How are you doing with your New Year's Resolution?

As we inch towards the summer months and realize that this year is a cruising by... ew... it's time to revisit that good ol' goal established at the beginning of the year. Maybe you're going strong and it's been a tough but successful year so far. Or, like many of us, you've fallen off the wagon with no real intentions of hopping back on. I'm talking all resolutions: fitness, financial, paying off a loan, family, etc.

If you've been killing it so far AWESOME FOR YOU! You may need a celebratory treat (shameless plug). If you're not, here are a few things to remember whether it's January 1st or December 1st. Please do note that I'm talking to myself more than anyone else because I've never really established a New Year's Resolution. No resolution= no failure. 👍🏻 Jk, lol, rotflol, brb, ishmsfoaidmt (shoutout to former MSN messenger users).

It is MORE than acceptable to have fallen off the wagon, never to have had a resolution in the first place, to be staying on track, to be hanging on by a thread, or to be climbing back on the wagon. Though tomorrow is never promised, don't panic! Because you're human. It's easy, comfortable and familiar to keep on doing what you're doing without change. However, just because you remember that path doesn't mean you can't take a different route from time to time. Our noodle (another worthy shoutout to PB&J Otter) wants to take the path of least resistance. We can't get stronger if we choose less resistance! What a great segue (or segway for those who have never seen that word written out, like myself) to my next point!

Obviously with a name like Cake First Then Cardio, what better resolution to talk about than fitness and dessert portion control? In case you missed it, I sent out a monthly email on the first of the year highlighting resolutions relating to gym struggles and especially portion control. For those that don't know, I used to be a fitness coach. Changing my focus solely to my bakery, I have struggled a lot with taste tests that turn into taste feasts. I can assure you that the only reason it's gotten better is that my tests are physically smaller so I have no choice but to not overdo it. Yet another great toss into my next point!

PORTION CONTROL. Being that diet plays into our overall physique more than physical activity (still EXTREMELY important, please do not misunderstand that!) let's chat portions! Mainly because I get this question more than not: how many servings should I get? Serving sizes are smaller than you think! There's  only a LITTLE room left for dessert, so keep from getting an upset tummy and cut that piece of cake smaller! Not only is ordering fewer servings nicer on your bank account, it's nicer to your gut. You might be surprised how much cake is left up to you to eat after an event. With that said, it is ALWAYS better to err on the side of caution and order too much rather than not enough. We all know that. Do I hear another pat on the back for a smooth transition?

What to do with leftover cake?! This is surprising to a lot of my customers. Sugar and salt are natural preservatives. Cake can sit out of the fridge for a week and still be just as tasty as day 1 as long as air keeps its mitts to itself. That's the same story for putting it in the fridge. But the freezer... game changer. 3 months! Keeping in mind that air is the enemy, wrap it tight! -especially for you sentimental couples who want to save your top tier for your 1 year anniversary. If you want to roll the dice for that long, here's some perspective. I made a spice cake for 2 consecutive Christmases. I had the new one alongside the cake from the year prior and the year old cake was actually better! Being just my second time making that cake at the time, I blame the oven, but it was better, no doubt. It is NOT A RACE to join the clean plate club. Take one bite of that cake and let it chill... literally. (Side note, cake at room temperature is king. Let it come to temp first.)

I'm honored that you're still reading at this point... honest. Was your resolution to finish what you started? Now I've got you right where I want you.

Back to my original point (no segue, sorry), resolutions can either get us to run to that finish line or leave us at the starting point. But who's to say that January 1 is the only time the starter's gun goes off? A little self motivation goes a long way but if you don't even have the energy for that, cut yourself some slack. YOU'RE HUMAN. It's never a bad time to get going again. Maybe tomorrow you start that race. Maybe you stumble and take a break after starting. Maybe you find that your resolution was easier than you thought it would be! Whatever the case, make yourself stronger, find that path of more resistance. 

Though this turned more into a diet-focused resolution check-in (I run a bakery, you should have seen that coming), at the very least I hope that can give you more perspective when you place an order. I've updated my order sheet to highlight how many servings you get with the size you have selected. I would love to hear about your experience with the ordering process if you feel so inclined to have that celebratory sweet or motivating munchy. 😜