Author Archives: The Jewish Lady

Countdown to Rosh Hashanah – My Plan for the Day

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Rosh Hashanah starts tonight and my day is sure to be jam packed with preparations. As I write this, it’s 9:40 AM and I’ve already been up for six hours! Not intentionally, mind you, just woke up way too early, probably because of anxiety. I enjoy holidays, especially the New Year, but I also fret and fuss quite a bit too. (It truly is a “Holi-Daze.”)

So far, I’ve finished two loads of laundry, cleaned the house, put an Atlanta Brisket into the slow cooker, gone through my email, done some blogging, and wow, am I exhausted already!

For tonight’s dinner, it will just be immediate family, but there are Rosh Hashanah cards by Hallmark that I think are nice to send out to friends and family that are not able to join in the festivities. I’m not wearing anything special (pink sweater and gray slacks), and the meal should be nice but simple. In addition to the brisket, we’re having round challah, salad, mashed potatoes and string beans. Dessert, of course, will be honey cake and apple slices dipped in honey. (I baked Sunday, thankfully, because I’m way too frazzled to mix and measure now.)

Once my 3 cups of morning coffee wear off, I do intend to chill out with some YouTube watching and/or take a nap, after which I desperately need to dye my gray roots, wash my hair and shower. I wanted to paint my nails as well, but that’s probably not gonna happen.

We like to go around the table, sharing our resolutions, and the littles always look forward to hearing the mini Shofar as they color some printable holiday sheets. Dinner will most likely be around 6:30, then a quick clean up and prepping for tomorrow. I like to set the table the night before to make it easier. I’m trying a new recipe which I posted last week for a One-Pan Chicken Dinner that supposed to be incredibly quick. If it works out well, that may morph into a holiday meal tradition.

So, that’s what’s going on around here. I want to wish each and every one of my wonderful readers a Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope that 5778 brings joy, peace, and love to all!

 

How will you be celebrating?

National School Backpack Awareness Day

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There are many dangers we worry about as parents, but backpacks aren’t usually on the list. Surprisingly, this common item—which most kids use 5 days a week—can cause considerable physical problems if used incorrectly. To bring attention to this worrisome issue, September 20th has been designated National School Backpack Awareness Day.

The American Occupational Therapy Association suggest these tips to keep kids safe:

  • Always select a backpack that is the correct size for your child.
  • Make sure the height of the backpack extends from approximately 2 inches below the shoulder blades to waist level, or slightly above the waist.
  • Always wear well-padded shoulder straps on both shoulders so the weight is evenly balanced.
  • Distribute weight evenly. Load heaviest items closest to the child’s back and balance materials so the child can easily stand up straight.
  • Wear the hip belt if the backpack has one, to improve balance and take some strain off sensitive neck and shoulder muscles.
  • Check that the child’s backpack weighs no more than 10% of his or her body weight. If it weighs more, determine what supplies can stay at home or at school each day to lessen the load.
  • If the backpack is still too heavy for the child, consider a book bag on wheels.

Another one that I’ve done is to weigh the backpack. (Try it and you’ll be shocked how heavy it is!) A lot of the time, kids carry way too much stuff that they will never use. Paring down is a great idea. All of these tips are easy to implement immediately, and with the exception of buying a new bag, won’t cost a dime. 

Choose the Right Apple – Baking, Snacking, Salads

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While apples can be found in grocery stores all year long, there is a huge difference between a lovely, ripe, firm piece of fruit and a mushy, mealy discolored blob. Fall, of course, is the best season to buy and eat apples; this is also the time when the price is the lowest.

Personally, I am a HUGE fan of apples, provided they are extremely crunchy. To me, there is nothing less appetizing than a Red Delicious, but a Honeycrisp or a Crispin is very high on the list.

It’s interesting that different types of apples have different features, making some good raw and others best cooked. Within the past decade, I’ve noticed a much wider variety being offered in every store, even places like Walmart. If you’ve never experimented with some of these, it’s definitely worth a try.

Apples for Cooking:

These are excellent when lightly sautéed, either as a side dish or as part of a meat-based entrée.

  • Granny Smith
  • Cortland
  • Gravensteins
  • Fuji

Applesauce:

If you’re inclined to make your own, these are good options.

  • McIntosh
  • Honeycrisp
  • Empire
  • Golden Delicious

Apples for Salads:

Look for something crunchy and slice it thinly.

  • Granny Smith
  • Gala
  • Jazz
  • Ginger Gold

Apples for Baking:

When baking, the sturdier the apple, the best.

  • Pippin
  • Winesap
  • Golden Delicious
  • Cortland
  • Rome Beauty
  • Jonagold

Apples for Snacks:

  • Braeburn
  • Honeycrisp
  • Fuji
  • Gala 
  • Jazz
  • Crispin

Apples for Rosh Hashanah:

All apples turn brown after cutting, but certain types keep a bit better (mind you, nothing lasts forever, and a cut apple is best eaten quickly).

  • Gala
  • Cortland
  • Empire
  • Cameo
  • Ambrosia

Caramel Apples:

Use something sour to balance the sweet coating. Granny Smith works wonderfully.

 

What is your favorite apple?

Free Rosh Hashanah Coloring Sheets

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Grab some crayons, markers, or colored pencils and turn these free Rosh Hashanah coloring sheets from Torah Tots into a masterpiece. Good for kids and adults alike who need a calming activity during the holiday craziness.