We're pretty food-focused here at Food Network (surprising, right?), so it's only fitting that our New Year's resolutions are, too. From using new kitchen tools to eating more cheese, here's what we hope to achieve in 2019:

Bake more — yeah, you heard us, that's right.

I need to be completely honest; I usually don’t make New Year resolutions, because it’s a rarity that I actually keep them. This year, however, I’m aiming to turn a new leaf and stick out my resolution for the remainder of 2019 (or, at the very least, for a few months). My resolution is a bit more on the unconventional side, though. Instead of cutting sweets out of my diet entirely, (I think my body would literally shut down on me if I tried), I’ve resolved to try my hand at baking more, instead of buying bakery box after bakery box of frosting-covered treats. Though chocolate chip cookies will undoubtedly be added to the mix, I’m going to try to stick to healthier recipes, like these zesty Lemon-Chia Seed Muffins from Food Network Magazine and this swirly low-calorie Marbled Banana Bread (pictured above) from Food Network Kitchen. Who knows, maybe I’ll do such a good job, I’ll make the same resolution again next year!
— Michelle Baricevic, Online Editorial Coordinator, Food Network Magazine

Master family recipes in the Instant Pot.

After seeing all the craze about the Instant Pot in 2018, I’m planning on (finally) jumping on the bandwagon and getting one in 2019. I want to explore recipes that I would normally shy away from because of the time factor (like my dad’s homemade Cuban black beans) and now could make in a fraction of the time thanks to pressure cooking in the Instant Pot!
— Gabriela Rodiles, Social Media Specialist

Commit to trying 52 new recipes in 52 weeks.

Cooking new things is the name of the game in my kitchen this year, and I am taking the "52 new recipes" track: one new recipe each week. I noticed that in 2018 I got very comfortable in my cooking routine and as a result have not been learning, growing, or evolving as a cook. Since the word "culinary" is in my job title, I should probably change that. Secondly, would I be a true Food Network staffer if I didn’t say that I am looking forward to experimenting with some of those recipes in my new Instant Pot? If you can’t beat ‘em…
— Larisa Alvarez, Digital Culinary Producer

Actually pack lunch and save that cash.

My 2019 food resolution is to stop buying lunch at work! I am trying to meal prep all of my lunch ahead of time to save money and stay healthy.
— Jordyn Rosenberg, Snapchat Associate Producer

Conquer the Whole30 — and face how there's sugar in, like, everything.

I am starting 2019 with a healthier lifestyle by doing the Whole30 Challenge. I started on the 1st and it has been difficult. My sugar cravings are insane! I am also cooking all my meals and reading labels of everything. Who knew so many products had sugar? Even chicken stock! This challenge is really helping me how to eat clean and notice how much junk I have mindlessly ingest in the past.
— Vivian Chan, Culinary Producer and host of Viv's Tips

Pursue my passion (for cheese).

You know those people who go to a party and inevitably hang out by the appetizer table all night long? I’m kind of one of those people — provided there are cheese and crackers on the table, that is. I’m really into cheese. Like, really. I consider it a hobby, as I love learning about the different milks and molds, various aging times, pairing options, etc., and I’ve even gone to cheese school to discover more. But I’ve gotten away from it in the last year for one reason or another, so in 2019, I’m promising myself that I’ll try one new-to-me cheese per month. (Tough work, I know.) Maybe I’ll serve it on a fancy cheeseboard like Ina does, or maybe I’ll just eat it with a knife on my couch in my PJs. Either way, I’m excited to see what I find.
— Maria Russo, Senior Editor

Stop doing laundry (there's a food hook here, keep reading).

My resolution is to stop doing my laundry so I can cook more. Let me explain: It’s easy to say "I’ll meal prep a week of dinners" or "I’ll bring my lunch to work every day," but the first step toward accomplishing those goals is being realistic about the time they require. Extra time won’t just appear out of thin air — you need to re-allocate time you’re spending on something else and learn to protect your free time. And for me that means officially being OK with paying someone to do my laundry for me. I live in New York City, and that means I go to a laundromat. One trip easily eats up two hours, and leaves me too tired to even think about grocery shopping, let alone researching recipes and prepping more than one meal at a time. But if I drop my laundry off and have it done for me, I get that time and energy back. It’ll cost me about $20 — $30 extra each month, but I’m sure I’ll make up for it by not resorting to take-out meals as often as I do now — and my health will thank me too.
— Lauren Piro, Senior Editor

Say "so long" to takeout.

I’m all about meal prep and big batch cooking for the new year — my resolution is less takeout and fewer scrounged cheese and cracker "dinners." So I’ll be making more fridge-friendly dishes like Mushroom Barley and Ina's Wheatberry and Farro Salad that I can top with an egg or mix with greens for supper. I’m also determined to make my Instant Pot pay for the countertop real estate it’s costing, so lots of chickpeas, black beans and easy to freeze dishes like Instant Pot Whole30 Chicken Tikka Masala and Instant Pot Beef Stew are on my list.
—Lygeia Grace, Director, Culinary Editorial

Related Links:

Fresh and Delicious Recipes That Are Whole30-Approved

Our 50 Most-Popular Healthy Recipes

Must-Try Instant Pot Recipes