, I guess if it happens, it will just be a January letter (I do want it to happen, as I really enjoy my Christmas letters.)

(Pssst. Our family did an awkward family photo this year. Okay, truthfully, all our photos are awkward all the time, but this time, it was on purpose. Can you guess the theme?)

I'm not sure why I feel the slump. Could it be perimenopause? Missing my college kids who went back last Saturday? Overwhelm with going back to school myself and also trying to sell books? Probably a new year's combination of all three.

So I'm moving along slow and steady. And as I get back into my routine, I'm getting more excited about some of the happenings this year.

First off, I'm working on my very first mystery novel. I don't know if there are any cozy mystery fans out there, but if there are, keep your eyes peeled along about May or June.

I'm also writing a romcom, which is fun fun fun!

The last big writing project for the year is the final book of The Determiner series. I love this series so much and wish I could get it into people's hands more. If you are a teacher or librarian and want a free copy of the first or all books, please reach out to me. I'd love to get it into kids' hands.

(Remember, the first ebook is free.)

Also! In December the paperback of The Seer finally came out. So if you're a paperback person, go grab it!

Also, check out this gorgeous art that the cover artist of Every Thirteen Years sent me. I'm just blown away by it.

And, finally, if you too are looking for a healthy recipe, I got you. Just like I love new years and Mondays (should I seek counseling?), I also love healthy recipes.

Here's one for getting in those macros and kicking out the energy for all those new year's workouts (I hope that you feel that tongue in my cheek, though seriously, these are freaking amazing, and super quick to make).

Cheapskate Larabars (with raisins, though you can do dates if you want)

Makes about 12 (um, a little foggy here on the amount; I must have been snitching too much dough)

Prep time: 5 minutes

Note: These are oily when you form them into balls. Set them on a paper towel for it to absorb some of the oils.

Another note: If you'd like, you can add any variety of dried fruits or nut butters. I did a batch with raisins, coconut, peanut butter, and almonds. It was also delicious, although this original recipe was still may favorite. Nevertheless, feel free to play around with the recipe a bit.

1 1/2-2 C raisins

3/4 C peanut butter (if it's natural and oily, you can use a bit less)

6 Tbsp peanuts (I used raw, but plain roasted will work too)

3/4 tsp vanilla

dash of salt if that's your thing (it's mine)

chocolate chips, optional (I added them sometimes and didn't other times--both were awesome)

Combine raisins, peanut butter, and peanuts in a food processor. (Note: In an attempt to save on dishes I tried this in my cheap blender. It didn't work; the raisins were just too sticky.)

Process until smooth (you'll have a few bits of peanuts, but not big chunks) and coming together like a dough. Add vanilla and salt (if using) and process. (If using chocolate chips, you can add these at the very end and give them a whirl or two, but I like mine chunky so I didn't pulverize them.)

Take out, form into balls. Place balls on waxed paper or paper towels and press into cookie shapes using a fork or spoon.