Irv and I have jumped back into our busy routine at Fresh Picks working hard to bring more fresh healthy food to Chicago. Fortunately, I still have that centered, glowing energy that allows me to truly believe I can change the world, or at least make a difference in people’s stomachs.  And it comes from starting the year with family and friends in the kitchen. As our son Miles and his multiple college friends emerged from rooms and couches on New Year’s Day, Irv was already at the stove making pear crepes with Beethovan’s 9th Symphony blasting throughout the house. As we all gathered for the first meal of the day, one charming 19 year old said this was the most dynamic breakfast he had ever had. We all toasted with the cheer “Go forth and do great things in 2010″!

Next, it was my turn making a nourishing turkey soup from the stock in the freezer, adding local carrots and cabbage. It’s so great how my daughter Lia loves cabbage when it’s in soup. It was a perfect compliment to the watching of football and jigsaw puzzle making in the afternoon. Before dinner would take over the stove, there was time to make pumpkin pie from a beautiful pumpkin from Vicki at Genesis Growers in St Anne, Illinois. And then, we started  the making of stuffing for the whole chicken, chopping vegetables  and cutting potatoes to roast. The smells and good company filled our house all day. Every breath and every bite gave us nourishment to start off the year with happiness and strength.

We wish you all success and good things in this new year!