The new year is knocking and I struggle to grasp how the earth spins so quickly. In my quest to slow things down just a little I turn to my kitchen. We all love instantaneous gratification, but there are few things more gratifying than home cooking. Even if it takes a little longer to get dinner on the table, it's time well spent! Invite the kids and follow along on a fun kitchen adventure. Whether you're into planning menus in advance or would rather whip something together with pantry staples, you're in the driver's seat. Break out the new calendar and start fresh. It's going to be a sweet '16! What a wonderful time to turn over a new leaf, start a new habit, break a bad one.

Some people build long lists of things they truly want to change, while others have trouble sticking with one resolution. As I ponder the myriad possibilities for new year’s resolutions, I concocted my own list from various sources of inspiration. In this new year, I decided on a collection of 16 popular resolutions. Sounds a little daunting. But I quickly realized that this long-ish list of goals could all be accomplished with one simple action.

Want to save money? Lose weight? Spend more quality time with loved ones? Cook. Cooking for yourself instead of eating out saves lots of money. Cooking for yourself, with fresh ingredients, can be instrumental in achieving a healthy weight. What better way to spend quality time with family and friends than sharing stories over a home-cooked meal? And I think we'd all agree, the family table is the perfect no-phone-zone.

Come along and discover the true joy of cooking. According to my great mentor, the late writer Laurie Colwin,“What you want is an enormous return on a small investment. Almost the only situation in which this is possible is cooking.” Count me in!

Sixteen Resolutions for a Sweet '16, a brilliant plan for bringing cooking into your daily routine

Save money
Travel more (cooking brings the world to your kitchen!)
Stay happy
Buy local
Find your love
Start a hobby
Help others often
Slow the pace
Keep on learning
Eat five new foods
Grow a simple garden
Spend more time with loved ones
Lose weight
Cut out processed foods
Do something out of your comfort zone
Plan everything

Stop in daily for ideas and recipes that will help make this year the sweetest ever.

Happy New Year and HAPPY COOKING!