In My Kitchen Feb 2026

It's time for February issue of In My Kitchen. I'm joining Sherry of Sherry's Pickings where anyone can join in and share what's happening in their kitchen.  

Last month I bought a few more bowls and matching dishes. There is a company called Potters Studio and I just love their dishes. Whenever Homegoods gets a few pieces, I grab them. These are so cheerful. I've been using them all month.

I've seen other food bloggers share recipes using jackfruit. I saw this bag at Whole Foods and decided to give it a try. I have not tried it yet. Not sure what I will do with it. When I know I'll be posting the recipe.

I like to keep a few butternut squashes on hand. I enjoy roasting them. We usually eat one each week. 

I love this canister . I store tea bags in it and it's so pretty. 

I bought a bag of organic frozen strawberries to make strawberry sherbet which is very easy to make in the food processor. I use frozen bananas and frozen strawberries. You can see a similar sherbet recipe that I made using just tangerines. 

I made the sherbet using the bag of frozen fruit and my food processor. It came out smooth and creamy and is best eaten immediately especially with a few chocolate shavings on top. I did freeze some leftovers in a plastic cup. It was a little hard when I took it out of the freezer the next day, but it thawed somewhat quickly and was able to be enjoyed too. 

This water bottle was a gift from my SIL Danielle. She purchased a water bottle from LULU Lemon and had my Url realfoodblogger.com and my name etched on it. 

This is the strawberry sherbet that I made using the frozen strawberries. It was really delicious, and I topped it with a little coconut granola for my husband. We were eating sherbet before the temps started dropping significantly. Now we are drinking hot tea and eating hot soup. 

We had company one night and a friend brought this vegetable tray for the table. It contained cucumber, tomato, broccoli, olives, chickpeas, beats, hearts of palm, and avocado. I loved her presentation.

The municipal building in Sunny Isles Beach gives out calendars every year to the residents. Each month displays a photo of the area taken by a local resident. It's a fun calendar to have and useful as well. I look forward to getting one each year. 

31 Degree Cold Spell in Miami- Rediculous

This has to be one of the coldest Januaries I can remember in South Florida. It's been in the 50's and 60's most of the month but this coming Sunday morning, temperatures are expected to dip down to 31 degrees—yes, 31! The photo above  is of my friend feeding the sea gulls on our morning walk about 7:30 AM when the temperatures were around 50 degrees.

Comfort Food: Bean and Lentil Recipes for Snowy Days

It's been cold ( but not snowy here) and I'm Looking back through my blog at some of my older bean and lentil recipes. It feels a little like I am flipping through an old photo album. I’ve been blogging for 16 years now and during that time my recipes have naturally evolved right along with the way I eat and cook.

Book Review-Into The Magic Shop

                                              

I highly recommend the book Into the Magic Shop by James R. Doty.

It’s one of those rare books that reads like a simple, engaging story while quietly teaching about our brain and thoughts along the way. I never felt like I was being “instructed,” yet as the story unfolded, the lessons naturally sank in.

Years ago, I read Jonathan Livingston Seagull, a book with a powerful spiritual message, and later The Greatest Salesman in the World, which did the same. Into the Magic Shop belongs in that category for me. It’s an easy, approachable read based on the author's memoirs with a straightforward story that I found carried deep and meaningful insights.

What makes this book even more compelling is the author himself. James R. Doty, MD, was a renowned neurosurgeon and former professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. His background in science and medicine gave the book an added level of credibility for me, while his personal life story was interesting and touching.

The subtle information that he shares doesn't feel theoretical—It's grounded in his own experiences and his deep medical training and  understanding of the human brain.

The book offers practical tools for calming the mind, opening the heart, and cultivating compassion and resilience. 

As I read this memoir, I found myself naturally reflecting on my own patterns of thinking and behavior, noticing how small shifts in awareness and intention actually can make a difference in our experiences.

This is the kind of book you finish feeling inspired, reflective, and quietly changed—with insights that stay with you long after you turn the last page.

I've been under a lot of stress lately- this book was just what I needed.