A well-balanced diet of legumes, grains, and a variety of vegetables is your best defense in maintaining optimal health and to treat a variety of conditions. Too often doctors are quick to prescribe pharmaceuticals which often only serve to mask conditions rather than treat the underlying causes of poor health, not to mention the side effects which can lead to more problems.

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There's nothing quite as comforting as a hot bowl of homemade soup on a cold winter's day, and if you're looking for a simple and hearty soup with a little kick, this aromatic cream of potato soup with shiitake mushrooms is seasoned with green curry paste for a delightful vibrant and zesty flavor. I make my own green curry paste from scratch as it is easy to make and lends an unbeatable fragrant freshness and pungency to the taste experience, but if you opt for a storebought paste to make things even easier, just taste ahead of time to adjust the seasoning in the soup to your own preference for heat.

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After the holidays, with much rich fare on our menus, many of us are craving lighter meals. With January tempatures, warming soups are a natural choice. And, lighter meals can be just as satiating, as this bowl of comforting mushroom soup with nutty kasha, wild rice and potatoes, along with herbs and aromatic spices illustrates nicely. With the addition of creamy coconut milk and some red lentils, this is a balanced bowl of goodness. For a particularly satisfying and filling meal, serve with some crusty bread, such as Rustic Sun-Dried Tomato Bread or Rustic Herb and Olive Bread with Reishi.

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Whether you observe Christmas or another religious or cultural holiday, or just an opportunity to take some time off work, this is a season for celebrating family, friends and — of course — food. With cherished traditional recipes and tantalizing displays of elegant dishes and treats, food plays an important role in our observance of Christmas, from a special family breakfast through to the snacks passed around during the day, and finally to a memorable dinner.

Over the years I've created treats and meals for my own loved ones at Christmas, and I'm so happy that they have become as cherished to themselves as to me. Friends and families of vegetarians such as myself often have to forgo or add to earlier Christmas food traditions out of necessity, but one of the purposes of my cooking for friends and family has been to show them that vegetarian food can be just as rewarding an experience on special occasions as it is for everyday eating. One of my greatest rewards is to find that they themselves have discovered that Christmas traditions can grow and change through time without any loss of flavor or delight.

I cannot serve my treats and dishes to you, my readers, as much as I would like to. But I hope that sharing the recipes with you will provide you with inspirations and ideas that will add to your own Christmas eating and entertaining experiences, and make your holidays a time of sharing wonderful food as much as sharing time with the most important people in your life. Most of all, I hope that each and everyone one of you have a very warm and blessed Christmas.

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