NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER

by JOHNNY TAN

Happy December, everyone! It is that time of year to reflect on and celebrate all the moments that brought big smiles to our faces and, at the same time, a huge sigh of relief. For me, the past 11 months have been a true roller coaster ride. The good news is that whenever I find myself at the lowest point, I know it is only a matter of time before I rise back up again to the top.

The first thing that comes to mind is how time seems to pass much faster as I get older! By the way, if you haven ' t experienced this feeling, you will, as weeks and months start to speed up your to-do list, trust me! When I think about the various memorable experiences, especially the bad ones, they quickly fade into the past as lessons learned, eventually becoming positive memories. Needless to say, the good encounters I have had motivate and inspire me to recreate them in the coming year!

2025 began with a wonderful opportunity. Since my original book, From My Mama’ s Kitchen ~ ' food for the soul, recipes for living,” received the Mom’ s Choice Award in 2010, I was invited to speak on the“ What’ s Cooking Stage” at the American Library Association National Convention in Philadelphia during the last weekend in June. This timing was perfect to launch the 15th Anniversary Special Edition of my From My Mama’ s Kitchen ®

4 | Inspirations for Better Living • December 2025