In this issue

As the days breeze by in the next new weeks, getting lost in the chaos of it all is an all too real risk. Much as we’d like to enjoy the spirit of the season, getting stuck in 3-hour traffic jams and fighting over the last few parking slots in mall just makes the joy and cheer disappear as fast as our bonuses fly away from our wallets.
Yes after year, I often remind myself that the point of this season isn’t making sure we have the grandest meals or the best gifts. While the spirit of giving is a good thing to have, it can quickly turn into spirit of commercialism if we’re not careful. Spending so much to celebrate one or two days seems wasteful, and for the many who barely make ends meet, the commercial side of Christmas can even be a source of frustration and envy. The point of the holidays is to celebrate Christ’s birth with loved ones. While there is nothing wrong with spending a little extra and preparing something a little more special to share with family and friends, we also need to step back and see if we’re simply celebrating an important day in the Christian calendar or if we’re getting sucked into the well-oiled Christmas machinery. We don’t hear Christmas songs starting in September by chance. It’s a way of conditioning shoppers for the coming spending spree.
Let this year be the start of a simpler, more meaningful Christmas for your family. For those who know me personally, they’d know that Christmas of one of the busiest times of the year for me. Last year, I decided to start selling roast turkey for the holidays and Christmas came and went in a blur. While the financial rewards are great, setting limits and learning to say no or “sold out” means that I can still have the time and energy to enjoy festivities and so will the people who help me in my small seasonal business.
I wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember, it’s never about what we have at the table, it’s who we share it with.

COOK MAGAZINE Magazine Description:

Being the oldest monthly culinary magazine in the Philippines, Cook Magazine continues to evolve and adapt to the interests and demands of our readers and supporters. We at Cook Magazine pride ourselves with providing our readers and advertisers practical, kitchen-tested recipes from our country’s top chefs and food experts, local and international dining destinations and food-related features and event partnerships. We look forward to leading the way in sharing our love of food for years to come.