The Jewish New Year begins at sunset next Monday. That means that it's time to prepare.

Rosh Hashana is time for a wonderful meal for family and friends, using the bounty of the fall harvest.  It's a great time to braise meat (traditionally brisket) with wine and fall vegetables. 

It's traditional in many places to celebrate the new year with aples dipped in honey to symbolize the sweetness of the new year. Alternatives are a lovely apple cake or wedges of apple with caramel dip (you can substitute yogurt dip to reduce calories).

If you want something similar but with an unusual twist, try doing something with figs.  Fresh figs are sweet and flavorful, but not as overwhelming as dried figs, in my opinion.  This summer, I has a wonderful appetizer in a New York cafe.  It was bruschetta (basically, thinly sliced and grilled Italian bread) topped with a mixture of ricotta cheese and chopped figs.  They might have added a smidge of honey and some almond extract.  It was heaven.

Even more important than food, begin now to review your schedule between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.  Try to eliminate anything unnecessary – meetings, errands, and other distractions.  The Days of Awe are about having time for quiet and self-reflection.  It's hard to do that if you're running around trying to accomplish a week's worth of work every day.  Pare away everything you can, set the VCR or DVR, and enjoy some quiet each day.  Maybe write in a journal, take a long walk, reflect on the past and prepare for the year ahead.