Facing one of my greatest fears! 😱

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Last week, I announced my word for the year: strength. This week, I’m beyond thrilled to share how I’ve embraced that word and transformed it into action. For years, I’ve been holding back on something that both excited and terrified me. But no more! This week, I faced my fear head-on and filmed a video of me making one of my family’s most beloved recipes: Italian Wedding Soup.

Yes, me! You’re probably wondering, why the hesitation? After all, I’ve been on local television, spoken at conferences, and even hosted the Food and Wine Conference for five incredible years. But here’s the thing: public speaking has always been one of my biggest fears. I’ve found comfort behind "hands-in-pan" videos because they felt safe. They let me stay in my bubble. But this year is all about strength, and strength doesn’t grow in the comfort zone.

When a neighbor tried my recipe and mentioned that my Italian Wedding Soup recipe felt overwhelming to follow, I realized I could do more to help. Our recipes are all about simplicity and ease, so why not show you exactly how to make it in a step-by-step video? That thought lit a fire inside me- it was time to break free of my fears and do something I’d been dreaming of for years.

I am so used to making this recipe for a large crowd. I typically triple this recipe to take some to my parents and some for my kids to take home, and this time, I will be sharing it with neighbors. So, I got a bit overzealous with my ingredient quantities but realized I had to scale it back to fit the average household.

I am a huge believer that mistakes in cooking are just an opportunity for new creations, and that is precisely what happened. I wound up with leftover spinach, parmesan, and egg mixture.

So what did I do? I turned it into protein-packed breakfast bites! I added more eggs, cottage cheese, and mozzarella, and let me tell you- these are the most delicious egg bites I have ever tried. Perfect for helping me in continuing my health journey in 2025! I am so excited to have inspired another recipe. I can't wait to share it with you.

To my surprise, I loved being in front of the camera because I felt like I will be helping all of you. Sharing this cherished recipe on camera felt natural and joyful- a reminder of why I do what I do. Stay tuned for a whole new look on our YouTube channel- I am so excited about this! I can’t wait to share the finished video with you soon, and I hope it inspires you to make this delightful, comforting soup for your family.

Isabel with a pepper grinder making Italian wedding soup

Oh, and I have to tell you about my film day outfit! Of course, I wore my absolute favorite brown vest (you guys already knew that). I paired it with the comfiest pants I’ve ever owned and these super cute knock-off Uggs. These shoes are perfect for the cooler days we’ve been having- I’m so happy I purchased them! It was the perfect outfit for a cozy day spent cooking and filming.

But that’s just the beginning. This year, I’m stepping up in a big way. I’ll be sharing all my family’s favorite recipes through detailed, easy-to-follow videos. And coming soon, I’ll finally reveal our #1 favorite recipe: Ronnie’s Favorite Chicken. It’s a dish I’ve mentioned before but never shared, until now. Trust me, it’s worth the wait, and you’ll be blown away by how delicious it is.

So now, I’ll ask you: what’s something you’ve been putting off? What have you wanted to try but let fear hold you back? Let this be the year you say YES. Let’s make 2025 the year we rise, the year we grow, and the year we step into our own strength. I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s celebrate each other’s courage! Reply in a comment below with your goals.

Here’s to bold leaps, big wins, and unforgettable Sunday Suppers. Together, we’ve got this!

Your friend,

Isabel