Fresh Local and Best Top 10 in 2010

2010 marked a turning point in a sequence of tough years for my husband and I.  We, along with the rest of the world, were grappling with one of the worst recessions in history, one that for better or worse brought us to New York City in early 2009. Amidst a flurry of big changes in our lives, there are three big events that made 2010 a memorable year.




Truffle Week
First, the Truffle Week with Culinary Getaways, which in retrospect was one of the best decisions in recent memory, if only because it will be the last worry-free vacation for years to come as we prepare for the arrival of our first baby. It was also a trip that reinforced one of my belief that life is so much richer with accumulated experiences and knowledge of other people and cultures. When you learn their differences, you see how similar we all are.  Because of this trip, I have sought out several French and Italian food blogs to continue to gain deeper insight to the way other people live.



Back to Work
The second event was my reentry back to work. This has been one of the big events of 2010 that I am most grateful for.  Each day I wake up to a new challenge and work with bright and quirky people doing something that I absolutely love, writing and editing reports about events around the world.

Our Biggest Surprise
The biggest news for 2010 was learning that my husband and I are going to be parents soon.
We are both very excited, although it has taken some time for us to wrap our heads around how much our lives will change. We may not fully understand what it means to be good parents, but we both promise our best efforts to raising and loving this little person, although I'm sure the latter will be effortless.

2011 New Year's Resolution
The prospects of our little bundle of joy has pre-empted several of the obligatory New Year's resolutions such as losing weight, getting more sleep and exercising more. I suppose I could try to gain weight in a healthy manner or get more sleep until our cute little alarm clock arrives, but honestly I wouldn't have committed myself to any of the traditional resolutions anyway because those are lifestyle habits that have been established over time.

Interestingly, since I've been pregnant, I've needed less encouragement to become more organized or go to the gym. I find myself obsessively ironing out pillow cases, T-shirts and kitchen towels, and these days I stay on the treadmill for as long as my schedule permits. On a side note, I think I also may have gotten better at math. I know really weird, and I can't explain it.

My new year's resolution is to write more creatively, clearly and prolifically. Oddly, this resolution also relates to the changes that occurred since I became pregnant. One of the first cues that something was different was my inability to articulate clearly, basically my brain turned into mush. Overnight I experienced difficulty with recalling appropriate words and constructing proper sentences, which is an odd experience for someone who writes and edits for a living.

I hope that this effort will translate into developing a more interesting reading experience for this blog. Of course, I won't close this first post of 2011 without some highlights from 2010.


Top Posts of 2010 (by traffic)

#10 Classic Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Recipe

#9 Truffle Hunting in Provence
Journey a land where the earth breeds precious nuggets of black gold, where men roam furtively to uncover such treasures, and where secrets to such an odyssey is passed on from one generation to the next in discreet whispers.

#8 The Dirty Dozen: A List of Fruits and Vegetables to Aim for Organic
The 12 most pesticide contaminated fruits and vegetables.

#7 Pastis French Restaurant New York & One of My Most Embarrassing Moments
I think the review on this  trendy European-style bar and restaurant in the fashionable industrial Meatpacking District, became popular because of the embarrassing story that ensued. You'll have to read to understand.  It really was one of the most horrifying moments of my life, and there have been plenty of them.

#6 Truffle Mushroom Risotto
I used the Italian truffle oil to create a savory white truffle mushroom risotto. And with just a little dash of this naturally infused white truffle oil, this humble rice dish was instantly transformed into a luxurious meal.

#5 Le Bernardin Top Dining Experience In NY
If there is such thing as the best restaurant in New York, without a doubt I would say Le Bernardin. Few restaurants in New York have garnered the solid reputation that Le Bernardin has achieved, and even fewer have been able to maintain the consistency of quality that this revered establishment has sustained since its opening in 1986.

#4 Truffle Lunch At Le Jardin Du Quai
It's not hard to see why people are so curious about Chef Daniel Hébet's restaurant, the food is so beautiful.

#3 Zested Lime Cilantro Quinoa Salad
The dressing in this recipe is bright but tame, and when combined with a variety of herbs and a vegetables, the salad strikes a well-rounded balance that celebrates the flavors of summer.

#2 Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Rolls Recipe
Versatile, refreshing and satisfying, Vietnamese Spring rolls are one of my favorite summer recipes.  The combination of fresh crisp vegetables, comforting rice noodles, and fresh brightly flavored herbs all bundled into a cold roll makes this an ideal healthy recipe to keep in the refrigerator for an appetizer.

#1 Falling in Love with Rosemary Chicken
Tender, succulent,  fall-off-the-bone chicken with a rustic smoky and savory rosemary white wine sauce.

Happy New Year everyone!