Farewell 2009

As 2009 comes to a close, it's time for Lisa-Michelle's Year In Review. But, it's also the end of a decade and my thirties. Wow!

What happened in 2009?

The economic crisis effected everyone I knew. It made my already tight budget more challenging but, having learned to live within my means the year before, I weathered the storm easier than most.

In New York, we experienced major layoffs and joblessness. We watched prices drastically rise across the board as salaries were frozen and cut. We also witnessed a new age of smart shopping.

We all got a little older. My friends and I are feeling aches and pains more than before. Ailments of the older generations are now ours. We feel the after effects from shoveling snow, raking leaves, or moving furniture.

For those of us who are fortunate enough to still have our parents with us, we've watched them get older, too. Sometimes this is harder than what we go through ourselves. It's difficult to watch them go through these changes. Dad doesn't walk up stairs or eat anything green. Mom doesn't go too far from the house, because she's afraid to leave Dad home alone for too long. It all happens too soon, regardless of when it actually begins.

We were stricken with swine flu — H1N1. I actually was the first person where I work to have (or admit that I had) it. Throughout New York City and Long Island, Purell stations appeared everywhere, and we were all encouraged to wash our hands well and often. If it was only that simple . . .

Also on the health front, I found out the hard way that I'm allergic to sulfa medications and got myself a pretty new Medic Alert bracelet. I hope nothing else comes my way, because I've run out of room on it.

Although I didn't lose weight or go to the gym more often, I feel healthier than I have in a long time. I believe good health is a balance between mind, body, and spirit.

This year, I focused on fine tuning my life's balance, along with building positive relationships and weeding out the negative ones. I was able to hone in on all that was good in my life and grow personally and professionally. My achievements this year as a coach, on the Long Island Chapter of the International Coach Federation’s Executive Board, and as a volunteer will remain special memories for a long time to come.

It's not easy to say good-bye, but several people, practices, and activities that weren't good for me were sent packing.

I certainly didn’t want to say good-bye to baseball this year, which will be remembered by another championship for the boys in the Bronx.

With the social media explosion, we reconnected with distant relatives and lost friends, and we built our professional networks. Whether we're on LinkedIn, Twitter, MySpace, Facebook, or other sites, we're connecting like never before.

I'm a Facebook junkie and love every minute of it.

Many people are making new friends online, too. I'm usually more cautious than most in this area. When I broke my “only accept people I know on Facebook” rule, I had a crash course in reality, the dangers of identity theft, and Lifelock. It turned out that the measures I already was taking to protect my identity sufficed, but the experience scared me enough to rule out entertaining any future requests.

Like never before, this was a great year for communicating. With family, friends, exes, and even current relationships, I expressed my thoughts, needs, and opinions. Sometimes with fear and other times without. The results were remarkable.

Maybe the venues available have helped many of us open up. We no longer have to confront all of our challenging situations face-to-face. We can comfortably communicate by e-mail, text messaging, instant message/chat, etc. I don’t think any of these should negate the value of looking into someone’s eyes when speaking, but they can help get a conversation started . . . or end others.

I’m not suggesting we give up on live, face-to-face conversations and moments. Some of my best memories from 2009 were times when I was too nervous to speak, when I blushed, when I looked into someone’s eyes and went weak in the knees, when I tripped over my words, and when I saw that I had a similar effect on someone special.

This year also will be remembered as a time when I was open to new experiences and allowed myself to go where my heart desired. I’m so grateful for every moment.

I’ve always lived my life with no regrets, and this holds very true for 2009, too. Every new experience I enjoyed and every door I opened or closed will be remembered well. Every smile, embrace, kiss, touch, laugh, hug, and even tear made this year a very special one for me.

As I reach the homestretch to the big 4 – 0 and beyond, I feel truly blessed to have wonderful people in my life, who make living each day worthwhile, enjoyable, and exciting.

Happy New Year

With Chanukah behind us and Christmas and New Year's around the corner, I'd like to take a moment to thank all of Countdown to 40's readers and followers for joining me in the second half of 2009. I've appreciated your opinions, support, and kind words.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas

Warm wishes to you and your families for a fantastic 2010 -- filled with good health, happiness, love, success, and prosperity.

Countdown to 40's Make a Difference Drive has raised more than $300 so far. Thank you to everyone who has joined me in the fight against hunger in America.

My Birthday Wish

Please join me in the fight against hunger.

One in every eight Americans face hunger each day, many of whom are hard-working adults, children, and seniors struggling to make ends meet. They’re turning to soup kitchens, food pantries, and emergency shelters for help.

Hunger and food insecurity exists across America and has unsurprisingly grown during the last year. Many middle class families who previously contributed to hunger-relief efforts are now in need, trying to find ways to put food on their tables and make sure their children don’t go to bed hungry.

Those who suffer from hunger aren’t too far from your door. I live near some of the most affluent neighborhoods in the country, and yet there was a 30 percent increase in Long Islanders seeking emergency food assistance this year.

You can fill both Yankee Stadium and Citi Field with the estimated number — 93,000 — of children at risk of hunger on Long Island.

With a drastic rise in the number of those in need and expected decline in corporate giving, it’s never been more important for us to help fight hunger.

For more than six months, I’ve been preparing for my 40th birthday or, as I call it, the big 4 – 0 and beyond. And, for more than a year, people have been asking me how I will celebrate this milestone.

I’ve been torn between my annual desire to get together with family and friends, and other meaningful ways to mark this occasion. Recognizing these do not have to be mutually exclusive, I’ve decided to still gather with those close to me and, at the same time, to help feed those in need.

There are many effective philanthropic organizations. Choosing one to benefit from my Countdown to 40 Make a Difference Drive was very challenging, but I’ve considered the options, especially organization effectiveness and impact, and made a decision.

Island Harvest, serves as a bridge between those who have surplus food and those who need it, supplying hundreds of community-based nonprofit organizations on Long Island with critical food support to help stem the advancing tide of hunger.

Since its inception in 1992, Island Harvest has delivered more than 60 million pounds of food. In support of its mission to end hunger and reduce food waste on Long Island, the organization is actively involved in programs to inform the public about the problem of hunger — even in one of the wealthiest regions of the country — and how individuals, businesses, schools, and commercial food establishments can make a difference.

Island Harvest is a member of Feeding America and is the largest hunger-relief organization on Long Island. By relying on volunteers, in-kind services, and donated food, it devotes 97 cents of every dollar contributed directly to its programs.

Please join me in the fight against hunger and make a donation to Island Harvest. Together, we can make a great difference in the lives of those in need. No donation is too small. Our collective gift will make a powerful impact. Whether you give $5 or $50, your contribution will be an integral part of the Countdown to 40 Make a Difference Drive’s success.

As I approach the big 4 – 0 and beyond, I’m focusing on all things 40. So . . . I’m thinking about all the amazing things that $40 can do, like feed a child for five weeks or a family for one week. Wow!

Contributions made in honor of my birthday will be grouped, but the amounts of your gifts will remain confidential. In other words, I will be informed of the names of individuals, companies, and organizations who contribute — without the gift amounts.

We’ll be able to see the total drive results, which I’ll regularly post on Countdown to 40 and on our Facebook Cause page.

Our gifts have the opportunity to make an even greater difference. For every $850 collected, we can sponsor a food rescue truck, which will bring approximately 40,000 pounds of perfectly good food to Long Island.

Making an online donation to the Countdown to 40 Make a Difference Drive is easy at Island Harvet’s donation page.

• For “Purpose of Gift,” select “Other”
  
• Leave the field that reads “Name & address of person donation is for” blank
  
• For the field that requests “Event Name/Details,” enter: Lisa-Michelle’s CT40 Drive
  
• Enter the gift amount, and click on “Donate” to continue
  

You can also mail a check or money order, made payable to Island Harvest, to: 199 Second Street, Mineola, New York, 11501. Please indicate your contribution is for Lisa-Michelle’s CT40 Drive.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

For more information about Island Harvest, visit www.islandharvest.org or call 516-294-8528.

Information for those in need of resources — and food — is available on Island Harvest's website for Nassau County and Suffolk County.

Thank you all for being part of my journey to the big 4 – 0 and beyond, and for joining me in the fight against hunger.

The Good Life

There’s nothing like Thanksgiving and a four-day weekend with family, good friends, and good food to remind us how fortunate we are in today’s world.

Like last year, I enjoyed two delicious Thanksgiving dinners, the first with my parents and the second with my god-kids, one of my best friends, and her family. I’ve learned to pace myself, have small portions, and leave room to at least taste everything at both dinners.

Kudos to Sophia for not only adapting chef Paul Prudhomme's Turducken recipe to Turken, but also creating one of the most delicious turkey dishes I’ve ever had.

In addition to great food, one of the best parts of these get-togethers is the people we spend time with. It doesn’t matter that I see almost all of them every week. Holidays aren’t the same without them.

Growing up, we always had large holiday gatherings with most of my mother’s family. I have great memories of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family laughing, enjoying great food, and relishing the moments. These memories will stay with me forever, even as new ones are created.

Having Friday off was tremendous — not only to recuperate from devouring two complete Thanksgiving dinners. I was able to get the car inspected, have the oil changed, and do all of my errands without any pressure. Since I wasn’t considering even looking in the direction of any retail store or trying to take advantage of Black Friday sales, I enjoyed a relaxing, productive day.

As an added bonus this year, one of my best friends, who now lives halfway across the country, visited over the weekend. We got together with a couple other friends and enjoyed a relaxing Saturday afternoon of girl-talk and catching up.

As I get ready for the big 4 – 0 and beyond, I’m glad to be reminded of what’s important and how I’m truly blessed. I’ve been fortunate to live a good life and am forever grateful.

Thanksgiving: The Complaint Department Is Closed

Why do people complain so much?

Because they can? Because there’s always someone to listen? Because in our culture, people prefer to hear about negative things instead of positive?

Everyone can't be as unhappy as they seem. Can they?

Every year, I look forward to Thanksgiving. It’s always been my favorite holiday. There’s so much about this day to like: family, friends, food, time off. Did I mention food?

But, what I love the most about this day isn’t about any of that. I love what this occasion does for people. Somehow, it opens our hearts and minds to see the good in our lives and give thanks for our blessings.

For some, this feeling will only last one day. For others, it will last at least through New Year’s.

It’s perhaps the only time of year that people realize that no matter what they’ve been through, there are so many others who have had a more difficult time.

Lisa-Michelle’s Top Ten Reasons To Be Thankful

I'm alive.
I'm healthy.
I’m free.
I’m employed.
I live without want.
I'm blessed with great friends and family — both near and far.
Technology helps me reconnect and stay connected with people I care about.
My dad survived three small strokes, which probably saved him from having a major one.
My year has been filled with love, excitement, and new experiences.
I learn something new every day.

I’m also thankful to be able to share my journey to the big 4 – 0 and beyond with all of you.

Thanksgiving Prayer

May this time of year find you and your family in good health and good spirit, as we come together to thank God for our blessings.
May the years ahead be your best and brightest, filled with good health, happiness, love, success, and prosperity.
May we have the strength to pursue justice and peace, especially for those who cannot do so themselves.
May we cherish the holiday season, enjoying the company of good friends and family.
May your Thanksgiving tables overflow with scrumptious dishes and be surrounded by warm hearts.
May we remember to give thanks and count our blessings throughout the year, focusing on all that is positive and good.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

What are you most thankful for this year?

Cats, Bees, and Sulfur! Oh My!

Add another allergy to my list. This time it’s to sulfur, or at least sulfa antibiotics.

Finding out I’m allergic to sulfur/sulfa was just as much fun as finding out I’m allergic to cats and bees. All three times, I found out by having dramatic reactions.

OK, discovering the dust mite allergy was no picnic, too. But, the reaction wasn’t anywhere in the vicinity of life threatening.

Why do some of us have allergies and others don’t? Why are some serious and others not? I have no idea.

The cat allergy hampers my life the most, and the dust mite one is the most annoying.

I can never go to someone’s home that has a cat. I miss out on parties and get-togethers, can’t visit certain friends and relatives, and sometimes can’t pay shiva calls (visit mourners’ homes).

I’m not sure why, but it seems that a lot of people have cats these days. I tried desensitization, but the cat allergy is so severe that I would need an indefinite amount of time to continue treatment without any guarantee of success. For nine months, I received weekly shots and almost always had allergic reactions during the treatment without making any progress. I gave up . . . at least for now.

Relatives, friends, and camp counselors were more afraid of my allergy to bees than me. After the first reaction, during a hike at sleep-away camp, a doctor told me these calming words, “Don’t worry. Do what you need to do, and if you’re not dead within the first two minutes, then you’ll be fine.” Sure, you may think this was a little bizarre to tell an 8-year old, but it worked.

Now, I can add sulfur/sulfa to my list. What a painful, ugly way to find out that one’s allergic to something. Swollen, burning lips. Burning eyes. Shortness of breath. Coughing. Wheezing. Aches. Fever. Chills. Rash. Blotches. Lightheadedness. Muscle pain and weakness. You name it; I had it.

For those who know me, it’ll come as no surprise that I always read the pharmacy instructions and precautions with every prescription. It doesn’t matter if I’ve already had that particular medication or how mundane the situation. I read every word on those slips. During the time I was on the medication, I was able to decipher between common side effects and serious reactions that required medical attention.

Don’t get me wrong, I also owe a great deal of thanks to my mom, my boss, and some good friends and colleagues for pushing me to get urgent care. Thank you all!

And, what’s another allergy at this point? At least it’s not to ice cream, cheesecake, bread, steak, or potatoes.

I’m adding this to the strange chapter of health-related concerns of 2009, which I hope to close and never revisit. I’m fortunate each incident ended well, but I’m looking forward to a healthier, uneventful 2010.

Who loves a Monday morning quarterback?

No one!

Do you come in contact with people who always know better than you?

These same people can’t wait to give you their opinions and negative feedback . . . after a project is complete. They’re also scarce when you need a hand or advice.

I like hearing people’s suggestions before and during a project. I truly believe in the Chinese proverb, “When three people walk down the street, one is always learning.” (Thanks, Francis.)

I also enjoy growing from constructive criticism and feedback about areas for improvement. There’s always room for growth and achieving better results.

I’m sometimes challenged by what to do with those people who are involved with a project, don’t share their ideas and suggestions during its implementation, and only offer negative criticism when the project is complete.

After seven months of hard work, the Long Island Coaching Alliance held our first major, public event on Sunday, November 1. So much of the event was a great success and, at the same time, there naturally was room for improvement.

The chairs, three other members of the Executive Board and I, all dedicated much of our free time for seven months to ensure the event would be as successful as possible. We also tried to enlist the help of others and were thrilled that so many people stepped up to the plate.

Many thanks to my fellow event chairs, members of the Executive Board, keynote speaker and award recipient, panelists, and all of the Long Island and New York City coaches that participated in the event.

As it was our first event on this scale, we met with several bumps in the road during our journey. That said, most of the feedback was better than I expected, and I’m grateful to those who shared their positive remarks and constructive criticism.

I am, however, surprised and disappointed by the response I got from one of my thank you notes. The person found it appropriate to point out the things he decided we didn’t do.

I guess he forgot that these were the things we asked for his and everyone’s assistance. I guess he also forgot about the other things he agreed to do, but never followed through on. I guess he didn’t feel it was necessary to share suggestions during the several months he was involved in the event preparation.

Maybe he’s the kind of person who prefers to stand by the sidelines and watch others fumble, instead of offering valuable input during the game. 

Well . . . another Monday morning quarterback isn’t what any of us need.

Let's talk about sex . . . really.

Sex, Sex, Sex! If Cosmo can talk about it, so can I!

What could be on my mind at this stage of the game? For goodness sakes, I'm turning 40! Actually, I'm officially 39.75 today. 

Haven't I figured out everything I need to know?

Well . . . It seems to be that the second fascination people are having with my imminent change in demographic group is my sex life. Maybe not my sex life, but that of a woman approaching the big 4 - 0.

There seems to be a great difference in opinion as to whether "it's going to get even better" or "it's all downhill from here." Yikes!

Of course, with all the questions and comments, there are now a few things on my mind . . .

• Whenever I hit my sexual peak — at 40 or later — how long will it last?
  
• After the peak, does it have to be downhill from there?
  
• Is a woman's sexual peak all about hormones and their levels, or is it more about her frame of mind?
  
• Will I know when I'm at my peak or only realize I had it once it's gone?
  
• Am I supposed to be doing something about this?
  

I hadn't thought about sexual peak since high school health education. Forty, which was the age I thought was associated with it for women, has always been a lifetime away.

For most of my adult life, I've been fortunate to have had good relationships with a shared healthy appetite in the bedroom. OK, OK, OK . . . not only in the bedroom. (I can say that. I'm almost 40.)

It's funny now to look back on all these years. At every stage, I thought I reached the best point, and it couldn't get any better. Then, a few months or so later, I'd be amazed at how wrong I was. I vividly remember being in love for the first time when I was almost 21 and how I thought I hit the jackpot. My, oh, my! But as time passed, I realized that was only my first pot of gold.

As I talk with my girlfriends who are about my age, give or take some years in either direction, I realize how diverse we are when it comes to matters of the heart and intimacy but, at the same time, we all feel that we haven't hit our peaks yet and don't really know when to expect them or what they'll really be like.

Trying to find a little peace of mind, I searched for some much needed answers, only to learn there are more differences of opinion than I ever imagined.

So . . . Here are some of the interesting resources I came across:

• Sexual Health with Dr. Ruth: Am I Past My Sexual Peak? 
  
• Consumer Health Digest: The Thirty Year Old Sexual Peak
  
• The Sexual Peak of a Woman: Myth or Fact
  
• Sex and Pleasurable Difference Between Sexual Peak and Erotic Peak 
  

For the record . . . even after all my research, I haven't found definitive answers to any of my questions. I guess I'll have to accept this, too, as one of life's wonders and learn as I go.

How will I celebrate the big 4 - 0?

Everyone wants to know . . . How will I celebrate the big 4 - 0?

Ummm . . . I don't know.

People's fascination with whether I'm going to throw a big party, travel to one of my dream destinations, or hide under the covers has made me realize the importance others associate with this particular birthday, similar to 10, 13, 16, 18, and 21. And, I guess 50 and 65.

OK. 

Since I celebrate every birthday and many half-birthdays, too, I guess I didn't expect there to be such an interest in this aspect of my journey to the big 4 - 0 and beyond.

Now, all the questions and suggestions have gotten me thinking about it.

I'm pretty sure I won't be hiding under the covers, unless I'm sharing them with the man of my dreams.

And, I won't be traveling this year . . . unless I finally win the lottery.

So, that leaves throwing a big party. Right?

How big?

A few days ago, I started to make a list of people I'd invite and to ask myself lots of questions. Who do I want to share this moment with? Who do I think possibly wants to share this moment with me? Is this party for grown ups only? Do I include family and friends in one gathering?

Well . . . I think I have more people on this list than I had at my bat mitzvah, so in the words of my ancestors, "Oy vey!"

What number would I reach if half my family and friends weren't scattered around the world?

Do they do 40th birthday parties at Madison Square Garden or Yankee Stadium? I'm sure they do, but that's not in my budget.

More importantly, is a big party for a few hours really what I want?

Sure, they'll be pictures to post on Facebook. LOL. But, will this create a milestone memory I'll want to keep forever?

No, I don't think so, and I already did that at 30.

Hmmm . . .

The more I think about it, the more I want to do something meaningful. Something worth remembering.

I already have some ideas, but I haven't hit the nail on the head. So . . . I'm turning to you.

Help me find something interesting, meaningful, and fun to do for my 40th birthday, where I can involve 50 to 150 (or more) people between the ages of 4 and 80.

If I choose your idea, I'll not only give you credit, but I'll also send you 40 home-baked cookies.

Post your idea here by Friday, October 9, 2009, or send an e-mail to lisa-michelle@acetherace.com. 

Things to consider: 

• My birthday is in January, and I live in New York. In other words, it'll be very cold outside.
  
• I'm deathly allergic to cats.
  
• All venues must be wheelchair accessible.
  

Thanks, everyone. I can't wait to read your ideas!

Sweet Recipe for Success

Ever wonder why some people are successful and others aren’t? I do.

I’m not talking about lottery winners. I’m talking about people who work for it and make it, or even make it big.

The approach to the big 4 - 0 and beyond has me thinking about a lot of things, including areas that people look to me for guidance and support.

So, why do some people achieve what others only dream of?

First, let’s recognize that success means something very different to each one of us. Not everyone is looking to be a CEO or the next Oprah Winfrey.

Second, I think we can agree that those who achieve great things have a keen vision of what they’re trying to accomplish and where they’re going.

Next, regardless of the goal, the path to success is paved with a well thought out plan, which considers the best routes, bumps in the road, and alternatives. It also explores how to address weaknesses and challenges.

Finally, a real victory can only be achieved through dedication and hard work. Even though you may have some lucky breaks in life, you’re going to have to earn your success.

Sweet Recipe for Success

• 1 part Your Definition of Success
  
• 1 part Vision and Focus
  
• 1 part Strategic Plan
  
• 1 part Hard Work and Dedication
  

Whatever you’re trying to achieve, I wish you all the best.

I’ve received a lot of requests to share more recipes, so here’s another one to enjoy with my Sweet Recipe for Success.

It’s So Easy Cranberry Cobbler

• 1 can Whole Cranberries
  
• 1 can Crushed Pineapple, Drained
  
• 6 McIntosh Apples, Shredded
  
• 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
  
• 2 cups Oatmeal
  
• 1 1/2 cups Unbleached Flour
  
• 1 1/3 cups Brown Sugar
  
• 1 cup Butter or Margarine, Softened

Preheat the over to 350º F. Mix the fruits with the cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients with the butter or margarine. Grease a 13” x 9” pan. Place half the oatmeal mixture on the bottom of the pan. Spread the fruit mixture evenly in the pan. Crumble the remaining oatmeal mixture on top. Bake for 40 minutes.

Enjoy!

If boys will be boys . . .

Men should be men.

No?

At what age do we stop excusing a man’s behavior under the guise of boys will be boys? 25? 30? 35? 40? 45? 50?

Stop me when I reach the magic number.

I always find it amusing when a friend of mine justifies a man’s poor behavior based on the excuse that boys will be boys.

Now, all of you men who are reading this don’t take immediate offense. If this doesn’t apply to you, then move on graciously . . . like a man would.

As I prepare for the big 4 – 0 and beyond, I’m taking a look at many things, including what I find acceptable — and unacceptable — in the way I’m treated by a man.

No, I don’t believe there’s only one way to behave. If that was the case, then life would be incredibly predictable and boring. I merely have expectations for how all people should treat one another, along with what I think are reasonable suggestions for those starting or involved in any relationship.

• Show me respect, and show me that you want it, too.
  
• Be honest.
  
• Have an opinion — and share it.
  
• Stand up for what you believe.
  
• Mind your manners.
  
• Listen, and be heard.
  
• Be kind to those around you.
  
• Don’t be afraid of me.
  
• Take charge (when appropriate).
  
• Keep your inner child without being childish.
  

Once someone has mastered those 10 steps, we can talk about more advanced lessons. 

I’m a lucky lady. I’ve always been surrounded by good people and inspired by great role models — men and women alike. I know we’re all capable of treating each other well, if we’re so inclined.

So, no more excuses for either sex.

I’ll continue to allow boys to be boys . . . but expect men to be men.

Who are you calling lazy?

Have I reached the peak of laziness? No! I'm just striving to live a balanced life.

As I get ready for the big 4 - 0 and beyond, I’m doing more to simplify many areas of my life, making some things easier and freeing up time.

This year, my mom and I are sharing the preparations and cooking for the Jewish holidays. She knows I love to cook and bake, and I’m usually very happy to go it alone. She must have been surprised when I accepted her offer to help out. Remembering my mom’s great cooking, I also was secretly waiting with great anticipation for these meals.

After we finalized the menu and split the dishes to prepare, I found myself — for the first time — thinking about shortcuts in the kitchen. I knew they existed, but I haven’t been a fan.

In recent years, I’ve been amazed at the amount of shortcuts used on cooking shows. It seems like most of our celebrity chefs are teaching us how to open up a can, just add water, and mix in a few extras. Staunch food snobs like myself have turned up our noses and declared these ways not on par.

But, I’ve reconsidered and am admitting I’m wrong. There are ways to save time in the kitchen and still produce healthy, tasty, and economical meals.

I’ve been helping people live balanced lives for more than 10 years. We focus on time management, commitments, lifestyles, levels of importance for activities, positive and negative implications, and realistic expectations.

As my own responsibilities and commitments grow over the years, I regularly evaluate my life’s balance and make adjustments. When I do this well, I feel good and thrive in all areas of my life.

Finding acceptable shortcuts to prepare my favorite dishes is a great alternative to losing my coveted time in the kitchen. It’s win-win all around.

Many of you have asked me to share some of my recipes on Countdown to 40, so I’ve chosen this opportunity to introduce the first one.

Lisa-Michelle’s No-Time-To-Spare Potato Kugel (Potato Pudding)

• 1 Bag (30 oz.) Ore-Ida Country Style Hash Browns Shredded Potatoes, Defrosted
  
• 6 oz. (1/2 12 oz. Bag) Frozen Diced White Onions
  
• 2 Teaspoons Minced Garlic
  
• 6 Eggs, Beaten
  
• 1/2 Cup Unseasoned Matza Meal
  
• 1 Teaspoon White Pepper
  
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
  

Defrost the shredded potatoes overnight in the refrigerator. If they’re not fully defrosted, spread them on a cookie sheet while preparing the rest of the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Brown the onions and garlic in a nonstick pan with cooking spray or a drop of olive oil. In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients well. Grease a 13” x 9” pan, and add the potato kugel mixture. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes till golden brown.

Enjoy this dish and having more time for whatever you want or need.

Best wishes to you all for a healthy, happy, good, balanced, tasty, sweet, and successful year.