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Last week I said goodbye to my 18 year old son at the airport as he departed for Israel. He will attend a year long Yeshiva study and army prep program in Israel. He has also decided to make Aliyah and join the Israeli Army. It is amazing how life comes full circle. I made Aliyah on my own when I was 21 and joined the Israeli Army too! Although I missed my parents very much, I had no idea how difficult it was for a parent to say goodbye to a child for an undetermined amount of time until now.
Treasure your family as they will always be your jewels and true wealth
As a mom, teenage boys tend to drive you a bit crazy! Food items never sealed and/or put back in the fridge, doors left open, lights and TVs left on. Herds of teenagers raiding my pantry and fridge of all of the snacks, loud music and late nights, very late night. Sleeping late, very late, and being defiant and overly opinionated seemed to overshadow the wonderful person that he has become. A true mensch and good soul who loves his family, his heritage and Israel. Disciplined and regimented with fitness and healthy eating, babysitting his younger siblings, leading committees for Israel at school and being a great role model and leader in general for his siblings and peers, and even for his parents.
Sometimes we become so stressed by our busy daily life that we forget that all of the things that we have most wanted in our life are actually the loved ones right there next to us. Saying good-bye to this amazing young man, who has never left our home for more than 5 weeks since birth, it was the hardest thing I had ever done. I had no idea what this would feel like, until now...
All of our children teach us very valuable lessons. Sometimes we get too caught up in the fact that we are older and wiser than they are, and that we have to teach them. What I have recently and profoundly realized is that our children, all 5 of them, teach my husband and me lessons every single day; lessons of how to be a better person; how to forgive; how to never quit; how to reach for your dreams; and how to look at the world as a glass half full. Each child is so different, yet each so special, and a true give from G-D.
My advice to every mother and father is: Don't ever take your children for granted, even for a second. Look for the positive attributes that they possess and spend time with them, one-on-one time, each one of them, no matter what age they are. I am in my 40's now, and even I need my mom and dad!
Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) is right around the corner. Schedule a date night with your spouse and special time that you set aside for each child, your family is one of the most precious gifts that you have been given. Treasure them and the entire family will be happier and healthier.
Please check out the article that I have written about the "power of the family table." This is my New Year's gift to you. I have practiced this for years and thank G-D that we have been blessed with great and well-adjusted children who value their faith, health and family first.
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The Power Of The Family Dinner Table
When I was growing up, dinner was very important.
My father and mother would always ask, "How was your day?" We would connect as a family and bond. My parents would use the dinner table and tucking us in at night (even as a teenager!) as a way of showing us that they cared. If my dad had a late night at the office, and we were still awake, we would be asked to hang out with him and my mom before we went off to bed. As a parent I realize how powerful that was in shaping who my three brothers and I have become today. Most people do not realize the true power of the family dinner table...
The Family That Eats Together ...
Recent research has shown that carving out time for a family dinner is one of the most powerful indicators of healthy, happy and well-adjusted kids.
In the past few years, a host of studies has emerged claiming that eating dinner as a family can provide serious benefits for children. In 2005, research at Columbia University's National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) found that the number of children who report having dinner regularly with their families was on the rise--about 58 percent, up from 47 percent in 1998--and that children who experienced family meals were less likely to be tempted by marijuana, alcohol and other drugs, and less likely to smoke cigarettes. A 2000 survey at Harvard Medical School revealed that nine- to fourteen-year-olds who ate dinner with their families usually consumed greater quantities of healthy fruits and vegetables, and less soda and fast food. They were also more likely to accept new foods that their parents offered them and to make healthy food choices on their own. For girls in particular, eating dinner with parents has been shown to correlate with a reduced risk of crash dieting, having distorted body image, or using aggressive weight-loss methods.
The CASA study also found that kids who shared dinner with their families were 40 percent more likely to get good grades in school. Researchers at Vanderbilt University even found that dinner table conversation among families was the best predictor of children's linguistic and literary development, with advanced language abilities coming from families who ate dinner together more often and whose conversations were full of questions, jokes, storytelling and interaction.
Listen, Share and Chew
It doesn't matter if you sit down to a roast made from scratch or Chinese takeout. The important part of eating together isn't actually the food. What counts is taking the time to sit, talk, engage with your relatives, forming stronger family bonds. Many experts think that the idea of family dinner just shows that families who are functional enough to come together and eat are simply more well adjusted in the first place, and thus more likely to have intelligent, well-adjusted kids. Especially in the adolescent years, parental involvement is another big predictor of healthy children, and eating family meals is strongly correlated with parents who are involved and active in their kids' lives. Families that make eating dinner together a priority are also more likely to value reading, education and enriching experiences. It's also possible that kids who have dinner with their families have less unsupervised time to get bored and into trouble.
You Can Make the Time
Of course, many parents would never intentionally reject the opportunity to have dinner with their children, but the problem most busy people encounter is that kids have school and extracurricular obligations and parents may work late, so the priority at the end of the day is simply to get everyone fed as quickly and easily as possible, not to take the time to plan and execute a complicated meal. If you'd like to make it a goal to enjoy more family dinners, begin by aiming for just a couple of group meals per week, and eventually increase the number once you've gotten in the habit. And it doesn't count if all the members of a family choose their own food and gather in front of the television--everyone should share one meal, staying away from distractions. Parents.com recommends starting by turning off the television and the computer and silencing all cell phones.
The meal doesn't have to be an elaborate, organic, locally sourced feast, either. If you don't have enough time in the evening to cook from scratch, don't be ashamed of taking some cooking shortcuts to get dinner on the table and conversation flowing. Reduce stress by planning weekly meals ahead of time and doing the prep work on a day when you're not rushed, even gourmets and foodies get take out once in a while (or once a week!)
I will be creating an exciting new section on the website soon that will address quick and healthy family dinners and freeze ahead options for amazing meals that will save you time, money and make your life a lot less stressful. Look for it after the Jewish holidays!
When our first two children were very young, at our family dinners we would always ask, "How was your day honey? They would mostly answer "So and so was mean to me and school was boring, etc," until one day at a parent/teacher conference a brilliant and inspiring teacher suggested that at dinnertime, instead of asking "How was your day,?" ask a more positive question. Instill a more positive attitude in your children by asking what was the BEST part of your day. Most nights my husband would ask that question and it really did turn the entire family around to a more positive frame of mind.
CASA's 1998 Teen Survey found that teens that eat dinner with their parents twice a week or less were four times more likely to smoke cigarettes, three times more likely to smoke marijuana and nearly twice as likely to drink as those who ate dinner with their parents six or seven times a week.
CASA's 1999 Teen Survey found that teens from families that almost never eat dinner together were 72 percent likelier than the average teen to use illegal drugs, cigarettes and alcohol, while those from families that almost always eat dinner together were 31 percent less likely than the average teen to engage in these activities.
Research by other organizations has shown that teens who frequently eat family dinners with their parents are less likely than other teens to have sex at young ages, get into fights or be suspended from school, and are at lower risk for thoughts of suicide. Frequent family dining is also correlated with doing well in school and developing healthy eating habits. This pattern holds true regardless of a teen's sex, family structure, and family socioeconomic level.
In tables all across America, people traditionally gather together to give thanks on Thanksgiving. If you are an observant Jew, you are fortunate enough to enjoy the Sabbath each week with your family. DO NOT let that be the only time that your family sits and communicates and shares a meal together! I would like to remind you that the dinner table is not just a gathering place for holidays and Shabbat.
I invite you to take this information to heart. This is not to make you feel guilty, nor is it meant to promote my website. It's meant to help you understand that underneath everything that you do, someone is watching you, emulating you and wanting more than ever to connect with you. Your family dinner table is the ideal starting place for making this happen. Please don't under estimate the power of dinner.
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Q: "How can I get strong odors from onions and garlic out of my wooden cutting board? "
A: As with most issues with health and nourishing your body you can also turn to nature and stay clear of unnecessary chemicals in your home for many household cleaning chores as well. A little bit of kosher salt or course sea salt, lemon or lime will do the trick. Simply cut a lemon or lime into 3-4 pieces, then rub a few tablespoons of the salt along with the cut lemon or lime all over the board, squeezing some of the juice onto the board as you scrub. Let the board soak up the salt and juice for a few minutes, then rinse and dry the board. It should be clean of any strong odor and ready to use.
Q: "Why do a lot of nuts that I buy go bad and smell stale so quickly?"
A: If nuts are not used quickly or stored properly (away from light and heat and in an airtight container) they will go rancid sooner than most people will use them. A surefire way of keeping nuts (especially raw nuts) fresh for a much longer period of time is to keep them in ziplock bags in the freezer. By doing so the nuts are always fresh to use as needed in assorted soups, (as in a lot of my vegan nut cream soups and sauces,) salads, snacks and desserts.
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Save Money and Time While Enjoying Delicious Meals With Your Family and Friends
This website is your kosher treasure map that will teach the beginner to advanced home cook how to plan and cook meals that your family and friends will cherish for years to come.
That burning question that each of us and our kids ask each day, "What's for dinner,?" will now finally be answered in a stress-free way that will bring your family closer together and save you a lot of time and money.
Karen's recipes are focused on fresh foods that are much healthier for you while being tasty and satisfying, without deprivation. Of course, that includes occasional treats and authentic dishes.
The tips and tricks that you will learn will be invaluable .
Karen will be creating videos and recipes that invite you into her kitchen to learn and have fun together! |
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Karen is a stay- at- home mother of five and an entrepreneur who has had a passion for cooking since childhood.? For Karen cooking is like a sixth sense, much like those with an ear for music can pick up and play an instrument without knowing the notes? The inspiration of her mother's and grandparents' creative and talented cooking helped form the foundation for her passion for cooking. |
From the first falafel she tasted from an Israeli cook, to the lessons from gourmet Italian home cooks and restaurant chefs, to days spent learning from her friend's mom about Hong Kong cuisine, to trips to Chinatown and living in Israel, to mastering the art of Persian cooking after marrying her Iranian husband, to lessons from gourmet Moroccan friends in Boca Raton, Karen lives and learns from every culture and is excited to share that wisdom with you.
Karen and her family decided to live an observant modern orthodox Jewish lifestyle 15 years ago. She now transforms her favorite American and international non-kosher dishes into delicious kosher fare.
After college she served in the Israel Defense Forces, married, and now devotes her life to her family, friends, faith, and love of cooking while running a thriving health and wellness business from home. Karen has taught kosher cooking classes for the past 10 years in Boca Raton with her friends, Lauren Bakst, a gourmet cook, and Lowil Stoller, a pastry chef.
Karen's recipes were featured at a dinner honoring the best chefs of the capital district hosted by the Marriot Hotel in Albany, New York. She has catered affairs up to 350 people including the Maimonides Medical Society annual dinner for over 100 Physicians at the Albany Medical Center Hospital.
She is presently working on her upcoming book, Delicious and Kosher, and is founder of the Delicious and Kosher website. |
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With the New Year upon us my resolution to get fit and healthy is in full swing. I have decided that as a busy mom, wife, blogger and entrepreneur, the absolute best time for me to fit in a daily workout is really early in the morning. I am a bit obsessed with things that are healthier for you and things that are of the BEST quality. I was recently getting my son ready to leave for a year long army and leadership-training program in Israel where he will undergo very intense exercise. We were at his favorite "gear" store where we purchased a phenomenal new water bottle that I instantly fell in love with when I borrowed it to test it out. I have not been fond of the new stainless water bottles because they freeze your hands. The salesman assured us that this bottle is special and keeps liquids cold or hot for many hours. That peaked my interest. It is double walled, meaning no freezing or burning hands, and no bottle "sweating." You will love it too! It is called the Hydro Flask.
Hydroflask bottle at Amazon |
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Kosher IsaLean? Shake - Natural Creamy Vanilla
A deliciously complete meal replacement, Kosher IsaLean Shake contains 23 grams of the highest quality New Zealand whey and casein protein from grass-fed cows with no added hormones or antibiotics, as well as filling fiber, calcium and vitamins to support your body's vital functions. IsaLean Shakes may help you slim down, while preserving and building lean muscle mass.* Designated Kosher by a leading Kosher certification agency in the U.S., the KOF-K boasts a network of regional coordinators and Rabbinic representatives, all of whom are strictly Orthodox in their personal practice and synagogue affiliation.
Benefits:
* May support your body in burning fat*
* May support increased energy*
* Highest quality of amino acids
* Exclusive source of whey and casein protein
* Supports digestive health*
* Low lactose
* Zero trans fats
* No artificial flavors
* Gluten-Free
* Wheat-Free
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Click HERE to access Isagenix
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Kid Magnet Chicken Soup with Matzah Balls*
My friend Karen in Albany, New York, where I am from, is a great gourmet cook who is originally from South Africa. We have inspired each other whenever we cooked together for a holiday or party. As gourmet as she is, her chicken soup is literally known as a KID MAGNET! Picky children who normally don't want to eat their veggies inhale this soup without knowing our little secret - the veggies are blended into the soup! I have added a few more of my favorite chicken soup ingredients like wine, dill and corn, etc. Treasure this for years to come!!
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Make the Broth: (see time-saving variation below)
In an eight quart pot place 1 chicken cut in 1/4 or 1/8, 1 large onion, and 3 bay leaves; cover with water (2/3 full)
Bring to a boil and cook for 1 ? hours. Remove the chicken and onion from the pot and refrigerate until fully chilled and fat rises to the top. Skim fat and continue making the soup.
Make the soup in a large stock pot:
reserved chicken broth
1 parsnip, peeled and trimmed
8-10 large carrots, peeled, cut into chunks
1-2 ears of corn on the cob, shucked, cut in half, when in season
2 large onions, peeled and quartered
4-6 celery stalks, cleaned, cut in half
1 small bunch parsley
1 small bunch dill
optional: 1 rutabaga, peeled, trimmed, cut in half
1 cup dry white wine
3-4 tablespoons chicken soup powder
optional: 1 zucchini, cleaned well, cut in half
pinch white pepper
salt and pepper to taste
butcher's twine (for tying parsley and dill together), or net twine bag for soup
Cook until all veggies are soft. Remove all veggies except for about 3-5 carrots and a bit of the onions.
With an immersion blender, puree the soup with the remaining carrots and onion until it is completely smooth and has a beautiful orange color. Serve with matzah balls, rice or noodles. This soup freezes very well!
Time Saving Variation: Skip the initial broth step and proceed to the chicken soup recipe, adding bay leaves and skinned chicken that has been trimmed of fat. Continue with the recipe as directed, making sure to remove the chicken and bay leaves along with the vegetables, as prescribed above, before pureeing the soup.
Make the matzoh balls:
1 box matzah ball mix (2 envelopes)
4 eggs
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
pinch nutmeg
1 tablespoon, chopped parsley
1 tablespoon, chopped scallions
optional: 2 tablespoons each, finely diced carrot and zucchini
pinch white pepper
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Cook in lightly salted water after forming balls, making sure that the pot has plenty of water. Cook for at least 30-40 minutes. Strain and add to the soup before serving.
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PO Box 7050 West Palmetto Park Road # 15-120
Boca Raton, FL 33433
 2010 Delicious and Kosher LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
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Newsletter and Delicious and Kosher.com are written by Karen Abir and the staff of Delicious and Kosher.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: 
