Hey Gang,

And there goes 2014… Another year has buzzed by way too quick, but in saying this a myriad of life lessons and new opportunities have presented themselves! So let's go 2015, bring it on! On a quick side note, I want to thank you and let you all know how much I appreciate you being here and supporting my efforts and journey. It’s with you, through you and for you, my biggest lessons were learned in 2014.

My new book Good Food–Fast! was released this past month and the response has been amazing. I had such a good time shooting and testing the recipes with my team and am super proud to have put out a book that is not only loaded with beautiful images, but also stresses the importance of conscious eating. I really believe if you read this book, get a grip on good, quality, fresh ingredients and refine your cooking techniques, your food will not only taste and look better, but may even help people change some pretty poor eating habits.

It has been an incredible book tour so far: Alabama, Cleveland, Michigan, New York, New Jersey and California. Just hit New Zealand, and Australia is next up. It’s amazing and sad at the same time to see how many people either have an intolerance to gluten, have Celiac Disease, or know someone who has an issue with processing hybridized food sources. Thank you to those who have been involved and supported this project. Very excited to let you know I have started #GFF2 for launch 2015. #GlutenFree #DairyFree

I was blessed to be armed and joined by a bevy of new best friends for 2014 Chefs on Bikes Ride, who all put in the effort and miles, cycling and pitching in with their social media platforms to not only raise money, but to help spread the word about No Kid Hungry, #TeamNKH and the wonderful work that's being done in the fight against childhood hunger. It was an incredibly successful ride raising just under $25,000, and I can’t thank all the riders enough for the love and their time to this much needed cause! But this ride was just the beginning; it’s time to start gearing up and reaching out for #ChefsCycle4NKH 2015. In spring of 2015 we hope to raise a monumental amount of money and awareness for No Kid Hungry. Please keep re-tweeting, posting and donating when you can because the fight is not over until we win it and end childhood hunger in America forever!

It was another amazing, fun-filled, packed Fabulous Food Show for 2014. This was my ninth year of hosting and cooking on stage at the greatest food show in the US! OK, so I may be a little biased... However, I am definitely looking forward to the 10th Anniversary Show. It was great to see Michael Symon back, LeBron back to the Cavs, and the Browns getting off to a good start. Let's go Browns!! Over the past nine years, the people of Cleveland, the media, the great folks I work with at the Fabulous Food Show and the I-X Center, along with the great array of talented chefs, have all become just as much a part of who I am, capturing my heart, as any blood family member or close friend. I truly love the city of Cleveland and I am grateful that you have all made me feel as if I was a part of your family as well. Words cannot express how grateful I am for that.

Further, I am truly excited to be sharing the launch of Bodykey 2015 by NutriLite and Amway. 2014 was all about the inherent genetic test, and giving you the specific tools to keep on top of your weight-management goals! Always being prepared and setting yourself up for success in both life and food choices! BodyKey has been such a huge success with people making realistic goals and achieving monumental results. I am super proud of all the success and efforts. Please keep tagging me in all your social media outlets as I love to see the results and certainly want to be there to encourage you. I spent a few days filming cooking segments in Grand Rapids, MI, recently as part of the roll out for Bodykey 2015. Achievers in Vegas this year was a lot of fun, not only promoting a new product, but the burning of thousands of calories on the podium at the XS Dance Party. I must admit I’m already looking forward to a fun-filled Diamond Club in Hawaii 2015! Hope to see you there.

Not sure if you caught me on The Rachael Ray Show... What can I say? Very excited to have worked with Rachael this past year, regardless of having to get my gear off for a little cooking competition with Spike Mendelsohn! And Spike, a well deserved win, a couple more push ups would go astray my friend! You can check out the episode, Naked Cooking on Rachael’s site. Be sure to tune in to RR on Jan 8, 2015 for a another episode! Thanks Team Rachael for making me feel so welcome and loved, see you all soon.

What an awesome year it has been and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being here with me through the journey. This coming year will be about staying on track, eating well and exercise as usual, and of course working on another book! I guess if I had to leave you all with one thought to end the year and bring in the new one, it would be about making better choices, which correlate to eating habits, exercise, rest and relaxation, and snacking. Stay posted, I know I will be traveling a lot this year.

I am now with family in New Zealand but will be promoting the new book, and getting ready for the very long bike ride for No Kid Hungry. I hope to meet you all on my travels, pray you had a wonderful holiday season, and wish you all joy, peace and happiness for the coming New Year!

Until next time kids...

Cheers,

Jas