Winter Food: A little of this, a little of that
As is often our way, food and relaxation are good for us, and to share. Here's how our meals are evolving, in part thanks to our good friend, Jack Lirio, retired from owner of culinary schools, world food traveler, and continuing an active life in Hawaii.
Winter is a good time to cook
I do it by starting with the classic, mirepoix combination of onions, celery, and carrots, all chopped fine and sauteed slowly in olive oil with or without added butter. From there I make soups and stews. Whatever vegetables are fresh in the stores, plus added canned tomatoes are the ingredients I use to make minestrone soup, vegetable soup, chicken noodle soup, and more, all depending on what's in my kitchen and what sounds appetizing.
Then raw or blanched (slightly cooked) vegetables make a good appetizer with olive oil as the dipping sauce, even hummus.
Simple food is nourishing this time of year
Enjoy food with the best type of ingredient, that is with family and friends, along with the occassional rich holiday food as well. Its the combination that works well, with enjoyment and good healthy results too! Sounds like a reasonable new year's resolution

A Design to Living: when who and even what we have around us matters.


Is it a year gone by already? Yes is the answer each year as so many of us ask with unbelievable reality -- time flies by. The notion of time within the context of our own personal lifestyle, it is indeed something precious to use wisely for living fully.
With individual differences seen in the way we carry that out, there is the spirit filled notion of giving to others, being kind, and the golden rule, in contemporary expression: be good -- to yourself and others, we are one people.
If furniture, accessories, and art matters at all, it is as a reminder and stimulator to remind us of the past and future of our lives. Yes, something from the Roman era is beautiful next to something quite modern. This can be a thoughtful reminder of creativity, of evolution of social and economic politics, and it can be just quite simply beauty and tranquility in our lives.
We wish all of us a wonderful new year, one based on goodwill, one where we notice the beauty of the world and work towards creating that in a kind work or gesture as well as more in our lives in 2012.
Who do we want around us? Reconnect with family, good friends, and be inclusive by inviting others into our lives, the new people in our town, the older person left alone, the delightful person at the shop we frequent. Worry less about status and more about spirit. Well, that's the orientation we are taking, and we invite you to do the same with what ever is your form of generosity.
Let's live well, and be kind to others in the same way.
With Aloha, Roger and Richard