Share Your Joy With Others

A few days ago, I took a Knife Skills One class at the Institute for Culinary Education here in Manhattan.  Three hours of learning how to hold, use and chop, slice and dice.  There were only 5 of us in the class and you could hear a feather drop for the silence and concentration in the room.  I emerged from the class with new-found skills, all 10 fingers still attached to my hands and just blissful - I've always wanted to take a class such as this one.  I have been telling many of my patients about the experience and viola!  So many of them have taken the exact same class or have participated in many of the school's various courses.  We've laughed and shared our common passions and the joy of exiting the everyday world for three hours of bliss and 'opening the box' of our minds.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you've done something 'out of your box' and it gave you joy, share it with others.  You'll be surprised how much common ground you have with complete strangers who might share the same passions and joys.  Spread the joy today with others...everyone will smile!

Farm Fresh is Best

Over the weekend, I visited a different farmer's market and what a truly pleasant surprise it was!  The Rock Hill Farmer's Market (Saturdays from 10am to 1pm) in Sullivan County, NY, is a grassroots, artisinal market, just like any small village in the South of France.  Fresh goat cheeses and yogurt, so creamy and fresh....it all tasted as if it were made the day before.  Home grown chickens ready for Saturday or Sunday lunch; and all the beautiful fruit and produce - colors bright and vibrant; the aromas of these just-gathered items bombarded all my senses.  The baker's breads and sweets were so fresh and lovely; I regretted that I wouldn't be home for another day or so to purchase a crusty just-baked farmer's bread.  The scene was painterly and I was welcomed by the organizers and thanked for participating at their communal market.  I left with a big bag of goodies to take home and very excited to take a photo to share with all my friends.  I couldn't stop talking about this little market to everyone I met over the weekend - unlike other farmer's markets, this one in particular, reminded me of a lovely little market me and my friends would attend each Sunday outside the village of Isle Sur Sorgue.  It brought fond memories of lazy, peaceful Sundays, delicious and fresh lunches and lazing around under the blue summer sun of Provence.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  I'm taking some time today to roast my vegetables, make a creamy cauliflower sage soup, and transform my lovely tomatoes into savory sauces to stash away for the long winter months when we craves the colors and scents of summer.  The nutritional value of just picked produce, fresh dairy, fish and meat products, and homemade products just can't be beat.  If you have a farmer's market near you, support the local little guy.  You might pay a few dollars more at the end of the day, but there's nothing like a mother's love and a homegrown just-picked tomato.  Your health will benefit, your meals will be tastier and you will have become a part of community and sharing.  You'll walk away from the market with a smile on your face and will have made some new friends...what could be healthier and happier than this?

The Seasons Are Changing, So Switch It Up!!

Wow!  It's 65 degrees this morning in Manhattan!  There's that certain crispness in the air that smells and feels like an indian summer could be on its way.  This time of year can make me sad as I say 'a bientot' to my favorite season, summer, and try to psyche myself into thinking positively about the freezing cold, drab, grey Manhattan winters....oh how I despise the absence of color, wearing heavy clothing, and the bitter cold!
Well, what's a doggie to do????  I've decided to make some good use of my freezer space and beginning this weekend, I'm going to buy lots of fruits, vegetables and herbs and begin freezing them.  There's nothing like lovely nectarine tarts in January, or warm peaches to sweeten your hot oatmeal or...how about peach pie in February!  Tomato-basil sauce can be quite nice on a cold December day.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  There are lots of great goodies to be had at your local farmer's market.  Make good use of your basic kitchen tools and your freezer...learn how to store some fabulous and nutritious items in your freezer for a cold, dreary day!  If you aren't sure of how to freeze and store (or if you're ambitious...canning is an option) fruits, vegetables and herbs, log onto the foodchannel.com, cookingchannel.com or williamssonoma.com.  At these sites, you can read all about freezing, canning and conserving for free!!!!