Finding Yourself Friday: Preparing for the Jewish High Holidays

This past Thursday night, @MamaDramaNy hosted a twitter party all about Rosh Hashana. Within a few minutes, the recipe sharing was epic. Not only that, but the sharing of how we think about these holidays was discussed as well. We may each celebrate these holidays differently, but at the end of the day we all want to have a Good Year! We all want things to get better. This Sunday evening at sundown, the gates of heaven will open up and our prayers will go up to heaven. While we never really know when our prayers will be answered, there is always somebody out there that may be praying for something else too. Our prayers are answered at different times, but they do all go to somebody. I find myself this Friday, in the midst of my kids playing with 3 additional kids (oy, my house) thinking of the joy and seriousness in the days ahead. Why not eat something? That always helps, right?

Even with all of the seriousness, there is tremendous joy and celebration. That can come through in the getting together with friends and family over delicious, symbolic, dishes. I’ve compiled a list of some of the blogs and websites that have some fantastic Rosh Hashana recipes. I know that I missed tons of them, so, If you have some links to share, please include them in the comments below.

Esti’s Rosh Hashana Recipe Recommendations

I just love what Levana Kirschenbaum has to share over at http://www.levanacooks.com. Take one look at her ingredients list and keep those in your pantry this holiday season and beyond. Her recipes are always healthy and made with whole foods!

Other places to find some Rosh Hashana recipes from right from your mobile or your computer:

Joyofkosher.com

I just heard of this one today, looks really wonderful and especially nice for #glutenfree families Gluten Free Canteen

Two great women from Atlanta have the latest and greatest trends in Kosher cooking over at http://www.koshereye.com KosherEye.com

Let us not forget to check out http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/rosh-hashanah/

Some inspiration with zest can be found in this recent article over at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/14/rosh-hashanah-recipes_n_1881949.html

Whether you are celebrating Rosh Hashana, or just a huge fan of dipping apples in honey (have baby wipes near by), from all of the contributors over here at primetimeparenting.com, L’Shana Tova

 

Manischewitz New Year, New Products Giveaway

I recently wrote about how much cooking will be taking place this coming week with Rosh Hashana starting Monday evening, September 16. The images of my family getting together and the smells of mom’s matzo ball soup, brisket, and apple crisp wafting from the kitchen are my most treasured memories. Let us not forget the iconic Manischewitz bottle of wine for Kiddush as well.

Fast forward 35 years and I am preparing (with the help of my husband) a Rosh Hashana meal for my family. As I have grown, so has the array of products from Manischewitz. What I once thought of as just the brand that makes matzos and wine, Manischewitz now has products that are perfect for holiday meals and everything in-between. Not only that, they have products that contain ingredients that are healthier.

I am giving away (2) packages of these new products and the details on how you can win are below! Here is a list of some of these new products for the New Year:

Manischewitz(r) new Turkey Broth joins the full line of broths which include Chicken, Low Sodium Chicken, Beef and Vegetable.  These broths are kosher, contain no MSG, and are fat-free.

Manischewitz(r) All-Natural Gravies are made from a delicious, home-cooked recipe.  The flavors include new Turkey which joins the three original varieties: Chicken, Reduced Sodium Chicken and Beef.  Not only is it the only all natural, kosher gravy on the market, but it’s healthy too!

Jason’s popular line of coating crumbs now include Cornflake Crumbs, another answer to consumer demands for “better-for-you” products.  A good source of fiber, the delicious, crunchy coating will revitalize a number of meals and add a contemporary flare to any kosher kitchen. Featured on the back of each can is a delicious recipe to make and share with others.
Manischewitz Organic Matzos, recognizing the recent Organic craze, has just been pulled out of the oven.  It is a perfect option for those health-conscious consumers!

Some other great items for any time of year:

Manischewitz(r) Gluten-Free Cake Mixes are great for anyone needing gluten-free options such as those with Celiac Disease, which affects nearly 3 million people. The Gluten-Free mixes come in Yellow and Chocolate, both with a baking tin for convenience, and a delicious chocolate frosting.

Guiltless Gourmet Crunches are a new deliciously addictive snack from the Guiltless Gourmet line.  These all-natural crunches are bite sized snacks packaged in a re-sealable pouch, and available in three flavors; Toasted Almond Crunch, Roasted Cashew Crunch, and Berries & Cherries Nut Crunch. They are great snack for traveling as well!

Manischewitz(r) Mediterranean Matzos are full of flavor featuring rosemary, oregano and olive oil.  These flavors offer a delicious new option for those looking for matzos with distinct taste that is so good it can be enjoyed at any time of the year! I love putting some hummus on top, yum!

Manischewitz(r) Mediterranean Gefilte Fish adds a tasty twist that distinguishes it from traditional Gefilte Fish with the flavors of Rosemary, Oregano, and Olive Oil.

Get inspired by these delicious recipes at www.manischewitz.com, including entrees, appetizers, sides and more.

Please leave a comment below with your favorite Manischewitz memory for a chance to win! Contest ends on Thursday, September 13, at 1159pmEST.

For more chances to win, share this GIVEAWAY on FACEBOOK and TWITTER and let me know that you did in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The opinions in this post are my own. I did receive the products mentioned above in order to try them out.

A Sweet New Year With The ‘Cherry Heering’ On Top!

I never knew how important it was for me to marry a man that can cook until I married a man that could cook. He even bakes challah and all of the birthday cakes in the home! With a marathon of Jewish holidays in queue, he has already started to plan out the meals. Yes, a ‘marathon of Jewish holidays’. This coming Sunday evening, September 16 will be Rosh Hashana; 2 night meals and 2 day meals. September 25 is Yom Kippur; 2 night meals. Otober 1 starts the holiday of Sukkot; 8 night meals and 8 lunch meals. See what I mean?

Again, I am very thankful that my husband can cook! This year, we decided to make our meals and the celebration of the Jewish New Year even sweeter with a couple of bottles of Cherry Heering Liqueur and Cherry Heering Coffee Liqueur. You may know this brand from one of those family get togethers when you were a kid, like my husband did. Whether you knew about this brand before, or just learned about it recently (that would be me), here are some new ways to serve it up this Jewish New Year:  

The Perfect Hostess Gift
Your friends will be inspired to either pour it over ice and drink it after a meal (my husband loves this).

A Cherry Heering L’CHAIM
Orange Dessert
Drizzle Cherry Heering over cut, fresh oranges.

Cherry Dessert
Serve your Rosh Hashana guests a shot of Cherry Heering in a cordial glass.

Coffee Brownie Blast
Drizzle Heering Coffee Liqueur over a warm chocolate brownie and serve.

Ice Coffee Cream
Serve up a cup of PAREVE (non-dairy) ice cream and drizzle Heering Coffee Liqueur on top.

Now, doesn’t that sound good? What great ways could you think of to serve Cherry Heering Liqueur or Heering Coffee Liqueur this Rosh Hashana?

About Cherry Heering
Since 1818, HEERING CHERRY LIQUEUR has been a fashion accessory, adding extravagance and civilization to the mix of some of the most legendary cocktails of all time, including the original Singapore Sling.

HEERING CHERRY LIQUEUR contains only natural ingredients including Danish grown cherries. No additives or artificial colouring. Swirl with ice, lean back and chill. Heering Cherry Liqueur is the original “Cherry Brandy” CONTAINS NUTS.

For nearly two centuries, the world famous HEERING CHERRY LIQUEUR has helped to create some of the most legendary cocktails of all time.

Today, HEERING COFFEE LIQUEUR continues the tradition by delivering a rare blend of laidback Caribbean Rum, dark coffee and rich cocoa.

Only natural ingredients, no additives or artificial colouring. Pour it on ice and chill.

For more recipes, got to http://www.heering.com
You can also find them on FACEBOOK and TWITTER.

Disclosure. The opinions in this post are my own. I was supplied Cherry Heering Liqueur and Coffee Liqueur to review.

How Sweet It Is

I love receiving emails about new Kosher food products. I especially love receiving information about Kosher food products that are sweet and natural! I fell in love instantly with Coffee-mate Natural Bliss, an all-natural and KOSHER flavored creamer. This product was introduced just as the food bloggers were posting their sweetest Rosh Hashana recipes on facebook and twitter.

Naturally, I thought of this creamer in my coffee. When I tried it I was thrilled with the soothing texture and sweet taste. Natural Bliss is much more than a coffee creamer . It can also be used as a substitute for cooking and baking KOSHER dairy meals.

Natural Bliss is made with four simple ingredients; milk, cream, sugar and all-natural flavor and is available in Vanilla, Caramel, and Sweet Cream.

I am thinking about breaking my Yom Kippur fast on this delicious Pumpkin Spiced Smoothie. Are you in?

PUMPKIN SPICED SMOOTHIE

Recipe courtesy of Claire Robinson, 2011

1 ½ cups Ice

1 (6 oz.) Low-fat coffee yogurt

1 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice

1/4 cup Coffee-mate Natural Bliss Sweet Cream

Instructions:
COMBINE ice, yogurt, pumpkin pie spice and Natural Bliss in a blender and blend until smooth.

Have an easy fast and a Sweet and Healthy New Year!!

Disclaimer. I received samples of Natural Bliss to try. I did not receive any other compensation and the opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Save 15% on EdibleGiftsPlus.com This Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana is just a week a way and Jewish families from all backgrounds are making plans to get together. There are just as many families that can’t get together. If you want to share some sweetness with those not at your table this year, consider sending them a Rosh Hashana gift from EdibleGiftsPlus.com. I just love the College Care Package!!

Primetimeparenting readers can use “primetime15” to receive 15% off of your purchases from EdibleGiftsPlus.com.

Rosh Hashana- College Care Package- L’Shana Tova U’Metukah ($45): http://www.ediblegiftsplus.com/product_p/kcp-roshcollege.htm 

So Many Ways To Celebrate Rosh Hashana In Queens, NY

If you and your family are not members of a Synagogue or will be staying in Queens this Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, you are not alone. Queensmamas.com, a site I contribute to, just posted a list of places in Queens and surrounding areas, where you can participate in a Rosh Hashana and/or Yom Kippur service near you.

What’s Cooking In Queens And Beyond This Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are less than 13 days away. This is hard to believe, and even harder to come up with the time necessary for all of the preparations. You know the drill, or like me, maybe you didn’t until you had to make your first Rosh Hashana meal for 20 people as a newlywed.

Spending Time With Ourselves

I am so thankful to have married an incredible mensch with an incredible family attached. We are gearing up for a visit with my in-laws today. They have decided to drive up to Queens to spend the next couple of days with us. The kids loving spend time with their grandparents, something they do not get the chance to do as often as they should. We live in different states from both sets of grandparents and just getting  together for Sunday brunch is not always an option. I love that when our grandparents do get a chance to spend time with the grandchildren, they do very special individualized activities. One of the best activities is when they read books together and I love that! We also love the opportunity to eat at a restaurant together.

My husband and I are the only members of our immediate family that keep the strict laws of kosher. We do this both in and out of our home. As a result, it is a challenge to just go out to a restaurant and grab some lunch when visiting our family near their homes. We love the chance to take them to some of the great kosher restaurants in our neighborhood. We have decided to go to one of our favorite Shwarma and Falafel stops tonight, Pita Hot! Another very special event happened today!

I started the day early and for the first time in a very long time I recited the morning blessings.

This is a beautiful way to start the day and especially since we are in the month of Elul, new beginnings are encouraged! First of all, if you are not familiar with Elul and why it is a month of renewal, here is a short explanation for you.

Elul-What a great and meaningful time of year and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Elul, is the name of the Jewish month that we are in right now. Elul is a month also known as a time of repentance, as the Jewish people prepare mentally for the upcoming Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur just a couple of weeks away. The Aramaic (the vernacular of the Jewish people at the time that the month names were adopted), the word “Elul” translates to “search”. This is extremely appropriate because we are encouraged to search in ourselves for where we have been this past year and where we want to go in the year to come. I really love this time of year because we are all encouraged to reach out from our own lives and look at how we have treated our fellow friends and family. We are also encouraged to apologize and ask for forgiveness. Even the sweetest friend will come right out and say sorry. You know we all have friends like that!

Let me just start out my saying I am sorry if I have hurt or dissed any of you in any way. Now, that feels better. It is normal to ask for forgiveness even if you are not sure what you might have done wrong to a friend or relative. For more information on Elul and some of the Jewish customs Jews take on during this month go to Jewfaq.org. Elul is in the air and I have decided to really focus on meaningful things and I started out my day by reciting the Brachot Hashachar (morning blessings).

When I recited the morning blessings this morning, I felt so much more focused than I had in a very long time. When I mention focused, I am referring to the very essential things in life that busy days of rushing off to car pool does not allow me to acknowledge and appreciate. This morning, I felt that I gave proper credit, recognition and praise to G-d for giving me intelligence and understanding and providing a world in which to live. I also felt great that I could thank G-d for creating me as a human being and as Jew, and for the simple things in life, such as our senses, our bodies, and our freedom.

A Shmooz With Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler, and Gloria Kamen, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother”

 

A Shmooz With Jill Zarin, Lisa Wexler, and Gloria Kamen, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother”.

 

When I heard the title of this book I thought about two things. My own Jewish mother,my sister, and matzo ball soup. That is why I am so excited to interview Jill and Lisa (sisters) and Gloria (their Jewish mother) on Blog Talk Radio. Their book, “Secrets of a Jewish Mother” is flying off the shelves, as moms of all backgrounds can relate to the wisdom of a Jewish mother. What is a Jewish mother, or family get together, without a bowl of fluffy matzo ball soup? Join me and Beth Rosen as we find out what Jill, Lisa, and Gloria serve-up for their regular family get togethers, especially during the High Holidays in the fall and at Passover in the springtime. Book Description: The Jewish Mother knows what she wants. And what you should want too. In Secrets of a Jewish Mother, you’ll learn how to make her methods your very own, and as result you’ll give and get of love and happiness in great amounts. In what could be thought of as the Jewish Mother’s Guide to Life, Jill Zarin, the breakout star of Bravo’s hit series, The Real Housewives of New York, teams up with her sister, Lisa Wexler, award-winning host of daily radio program The Lisa Wexler Show, and her mother, the estimable Gloria Kamen who made a splash on Jill’s series last year. Secrets of a Jewish Mother shows readers that being clear about what you want is the best policy, and standing up for yourself and your family is always the right way to go. Using real life examples, stories from Jill, Lisa and Gloria, this mother/daughter trio reveals their secrets to life, love, and happiness.

And, remember, a lot of love and a little matzoh ball soup never hurt anyone. Happy Early Mother’s Day!