The Chinese New Year starts Feb. 3, and this is the year of the rabbit. 

Whether you had a Tiger Mom or not, there's nothing stopping you from adopting a celebration with good food and traditions and trying something new.  We live in a multicultural world from our pop culture and fashion to our food and family traditions. 
Whether you are looking for new foods to sample or a good reason to order take-out, local food blogger Lilly, of Consuming Lilly, guides us through some traditional foods for this holiday. 

Dumplings and spring rolls represent gold (they are golden in color) and are good luck.  Food that is served as little packages represent wealth.  Tangerines are lucky because they are round and golden and fish is eaten because it symbolizes prosperity. 

Chinese Malaysians often have a salad of raw fish, crunchy noodles and pomelo.  Sticky food is another New Year's food tradition that has been told to "make good luck stick" or keep the family together.

On Wednesday, Feb.9, the Fox Library is having their own version of a Lunar Chinese New Year's celebration at 5:00 p.m.  The year of the rabbit will be welcomed with crafts, music, a parade, delicious food and the like.  Dessert will be done as a pot luck so bring one of your own favorite sticky or sweet treats. 
Where can you go in town for your Lunar New Year feast?  Jade Garden will serve up a feast in a very friendly atmosphere.  Sun's Kitchen has an inexpensive selection of more American-style Chinese food and is perfect for takeout or delivery on a snowy day.  Little Q Hot Pot is great for your long noodles which represent a long life.  The hot pot is warming and soothing on a cold winter's day.  Little Q also has traditional Chinese food for takeout or dining in.  Chef Co's is right in town with the option of dining in, taking out or delivery.  The food at Chef Co's is Cantonese and Szechuan. 

So whether you cook with your Chinese mother, cook with your Chinese-American friends, take out a cookbook at the library to cook with your "other-cultured" friends or family, or head to your favorite Chinese restaurant, 新年快乐.  Happy New Year.