The Last Single Girl Post + Thanksgiving Recipes!

Dedicated to all my single ladies! The Last Single Girl Post + Thanksgiving Recipes!

For those of you who have been following my blog know my story, if not, it goes something like this...
Pumpkin Cake Bars (reduced-fat)

Married at 30, divorced, single again, and on my own for the very first time. It was a tough phase and I went through some hardships, but I also ended up learning a lot about myself. For someone who was once terrified of living alone, I finally started to enjoy my own company. I learned to focus on the good, eliminate all negativity from my life, and started to find joy in the things I once used to enjoy. And then one day when I least expected it, love found me.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread (100% Whole Wheat, lightened up)

If there is one thing I know, life doesn’t always go the way you plan. Growing up in an Indian home there was a LOT of pressure to get married by the age of 24, 25, 26. This expectation to have a home and kid by 30 was constantly felt. I gave into the pressure and constantly worried meeting someone in my 20s that I forgot to “live” life. Now in retrospect, I realize my 20s were probably the best years of my life, but sadly, I felt if I didn’t meet someone and get married by 30, I was doomed. And this is exactly how I led myself to believe that marriage was the answer to all my problems and ended up making a huge mistake the first time around. I gave into my own fears and insecurities knowing all along that it didn't feel right.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate (reduced-fat)

I wish there was someone around to tell me what marriage entailed, so should you do decide to get married, make sure he’s the right guy for you. I wish there was someone around to tell me that marriage is hard with the right person, but with the wrong person you are better off being alone than married and miserable. I wish there was someone around to tell me that if I didn’t meet the right guy by 25, 30, 35, that it would be okay, and it would eventually happen, or it may not, and I would be okay. I wish there was someone around to tell me that regardless of what happens I need to find happiness within myself and that if love finds me, I will have so much more to offer. I wish there was someone to tell me that I should never settle for less than I deserve.
Pumpkin Bundt Cake

Unfortunately, in an Indian household you will rarely ever hear that.
Pumpkin Biroche Bread Pudding

If I could give my 20-something year old self advice, it would be, “don’t settle… focus on yourself… build a career and lasting friendships… what’s meant to be will be… you will be okay!” And that’s the message I want to convey today because I know there are many of you out there who feel "this pressure" to do things by the book, but sometimes things just don’t go according to our plan and sometimes we need to trust in God’s plan.
Pumpkin Banana Bread (100% whole wheat, lightened up)

So now here I am trusting in God’s plan that arrived at my doorstep a couple years ago, and I'm marrying him this weekend. This time it feels right and I listened to my gut all along. Sure I’m nervous, anxious, overwhelmed, scared to move (eventually), but I finally know after all these years what “right” feels like, I only wish I knew sooner. Sometimes love comes to us earlier in life, sometimes it finds us later in life, but when you know, you'll know. I promise!
Pumpkin Pie Pancakes (100% whole wheat)

On that note, I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you have an amazing holiday sharing it with the ones you love.
Pumpkin Pie French Toast (lightened up)

Thanksgiving Recipes

What are you making this Thanksgiving? Thoughts on life.. do you listen to your gut? Do you believe things happen for a reason?