[Glossary below.] My mother z”l hardly ever threw out food. I think she managed this by serving five meat meals during the week. On the three “fleishig” weekdays, she transferred meaty leftovers from one main meal to the next. Whatever leftovers couldn’t go in a main course were recycled in the … [Read more...]
What Hostess Gift Do You Like Best?
September 7, 2009 by
My husband and I host guests regularly and have received our share of appreciative gifts. I do not invite guests in expectation of any gift, and as long as you make an effort to be pleasant, to the best of your ability, you are welcome in my house. If you don't know what to bring, don't have time to … [Read more...]
7-Minute Low-Fat Microwave Cheesecake
May 24, 2009 by
My friend Annette first made this cake for me almost 13 years ago when I was re-hospitalized with a newborn. I kept it in the hospital refrigerator and it was good for several meals. Now my kids fight about who gets to make it for Shavuot. The topping is optional but I wouldn't skip it unless you … [Read more...]
Dairy Chocolate Sourdough Cake for Shavuot
May 21, 2009 by
Cheesecake is traditional for the upcoming holiday of Shavuot (Pentecost) next Thursday evening. But if you're looking for something easy and different, you can try this single-bowl cake recipe from Joy of Cooking. Though the recipe calls for sourdough starter, you don't need to let the batter … [Read more...]
Empathy, Mother-Guilt, Shabbat, Career Skills, Anger, and Idleness
May 20, 2009 by
RaggedyMom showed me this CNN story about developing children's social maturity. In a fourteen-year study, the preschool children of mothers who described a picture using emotional language showed more empathy and better social skills when they got older. It is important to encourage children to … [Read more...]
More Frugal Strategies, Breastfeeding in the Summer, and Haveil Havalim, and Childcare Choices
May 18, 2009 by
I wrote about keeping babies hydrated in hot weather at Green Prophet. Squawkfox compiled a list of the best frugal advice from 41 bloggers, dividing them into categories and adding eye-catching graphics. You can see them all here. And in the spirit of frugality, Batya at me-ander presents the … [Read more...]
Making A Sourdough Starter
May 17, 2009 by
Everything I know about sourdough I learned from Mimi at Israeli Kitchen, expert on wine, mead, yeast, and all things fermented. Any errors are mine alone. Last year I made a sourdough starter. I managed to keep it alive over the course of the year and used it up just before Passover. Most … [Read more...]
Post Pesach Tips
April 16, 2009 by
Here is a summary of post-Pesach tips that I posted two years ago, updated for 2009. Make a list of what you ate. Mine reads something like: Went away for Shabbat. Ate 7+ kg of matzah, 60 eggs, 2/3 liters of oil, 120 potatoes. Make sure to have enough peanut butter in the house for before and … [Read more...]
Pesach and Wasting Food
April 9, 2009 by
Cross-posted on DovBear. Jonathan Bloom at Wasted Food writes about throwing out food in advance of Passover: I can’t criticize religious or cultural practices that cause food waste, but I will say that not all Jews throw out or burn their leavened foods each spring. There are different levels … [Read more...]
A Vote of Confidence
April 7, 2009 by
When I mentioned that I needed to take the meat out the freezer on Monday to allow it to defrost in the refrigerator, my 5-year-old suggested that I put it outside the window like she had seen the neighbor do. I said it was safer to use the refrigerator. Then my 19-year-old spoke up. "Other people … [Read more...]
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